Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 15, 1994 TAG: 9402150104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HUEYTOWN, ALA. LENGTH: Medium
About 650 people gathered for a memorial service at the Garywood Assembly of God Church, where Bonnett's casket lay in state under a black-and-white floral spray made to look like a checkered flag.
It was the third funeral in 18 months for a member of Alabama's racing fraternity. NASCAR star Davey Allison died in a helicopter crash in July, and his brother Clifford was killed in a car crash 11 months before that.
"This is getting to be too regular a thing," said driver Darrell Waltrip. "I don't want to be sad. I don't want to cry any more."
Bonnett, 47, crashed Friday during a practice run at Daytona International Raceway and died about 30 minutes later. Bonnett, who had not raced full time since a 1990 wreck temporarily left him with amnesia, planned a comeback this year.
Bonnett became the host of a racing show on television's Nashville Network following the 1990 crash. But he said he never got racing out of his blood and had to try driving again.
Butch Nelson, a longtime friend of Bonnett, remembered him This is getting to be too regular a thing. I don't want to be sad. I don't want to cry any more. Darrell Waltrip Winston Cup driver as being quick with a smile and always ready to help others.
"You're looking at a man who encouraged him to get back into racing," said Nelson. "I wish I could be somewhere other than this church today."
Lynn Northcutt, a cousin of Bonnett's, said Bonnett began each day with the opening lines of the song "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," which was sung at his funeral.
Bonnett is survived by his wife Susan, son David and daughter Kristen.
Bonnett began his racing career in the early 1970s and went on to earn 18 NASCAR victories.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
Memo: longer version ran in the State edition.