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Music Row Helps Lead Young Nashville Driver to Stardom
An unlikely team that included a songwriter, an artist manager, and country
music stars came together to lend a helping hand to a local Nashville racer
who had hopes of making it to the big time. These country music professionals
used what resources and connections they had to support a driver they felt
had the talent to trade paint with the big boys of NASCAR.
Mega-hit songwriter, Wendell Mobley (Rascal Flatts'
"I Melt" and "Fast Cars and Freedom", Kenny Chesney's
"How Forever Feels" and many more) met Allen as a teenager. Mobley,
being a racer himself, immediately recognized Allen's talents behind the
wheel.
Mobley helped to field Legend's Cars, Super Trucks and Late Models for Allen
to compete. Mobley urged Ted Greene (partner at Modern Management,
representing country artists Sara Evans, Diamond Rio and Josh Turner) to
attend a local Super Trucks race. Greene immediately fell in love with Allen,
his family, and his talents as a driver. Allen became a client of Modern
Management in 2005 and was able to run select ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series
races with sponsorship help from country music stars Josh Turner and Diamond
Rio.
A big break that gave Allen visibility inside the NASCAR arena was his
involvement in a GM Racing “Driver Development” program in 2005. Greene and
his company had helped Chevrolet land several artists for their Silverado All
Star program. In return for his help, GM Racing officials gave Allen a look
in the test and Allen didn’t disappoint. He ran the fastest laps of all
thirteen drivers in the three-day test and had statistics that easily put him
in the top tier of the talent in attendance.
Through everyone's time and unique talents, Allen has won three “Rookie of
the Year” titles, a Late Model Championship, finished an amazing 6th place in
his very first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, and qualified 4th in his
very first NASCAR Busch Series race. Allen had accomplished these feats while
still working full-time at the Nashville Gas Company. Allen ended his
employment there in December 2006, after receiving an offer to drive the #13
Chevrolet Silverado for ThorSport Racing during the
2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Allen exceeded everyone’s
expectations and was named the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of
the Year.
Although the road has been long and hard for Allen, he is very appreciative
to those who have helped him along the way. "There have been many people
who have helped me along the path, from Go-Karts to Late Models, and I'm so
thankful for that," said Allen. "To reach this level is almost
unbelievable to me. You've got to keep believing in yourself, and make the
most of the opportunity when it comes.”
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