NASCAR Cup Series
Countdown to Daytona: Rookie becomes most unlikely 500 pole-winner in 1994
NASCAR Cup Series

Countdown to Daytona: Rookie becomes most unlikely 500 pole-winner in 1994

Published Feb. 7, 2017 9:30 a.m. ET

The countdown continues: It’s now just 19 days until the 59th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26th at 2 p.m. ET on FOX.

And that number takes us to someone who is definitely one of the most unlikely Daytona 500 pole-winners of all time, Loy Allen Jr. of Raleigh, N.C.

Allen came into the 1994 Daytona 500 as a 27-year-old rookie, who in five previous starts in the NASCAR Premier Series had never finished better than 26th. And that doesn’t even include his three DNQs.

And yet in the 1994 Daytona 500, Allen somehow qualified his Mark Smith-owned No. 19 Ford Thunderbird on the pole with a lap of 190.158 miles per hour. Starting on the outside of Row 1 was Dale Earnhardt in the black No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

Unfortunately, tragedy loomed large at Daytona that year.

In practice, two drivers were killed at Daytona: Veteran Neil Bonnett, one of Earnhardt’s closest friends, and rookie Rodney Orr both perished in separate crashes.

Another grim reminder of loss was that Allen’s No. 19 Ford carried the orange-and-white colors of Hooters, the restaurant chain that had sponsored 1992 series champion Alan Kulwicki until his death in a plane crash near Bristol, Tenn., on April 1, 1993.



Interestingly, 69 drivers entered the race, hoping to make the 42-car field. Among those failing to make the race were Buddy Baker, Ward Burton, Ritchie Petty in his father Maurice’s car, and Indy Car stars Danny Sullivan and Scott Brayton.

In the race, Sterling Marlin led the final 21 laps to hold off Ernie Irvan, Terry Labonte and Jeff Gordon.

As for Allen, he never led a lap and finished 22nd.

Three races later at Atlanta, Allen would again qualify on the pole and again he would finish 22nd without leading a lap.

During summer, Allen would earn his third pole of the year at Michigan, where he finished 24th.

For his career, Allen would make 48 Premier Series starts with only one top-10 finish — a 10th at Talladega in 1995 — three poles and a total of 30 laps led.

And along with Ramo Stott in 1976, Allen is definitely one of the biggest surprises to ever win a Daytona 500 pole.

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