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The Alabama Gang was the nickname for a group ofNASCAR drivers (and subsequently their offspring) who set up shop and operated out ofHueytown, Alabama (nearBirmingham, Alabama).[1] In the late 1950s, young auto racerBobby Allison leftMiami, 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 brotherDonnie Allison, and friendRed Farmer.
The trio set up shop in Hueytown, Alabama, and were dominant throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1973,Jimmy Means joined the gang. Beginning in 1979, their sons and contemporaries began racing, and became known as members of the Alabama Gang themselves. Bobby's sonDavey Allison, and fellow Hueytown residentsNeil Bonnett, andDavid Bonnett. Donnie's daughter Pam marriedHut Stricklin, who joined this generation.
Other drivers (notablyDale Earnhardt) were great friends with members of this group, and while not Alabama residents, these other drivers became associated with the Alabama Gang.[citation needed]
All of the original members of the Alabama Gang have been inducted into theInternational Motorsports Hall of Fame. Davey Allison's little brother,Clifford Allison, followed the Alabama Gang tradition, but while practicing for a Busch Series race atMichigan International Speedway in 1992, he spun out in turn 4 and was killed. Davey Allison died in a helicopter crash atTalladega Superspeedway in 1993 while flying to observe a practice session for David Bonnett (Neil's son). Then Neil Bonnett died while practicing for the 1994 Daytona 500. Bobby Allison retired in 1988 after suffering injuries in a race at the Miller High Life 500 in June 1988 atPocono Raceway that nearly cost him his life, but returned in 1993 to race in a Jaguar as part of ESPN's "Fast Masters" held atLucas Oil Raceway. Farmer, born October 15, 1932, is the oldest member of the "Gang". His first race was in 1948. He was injured in the helicopter crash that took Davey Allison's life, but recovered and still at 92, races regularly at the Talladega Short Track across the street from Talladega Superspeedway. (2024)
In February 1988, two Gang members Neil Bonnett and Bobby Allison, traveled toMelbourne,Australia for the first ever NASCAR race held outside of North America held at theCalder Park Thunderdome. Bonnett and Allison qualified on the front row and dominated the 280 lap race known as theGoodyear NASCAR 500. Bonnett won the race by just 0.86 seconds from Allison.[citation needed]
The third generation of the Alabama Gang has continued the legacy. Donnie's grandsons Taylor Stricklin (son of Pam) and ARCA driver Justin Allison (son of Kenny) have scored wins with Justin Allison winning the ARCA ModSpace 125 atPocono Raceway and Taylor winning a Limited Late Model title atHickory Motor Speedway. Neil's grandson Justin Bonnett (son of David) has also raced Late Models and Modifieds in the Alabama and Florida panhandle region.
Hueytown memorialized the racers by renaming its main streetAllison-Bonnett Memorial Drive. There are other tributes to the "Gang" around the city. Other streets bear names of the members, includingDavey Allison Boulevard andRed Farmer Drive, and certain local businesses also have paid tribute to the famous drivers. AHonda automobile dealership located in Hueytown was namedNeil Bonnett Honda for many years, but it was renamedSerra Honda in 2006. Additionally, the Seal of the City of Hueytown features two checkered flags, acknowledging the large part racing has played in the city's history. On April 30, 2014, Talladega Superspeedway renamed the back straightawayThe Alabama Gang Superstretch.[2]