Bobby Allison
Founder of the Alabama Gang; 1983 Winston Cup champion; three Daytona 500 wins.
Robert Arthur Allison (December 3, 1937 – November 9, 2024) was an American professional stock car racing driver and owner. Allison was the founder of the Alabama Gang, a group of drivers based in Hueytown, Alabama, where there were abundant short tracks with high purses. Allison raced competitively in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1961 to 1988, while regularly competing in short track events throughout his career. He also raced in IndyCar, Trans-Am, and Can-Am.
Named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers and a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, he was the 1983 Winston Cup champion and won the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982, and 1988. His brother Donnie Allison was also a prominent driver, as were his two sons, Clifford and Davey Allison. During the course of his career, Bobby Allison accumulated 85 credited victories and one uncredited victory, making him fourth all-time. He was NASCAR Winston Cup Champion in 1983, winning the Driver of the Year award again while driving for DiGard Racing.
Quick Facts
- Born
- December 3, 1937
- Died
- November 9, 2024
- Cup career
- 1961-1988; 85 credited victories (fourth all-time)
- Championship
- 1983 Winston Cup (DiGard Racing)
- Family
- Brother Donnie Allison; sons Clifford and Davey Allison
- Honours
- NASCAR Hall of Fame; one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Bobby and Donnie's televised fistfight with Cale Yarborough at the 1979 Daytona 500 has been credited with exposing NASCAR to a nationwide audience.
- Allison won the first Daytona 500 run with restrictor plates in February 1988 by a car length over his son Davey Allison, rendering him the first driver to have won the Daytona 500 both with and without restrictor plates.
- Allison was involved in an accident at Talladega in May 1987, that saw his car cut down a tire, turn sideways and go airborne into the protective catch fence that separates the speedway from the grandstands.
- The 1982 Daytona 500 was fraught with controversy that became known as "Bumpergate".
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