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Clifford Allison
10/20/64 - 8/13/92
Hueytown, AL
22 career BGN starts (1990 - 1992)
Best Finish: 6th @ Bristol (4/13/91) |
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The son of 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Bobby Allison and younger brother of 1987 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Davey Allison, Clifford Allison was destined to be a NASCAR driver. Clifford started his career in 1983 driving Limited Sportsman Division cars. Allison moved up to late models, where captured 3 victories, 43 top 5 finishes, and 86 top 10 finishes on Alabama short tracks. He had a knowledge for race cars that helped him to become a winner on the pit box as well as in the driver seat. When he wasn't racing himself, Clifford was acting as crew chief for his brother Davey in the ARCA series. He helped Davey finish second in the 1985 ARCA series point standings. Three years later, Clifford helped his dad become the oldest winner of the Daytona 500. But his true love was driving. Clifford Allison's talent was proven in 1987 when he won the Montgomery Speedway Track Championship. In the following years, he would venture into the ARCA series where he would find limited success.
1990 would be Allison's first break into NASCAR. He landed a ride in Frank Cicci's Buick and had a strong showing in the season opening Goody's 300 at Daytona, starting 42nd and finishing 13th. But Clifford's agressive driving style often led to trouble for the young driver. After failing to qualify for two events and crashing out of two others, he was out of the ride. Cliff would only start three races in 1991, which included a strong 6th place finish at Bristol in April. His foot was in the door. Allison signed on with the Owen Racing team to run the full 1992 Busch Grand National tour. He consistantly finished in the top 20 throughout the first part of the season. His best showing of the year came at Dover in June where he finished an impressive 9th after starting 23rd. Sadly, his dream of NASCAR stardom came to an end in a practice session at Michigan. Cliff lost control of his Oldsmobile and hit the frist turn wall head-on. He was only 27. |
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| Clifford Allison's #12 late model sits on jack stands at Montgomery Speedway in 1988. |
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Allison's second and final career top 10 finish came at Dover driving the High Point Bedding Oldsmobile. |
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Cliff racing at Darlington where he started 36th and finished 24th. |
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| Clifford talks with his father Bobby Allison before the start of his final Busch Series race at Talladega. Allison started the race in 30th but was able to finish on the lead lap in 17th. |
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