Why is this Kulwicki car called the "Underbird"?

Alan Kulwicki drove the Hooters sponsored #008 car in the Atlanta "HOOTERS 500" 1992 season finale. This was the closest points battle in the history of NASCAR.  Drivers Davey Allison, Bill Elliott and Kulwicki were separated by a mere 40 points and this race would determine the 1992 Champion. 

Since Kulwicki considered himself the underdog by being an owner/ driver working with a much smaller team and budget than the larger teams of Allison and Elliott,  he asked special permission from Ford, and he was allowed to drop the "T H" from THUNDERBIRD...and the car became the "UNDERBIRD" for this one race. 

"We knick named this car the 'Underbird' because we felt we were the underdogs in this race today..." Kulwicki said.

He replaced the "T H" with a Mighty Mouse Mascot Patch and drove to a 2nd Place finish ... Elliott won the race, but by leading the most laps Kulwicki clinched the 1992 Winston Cup Championship- the closest in NASCAR history.  Kulwicki was the last owner/ driver to win a NASCAR Championship and the "Underbird" lettering and Mighty Mouse patch will always be remembered in NASCAR history.

(courtesy of Larry Bean and NASCAR)