The son of NASCAR legend Bobby Allison was already a stock car star in his own right when a helicopter crash claimed his life 19 years ago today. He was 32.

After racing and winning at home track of Birmingham (Ala.) International Raceway Davey moved up to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) series in 1983, where he would focus his efforts until 1985, when car owner Hoss Ellington gave him his first chance to drive a NASCAR Cup car in the Talladega 500. His progress from there was stellar, and Davey had already won the Daytona 500, 18 other Cup victories and had already locked up that year's IROC title when he crashed his private helicopter while attempting a landing at Talladega for a test session, and suffered fatal head injuries.