Talladega Tales: Davey Allison’s Untold Story

Before modern-day NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson ascended the throne as the sport’s greatest, in the 80s and 90s the Alabama gang earned a notorious reputation for destroying the competition. While Bobby Allison and his brother Donnie Allison and the Bonnett family took the sport to new heights, it was Bobby Allison’s son, Davey Allison, who shook up the racing world, embodying the grit and determination that exemplified the spirit of NASCAR.

Though his career was a short one of 6 years, the aura and persona Allison brought to the track will certainly stand the test of time. Despite the tragedy that took the driver’s life at Talladega Superspeedway, the legacy he built will always remain in the hearts of fans.

Untold stories of Talladega Superspeedway – Gone but never forgotten, Davey Allison’s legacy

Long before Tony Stewart set a record of 3 rookie wins in 1999, Davey Allison set the record first with 2 wins and 5 poles in 1987, his breakout year. Unlike many of today’s privileged drivers, getting the opportunity from their champion fathers walking them into the sport, Allison had to work his way through.

When told by his son he wished for a racing career, he first got him into the race shop, where he quickly learned the basics. Sweeping the shop floors, disassembling and building race cars, Allison soaked up the details of racing one by one until he got his first shot in 1985.

One look at his career stats and anyone would be awestruck, realizing the late driver’s power. Allison amassed a total of 19 wins from 191 Cup Series races till his untimely death in 1993.

Allison was more than just an effective driver. His ability to persuade success, his toughness, and his tenacity propelled him to superhero status. Once he started racing full-time, he never went a season without racing. Despite being in a timeline known for its horrific crashes and seeing his own father getting tossed around the track, Allison never gave up. In 1992, after a vicious crash in Pocono that sent the driver for a toss, only to be hospitalized with broken bones and a bloody concussion, he returned to the track weeks after.

Arriving on the following race at the notorious Talladega Super-speedway, Allison velcroed his broken arm to the shifter, showing the community what kind of a man he was. Despite the title slipping from his hands even in his last season in 1992, disappointment never swallowed the driver. He was always a cheerful lad who wore a goofy, charming smile that brightened even the worst situations.

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Allison’s tragic demise in 1993

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Even after the dark days of July, when an unfortunate crash took the driver’s life. Davey Allison’s legacy lives on. His then-crew chief and current-day NASCAR presenter, Larry McReynolds, let us in on the driver’s unwavering spirit. Losing his grandfather to cancer, 1992 was a dark phase for the legend. Entering the All-Star race, it was more of a win one week, wreck the next kind of scenario for Allison.

After a tough battle with NASCAR veteran, Kyle Petty in the 1992 All-Star race to the finish line. Allison got into a late crash with Petty after his #28 car was sent into the outer wall. Following the aftermath, Allison received bruises, suffered a concussion, and was quickly rushed to the hospital where he woke asking his McReynolds, “Did we win?” 

That was the kind of man he was. Such tales and stories about his obsession to win add to his legacy, which even after his death in 1993 still burns brighter than the sun. July 13th was a somber day for the NASCAR nation as the world was robbed of Davey Allison. One month after he bought a helicopter, Allison’s life came to a tragic end when the aircraft crashed while trying to land in Talladega Superspeedway’s infield.

READ MORE: Talladega Superspeedway track analysis: History, Footprint, Dangers, Odds & Crashes

Even though the community only witnessed his greatness for a brief time, Davey Allison and the legacy that he built will never be forgotten, shining brightly in the hearts of NASCAR fans.