With most of the motorsports world on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve decided to highlight some of the sport’s legends on a daily basis. We begin each story within the pages of National Speed Sport News.
Long ago, Bobby Allison issued a challenge to his younger brother, Donnie, saying that he’d never become a race car driver.
Donnie Allison took Bobby’s words to heart and translated them into years of success.
Allison entered NASCAR’s Grand National division in the mid-1960s and earned rookie-of-the-year honors in 1967.
As an original member of the famed “Alabama Gang,” Allison won 10 Cup Series races and 17 poles in 239 career starts. He posted 78 top-five finishes and 115 top 10s.
Perhaps the most notable moment in Allison’s career was when, on national television, he and Bobby brawled with Cale Yarborough after a last-lap incident in the 1979 Daytona 500.
But Allison’s success wasn’t limited to stock cars. Allison entered the 1970 Indianapolis 500 in a car fielded by A.J. Foyt, finishing fourth and earning the top rookie award. Six days later, he won the World 600 at Charlotte in a stock car.
He also won five Grand American events and competed in IROC.
Allison’s career came to a halt after a crash in the 1981 World 600. He competed in only 13 Cup races after that.
