Benny Richard Knotts was an American ASA

American Speed Association

The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...

 and NASCAR Winston Cup

NEXTEL Cup

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...

driver. The Paw Paw, Michigan driver began his career in 1974 and raced in various stock car series for 6 years before dying in a crash at Daytona in 1980.

Fatal Crash at Daytona

On February 14, 1980 Knotts was in the field for the first Twin 125 race at Daytona International Speedway, hoping to qualify for that Sunday's Daytona 500. However his hopes dwindled as his underpowered Oldsmobile quickly lost position. On the 14th lap, his hood flew up as he was racing down the back straightaway, causing him to lose all visibility. Knotts spun out and struck the outside retaining wall drivers side first. Footage from a television camera revealed that Knotts' head hung out of the window and struck the barrier,instantly killing the 28-year old journeyman.