First, defending series champion Alan Kulwicki was killed when the plane in which he was a passenger crashed while he was on his way to a race.
Later, DaveyAllison died in a helicopter crash during a race weekend.
In 1999, a private jet that was carrying golf star Payne Stewart crashed in South Dakota with no survivors; it is believed that all on board died when the plane suddenly lost cabin pressure early in the flight, while the plane was on autopilot.
Bobby Allison (121 weeks): Allison began his streak on Feb. 17, 1980 at the season-opening Daytona 500 and it culminated in the lone NASCARWinstonCup championship of his outstanding career.
Allison’s 21-week stretch at No. 1 in 1983 resulted in the lone NASCARWinstonCup championship of his outstanding career.
Allison’s second streak in 1981 did not result in a championship, joining Sterling Marlin’s run as the only two that did not lead to a series crown.
