Still A Sad Race Weekend 19 Years Later - R.I.P. Underbird

The Bristol spring race weekend rolls around 3 weeks earlier than it did on April Fool's weekend of 1993.

Bruton Smith has knocked down mountains and built gargantuan grandstands in the years since he bought the track. The asphalt is gone, replaced by concrete.

The reigning NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion wouldn't recognize the place he was headed when tragedy struck 19 years ago.

Below is a replay of the ESPN opening by Jerry Punch, Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons for the first Bristol telecast following Alan Kulwicki's tragic death, along with his fellow passengers/crew.

R.I.P. Underbird. You died a Champion.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Seems like only yesterday in many ways but thinking about how the sport has changed it seems like centuries. Great video Dave. Thanks for posting that one.

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Who could have ever dreamed that before the end of the 1993 season Davey Allison would also be gone.

Do you remember this moving moment at the conclusion of the season ending race at the real Atlanta track?

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"