NASCAR Legend Bill Elliott’s Iconic Gift to Rival Proved Why Chase Elliott’s Father Was The Most Popular Driver of His Time

The story of Alan Kulwicki is one of the saddest ones in NASCAR. The phenomenal driver tragically lost his life in a plane crash on his way to the next race after winning his first title. But this story isn’t about the unfortunate demise of Kulwicki. Just days after what would have been his 68th birthday, the NASCAR community reminisced about a unique habit of his. And how Bill Elliott turned that habit into a joke as he gave him an iconic gift after he won his first title.

Every time Alan Kulwicki finished a race, he would fish out a comb from the glove box and comb his hair, looking in the rearview mirror. It was nothing more than an attempt to look his best in front of the camera for the interviews. When most drivers will be thinking about the car, their race result, and everything that happened in the race, the Polish Prince was worried about looking his best for the cameras.

Of course, this habit of the 1992 Cup Series Champion brought a lot of attention, and his fellow championship-winning driver, Bill Elliott, turned it into a joke. He gifted him something that was very special, to say the least. Elliott was poking fun at the Polish Prince’s habit as he gifted him a gold-plated comb to celebrate his Championship win.

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Unfortunately, just a few months after winning his title, Kulwicki would pass away in 1993 after an appearance with Chase Elliott’s sponsor.

The coincidental link between Alan Kulwicki’s death and Chase Elliott’s sponsor

Alan Kulwicki is one of the first drivers to ever be sponsored by the food chain, Hooters. It’s an interesting fact to note because the driver was on his way to race at Bristol after an appearance at Hooters, in a chartered aircraft belonging to the food chain. The same plane that tragically took the 1992 champion’s life.

But there’s a link with the Elliotts, because years later, the same company whose plane tragically crashed with Kulwicki in it, will sponsor Bill Elliott’s son, Chase. This isn’t to spark any controversy, but merely noticing something that might have been ignored by a lot of people.

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In the end, no one can deny that the passing of the Polish Prince is one of the most unfortunate events in the history of NASCAR. But at least we can look back at the memories fondly.