Legacy...according to the Webster Dictionary, the word Legacy means "a gift received from or passed down by an ancestor or predecessor from the past." A wealth of racing knowledge, a gift shall we say, has truly been passed down through the Allison's. Most noted for the "Alabama Gang", the Allison family has been a part of NASCAR and stock car racing since before the time multi-million dollar sponsors made their way into the sport. Back before auto racing reached its' mega-stardom of today, Donnie and Bobby Allison simply grew up with the sport, etching the Allison name into racing's history books in the process. The Allison name also has many race fans reflecting on the tragedies endured by the family over the years, as the names Davey and Clifford Allison remind us all of how things can change in the blink of an eye. In addition to racing, the Allison's are about family, and that remains their strength to carry on in a sport passed down through a generation.
Today, the Allison family heritage is being carried on by brothers, Kenny, Ronald, and Donald, sons of the legendary Donnie Allison. The Allison brothers are experienced racers, who are best known presently in the sport, as premium race car builders. Though the brothers have built everything from Winston Cup to All Pro race cars, their most visible work in recent years has been seen through the tremendous growth of the Legends car series. At the beginning of 1996, following three years of research and development, the brothers introduced a car and series with a different set of criteria from the Legends. The Allison Legacy Race Car is a real race car built by a family of pure racers. With their introduction of the Allison Legacy Race Car, the brothers are carrying on the Allison family heritage in auto racing.
In addition to the Allison brothers, the family name continues to be heard throughout the racing industry. Pam Allison Stricklin, sister of Kenny, Ronald, and Donald, is married to former NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Hut Stricklin. Stevie Allison, cousin to the Allison brothers, has made his mark in auto racing by competing in the Slim Jim All Pro Series and currently works with young drivers as a teacher and mentor. Donnie Allison also remains actively involved with racing and the Allison Legacy Series as a motorsports consultant. Donnie's wife Pat, a past Director of the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary, serves as Administrator for CompCar of NC, Inc., the sanctioning body of the Allison Legacy Race Series. Bobby Allison, a noted ambassador in auto racing, continues his involvement with NASCAR and the Cup Series.
The Allison's have contributed a great deal to the sport of auto racing. The entire family involvement in racing is now reflected in the Allison Legacy Race Series, and the family name is a recognized icon in motor sports. If the success the series boasted in the past few years is any indication for growth, the Allison brothers are definitely geared to be blazing into the future with the Legacy Race Car. The gift passed down from Donnie and Bobby Allison, has truly been well received by the younger siblings, and is reflected in the Allison brothers' knowledge and quality workmanship.
We've been around racing all our lives, it's part of who we are." explains Kenny Allison, "My brothers and I, and our sister Pam, have always gone to the track with dad and mom. I've got kids of my own, and Donald has two children and Ronald one. We want to continue our family involvement in racing.
Justin Clay Allison, the 14 year old son of Kenny, made his debut in a sanctioned Legacy race at the road course at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC in December, 2005. He started on the pole and finished in the 10th position. Justin finished in eighth place in points in the Touring Series in 2006 with his grandfather, Donnie at the helm of the team and will be racing in 2007. The young Allison girls work at the CompCar office and are actively involved with the goings on. Judging by the tight bond, and commitment to family, the Allison Legacy will be handed down from generation to generation long into the years ahead.
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