Every NASCAR fan knows the name Bobby Allison. In fact, Allison is so well-known that many people outside the sport are familiar with some of his achievements. He was one of the winningest NASCAR drivers of all time and has been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He won some of the biggest races on the circuit multiple times throughout his career.
5 Facts About Bobby Allison
In case you aren’t familiar with him, here are five facts about the legendary driver Bobby Allison.
Won Every NASCAR Major At Least Three Times
We all know that Allison was an amazing driver and won a lot, but this statistic speaks to just how good he was. During his career, there were four races on the NASCAR circuit that were considered “majors.” These races included the ones at Daytona, Darlington Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Not only did Allison win each of these races, but he won them all at least three times! In fact, he won at Darlington on four occasions! His performances at these race tracks have gone down as some of the best in history.
Allison Got Into A Fight With Cale Yarborough
Another popular driver on the circuit during Allison’s career was rival Cale Yarborough. At the Daytona 500 in 1979, Yarborough got into a crash with Bobby Allison’s brother, Donnie. Bobby drove toward the crash after the race finished to give his brother a ride back to the pit area, and Yarborough confronted him with a claim that Bobby had caused the crash. The confrontation led to a fistfight between the two, and both drivers were fined by NASCAR over the incident. It turns out that NASCAR later refunded the fines because the fight brought so much national attention to the sport.
Wins At 27 Different Race Tracks
Yes, you read that correctly. Bobby Allison had wins at 27 different race tracks throughout his career. From large speedways, like Daytona and Talladega, to small tracks and road courses. Allison recorded at least three wins at 14 different tracks. This statistic is a testament to Allison’s versatility as a driver and his determination to always be the best.
18 Top-10 Finishes In Points Standings
Bobby Allison was not only a great driver, but he was also consistent. He was able to maintain a level of performance that was virtually unprecedented. Not only did he win at the major race tracks, but he consistently won throughout his career. Allison didn’t just win the NASCAR title and then disappear. He was a consistent contender for most of his career. This is evidenced by his 18 finishes in the Top 10. During the 7-year span from 1978 to 1984, he finished no lower than 6th place in the standings.
Oldest Driver To Win The Daytona 500
Bobby Allison’s win at the Daytona 500 was very special for several different reasons. First, his son finished right behind him in second place in the race. For the older Allison, he secured the record as the oldest driver to ever win the Daytona 500. He was 50 years old at the time of his win. With the win, Bobby Allison also became the first driver to win the Daytona 500 both with and without a restrictor plate. This is just another example of Bobby Allison’s impressive feats during his career.
Bobby Allison – A True NASCAR Legend
Bobby Allison is considered by many to be one of the best NASCAR racers to ever participate in the sport. His overall wins, Top-10 points finishes, and multiple wins at different tracks certainly put him in a league of his own. Allison helped bring NASCAR to national prominence, and his legendary performances will continue to live in NASCAR history forever. Come learn more about Bobby Allison and other NASCAR legends at International Motorsports HOF!