Obituary Davey Allison

NASCAR racing was only just coming to terms with the loss of reigning champion, Alan Kulwicki, in an light ‘plane accident in April, when Davey Allison, one of Kulwicki’s main adversaries in last year’s absorbing title contest, succumbed to injuries sustained when his helicopter crash-landed at Talladega.

It was another cruel jolt to the American stock car fraternity as a whole, and a devastating blow to a racing dynasty that has suffered more than its fair share of tragedy in recent years.

Davey Allison, son of successful NASCAR racer Bobby, won 19 Grand National events in a 191-race career which started in 1985.

Last season was his most traumatic. He survived a huge crash at Pocono in July, but his rapid return to the cockpit was soon overshadowed by the death of his younger brother, Clifford, in a testing accident at Michigan. Despite this, Allison led the championship race going into the final round in Atlanta. Needing only a top six finish to secure the crown, he was lying fifth when he became embroiled in someone else’s accident, which dropped him to third in the points standings.

He remained with Robert Yates’ Ford team for 1993, and was lying fifth in the points table at the time of the accident, his only win of the season coming at Richmond in March.

We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends, in particular wife Liz, children Krista and Robbie and his parents, Bobby and Judy.