Billy Easley / The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Donnie Allison recalls his infamous 1979 Daytona 500 brawl, insists he and Bobby Allison ‘didn’t gag up’ on late Cale Yarborough

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Justin P Joy | Last updated 1/5/24

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough died in a hospital bed at Florance on December 31^st, 2023. The 86-year-old is arguably the fiercest racer ever to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series and is among the drivers who put NASCAR on the map. His infamous fight with the Allison brothers at the 1979 Daytona 500 is one of the most significant incidents of the sport.

Yarborough was fighting Donnie Allison for the win throughout the race, and on the final lap, the duo was 20 seconds ahead of the field. But unfortunately, they crashed out, allowing Richard Petty to secure the win. Allison and Yarborough had a heated conversation on the infield, and Bobby Allison, Donnie’s brother, joined them.

The next scene fans saw on television was Yarborough taking in their brother in a one vs. two situation. While recalling the incident after the legendary racer’s death, Donnis Allison has pointed out that he and his brother didn’t gag up on Yarborough as many claimed and reported. He pointed out that he just intervened in the fight that Cale started with his brother Bobby.

I saw a thing in the paper yesterday from Jenna Fryer, and it stated we ganged up on him. We didn’t gang up on him. I got out of the car after the wreck, and we had a few choice words Bobby showed up, and Cale went over, and I was standing 20-25 feet away. Cale hit Bobby through the window and I ran and grabbed Cale by the arm and said if you want to fight, I’m the guy you need to be fighting with. Donnie Allison told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Donnie Allison believes Cale Yarborough cost him a Daytona 500 win

In the same interview before detailing the incident from his perspective, Allison pointed out that Yarborough cost him a Daytona 500 win that day. Despite speaking to each other many times since the incident, Donnie Allison still hasn’t recovered from the incident.

No. No…You know he kept me from winning the Daytona 500. Really, for the third time, I should have won it. Donnie Allison said when asked about mending the fence over the clash.

The infamous clash is a turning point in NASCAR history, and it will remain a part of the legacy of the Allison brothers and Cale Yarborough. Allison and Yarbough were two of the most competitive racers ever in the sport, and their clash was inevitable. The fans and NASCAR were blessed because the clash became such an iconic moment.