These legendary NASCAR race cars disappeared from history after crashes, controversies, or even simple neglect. Some got destroyed on purpose while others vanished without explanation.
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Here are the top 5 of the same:
1. Dale Earnhardt’s Fatal 2001 Daytona 500 Car The black #3 Goodwrench Monte Carlo that killed “The Intimidator” in turn four at Daytona has never been seen publicly since the investigation ended. Richard Childress Racing keeps its location secret, with most believing Childress had the car destroyed and buried after NASCAR finished studying the crash.
Photos from the accident report show the twisted wreckage, but that’s the last anyone saw of NASCAR’s most infamous machine.
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2. Neil Bonnett’s 1994 Daytona 500 Practice Car Bonnett died during practice for the 1994 Daytona 500 when his car hit the wall in turn four. The former Alabama Gang member was making his comeback attempt when the crash occurred during a practice session.
NASCAR and the team destroyed the car after the investigation, ensuring it would never be seen again out of respect for the Bonnett family.
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3. Davey Allison’s 1992 Pocono Wreck Allison’s #28 Ford suffered a violent crash at Pocono in July 1992 that contributed to injuries that would ultimately lead to complications from his helicopter crash later that month.
The car was so severely damaged in the wreck that it was deemed unrepairable and scrapped by Robert Yates Racing rather than attempting a rebuild.
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4. Tim Richmond’s Lost 1987 Cars When Richmond left NASCAR mid career due to his HIV diagnosis, several of his race winning cars from 1986 and early 1987 disappeared.
The cars were sold off quietly by Hendrick Motorsports, with most ending up in private collections or junkyards. The whereabouts of his Folgers #25 Chevrolet that won at Pocono remains unknown to this day.
5. Richard Petty’s Missing Superbirds Several of Petty’s 1970 Plymouth Superbirds that won races have vanished over the decades. While some were sold to collectors, others were reportedly scrapped or abandoned in junkyards during the 1980s when NASCAR memorabilia wasn’t considered valuable. Historians have confirmed finding rusted Superbird bodies in North Carolina junkyards that may have been former Petty Enterprises race winners.
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