Alan Kulwicki was an American stock car racing driver who primarily competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1985 until his untimely death in an aircraft accident in 1993. During his eight years in the series, he won five races, started from pole position 24 times, and had 75 top-10 finishes. In the season prior to his death in 1992, he won the NASCAR Cup Series by narrowly beating Bill Elliott by 10 points.
Kulwicki raced for his own team Alan Kulwicki Racing, which he managed himself. It led to further appreciation for the driver, as he was able to defeat established teams despite having limited resources.
Alan Kulwicki major sponsors
Kulwicki received his first sponsorship while racing in the NASCAR Cup Series from Quincy's SteakHouse, a restaurant chain, in 1986. After demonstrating promise as a capable driver with the potential to achieve respectable results, Kulwicki secured a sponsorship deal for the entirety of 1987 Cup Series season from Ashland Inc. to promote their Zerex Antifreeze coolant.
The sponsorship agreement between Kulwicki and Ashland Inc ended after the 1990 season when Ashland Inc chose to sponsor Mark Martin at Roush Racing for the upcoming season. As a result, Kulwicki began the 1991 season without a primary sponsor. However, he was able to secure a one-race sponsorship for the first round at Daytona 500 from the United States Army, which was demonstrating support for American forces in the Gulf War.
As the sponsorship deal was only for one race from the United States Army, Kulwicki participated in the next two rounds without a primary sponsor until the Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Despite not having a primary sponsor, Kulwicki put his car on pole for the race. This caught the eyes of Hooters executives, who were disappointed as their sponsored driver Mark Stahl had failed to qualify for the race. As Atlanta Motor Speedway was considered to be Hooters' home track (the company is based in Atlanta) the executives wanted a car in the race which was sponsored by them. Hence the two parties agreed on a one-race (at the least) sponsorship deal. Kulwicki’s eighth place finish led to Hooters giving him a long-term contract.
This decision proved fruitful as Kulwicki won the NASCAR Cup Series championship the following season in 1992 with Hooters.
FAQ's On Alan Kulwicki sponsors
A. Quincy's SteakHouse, a restaurant chain, was the first sponsor of Alan Kulwicki in the NASCAR Cup Series.
A. Ashland Inc., through their Zerex Antifreeze coolant brand, sponsored Alan Kulwicki from 1987 till 1990 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
A. The United States Army sponsored Alan Kulwicki at the 1991 Daytona 500 as they were demonstrating support for American forces in the Gulf War.
A. Alan Kulwicki had to race without primary sponsorship for two races in the 1991 season.
A. Hooters started sponsoring Alan Kulwicki from the 1991 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
