Alabama Gang

The Alabama Gang was the nickname for a group of NASCAR drivers who set up shop and operated out of Hueytown, Alabama, near Birmingham, Alabama.

Related Topics:
NASCAR - Hueytown, Alabama - Birmingham, Alabama

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In the early 1960s, young auto racer Bobby Allison left Miami, Florida, looking for an area that had more opportunities to race. He discovered central Alabama in his travels. The region was dotted with small dirt tracks, and Allison won big his first few times out. He returned to Florida to pick up his brother Donnie Allison, and friend Red Farmer.

Related Topics:
Bobby Allison - Miami, Florida - Donnie Allison - Red Farmer

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The trio set up shop in Hueytown, Alabama, and were dominant throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. Beginning in 1979, their sons and contemporaries began racing, and became known as members of the Alabama Gang themselves. Bobby's son Davey Allison, and fellow Hueytown residents Neil Bonnett, and David Bonnett.

Related Topics:
Davey Allison - Neil Bonnett - David Bonnett

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Other drivers (notably Dale Earnhardt) were great friends with members of this group, and while not Alabama residents, these other drivers became associated with the Alabama Gang.

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All members of the Alabama Gang have been inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Davey Allison died in a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway in 1993 Neil Bonnett died while practicing for the 1994 Daytona 500. Bobby Allison retired in 1988 after suffering injuries in a race at Pocono Raceway that nearly cost him his life. Farmer, the oldest member of the "Gang," was injured in the helicopter crash that took Davey Allison's life, but recovered and continues to race at short tracks today, well into his 70s.

Related Topics:
International Motorsports Hall of Fame - Talladega Superspeedway - Pocono Raceway

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Hueytown memorialized the racers by renaming its main street Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive.

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