Bobby Allison

Robert Arthur “Bobby” Allison was an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He was one of NASCAR’s most successful and influential competitors, credited with 85 career Cup Series victories, placing him fourth on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. Allison won the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship in 1983 and is renowned for his three Daytona 500 victories, marking him as a pivotal figure in the sport’s history.

Early Life and Background

Bobby Allison was born on December 3, 1937, in Miami, Florida. Raised in a racing family, his early exposure to motorsports came naturally. He grew up with a competitive spirit shaped by tight-knit family relationships and local race circuits. His roots were deeply connected to the Alabama racing scene, which later became known as the home of the “Alabama Gang,” a celebrated group of drivers including Allison, his brother Donnie, and others.

Career

Allison began racing competitively in the NASCAR Modified Special Division, winning titles in 1962 and 1963. He moved full-time to the Grand National (now Cup) Series in 1965 and secured his first Cup victory in 1966 at Oxford Plains Speedway. Throughout his career, he amassed 85 credited victories, including notable triumphs at the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982, and 1988.

The 1983 season marked Allison’s crowning achievement as he won the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship, delivering 10 wins, 12 runner-up finishes, and 11 poles that year. That same decade, Allison was a central figure in many historic NASCAR moments, including the famous 1979 Daytona 500 feud and surviving the 1987 Talladega crash that led to the introduction of restrictor plates to enhance safety on superspeedways.

Allison’s career ended abruptly in 1988 following a serious crash at Pocono Speedway, where he sustained critical head injuries. After recovering, he transitioned to team ownership and mentoring roles. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of his sons Davey and Clifford Allison in racing-related incidents, Bobby Allison’s legacy remained strong until his passing on November 9, 2024.

Off-Track Ventures

After retiring from driving, Allison operated Bobby Allison Motorsports and contributed to NASCAR as a team owner and advisor. He participated in promotional activities, fan engagement, and historic celebrations of NASCAR’s heritage. Allison’s influence extended beyond the track through charitable involvements and motorsport advocacy.

Net Worth

Estimated net worth was $15 million.

Family Life

Bobby Allison was born to Edmund and Katherine Allison and was the eldest of 13 siblings. He married Judy in 1960, and they had four children: Bonnie, Carrie, Clifford, and Davey.

Recent Controversies

Bobby Allison controversially won the 1983 Daytona 500 by deliberately crashing competitor Cale Yarborough to avoid a crash himself.

Key Highlights from 2024

In 2024, Allison was officially credited with his 85th career NASCAR Cup Series victory after NASCAR sanctioned a previously disputed 1971 Myers Brothers Memorial race win shortly before his death. Though Allison passed away in late 2024, he remains a celebrated NASCAR legend, honored in numerous commemorations and permanently remembered as a foundational figure in stock car racing.