The Underbird 279 SH
The Polish Prince's Victory Lap
On November 6, 1988, the air at Phoenix International Raceway crackled with excitement as Alan Kulwicki, the Polish Prince, tasted victory in his first NASCAR Winston Cup race. Adrenaline coursed through his veins like wildfire, fueling his daring decision to steer his car against the tide of the inaugural Checker 500. This bold act on that fateful autumn day breathed life into the now-famous Polish Victory Lap.
A celebrated tradition in the world of auto racing, the Polish Victory Lap sees the triumphant driver defying convention and speeding around the track in reverse, checkered flag proudly waving like a battle standard outside their window. Kulwicki's Polish heritage lent itself to both his nickname and this unique celebration of victory.
Kulwicki not only created that unforgettable victory dance, According to NASCAR lore, prior to the 1992 Hooters 500 (the final race of the season), Kulwicki got permission from Ford to change the "Thunderbird" lettering on his bumper to "Underbird," because he considered his team to be an underdog in the championship race. Despite breaking the first gear in his transmission during his first pit stop, Kulwicki employed a brilliant fuel-saving plan that helped him finish second in the race. With the great finish, Kulwicki capped off a six-race string that allowed him to overcome a 278-point deficit to capture the Winston Cup and made the Underbird part of NASCAR history.
Tragically, in 1993, a light aircraft accident snatched Kulwicki away from the racing world. Though he never got to defend his 1992 Winston Cup Championship, his legacy as a successful NASCAR driver—including earning Rookie of the Year in 1986—remains immortalized through the exhilarating ritual of the Polish Victory Lap.
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