Bobby Allison Dies

NASCAR Cup Series 85 wins, 447 top tens, and 59 poles

Bobby Allison, born on December 3, 1937, in Miami, Florida, was a prominent figure in American motorsports, particularly known for his contributions to NASCAR. Growing up in a working-class family, he developed an early interest in cars and racing.

His father, a mechanic, instilled in him a passion for automobiles, which would later shape his career. Allison attended high school in Miami, where he graduated in 1955. He initially pursued a career in the automotive industry, working as a mechanic and later as a body shop owner,

which provided him with the technical skills that would benefit him in racing. Allison’s racing career began in the late 1950s when he started competing in local short track events. His talent quickly became evident, and he made his debut in NASCAR in 1961. Over the years, he became known for his aggressive driving style and remarkable skill behind the wheel.

He achieved his first major victory in 1966 at the Talladega 500, which marked the beginning of a successful career in the sport. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Allison became one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history, amassing a total of 84 race wins, which placed him among the top winners in the sport at the time. Allison’s racing career was marked by several significant achievements, including winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1983.

Early in the 1979 Daytona 500, Bobby, his brother Donnie and rival Cale Yarborough tangled early in the race. Donnie led the second half of the race while Yarborough made up his lost laps through caution periods. By the time there were eight laps to go, Yarborough reached second place and set his eyes on passing Donnie. Bobby was two laps down and was 1/4 mile ahead of the two rivals as Yarborough and Donnie crashed on the final lap. Richard Petty went by and won the race. Bobby passed the wreckage, finished the race, and on his way back around stopped to check on his brother and make sure he wasn’t hurt. He pulled over to the wreck site to offer Donnie a ride to the garage area. Yarborough ran up to Bobby and, according to Bobby, Yarborough was yelling that Bobby was at fault and hit him in the face with his helmet—cutting his nose and his lip. Bobby climbed out and a fist-fight broke out.

I stopped to offer Donnie a ride to the garages and Cale comes running up saying I caused the wreck. I tried to tell him he had the wrong person. And I’ve said before, I think I questioned his ancestry. He hit me in the face with his helmet and I saw blood dripping onto my shirt. I thought ‘If I don’t stop this I’ll be running from Cale for the rest of my life.’ I climbed out and throttled him. He ran his nose into my fist several times. My story and I’m sticking to it forever. He never challenged me again.

Bobby Allison (2000 interview)

He was known for his fierce rivalries with other drivers, including Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip, which added to the drama and excitement of the sport. His success on the track earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. He also played a pivotal role in the development of the sport, advocating for safety improvements and changes in racing regulations. In addition to his racing accomplishments, Allison faced personal challenges throughout his life.

Career

  • NASCAR Cup Series 718 races run over 25 years
  • NASCAR Cup Series 85 wins, 447 top tens, and 59 poles
  • NASCAR Xfinity Series career 43 races run over 7 years
  • NASCAR Grand National East Series career 17 races run over 2 years
  • 1983 Winston Cup Series Champion
  • 1980 IROC Champion
  • 1978, 1982, 1988 Daytona 500 Winner
  • 1971, 1972, 1975, 1983 Southern 500 Winner
  • 1971, 1981 1984 World 600 Winner
  • 1979, 1981, 1986 Winston 500 Winner
  • 1982 Busch Clash winner
  • 1971–1973, 1980–1983 Winston Cup Series Most Popular Driver (7 times)
  • 1992 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
  • 1993 International Motorsports Hall of Fame
  • 1998 Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers
  • 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • 2023 Named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers

He experienced several tragedies, including the deaths of his son, Davey Allison, and his brother, Donnie Allison, both of whom were also involved in racing. These losses deeply affected him and shaped his perspective on life and the sport.

Despite these hardships, he remained a beloved figure in the racing community, known for his humility and dedication to the sport. Allison’s personal life was intertwined with his racing career. He married his wife, Judy, in 1959, and they had three children together. The family was heavily involved in racing, with several of his children pursuing.

Allison made six IndyCar Series starts for Roger Penske, including a pair of Indy 500s.

Allison is one of 10 drivers to have won NASCAR’s career “grand slam” that includes the Cup Series’ most iconic races: the Daytona 500, the Winston 500, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500.

Allison has actively promoted rail safety for the CSX “Keep on Living” campaign with appearances at Talladega and Daytona. On March 6, 2008, his mother, Kittie Allison, died at age 101 in Charlotte, North Carolina. On May 23, 2011, Bobby Allison was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Judy Allison, Bobby’s wife of 55 years, died December 18, 2015, following complications from surgery. On November 9, 2024, Allison’s family announced his passing prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race. Allison was 86 years old, and is survived by daughters, Bonnie and Carrie.

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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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