Polish Victory Lap

A Polish Victory Lap is a celebratory lap where a race winner drives around the track in the opposite direction of normal racing traffic, allowing them to wave to fans from the driver's side window.

This unique celebration was created by Polish-American NASCAR driver Alan Kulwicki. After winning his first Winston Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 6, 1988, Kulwicki decided to drive his car clockwise around the oval track instead of the usual counterclockwise direction. This simple change had a meaningful purpose: it positioned the driver's side window toward the grandstands, making it easier for him to acknowledge and wave to the fans who supported him.

Kulwicki chose this celebration as a tribute to his Polish heritage, which is why it became known as the Polish Victory Lap. It quickly became his signature move after victories, including his 1992 Winston Cup Championship win. The celebration represented both his pride in his background and his appreciation for racing fans.

Tragically, Kulwicki died in a plane crash in April 1993 at the age of 38. Following his death, the Polish Victory Lap took on new significance in the racing community. Other drivers began performing this reverse victory lap as a way to honor Kulwicki's memory and legacy. What started as one driver's personal celebration became a lasting tribute that continues today.

The Polish Victory Lap is most commonly seen in NASCAR oval racing, where grandstands are typically positioned on one side of the track. By driving in reverse, winners can face the main crowd and celebrate more directly with spectators. However, the tradition has also spread to short track and dirt track racing across the country.

Many notable drivers have performed Polish Victory Laps over the years. In 1993, drivers like Michael Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, and Dale Earnhardt performed tribute laps shortly after Kulwicki's passing. More recently, drivers including Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Chase Elliott have continued the tradition. Elliott's 2024 victory lap at Texas Motor Speedway, where he drove the full distance in reverse, showed that Kulwicki's legacy remains strong more than three decades after he introduced this celebration.

While the term specifically references Polish heritage, any driver can perform this type of victory lap as a sign of respect for Kulwicki or simply as a way to better connect with fans on a particular side of the track. It remains one of motorsport's most recognizable and meaningful victory celebrations.