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Catching up with the Allisons

Morris, Ill.—Bobby and Donnie Allison recently made a rare midwestern appearance at the Grundy County Speedway (Morris, Ill.). The pair signed autographs and met with fans during a STARS sanctioned night of racing at the 1/3-mile paved oval. Here are a few interesting topics I discussed with the “Alabama Gang”.

Donnie Allison:

BG: Your biggest regret during your racing career?

DA: Never running a full season of NASCAR Winston Cup, and trying for the Championship. Most of my car owners just wanted to run the bigger paying Super Speedway events, so I was ok with that.

BG: Your Indy Car experience?

DA: It was great! Few people know I was very close to running full-time for A.J. Foyt, all the Indy Car races during the season, a last minute sponsor deal fell through. The money was better there in the late 60’s early 70’s than in NASCAR that’s why myself Cale (Yarborough) and LeeRoy (Yarbrough) all ran Indianapolis, and Ontario.

BG: How were you, Cale and LeeRoy accepted by the USAC Indy Car drivers when you came and ran with them?

DA: Just like any other driver, there was a lot of crossover at the time they would come run some of our bigger races. Bobby (Unser) and A.J. were tough to beat every time on the track.

BG: What do you think of the pavement midget racing here tonight at Grundy?

DA: There were technically advanced cars, and weight to horsepower ratio keeps the drivers on their toes. Reminds of the Super Modified I raced in the early 60’s.

Bobby Allison:

BG: You’ve been to Grundy before, any special memories?

BA: Nothing stands out, it’s another midwestern bullring pavement track where we would have to beat (Dick) Trickle and those guys when we came in for mid-week special shows.

BG: The most favorite car you ever drove?

BA: I was testing at Riverside International Raceway, and their Can-Am cars there also testing. The owner of the UOP Shadow told me I could take a few laps. I had an open face helmet couldn’t see and just wanted to get a feel of the car. There’s never been a more powerful car I drove. I came in after a few laps and they told me I was about half-second off of the speed turned earlier by the regular driver Jackie Oliver. Oliver came storming up to me and told me to get out of his car, and that I was trying to steal his ride. Roger Penske was in the pits watching that day and told me to give him a call. That’s how I got hooked up with Roger for Indianapolis.

BG: One track you would have liked to race an Indy Car on, and never had the chance?

BA: Riverside and Atlanta.

BG: Your listed as the promoter of the 1975 USAC Sprint Car Series season finale at Birmingham (Ala.) Speedway on November 2, 1975, what made you promote a Sprint Car Race?

BA: Wow! I cant believe anyone would know that first off! It was the track promoter Bob Spangler, Tom Cotter and myself who did the show, honestly I don’t remember if it was profitable night for us. (Tom Bigelow finished ahead of Larry Rice and Gary Bettenhausen).

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