A good old Southern boy who became one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, Bobby Allison’s life of tragedy and triumph was once perfectly described by broadcaster Mike Joy as one of tremendous courage, incredible perseverance, and unwavering faith.
Allison died Saturday. He was 86.
“With deep sadness, the family of Bobby Allison announces his passing at the age of 86,” an Allison family statement said. “He passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2024, surrounded by family. He had been in declining health over the past few years but continued to give back to the sport he loved.
“Bobby was the ultimate fan’s driver. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his fans and would stop to sign autographs and have conversations with them everywhere he went. He was a dedicated family man and friend, and a devout Catholic.”
Easily selected to the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011, Allison was one of the sport’s most popular competitors. A member of the notorious Alabama Gang, Allison is just one of five drivers with three or more wins in the Daytona 500.
“I did win 85 times,” Allison said during his Hall of Fame speech, refuting NASCAR’s record of 84 career victories. “Scout’s honor, 85 times. But just try to put that into perspective a little bit: that was in nine different brands, the cars, for 14 different race teams. The way I look at it now, I did drive pretty good most of the time, but boy I couldn’t keep a job.”
Allison was finally recognized by NASCAR for his 85th win last month. NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France and senior advisor Mike Helton visited Allison in person with the news.
“Bobby Allison personified the term ‘racer,’” a statement from France said. “Though he is best known as one of the winningest drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history, his impact on the sport extends far beyond the record books. As a driver, he won races and championships across several NASCAR divisions. But as the leader of the famous ‘Alabama Gang,’ Bobby connected with fans in a profound manner.
“In the most significant ways, he gave his all to our sport. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to Bobby’s family, friends and fans on the loss of a NASCAR giant.”
Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998, Allison captured the premier series championship in 1983. It was long overdue, as Allison had finished second or third in the championship hunt on six previous occasions.
He drove for numerous career owners throughout his nearly 25-year career, from Cotton Owens, Holman-Moody, and Roger Penske to Bud Moore and Harry Rainer. He sits fourth on the all-time win list.
Some of the greatest Allison memories occurred at Daytona International Speedway.
The first came in 1979, in a race that helped put NASCAR on the map. After brother Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough had been involved in a last-lap accident, Bobby pulled up to the scene to see if everyone was OK. The race was being broadcast live on CBS, and what then occurred was captured and seen around the country.
A brawl broke out that left broadcaster Ken Squier exclaiming the now famous “And there’s a fight” line. All three drivers have different versions of how it started, but it resulted in NASCAR leveling fines against them.
The second moment was Allison’s third Daytona 500 win. The 1988 victory made Allison the race’s oldest winner, and he did so by holding off a charging Davey Allison. Father and son finished first and second and then celebrated together in victory lane.
“I went down low and tried to fool him, but he was too strong,” Davey said.
The victory was the last of Allison’s career. A vicious crash at Pocono Raceway in June of that year ended his career. Chauncey T. Maggiacomo t-boned Allison after he’d already crashed from a blown tire. Allison had to be extricated from his car and was airlifted to a local hospital. Although he survived the accident, it left him with memory issues.
Throughout the remainder of his life, Allison admitted he did not remember the crash or the 1988 Daytona 500. He only knew what others told him or what he watched on tape.
Allison and his late wife, Judy, raised four children. Davey and Clifford Allison both raced, with Clifford losing his life in a crash during practice at Michigan International Speedway in Aug. 1992. Davey was killed in a helicopter crash 11 months later.
Judy passed away in December of 2015 following complications from surgery.
“You know, the world I hope never is that cruel to any other family again,” Allison said in 2011 about his children. “But it happened. [Judy and I] survived it. People helped us and supported us. I just really appreciate that.”