Donnie Allison NASCAR Cup Series Career

Few drivers can lay claim to a résumé that includes participating in one of the most well-known events in NASCAR history, winning races and rookie of the year awards at the highest level of the sport, as well as taking home the top rookie prize in the Indianapolis 500. On the other hand, Donnie Allison is an uncommon person.

Allison spoke with Motorsport.com for a bit before leaving for Daytona International Speedway to update followers on his current activities.

After returning from the 2017 NASCAR cruise, Allison was eager to discuss his recent activities and future goals.

The Allison brothers were born and reared in Miami, Florida, even though he and his brother Bobby are most remembered for being members of the “Alabama Gang” alongside their late nephew Davey Allison, the late Neil Bonnett, and Red Farmer. They began racing at several venues across South Florida, such as the former Hialeah Speedway.

On the track, he and Bobby were bitter rivals who, for the most part, controlled their emotions. However, there were occasions when their differences surfaced.

Allison claimed, “We always raced each other hard and we almost got into fights a few times, but we never did.”

Getting his start

After moving to Alabama, Donnie and his brother began racing at local short tracks before advancing to the Grand National Series, which is currently known as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

The call to race at Indianapolis

He reasoned that he wouldn’t find it too difficult to switch from driving super modifieds to stock cars.

“You could tell the difference in the horsepower and weight ratio of the Indy cars,” he continued, “but it wasn’t a drastic change for me.” “You had to back off in the corners because there was so much more downforce.”

Allison would start the 1971 race at the historic track in sixth place and finish fourth on the lead lap.

Throughout his career, Allison would also start three more IndyCar races.

“That year at Daytona, I spoke with A.J. Foyt and persuaded him to give me a car,” Allison recalled. “I was faster than I was before the 1970 accident when I wrecked the car in practice, and they fixed it.”

It was a fantastic weekend since Allison was among the first competitors in 1970 to participate in “The Double,” placing fourth on Saturday, May 23, 1970 at Indianapolis, and winning the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway the following day.

When Allison won the 600 by two laps over Cale Yarborough in second place, he remarked, “We had a good weekend that year for sure.”

A fateful day in Daytona

In 1979, Allison drove for Hoss Ellington and believed he had the best chance of any competitor despite missing out on the Daytona 500 the previous two occasions.

This was the first-ever live flag-to-flag race broadcast on television, as has been widely reported, and Allison was prepared to wow the spectators and supporters.

Alongside the late Buddy Baker, he began from the outside of the front row. On Lap 31, he, his brother, and Yarborough all slid off the track and into the wet grass, seemingly ending his chances of winning.

Bobby and Cale both lost two laps, and Donnie lost one. After a successful recovery, all three contributed to one of the most well-known race finishes and post-race incidents in NASCAR history.

For Allison, that memory evokes conflicting feelings.

Allison remarked, “It’s hard to be remembered for a wreck instead of a win in that race.” “I shouldn’t have been proud of the wreck because it was the third time I should have won that race. I am aware that things went wrong even though we had a fantastic car and were approaching the last lap.

Even though the outcome wasn’t what he had hoped for, he understands that day in Daytona will always hold a special place in NASCAR history.

“I believe that to be the most watched race highlight in NASCAR history, and I know that replay has been aired annually as part of Speedweeks in Daytona since then,” he continued. “I know I will always be remembered, at least.”

After Daytona and the Accident

Allison kept on racing in the NASCAR, and when he came back to Charlotte in 1981 to compete in the World 600, he was hurt badly in a brutal crash.

“It was a serious accident that injured me at Charlotte when I was 42 years old,” Allison recalled. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever get another opportunity to drive a race car.”

Allison did bounce back, but in his career, he only made 12 more starts before giving up on the Cup in 1988.

After his injury, Allison did manage three top-10 finishes, but he was unable to repeat as a top rider and made the decision to retire.

The next chapter in life

Following his retirement, Allison formed the Allison Legacy Series with the brothers Ronald and Donald as well as Kenny.

“The boys work on the cars and run the races, and Pat (Donnie’s 55-year-old wife) runs the office and keeps the series books,” Allison continued. “We all enjoy what we do every year and we love racing.”

In this series, drivers compete on short tracks across the nation in ¾-scale replicas of Cup cars. Former contestants in the series include Trevor Bayne and Regan Smith, who are currently racers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

We’ve been doing this for a while, and I’m extremely pleased of my boys because they’ve worked so hard to make it a terrific series for young drivers to compete in,” Allison remarked. “The boys are in charge of the show’s success, and they’re all putting in a lot of effort to prepare for another season.”

Looking back

As he considers his career, Allison is pleased with his achievements.

Allison remarked, “I just want to be known as a competitive person who always gave it my all on the racetrack.” “I was proud of my career victories and did the best I could with the equipment I was in.”

Allison frequently participated in many series during a season and never held a full-time seat in the top NASCAR division. In a 1974 season that included 30 races, he made the most starts he has ever made in a NASCAR Cup season: 21.

In retrospect, he remarked, “I think I would have joined a strong team and raced full-time to pursue a championship.” “To try and race for a championship, I guess that would have been the one thing I wish I had done differently.”

Thanks to the fans

Throughout his career, Allison was always fortunate to have supporters.

He remarked, “I truly appreciate all of the fans’ support over the years.” “We had a devoted legion of fans who supported the Alabama Gang for years, and that was always appreciated.”

He also offers some guidance to novice supporters of the game.

He went on, “Keep supporting racing and the drivers; it’s the best there has ever been.”