Davey Allison

David Carl Allison was born on 25 February 1961 in Hollywood as the eldest child of Bobby and Julie Allison. During his lifetime he built a fine reputation as Robert Yates Racing’s best NASCAR driver, driving their #28 Texaco-Havoline Ford. Bobby Allison was a NASCAR driver, and it was inevitable that Davey Allison would follow in his father’s footsteps. The Allison family moved to Alabama and, together with Bobby’s brother, Donnie and two family friends, namely Neil Bonnett and Red Farmer, everyone in the racing circles knew them as the Alabama Gang.

After graduating from high school, Davey began working with Bobby Allison’s Winston Cup Team during the day, and at night Davey and his friends (affectionately known as the Peach Fuzz Gang) worked on Davey’s Chevy Nova. Birmingham International Raceway, in 1979, was the start to Davey Allison’s career. He had managed to secure a win in his sixth start and regularly won the BIR. By the year 1983, Davey had worked his way up to the Automobile Racing Club of America Series or ARCA. In the same year, he took the first place in both the ARCA events that took place at the Talledega Superspeedway, and in 1984 he received the ARCA Rookie of the Year, after the series title placed him second, and that same year he married Deborah.

Harry Ranier had been keeping a close eye on Davey, and had already chosen him to replace Cale Yarborough, who at that time was racing the Ranier-Lundy #28 Ford Thunderbird, but was leaving to start his own venture with Hardee’s. The date, 3 May 1987, would be remembered in the NASCAR history. The qualifying times for the Winston 500 that were held at the Talledega Superspeedway, set the scene for a spectacular show-down. Bill Elliot and Bobby Allison would start alongside each other, with first and second place, respectively. Davey Allison would pull away in third place. Bobby Allison drove over debris on the 22nd lap, cutting his rear tire and causing his car to slide, lift and crash into the spectator fence. The race ended up being red flagged for almost four hours, due to a few injured spectators. Bobby Allison walked away without injury.

Davey was still upfront when the race resumed, and Bill Elliot was forced to drop out of the race due to engine failure. Starting second on the restart, Davey managed to pass the race leader, Dale Earnhardt, and became the first rookie, since 1981 when Ron Bouchard won, to win a Winston Cup Event. Davey would go on to many disappointments, near death accidents and team changes, but he won a number of races in spectacular fashion. His wins include the Budweiser 500 in 1987, the Champion Spark Plug 400 and Miller High Life 400 in 1988, the Winston 500 and Pepsi 400 in 1989, the Valleydale Meats 500 and Mello Yello 500 in 1990, clocking up an amazing five wins in 1991, being the Coca-Cola 600, Banquet Frozen Foods 300, Miller Genuine Draft 400, AC Delco 500 and Pyroil 500, with another five wins in 1992, being the Daytona 500, First Union 400, Winston 500, Miller Genuine Draft 400 and Pyroil 500K. Davey ended his career with winning the Pontiac Excitement 400 in 1993.

On 12 July 1993, Davey Allison was underway to Neil and David Bonnet who were test driving a new car for David Bonnets Busch Series debut, in his new Hughes 396 helicopter. Red Farmer, another legendary driver, had joined Allison on the trip. On landing, the helicopter suddenly nosed up and crashed to the ground. Neil was able to free Red Farmer, but had to wait for Paramedics to free Davey. Davey Allison died on 13 July 1993, leaving behind his second wife, Liz, and two children. In 1998, Davey Allison was inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

back to Drivers