Davey Allison

Davey Allison, son of NASCAR legend Bobby Allison made his debut in the 1987 season, and went on to be the first NASCAR Cup Series rookie to every qualify on the front for the popular Daytona 500. Davey did not win that race, but he accumulated two other wins that and went on to win the Rookie of the Year honors. The two victories were at the Winston 500 at Talladega and at Dover in Delaware.

Coming from a family of racers, known as the "Alabama gang", Davey showcased his immense talent, and in the 1988 season, came in second, with his dad Bobby Allison take the top honors at the Daytona 500. Bobby retired from racing that year, following an unfortunate accident, but Davey now began to get into form. After Rainer crew chief and engine builder, Robert Yates bought the financially weak Rainer, Davey's career began an upward climb.

In the 1991 season, Davey had the most number of races won, numbering to 23, and in the following season he had the most number of laps led, being 1377. Both these seasons were the best that Davey had in his career, with five race wins in each.

In a tragic accident, caused while trying to land his helicopter in a confined area at the Superspeedway at Talladega, Davey Allison lost his life. Survived by a wife and two children, in 1996, Davey was honored with an induction into the National Motorsports Press Association's Stock Car Hall of Fame in Darlington Raceway. With 19 wins in his career and a further 14 poles, Davey was also inducted into Bristol Motor Speedway's Heroes of Bristol, Hall of Fame in 1997. The following year Davey was honored once again, and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, in Talladega, Ala.