Robert Arthur Allison, known as Bobby, was born on 3^rd December 1937 in Miami, Florida. During his career asRobert Arthur Allison, known as Bobby, was born on 3^rd December 1937 in Miami, Florida. During his career as a race car driver his fans loved his warm and effervescent attitude and unstoppable spirit. He is still, to this day, considered to be one of the greatest race car drivers. While still in high school at Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School he entered his first race. When he finished high school he persuaded his older brother, Donnie (who also became a race car diver) and some friends to head out with him in the hope of finding better racing than that which was available in South Florida. On arriving in Montgomery, Alabama Bobby heard that there would be a race that very night in Midfield. He won the race, together with two other races that week - he was hooked! In 1959 Bobby, Donnie and friend, Red Farmer moved to Hueytown, Alabama - the three were later to be nicknamed the Alabama Gang. Bobby worked as a mechanic and an engine tester while still racing and eventually became a driver in 1962 winning the national championship in the modified special division.

Bobby Allison in August 2007 at Bristol Motor Speedway (Wiki Commons)

In 1965 he moved to the Grand National Circuit and had his first victory on 12^th July 1966 at the Oxford Plains Speedway. In total he won 84 races in his NASCAR top division career, levelling with Darrell Waltrip for third place in all-time victories. In 1980 he won the International Race of Champions award, was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of fame of America in 1992, also inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named as one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. His greatest wish was to win the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National championship but this eluded him on many occasions. In 1970 he came second to Bobby Isaac; again in 1972 he finished a close second to Richard Petty. Three other years Bobby was to finish second place, in 1978, 1981 and 1982. He was bitterly disappointed. Bobby said at the time, “I’ve come so close so many times maybe I’m never going to win a Winston Cup championship. In 1983 Bobby found himself once again to be a major contender while driving Buicks for the Charlotte-based DiGard Racing Team, he was on top of the standings. Darrell Waltrip, once again as he had in 1981 and 1982, started his late-season charge and closed the points but this time Bobby was up for it, he had three consecutive victories at Darlington, Richmond and Dover and a glitch at Rockingham allowed Darrell Waltrip to get close. In the final two events of 1983 Bobby came third and ninth to wrap up the title. After securing the championship Bobby said, “I’ve worked hard for a long, long time. My wife, Judy has worked with me and so many people have supported me over the years. This is something I have wanted my entire career and today I’m going to celebrate it. I just thank God for it.” In 1988 he won the Daytona 500 for the third time, this was to be his final victory with his son Davey taking second place, making this the first father/son, first/second victory in the history of the Daytona 500.

Later in 1988 Bobby was to suffer horrendous head injuries after a crash on 19^th June at Pocono Raceway that he survived but was forced to retire from driving in NASCAR. Further devastation was to come when in 1992 his youngest son, Clifford was fatally injured in a practice crash at Michigan International Speedway and within a year his other son, Davey, died in a helicopter accident at Talladega Superspeedway.

He is married to Judy and has two surviving children, Carrie and Bonnie and he has been actively involved in promoting rail safety for the CSX "Keep on Living" campaign, making appearances at Talladega and Daytona.ail safety for the CSX "Keep on Living" campaign, making appearances at Talladega and Daytona.

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Bobby Allison Biography
Bobby Allison - Wikipedia
Davey Allison - Related Biography: Race Car Driver Bobby Allison

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