Donnie Allison, born on September 7, 1939, is a former driver on the NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup circuit. He is part of the “Alabama Gang,” and is the brother of 1983 champion Bobby Allison and uncle of Davey Allison and Clifford Allison.
Allison’s racing career spanned from 1966 to 1988, during which he won ten times. He won his first NASCAR Cup Series competition at the 1968 Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway and his final win was at the 1978 Dixie 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Allison also won the 1967 NASCAR Grand National Rookie of the Year award. He managed to get ten wins in NASCAR Cup Series competition, and he drove in 242 races over 20 years. His best finish was 16th in 1967.
Allison suffered serious injuries at the 1981 Coca-Cola 600, which ended his career in NASCAR for the most part. He only raced fourteen more Winston Cup races (he would also fail to qualify four times for races during this time) from 1982 to 1988.
In addition to his NASCAR career, Allison had a prolific career in modified car racing in the Southeast before becoming a NASCAR Grand National Series driver.
Allison is also known for his involvement in the infamous fight with Cale Yarborough at the end of the 1979 Daytona 500. The two drivers crashed into each other on the final lap of the race while battling for the lead. After the crash, the two drivers got out of their cars and engaged in a physical altercation on the track. The fight also involved Bobby Allison, Donnie’s brother, who stopped his car to join the brawl. The incident became one of the most memorable moments in NASCAR history.
