NASCAR: Allisons still making their mark

By Hunter Thomas

Dillon Motor Speedway

Fourteen years ago, a Mazda B-2200 ,120 HP truck engine was put into a 12-foot, 6 inch race car.

The Allisons were the creators of this masterpiece. From their experience in building NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Grand National, All Pro, ARCA, and 750 Legend cars, the Allison Family wanted to build a fast, affordable car. In 1992, they began experimenting and testing the new idea, and by 1995, the Allison Legacy Series was born.

Donnie Allison, who lives in Salisbury, said, “It was built by racers. I’m talking about the Allison brothers, my three sons. They know what they are doing. This is what they ought to be running every Saturday night at all of these racetracks.”

Now, that same 14-year old truck motor that started everything is sitting in Justin Allison’s No. 1 car. Besides the roll bar added to the windshield, the entire chassis has never been touched.

Justin starting racing when he was five years old. He raced just a handful of go-kart races just for fun. By the time he was 9, the fun turned into a passion. He had been around racing his entire life, but at this point, the Allison legacy was rejuvenated.

There was a yearly race at Martinsville Speedway where someone other than the original driver would race the car. At 9, Justin walked up to his grandfather Donnie in Joey Logano's fire suit. He told his grandfather that he wanted to race that weekend.

Later that day, Justin’s wish came true as he drew the pole position for the race. His family sent him to the back because of his lack of experience. Justin fought his way through the pack to finish fourth.

The next year, Justin drew the pole again, and this time he started from the pole. His tires were cold, and the car started pushing. He eventually got loose and crashed the car into the outside wall. The car was a complete loss, and Justin didn't return the next year.

In 2005, Justin made his debut in the Allison Legacy Series at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, S.C. Donnie Allison remembers it well.

“I wouldn’t say that he was scared,” Donnie said, “but he was apprehensive. That didn’t last long.”

Justin held on for a top-10 finish. He finished fourth in the Allison Legacy Series in 2007. That year, he captured one win along with eight top-5 finishes. In 2008, he finished third in the standings with two wins and ten top-5s. Last year, he finished third with two wins and fifteen top-5s.

That first career trip to Victory Lane seems so long ago.

“I don’t even remember my first win,” Justin said. “We were at Myrtle Beach, and it was hot, and I was dehydrated. I remember passing for the lead, and then I remember being in Victory Lane. I don’t remember the race, really.”

Justin currently has 12 total wins in the Allison Legacy Series in four years. In 2010, Justin went on a six-race tear as he won six races in a row from April 18 to July 2. Justin could have won seven in a row, but he was spun out in a late race crash that cost him the win.

He has finished in the top five in every race this year. He is also leading in points over Tyler Hill.

The most memorable moment of his career came this season was his winning streak. The worst moment came at Florence Motor Speedway. He had the fastest car, but in qualifying he got loose coming out of turn four and over-corrected, putting the car into the wall.

Justin’s goals for this year is to keep finishing in the top five and to keep the No. 2 of Hill behind him. The team has their sights set on the Allison Legacy Series points championship.

Next year, Justin plans on racing the full PASS Tour and Allison Legacy Series races.

The Allisons have seen everything from Bobby and Davey Allison’s one-two finish at the 1988 Daytona 500 to Bobby Allison taking out the fence at Talladega. And no one can forget the 1979 Daytona 500 when a collision between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough erupted into the most famous fight in NASCAR history.

No matter the challenges or the obstacles in the way, the Allisons will never slow down. They have left their mark in NASCAR’s history and with Justin Allison being surrounded by some of the sport’s greatest figures, he will probably continue the family tradition.

Which is winning.