Where is ... Loy Allen?

There were a few secrets to keep in mind when sitting down for an on-the-record chat with Loy Allen.

A reporter had to make sure there were fresh batteries in the recorder and plenty of tape. After that, Allen would take care of the rest. Writers never so much interviewed Allen as they just jumped into the middle of what seemed to be an already ongoing conversation. Then, they simply held on for dear life.

Put it this way. When it came to the sheer number of words, Loy Allen put Darrell Waltrip to shame. With Allen, though, it wasn't bragging. Whether it was nervousness or what, the kid could flat-out talk.

Loy Allen

A decade later, he hasn't changed much.

Allen is currently involved in building development, construction and leasing with his brother, Brian. A longtime pilot, Allen also flies the company plane on a regular basis.

"I'm proud of everything we did in racing," he said. "Obviously, I would like to have had more success in it. I wish I could've won a race. I wish I could've had more top-10 finishes. You never are happy. If I would've won a race, I would've wanted to win two. You always want to do more if you're in that sport. I'm sure Jimmie Johnson doesn't think he's won enough championships."

The Raleigh, N.C., native had a meteoric rise to the top of the sport, but it was far from an easy ride. He'd been sponsored by the Hooters restaurant chain on the ARCA circuit, and when Alan Kulwicki was killed in an April 1, 1993 plane crash, Allen was company owner Bob Brooks' choice to replace him. Brooks' son, Mark, also lost his life in the accident.

Others objected, led by Felix Sabates, who oversaw Kulwicki's estate and team in the wake of the tragedy. When Sabates wouldn't budge, Hooters pulled its sponsorship from the team on April 12, less than two weeks after the mishap.

"Mr. Brooks told me he had made a decision as to who would drive the car," Sabates was quoted as saying in the April 22, 1993 issue of Winston Cup Scene. "I said, 'I beg your pardon?' I told him I was the trustee and that if they came up with a reasonable driver for a short period of time, I would recommend him to Mr. [Gerry] Kulwicki [the late driver's father]. If not, I was going to say no.

"He then said Loy Allen Jr. was going to be the driver. I said, 'Who?' The kid had won a couple ARCA races with a Robert Yates motor in a Robert Yates car, but that was it. He told me it was his money and his decision. That's who the driver is going to be. With that, he gets up and opens the door and in come Loy Allen Jr. and Loy Allen Sr. without any warning."

The meeting went downhill from there. Allen Sr. reportedly accused Sabates of trying to destroy his son's racing career. (Continued)