There’s Always An Angler, er … Angle

When you come to Talladega Superspeedway, you think about the legendary Dale Earnhardt and how he won the most races including the final race of his storied career. Before the restrictor plate era there was a man, Bobby Allison, leader of the legendary ALABAMA GANG.

Bobby Allison, 1983 Winston Cup Champion and leader of the Alabama Gang changed the history of NA$CAR racing on the giant 2.66 mile track as well as Daytona International Speedway with a terrifying wreck.

Allison was involved in an accident at Alabama International Motor Speedway (now Talladega Superspeedway) in May, 1987 that saw his car turn sideways and go airborne into the protective catch fence that separates the speedway from the grandstands. The impact with the fence with the rear of the car at over 200 miles per hour caused nearly 100 yards of fencing to be torn down, and parts and pieces of the car went flying into the grandstand injuring several spectators.This is the same race that Bill Elliott set the all-time qualifying record at 212 mph. In response, NASCAR mandated smaller carburetors for the remaining 1987 events at Talladega and its sister track, Daytona International Speedway. The following year, NASCAR mandated restrictor plates at Daytona and Talladega to keep speeds under 200 miles per hour. Allison would win the first Daytona 500 run with restrictor plates in February 1988 by beating his son Davey Allison. He is the oldest driver (50 years) ever to win the Daytona 500 and the first one-two father/son finish in the Daytona 500.

Some of the greatest names in NA$CAR history were part of the Alabama Gang. The original members were Bobby and Donnie Allison and the ageless Red Farmer. In the early 80’s Neil Bonnett joined the gang while running cars out of Bobby’s Heuytown, Al shop. Davey Allison soon became part of the gang and won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987. Younger brother, Clifford Allison began his career running in the Busch Grand National Series in the early 90’s.

In a time of triumph and tragedy, the Alabama Gang suffered the unthinkable loss after loss. The 1988 season began with the amazing win at Daytona by Bobby Allison with son Davey second. Later in the year, at Pocono, Bobby was involved in a near fatal crash that ended his career and took the memories of his final victory in the Daytona 500.

In 1992 a practice crash at Michigan took the life of Clifford Allison. It was the kind of crash that seemed to be no big deal. Yet, Clifford was lost.

As the 1992 season came down to the final race at Atlanta, Davey Allison was among the contenders for the championship. A mid-race crash took him out of the race and the ‘92 Championship would be won by Alan Kulwicki in the closest battle in NA$CAR history.

In July of ‘93, just one year after the loss of brother, Clifford at Michigan, Davey Allison crashed while piloting his new helicopter. Davey and Red Farmer flew over to the Talladega track to watch Neil Bonnett’s son practice a BGN car. As he attempted to land in the Talladega infield, Davey lost control and crashed. Red Farmer suffered injuries, but recovered.  Davey suffered severe head injuries and died the next day.

Before the ‘94 season officially began, tragedy struck the Alabama Gang  again. Neil Bonnett was making his long awaited comeback to the cup series following the recovery of his own head injuries. The popular Bonnett had made a second career as a TV broadcast analyst for CBS, ESPN and TNN. He also had a weekly series on TNN called, WINNERS. Neil Bonnett, a close friend of Dale Earnhardt, crashed on the opening day of practice for the ‘94 Daytona 500. Bonnett died at the scene after a hard crash into the 4th turn wall.

Bobby Allison is tied with Darrell Waltrip with 84 wins, third in all time wins behind the ‘Silver Fox’ David Pearson and the King, Richard Petty.

Todays race at Talladega is a different kind of race. Young drivers, different cars and yet the one common thread that links todays race with the heroes of the past. A passion to win.