HONDA NOVA NASCAR Race Legend
David Carl Allison began working for his dad Bobby's Winston Cup team after he graduated from high school. After hours, Davey and his friends, affectionately known as "the peach fuzz gang" worked on a Chevy Nova that he built. His enthusiasm and devotion to the sport began to grow and he started his career in racing at Birmingham International Raceway in 1979.
Emulating his father's proud and fiercely competitive drive, he finished fifth in his very first event and went on to take his first win that same year in only his sixth start. In 1984, Davey earned the ARCA Rookie of the Year award and placed 2nd in the series title. He began competing in some of NASCAR's lower divisions in 1985, and soon, car owner Hoss Ellington gave him his first opportunity to drive a Winston Cup car at the Talledega 500, his home track. He took 10th place and Winston Cup Rookie of the Year honors.
Two years later in 1987, Davey Allison won his first NASCAR Winston Cup race at the same track. Also in 1987, Davey became the first rookie to qualify on the front row for the Daytona 500. The very next year he took 2nd place behind his dad Bobby at the Great American Race. Both Bobby and Davey would consider this celebration in victory lane at Daytona the greatest moment of their lives.
Davey Allison's races spanned only five complete NASCAR Winston Cup seasons, and in 191 events he earned 19 victories, including the 1992 Daytona 500. His life was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash in the infield at Talladega Superspeedway in 1993. At the time of his death, he was leading the IROC series championship with one race remaining in the four race series. Terry Labonte drove the final race in his place and secured the championship for him.
