Great Families in NASCAR - The Allisons

The Allisons always won because they sendDavey Allison's behind the wheel career began in
continuous power and torque to the wheels, and1979, with his first win in only his sixth start. He won
their torque converters tend to keep engines attwo ARCA races, finished second in points and won
speeds where they perform best. The AllisonsRookie of the Year honors in 1984. Davey Allison
chronicle the racing careers, and little else, of brotherswould succumb to his injuries the following morning at
Bobby and Donnie (both forced to retire by severethe age of 32.
injuries), and Bobby's sons Davey and Clifford (bothDavey Allison was given mountains to climb and
killed in racing-related accidents).obstacles along the way, and he never complained,
Bobby Allison was a founding member of NASCAR'snever gave up and continued to climb those
fabled Alabama Gang, but few know that he actuallymountains time and again. I pause to remember
was born in and raised in Miami Florida. In his seniorDavey Allison, his courage, his determination, his
year of high school, Allison entered his first race instrength and above all his class. Davey Allison's 1989
South Florida, but his budding career was cut shortseason didn't start well. A year after he and his
by his father, who wanted Bobby to stop racingfather's one-two Daytona 500 finish, Davey started a
after witnessing his first few wrecks. Bobby Allisondisappointing 16th, then was involved in an early
would drive his #15 Ford past Buddy Baker and goincident with Geoff Bodine that sent his car careening
on to win what would become the first of threeinto the sand bar separating the track's backstretch
Daytona 500 wins. Benny Parsons would finish in thirdfrom Lake Lloyd. Davey Allison cruised to victory in
while Cale Yarborough would take 2nd place honorsthe 1992 Daytona 500 in the '92 Daytona 500 past
with 33.2 seconds off of Allison's lead.champion #28.
Donnie Allison was always the "other" brother of theAllison nearly died in a horrific 1988 crash that ended
famous NASCAR racing duo. Overshadowedhis career. He spent more than 10 years recovering.
throughout his career by Bobby Allison, his olderAllison became the first rookie to sit on the front
brother and with the third highest wins in NASCARrow of the Daytona 500, a race he eventually won in
history, Donnie often did not get his due for being an1992 after finishing second to his father Bobby four
outstanding racer in his own right.years earlier. Davey Allison won 19 career races on
Davey Allison, like his father, was born in Souththe NASCAR Winston Cup circuit in a brilliant six-year
Florida and became the second-generation star of thecareer that came to a premature end when he died
Alabama Gang. A good all-around athlete, but hisin 1993. Allison entered and won that race, along with
racing genes kicked in after his high school graduationtwo others races that week. He had found his
and his decision to go racing led him to Birminghamlucrative racing.
International Raceway for his first start in 1979.