Allen first found racing success as a record-setting and "fearless" motorcycle racer. He suffered a "severe scalp wound" in a 1913 on-track collision in
Rockford, Illinois. Allen moved into auto racing after surviving an accident in motorcycle racing. His rivalry with driver
Cliff Woodbury was promoted in press reports. He drove a
Frontenac to win and break records at
Roby Speedway and Bedford Speedway in Indiana in 1924 and 1925, and at Thornton Speedway in 1926. He attempted to qualify for the
1927 Indianapolis 500 but failed to qualify. He successfully qualified for the
1930 Indianapolis 500 driving a
Miller and started and finished ninth. He was described as "the last word in daredevil drivers" in 1928. He won a race at Evanston Speedway in 1933. == Motorsports career results ==