Wikipedia

Donnie Allison

Donnie Allison (born September 7, 1939) is an American former driver on the NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup circuit, who won ten times during his racing career, which spanned from 1966 to 1988. He is part of the "Alabama Gang", and is the brother of 1983 champion Bobby Allison and uncle of Davey Allison and Clifford Allison. He was inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2009. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 19, 2024.

Donnie Allison
Allison at Rockingham Speedway in 2012
Born (1939-09-07) September 7, 1939 (age 85)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Achievements1970 World 600 Winner

1971 Winston 500 Winner
1970 Firecracker 400 Winner

1975 Snowball Derby winner
Awards1967 Grand National Series Rookie of the Year

1970 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year
International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2009)

NASCAR Hall of Fame (2024)
NASCAR Cup Series career
242 races run over 20 years
Best finish16th (1967)
First race1966 National 500 (Charlotte)
Last race1988 Champion Spark Plug 400 (Michigan)
First win1968 Carolina 500 (Rockingham)
Last win1978 Dixie 500 (Atlanta)
Wins Top tens Poles
10 115 18
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
20 races run over 5 years
Best finish34th (1987)
First race1984 Miller Time 300 (Charlotte)
Last race1989 Goody's 300 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 5 0
NASCAR Grand National East Series career
2 races run over 1 year
First race1972 Mr. D's 200 (Nashville)
Last race1972 Mountaineer 300 (West Virginia)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
Statistics current as of February 28, 2013.

NASCAR career

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Before racing in the Grand National Series, Allison, like his brother Bobby, drove modified stock cars.[1] Allison managed to get ten wins in NASCAR Cup Series competition with his first coming at the 1968 Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway and his final coming at the 1978 Dixie 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Allison would suffer serious injuries at the 1981 Coca-Cola 600,[2][3] this would end his career in NASCAR for the most part.[4] Allison would only race fourteen more Winston Cup races (he would also fail to qualify four times for races during this time) from 1982 to 1988. Allison also won the 1967 NASCAR Grand National Rookie of the Year.

1979 Daytona 500

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Allison is perhaps best remembered for his involvement in a final-lap crash and a subsequent fight with Cale Yarborough in the 1979 Daytona 500. He was leading the race on the final lap with Yarborough drafting him tightly. As Yarborough started to go below Allison, he attempted to take the inside lane away but Yarborough hit Allison from behind first and got Allison sideways. Yarborough made contact with the side of Allison's car and it put him in the grass. He came back to hit Allison side to side and as both drivers tried to regain control, their cars made contact several times and finally locked together and crashed into the outside wall in turn 3. After the cars settled in the infield grass, Allison and Yarborough were in a heated conversation when, Bobby Allison, who finished laps down after his earlier collision with his brother, pulled over and to check on his brother, but Yarborough accused him of causing the accident and started to hit Bobby while Bobby was still in his car. At that point, a fight ensued.[5] As the 1979 Daytona 500 was the first live flag-to-flag nationally televised NASCAR race, the finish and the post-race squabble were a ratings dream for CBS. Richard Petty, who was over half a lap behind at the time of the crash, went on to win the race. The fight made headlines all across America. The publicity was instrumental in the growth of NASCAR.

USAC career

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Allison first raced in the USAC Championship Car Series in 1970. Driving the No. 83 Greer Eagle 67-Offenhauser for Ansted-Thompson Racing in the 1970 Indianapolis 500, he finished 4th and won the 1970 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award. He would have finished 20th in points, but because he was using a NASCAR license, he was ineligible for points. For the 1971 Allison drove the No. 84 Purolator Filters Coyote-Ford V8, finishing 6th in the Indianapolis 500. He also raced in the Rex Mays 150 at Milwaukee State Fairgrounds Speedway, the Schaefer 500 at Pocono International Raceway, and the California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway, retiring from both. Allison was again ineligible for points.

  • Allison held a twenty three year record for the Indianapolis 500 as the highest finishing Rookie from 1970 until 1993 when Nigel Mansell gained the title and broke his record.[6]

After racing

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Allison, who lives in Alabama and North Carolina, has been a television and radio commentator; has also been involved in his sons' Ronald, Donald and Kenny Allison's "Allison Brothers Race Cars" and the "Allison Legacy Race Series" as a consultant to the series and to many up and coming race drivers such as Joey Logano, Trevor Bayne, Regan Smith, John Hunter Nemechek and several others [7][8]

Awards

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Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

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NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 NGNC Pts Ref
1966 Robert Harper 05 Chevy AUG RSD DAY DAY DAY CAR BRI ATL HCY CLB GPS BGS NWS MAR DAR LGY MGR MON RCH CLT DTS ASH PIF SMR AWS BLV GPS DAY ODS BRR OXF FON ISP BRI SMR NSV ATL
DNQ 		CLB AWS BLV BGS DAR HCY RCH HBO MAR NWS CLT
27 		CAR
9 		64th 1944 [16]
1967 AUG RSD DAY
20 		DAY DAY
11 		AWS BRI
7 		GPS BGS ATL
12 		CLB HCY NWS MAR
19 		SVH RCH 16th 18298 [17]
Donald Brackins 2 Chevy DAR
27 		BLV
4 		LGY
5 		ASH
2* 		MGR SMR
15 		BIR
15 		CAR GPS MGY
19
Jon Thorne 12 Dodge CLT
26
Ford DAY
10 		TRN OXF FDA ISP ATL
4 		BGS CLB SVH DAR
7 		HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR
24 		NWS CLT
15 		CAR
25 		AWS
Chevy BRI
25 		SMR NSV
1968 Holman-Moody 66 Ford MGR MGY RSD DAY
40 		25th 1307 [18]
Matthews Racing 27 Ford BRI
30 		RCH ATL
3 		HCY GPS CLB NWS MAR
3 		AUG AWS DAR
29 		BLV LGY CLT
2 		ASH MGR SMR BIR CAR
1 		GPS DAY ISP OXF FDA TRN BRI
34 		SMR NSV ATL
3 		CLB BGS AWS SBO LGY DAR
10 		HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR
8 		NWS AUG CLT
6 		CAR
16 		JFC
1969 MGR MGY RSD DAY
3 		DAY DAY
3* 		CAR
6 		AUG BRI
5 		ATL CLB HCY GPS RCH NWS MAR AWS DAR
34 		BLV LGY CLT
2 		MGR SMR MCH
27 		KPT GPS NCF DAY
3 		DOV TPN TRN BLV BRI
3 		NSV SMR ATL
5 		MCH
33 		SBO BGS AWS DAR
4 		HCY RCH TAL CLB MAR
31 		NWS CLT
1* 		SVH AUG CAR
30 		JFC MGR TWS
2 		24th 1662 [19]
1970 RSD
4 		DAY
4 		DAY DAY
35 		RCH CAR SVH ATL
7 		BRI
1* 		TAL NWS
22 		CLB DAR BLV LGY CLT
1* 		SMR MAR MCH RSD HCY
17 		KPT GPS DAY
1 		AST TPN TRN BRI
25 		SMR NSV ATL
5 		CLB ONA MCH
28 		TAL BGS SBO DAR
11* 		HCY
6 		RCH
3 		DOV NCF CLT
18 		MAR
5 		MGR CAR
4 		LGY 40th 841 [20]
Junior Johnson & Associates 98 Ford NWS
3
1971 Matthews Racing 27 Mercury RSD DAY
6 		DAY DAY
26 		ONT RCH CAR HCY BRI ATL CLB GPS SMR NWS 29th 1280 [21]
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Mercury MAR
15* 		DAR
4* 		SBO TAL
1 		ASH KPT CLT
2 		DOV MCH
4* 		RSD HOU GPS DAY
5 		BRI AST ISP TRN NSV ATL
6 		BGS ONA MCH TAL
41 		CLB HCY DAR MAR
5 		CLT
3 		DOV CAR
39 		MGR RCH NWS TWS

Winston Cup Series

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NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NWCC Pts Ref
1972 Monty Myers 27 Chevy RSD DAY RCH ONT CAR ATL
5 		BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL
28 		36th 1849.15 [22]
Bud Moore Engineering 15 Ford CLT
34 		DOV MCH
33 		DAY
8 		BRI TRN ATL
32 		DAR
38 		RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
25 		CAR TWS
Penske Racing 16 AMC RSD
3 		TWS
Crawford Racing 22 Plymouth TAL
31 		MCH NSV
1973 DiGard Motorsports 59 Chevy RSD DAY
DNQ 		RCH
25 		CAR BRI
24 		ATL NWS
9 		DAR 35th 1755.75 [23]
88 MAR
27 		DOV
38 		TWS RSD MCH
7 		DAY
28 		BRI ATL
3 		TAL
26 		NSV DAR RCH DOV
12 		NWS MAR
34 		CLT
32 		CAR
6
08 TAL
2 		NSV CLT
1974 88 RSD
6 		DAY
6 		RCH
17 		CAR
27 		BRI
5 		ATL
5 		DAR
4 		NWS
7 		MAR
23 		TAL
36 		NSV
2 		DOV
30 		CLT
30 		RSD MCH
20 		DAY
33 		BRI NSV ATL
30 		POC TAL
40 		MCH DAR RCH DOV
31 		NWS MAR
3 		CLT
4 		CAR
6 		ONT 17th 728.8 [24]
1975 RSD DAY
28 		RCH CAR
28 		BRI ATL
6 		NWS DAR
3 		MAR
21 		TAL
42 		NSV DOV
28 		CLT
9 		RSD MCH
35 		DAY
5 		NSV POC 28th 1376 [25]
Ellington Racing 28 Chevy TAL
3 		MCH DAR DOV NWS MAR ATL
27 		ONT
Howard & Egerton Racing 27 Chevy CLT
33 		RCH CAR
9 		BRI
1976 Ellington Racing 28 Chevy RSD DAY CAR RCH BRI ATL NWS DAR
34 		MAR TAL
7 		NSV DOV
35 		CLT
6 		RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR
33 		RCH DOV MAR NWS ONT
34 		34th 988 [26]
1 CLT
1 		CAR
7 		ATL
3
1977 RSD DAY
30 		RCH CAR
3 		ATL
4 		NWS DAR
2 		BRI MAR
26 		TAL
4* 		NSV DOV CLT
33 		RSD MCH
24 		DAY
6 		NSV POC TAL
1* 		MCH BRI DAR
2 		RCH DOV
4 		MAR
28 		NWS CLT
36 		CAR
1* 		ATL
4* 		ONT
42 		24th 1970 [27]
1978 Olds RSD DAY
39 		RCH POC
35 		TAL
2 		MCH
29 		BRI DOV
9 		MAR NWS 25th 1993 [28]
Chevy CAR
31 		ATL
3 		BRI DAR
23 		NWS MAR TAL
24 		DOV CLT
2 		NSV RSD MCH
5 		DAY
33 		NSV DAR
24 		RCH CLT
4 		CAR
20 		ATL
1 		ONT
3
1979 RSD
5 		CAR
30 		RCH
9 		ATL
7 		NWS
11 		BRI
6 		DAR
3 		MAR
27 		CLT
37 		TWS RSD MCH
2 		DAY
12 		NSV POC TAL
30 		MCH BRI DAR
31 		RCH DOV
2 		MAR CLT
5 		NWS CAR
4 		ATL
35 		ONT
11 		24th 2508 [29]
Olds DAY
4* 		TAL
23 		NSV DOV
1980 RSD DAY
7 		RCH 26th 1730 [30]
Chevy CAR
5 		ATL
26 		BRI DAR NWS MAR
Halpern Enterprises 02 Olds TAL
25 		NSV DOV
Ogden Racing 18 Chevy CLT
31 		TWS
Kennie Childers Racing 12 Chevy RSD
30 		MCH
36 		NSV
27 		POC MCH
3 		BRI DAR
32 		RCH DOV
7 		NWS MAR
6 		CLT
5 		CAR
22 		ATL
37 		ONT
39
Olds DAY
19 		TAL
26
1981 RSD DAY
12 		RCH CAR
34 		ATL
29 		BRI NWS DAR MAR 44th 527 [31]
John Rebhan 77 Olds TAL
5 		NSV DOV
11 		CLT
38 		TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD
1982 Ogden Racing 18 Buick DAY
34 		RCH BRI ATL
11 		CAR
22 		45th 406 [32]
Rogers Racing 37 Buick DAR
9 		NWS MAR
30 		TAL
6 		NSV DOV
8 		CLT
37 		POC RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV NWS CLT MAR CAR
Ellington Racing 1 Olds ATL
38 		RSD
1983 Cliff Stewart Racing 88 Pontiac DAY RCH CAR ATL DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV BRI CLT RSD POC MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL
36 		RSD
14 		NA 0 [33]
1986 Gray Racing 54 Chevy DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR
33 		RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD 114th 64 [34]
1987 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR NWS BRI MAR TAL CLT DOV POC RSD MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR RSD ATL NA - [35]
1988 AAG Racing 34 Buick DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN 81st 58 [36]
Bob Clark Motorsports 31 Olds MCH
35 		BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR PHO ATL
Daytona 500
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Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1967 Robert Harper Chevrolet 44 11
1968 Holman-Moody Ford 7 40
1969 Matthews Racing Ford 7 3
1970 7 35
1971 Mercury 11 26
1973 DiGard Motorsports Chevrolet DNQ
1974 7 6
1975 1 28
1977 Ellington Racing Chevrolet 1 30
1978 Oldsmobile 7 39
1979 2 4
1980 2 7
1981 Kennie Childers Racing Oldsmobile 33 12
1982 Ogden Racing Buick 29 34
1987 Gray Racing Chevrolet DNQ
1988 AAG Racing Buick DNQ

Busch Series

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NASCAR Busch Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NBSC Pts Ref
1984 A.G. Dillard Motorsports 22 Olds DAY RCH CAR HCY MAR DAR ROU NSV LGY MLW DOV CLT SBO HCY ROU SBO ROU HCY IRP LGY SBO BRI DAR RCH NWS CLT
8 		HCY CAR MAR 72nd 142 [37]
1986 Collins Engineering 23 Buick DAY
5 		CAR HCY MAR BRI DAR
9 		SBO LGY JFC DOV CLT
40 		SBO HCY ROU IRP SBO RAL OXF SBO HCY LGY ROU BRI DAR
35 		RCH DOV MAR ROU CLT
11 		CAR
30 		MAR 38th 597 [38]
1987 DAY
21 		HCY MAR
9 		DAR
29 		BRI
28 		LGY SBO CLT
29 		DOV IRP
16 		ROU JFC OXF SBO HCY RAL LGY ROU BRI JFC DAR
34 		RCH DOV MAR
15 		CLT
12 		CAR
7 		MAR 34th 957 [39]
1988 DAY
23 		HCY CAR MAR DAR BRI LNG NZH SBO NSV CLT
13 		DOV ROU LAN LVL MYB OXF SBO HCY LNG IRP ROU BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT
DNQ 		CAR MAR 63rd 218 [40]
1989 DAY
37 		CAR MAR HCY DAR BRI NZH SBO LAN NSV CLT DOV ROU LVL VOL MYB SBO HCY DUB IRP ROU BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT CAR MAR 94th 52 [41]

International Race of Champions

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(key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.)

International Race of Champions results
Year Make Q1 Q2 Q3 1 2 Pos. Pts Ref
1978–79 Chevy MCH
3 		MCH RSD RSD
10 		ATL
11 		10th NA [42]
1979–80 MCH
8 		MCH RSD RSD ATL NA 0 [43]

American open-wheel racing

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

USAC Championship Car

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USAC Championship Car results
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos. Pts
1970 Foyt-Greer Racing Eagle 67 Ford 159ci V8t PHX SON TRE INDY
4 		MIL LAN CDR MCH IRP ISF MIL ONT DSF INF SED TRE SAC PHX 20th 600
1971 Foyt-Greer Racing Coyote 71 Ford 159ci V8t RAF RAF PHX TRE INDY
6 		POC
28 		MCH MIL ONT
24 		TRE PHX NC 0
Coyote 69 MIL
17
Indianapolis 500
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Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
1970 Eagle Ford 20 4 Foyt-Greer Racing
1971 Coyote Ford 20 6 Foyt-Greer Racing

References

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  1. ^ "Allison Family". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Donnie Allison Crash Charlotte 1981. Official Footage". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  3. ^ White, Woody (May 27, 1982). "Donnie Allison relives World 600 accident". The Spartanburg Herald.
  4. ^ Zier, Patrick (February 15, 1986). "Donnie Allison ready to prove he belongs". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida.
  5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Full Race Replay: 1979 Daytona 500". YouTube. September 25, 2017.
  6. ^ https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/people-of-ims/.../donnie-allison[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Home - Allison Brothers Race Cars". www.allisonlegacy.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Donnie Allison".
  9. ^ "Allison is Top Rookie". Tallahassee Democrat. Associated Press. June 1, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved December 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  10. ^ "Donnie Allison – Alabama Sports Hall of Fame". August 13, 2019.
  11. ^ "Florida Sports Hall of Fame | Donnie Allison".
  12. ^ "AARPinc Home". www.aarpinc.org. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007.
  13. ^ Donnie Allison at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
  14. ^ "Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society .org". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  15. ^ "Hall of Fame - National Motorsports Press Association". January 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1966 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  17. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1967 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  18. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1968 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  19. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  20. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1970 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  21. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  22. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  23. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  24. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  25. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  26. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  27. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  28. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  29. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  30. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  31. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  32. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  33. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  34. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  35. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  36. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  37. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1984 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  38. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1986 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  39. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1987 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  40. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1988 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  41. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1989 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  42. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1979 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  43. ^ "Donnie Allison – 1980 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
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Achievements
Preceded by Snowball Derby Winner
1975 		Succeeded by
Awards
Preceded by Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year
1970 		Succeeded by
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