In remembrance of NASCAR Legend "Davey" Allison




1991 Phoenix Victory
Credit: RacingOne/Getty Images


Eighteen years ago today, we lost a racing talent and legend - "Davey" Allison.

Background:

David Carl "Davey" Allison was born on February 25, 1961 in Hollywood, FL to NASCAR Legend Bobby Allison and his wife Judy. He was the eldest of four siblings and initially became infamous for being a part of the "Alabama Gang."

"Davey" was an athlete (football player) during his high school years; however, he was predestined to become a key part of the racing industry due to his father's involvement (Bobby Allison). He began working for his father's Winston Cup team, after graduating from high school, and also worked on his own race car (Chevy Nova) after-hours. During that time, he and his group of friends that were know as the "Peach Fuzz Gang."




(1989 race car - Wikipedia)


Racing Career:

His racing career officially began in 1979 at Birmingham International Raceway where he captured his first win in just six starts. He had a very successful ARCA racing career and began his Winston Cup career in July 1985 driving for Hoss Ellington.

His racing career highlights included the following:
  • Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998)
  • 19 career wins (Winston Cup) including the Daytona 500 (1992)
  • 2 international race of champions wins including the IROC Championship (1993)
  • Winston Cup Rookie of the Year (1987)
  • 92 top-10 finishes and 14 poles
  • ARACA Rookie of the Year (1984)

Death and Legacy:

On July 12, 1993, "Davey" Allison was piloting a Hughes 369HS Helicopter headed to Talladega Superspeedway with family friend and legendary NASCAR driver Charles "Red" Farmer on board. While attempting to land the helicopter inside a fenced-in area of the infield, the aircraft went nose up and crashed. Neil Bonnett rushed to the crash site and was able to free "Red" Farmer from the wreckage; however, paramedics had to free Allison who was alive but was suffering from some serious head injuries that were sustained. He was rushed to Carraway Methodist Medical Center but only survived until the next morning (July 13) - "Davey" was only 32 years old at the time of his tragic death.

He was survived by his second wife Liz, daughter Krista Marie and son Robert Grey.

The legacy of this phenomenal driver lives on through a number of various tributes that have included the following:
  • Hueytown, AL has declared "Davey Allison Day" (2003) which is celebrated on the weekend of the spring Talladega race
  • NASCAR 1999 & 2000 video games include his Texaco Ford (driven from 1987-1989) featured as an unlockable NASCAR Legend
  • Posthumously inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1998)
  • Portrait was placed at the Texaco Headquarters before they were purchased by Chevron
"Davey" Allison was definitely a prominent figure in the NASCAR community and he is truly missed.

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Unique Hiram is an Associate Editor/Contributing Writer for Skirts and Scuffs. Additionally, she is also the author of "Fast Lane Poetry" which was published April 2011. Unique can be contacted via email or through Twitter.
In remembrance of NASCAR Legend "Davey" Allison In remembrance of NASCAR Legend "Davey" Allison Reviewed by Unique Hiram on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Rating: 5