Bobby Allison: Ode To a NASCAR Legend

Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the best drivers to ever live, died at 86 at his Lake Norman home in Mooresville, North Carolina. The iconic driver leaves behind a legacy like no other, winning some of the greatest races in motorsports history to date, including three Daytona 500 wins, five wins at the Southern 500, and three wins at the Coca-Cola 600. He had a total of 85 wins, 718 starts, 336 top-five finishes, 446 top-ten finishes, and 59 poles. In 2023, he was honored as part of a list of 75 NASCAR greats that was put together to celebrate NASCAR’s 75th anniversary.

Allison joined ranks with other NASCAR greats like “The Intimidator” Dale Earnhardt Sr., Cale Yarborough, Ricky Rudd, and Neil Bonnett, an honor in a class all of its own, and why wouldn’t he, after a career spanning nearly three decades? However, his success wasn’t only with NASCAR, as Bobby Allison had a brief stint with Team Penske in IndyCar. He came under Roger Penske’s radar in 1972 when he witnessed his agility and quickness on the track during a test for the Canadian American Cup Challenge (Can-Am). Shortly after that, Allison was invited to test with Team Penske in the cockpit of an Indy vehicle.

A Family Affair

Bobby Allison garnered great success while on the track as a driver for the NASCAR franchise with Team Penske. However, among his most memorable accomplishments were the races he spent alongside his son, Davey Allison, former driver of the No. 28 for Robert Yates Racing. Any time spent on the track racing against Davey was some of the best for the driver, including the final win of his career at the 1988 Daytona 500. There wasn’t a better moment in Allison’s eyes than the pair coming in 1st and 2nd while up against another successful father-son Duo in the sport, “The King,” Richard Petty, and his son Lee.

Still, as a father, Bobby Allison always took a bit of anxiety to the track when he raced against Davey because he was fast and competitive and even described him as a “competitive pain.” Between the two, they racked up 104 wins for a single season in the elite NASCAR Premier League, but that still didn’t top their mutual success in the 1988 Daytona 500. He’s raced and won in several series, but his stint in the cup series is easily his best, so it’s no wonder he’s listed as fourth for most all-time wins above Darrell Waltrip at 84 and perhaps the reason he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.

“Davey is a delight to be around, and it’s a real thrill to see him do well,” Bobby Allison said. “I have the concern that I think any father would have for their son in a race car and the potential for some sort of danger. But there’s a third thing that comes with Davey. He’s a real competitive pain. He’s really fast in the car and a big threat,” he added.

Fight With Cale Yarborough

The most memorable moments of Bobby Allison’s career include the infamous fight between fellow contender Cale Yarborough at the 1979 Daytona 500. The fight occurred due to an intense on-track battle between Yarborough, Bobby Allison himself, and brother Donnie, competing for the title on the last lap of the race. Unfortunately, the struggle led to Donnie and Cale getting loose and sliding to the infield. Bobby Allison narrowly missed the wreckage but was able to complete the race.

Post-race, it seemed the two had shaken off the tension until Cale Yarborough accused Bobby Allison of causing him to lose laps, and an argument ensued, and fists began flying. During the argument, Yarborough, still holding his helmet, took the opportunity to use it as a weapon, striking Allison in the head and leading to one of the most iconic brawls in NASCAR history. The fight was broken up before it could escalate.

There were many rumors regarding what could’ve happened. Some even think it was due to Donnie and Cale’s last-lap crash. If not for the crash, one of the two would’ve become the winner but were ultimately beaten out by Richard Petty, who took advantage of the collision to pull the win. Even so, the fight won’t soon be forgotten and is still what many think of when the iconic driver is mentioned.

Participation In the Indianapolis 500

In addition to Bobby Allison’s stint with the NASCAR franchise, racing alongside son Davey and his brother Donnie, and the iconic fight with Cale Yarborough, he became widely known for participating in IndyCar. Roger Penske encouraged the driver to try IndyCar after witnessing his agility and quickness during a Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) test at Ontario Motorspeedway, an oval track similar to Indianapolis.

Allison was sold on the idea, and in 1973, he joined Roger Penske’s Indy team racing with Mark Donohue and Gary Bettenhausen. During a qualifying run for the Indianapolis 500, his speed was impressive at 192. 308 per lap run to start in 12th in the race. The success was short-lived when a connecting rod attached to the engine of his No. 16 McLaren Offenhauser failed, causing him to miss the first lap and end in 32nd, a stark contrast to his start in 12th.

The race was disappointing not only because he didn’t finish well but also because his friend and fellow Indy driver Swede Savage’s car crashed and erupted in flames. Savage died in July of the same year after succumbing to his injuries. The incident shook Allison so much that he wouldn’t return to Indy until 1975. After qualifying 13th and finishing 25th, he called it quits with IndyCar.

The ‘Alabama Gang’

Bobby Allison has always been very dedicated to his career, but he yearned for more and even left his home state of Florida searching for more opportunities to race on dirt tracks. He couldn’t get enough once Allison tasted Alabama’s opportunities and successes. It wouldn’t be long before he created what has become affectionately known as the Alabama Gang for elite drivers and family members, including brother Donnie, son Davey, Red Farmer, and  Neil and David Bonnett.

All group members were nominated into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, commemorating their contributions to racing, but he’s remembered for much more. In an interview, long-time friend and NASCAR commentator and crew chief to his late son Davey, Larry McReynolds, stated that he remembered Bobby Allison for his ability to win at just about any track. He added that some of his most significant wins were at Superspeedway and said he was proud of the friendship the two shared.

Allison impacted many around the NASCAR community and was always willing to lend a helping hand when necessary. “When you think back to his 85 wins in his career. There really was not any type of racetrack that he was not successful at. It didn’t matter. He was obviously very good at the superspeedways, the Daytona’s, the Talladega’s,” Larry McReynolds said.

Final Thoughts

Bobby Allison touched the hearts of fans and fellow drivers alike during his time in NASCAR racing alongside his son Davey and brother Donnie and during his brief stint in IndyCar and his elite group, the Alabama Gang. He will forever be known as one of the most significant drivers ever to live for his accomplishments and his continued dedication to the sport over a career spanning nearly three decades. His fans remember him as a hands-on driver who honored and respected their contribution to the sport, which is hard to beat.