LEGENDS: THE SERIES - THE LEGEND OF JEB ALLEN
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
Few ever climbed higher or sunk lower than Jeb Allen who, six years after becoming the youngest driver ever to win the NHRA Top Fuel Championship, was addicted to drugs and alcohol, estranged from family and friends and living in the back of his truck.
In this episode of Legends: The Series, Season Four, Allen, now a successful homebuilder, revisits the good days, discusses the bad and explains how “tough love” finally enabled him to break the cycle of abuse.
A crew chief at 16, the youngest licensed NHRA Top Fuel driver at 17 and the youngest Top Fuel winner at 18, he raced with sponsorship from Revell, Dodge and English Leather. He won NHRA, AHRA and IHRA championships. Eventually, though, the pressure he placed on himself took its toll.
“I said I’m gonna be the best or I’m gonna go broke doing it,” he recalls. “Well, I won three championships - and I went broke.”
When sponsorship became an issue, Allen turned to booze and drugs and “drifted off into space for several years.
“When you’re an addict, you’re the last one to know,” he said. “Don Garlits lost respect for me towards the end, as many people did. I was drinking quite a bit. I’d have two beers on the way back down the return road whether I lost or not.”
Allen hit bottom when he drove to his parents’ home one day and was told that his dad was hiding in the closet because he didn’t want to see his youngest son. That was too much for someone to whom family meant so much.
“I took all the drugs I had,” Allen said, “(and) when they ran out, I checked myself into a rehab facility.”
And decades later, the former poster boy for drag racing now serves as a reminder of how strength and determination can overcome even the most crippling addiction.
Пікірлер: 33
Even tho I was a big fan of Jeb I now have even more respect for him and what he accomplished. Good Job Bobby Bennett. ~Quain Stott~
As a recovering alcoholic myself, it really touched me when he talked about his recovery. AA saved my life and it has saved the lives of tens of thousands of men and women throughout the world. Drag racing is one of the many highs I enjoy these days and I am forever grateful to the program of AA for my sobriety and I am proud to call Jeb a Brother in sobriety. Rock on Jeb and you get the win light!
Fantastic story Jeb. Never apologize for being human. I was told this by my Father and it's the only worthwhile thing he ever gave me. You are an honorable man for not having raced Mark D with his own motor and it is to be respected that you are a man of your word. That is more important than what others think. Ultimately we have to live with ourselves. Still one of the greats. I think I'll superdetail that Revell kit I have. Let me go look on the shelf for it.....
I always thought there was something about him and I wondered why he disappeared after 1982 the guy has a lot of respect from me......great story
At first you think this guy is kinda a jerk but then he slowly draws you in and you come realization that in recovery all these little miracles are possible. Plus he had the courage to make amends to people he knew were not going forgive him. True Courage
Awesome story! Thank you once again for bringing these stories to all of us! One day all of these videos will be viewed by so many because there is no one else doing these memories of days past. What you do means so much to my family as we are on the 3rd generation racer who's 11 now. I ensure she watches these videos to see the passion and the rise and fall that sometimes happens thru a career and to teach her that sometimes you won't always be on top but your always one pass or one race on your way to the best time of your life. Just to say racing is everything is wrong because just like with Jeb he was able to walk away essentially from drag racing and make a wonderful life for himself is truly inspirational. Keep up the great work....we love you for it!
Absolutely fabulous interview, what he achieved against the odds is remarkable, relatively low buck in 1972, but the huge sponsorships hadn't arrived. Then to do it again in the '80s against the super teams, just awesome. Overcome alcohol & drug dependency, build up a construction business and do charity work. A truly remarkable man.
Thank you very much,such an amazing story,im a huge fan of Jebs,Stay strong Mr.Allen ;) im in recovery aswell :)
Am a fan😊 thanks 👍
This series is really fascinating. You don't have to like drag racing to appreciate these seemingly normal human beings doing extraordinary things with exceptional results. Very frank, open and honest, persevering and humble people. No wonder they are champions or winners to say the least. I loved the 60's and 70's time frame of drag racing. Lot of American know how and grit at work here. Drag racing has evolved into something quite different today. The Snake, Big Daddy, Shirley, Jeb, just to name a few, are true American Heroes. Made of the ilk that made this country great once. Check out more episodes.
Thanks Jeb ! You always had beautiful race cars , always matched raced and always were great with the fans ! Remember you well back in the day at US 30 and Great Lakes Dragway 🏁
All I know is once I found out about Jeb Allen, heard of his winning, became a fan, then he was gone. So glad he endeared.
Wow Jeb I grew up So Cal the best including DON,Tom, and Gene Conway who I lucky to be a part of as my dad a crew member. Then we to dead place called novato no drags for a few years years then back blown alcohol car.your with Larsan ran I loved your team Warren Colburn Doug could lay down and knew how to judge a track. Thank you Jeb for the great times.
Another excellent video. Thanks Bobby!! Need some Gary Ormsby, Eddie Hill, Bruce Larson too :)
@jessiehenry5405
4 жыл бұрын
Gary Orsmby Passed Away In 1991
thanks for the wonderful story.....and thanks to Jeb👍👍👍
That was great. I cherish that I got to see Jeb run a fueler in his glory days and so glad to see him come out the other side of this. He is a champion as much off the track as on.
One Great Story , & Shows just what Faith he had in his Conviction To win A battle , I would say He is A Super Person !!!!!
For a kid growing up in the UK Jeb seemed to be living the dream across the pond. He has had some massive highs and some serious lows in his life,and I am glad it all worked out.
One of the best ever. !
Sweet Jesus!! Maybe there's hope for me yet!! I'm rocked to my core!!! Thank you Jeb! GOD Bless!
3 world championships and he went broke! Like they say, "If you want to make a fortune in racing, start with a bigger fortune!!
If Jeb would have relapsed a few times, and I would have been World Champ a few times, we would have a tremendous amount in common ☺ Wishing Jeb the best, always!
Went to bellflower high with les , saw them run many times 👍
Awesome
very interesting story, thanks for sharing
I was at that race, John broke the right front spindle, sent him into jeb . Bad deal. Never found out the condition of either driver till now.
Great story.
the whole Allen, Lucile, Shirley situation was just back luck & bad timing, I can't blame him one bit.. someone offered to help a fellow racer when nobody else would (but with a stipulation) he honred & respected the mans wishes & you gotta respect about someone..
Thanks
hey, jeb!!! i'd love to see you sometime...
Only ahra nhra ihra world champ beside Don Garlits !