I was working the afternoon shift on WVAM in Altoona, Pennsylvania when the news crossed the wire that Davey Allison was in a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway. By the time I woke up the next morning, Davey was gone. That damn helicopter.
If the tragedy didn’t happen 23 years ago, would Dale Earnhardt be Dale Earnhardt? If Davey wasn’t taken from us, he probably would have won a couple of titles and could have possibly denied Dale Earnhardt his final cup championship.
Larry McReynolds probably would have never left Robert Yates Racing and it’s possible that Earnhardt would not have won the Daytona 500. McReynolds was the head wrench when Earnhardt won the 500.
That damn helicopter also cost Krista and Robbie their Dad and it was probably the straw that broke the back of the marriage of Bobby and Judy Allison. Bobby’s career ended on the track at Pocono with a fierce crash. Their son Clifford lost his life at Michigan Speedway and then Davey dies. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their children and they had to bury two in less than a year.
It doesn’t get any easier when you think about that damn helicopter 23 years later and what could have been.
Now, some quick hits to get you ready for the upcoming race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
I think the low downforce package will work well at NHMS. The racing was amazing at Richmond and NHMS drives a lot like Richmond. This weekend’s race should be great.
When you listen to Sirius/XM NASCAR radio, you hear everyone asking what is wrong with Hendrick Motorsports. I wonder if it stems from the move to FORD in 2017 for Stewart-Haas Racing. If notes aren’t being shared, do you think Hendrick loses more or SHR loses more with Rodney Childers not sharing notes? This relationship between the teams should really be interesting come Chase time.
I think this week at New Hampshire we will have a surprise winner and it will be Ryan Newman.
Rest in peace Davey and enjoy the racing this weekend.
