Alan Kulwicki and AK Racing memorabilia collection

Collection

Identifier: MS0538

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

9 photograph albums and scrapbooks, interviews and tributes (26 audiocassettes), trading cards, metal toy car, memorial quotes/poems, news clippings and photos, and assorted loose papers. Photographs and clippings about Kulwicki were collected by Kulwicki and his family.

Dates

1980 - 1993

Creator

Kulwicki, Alan, 1954-1993 (Creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some additional material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical Note

Alan Kulwicki was born in Greenfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1977. Many believe that his advanced knowledge of engineering was the key to his success and many drivers after him have taken a more scientific approach to the sport. Kulwicki began his racing career as a 13-year-old kart racer and moved to short track racing in 1973. In 1977 he graduated to paved tracks. Kulwicki raced in his first NASCAR race in 1984 and moved to Charlotte later that year, bringing only his pickup truck and a self-built race car. Kulwicki had no sponsor and a limited budget, but managed to earn the 1986 NASCAR Rookie of the Year with his self-owned AK Racing team. After Kulwicki won his first race at Phoenix International Raceway, he debuted what would become his trademark "Polish victory lap". Kulwicki won the 1992 Winston Cup Championship by what was then the closest margin in NASCAR history.

Kulwicki died in a plane crash in 1993. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998 and was posthumously honored by induction to several racing halls of fame..

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AK Racing was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series team. It was originally owned by Bill Terry before he sold it to Alan Kulwicki. Kulwicki controlled and raced for the team until his death in 1993, winning five races as an owner-driver.

Extent

2.4 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

9 photograph albums and scrapbooks, interviews and tributes (26 audiocassettes), trading cards, metal toy car, memorial quotes/poems, news clippings and photos, and assorted loose papers comprise the Alan Kulwicki and AK Racing memorabilia collection.