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Bobby Allison, a legend in NASCAR, finally received recognition for a milestone he has anticipated for over 53 years: he is now officially recognized as an 85-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner. This significant update elevates Allison to fourth place on the all-time win list, surpassing fellow champion and Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip, who has 84 victories. The original race was won by Allison on August 6, 1971.
NASCAR CEO and Chairman Jim France, along with Vice Chairman Mike Helton, personally delivered this exciting news to the 86-year-old racing icon on October 23, 2024.
Why was he not awarded with a win?
For those unfamiliar with the NASCAR scene, the confusion over Allison's win total stems from a longstanding debate regarding a specific race. While many had counted Allison's wins at 85, NASCAR had historically recorded him with 84 victories. The key point of contention was the 1971 Myers Brothers Memorial 250 at Bowman Gray Stadium. This race was a combination event between the NASCAR Grand National Series (now the Cup Series) and the Grand American Series, a "pony car" series active from 1968 to 1972.
During the 1971 event, Richard Petty led the first 112 laps until he had to pit for fuel with 138 laps to go. Allison seized the lead in his No. 49 Ford Mustang and maintained it until the end. Following the race, Petty and several competitors voiced concerns about the advantage held by the Grand American cars, leading to debates over the legitimacy of the combined events.
From that moment until the recent announcement, the race at Bowman Gray had never been officially recognized. It was the only race in NASCAR's history lacking an official winner, a status that persisted for over five decades. The call to recognize Allison's 85th victory gained momentum as NASCAR prepared to host The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, where he achieved this historic win.
“For 53 years, the Myers Brothers Memorial was the only race run by NASCAR that did not have an official winner. As we began preparations for the upcoming Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the topic of that 1971 race returned to the forefront. We felt it was the right thing to officially recognize Bobby’s win and honor him as an 85-time NASCAR Cup Series winner. We are grateful for Bobby’s lifetime contributions to NASCAR," stated Jim France.
Allison has long believed he deserved this recognition. In his Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2011, he asserted, “I did win 85 times. Now, more than half a century later, that statement has been validated".
With this acknowledgment, Allison’s career total stands at 85 NASCAR Cup Series wins, placing him fourth behind the legendary Richard Petty (200 wins), David Pearson (105), and Jeff Gordon (93). The record books have been updated to reflect this well-deserved achievement.
