Triumphant Delay: Legendary Driver Bobby Allison Secures Elusive Victory at Bowman Gray After 53 Years

The Legend of Bobby Allison: A Long-Awaited Recognition of Victory

NASCAR has long been synonymous with excitement, grit, and prestige. But for one legendary driver, an asterisk had once hung over his record. That was, until a recent surprise revelation that has officially sealed the deal: Bobby Allison, a stalwart of the sport, now stands as an 85-time NASCAR Cup Series winner.

The remarkable tale began in 1971, at the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, Allison won the first-ever combination race, featuring both Grand National and Grand American cars. The victory, however, was long shrouded in controversy, with no official winner listed in the records.

Fast forward to 2024, as NASCAR gears up to host the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in February 2025. Reflecting on the track’s rich history, NASCAR CEO and Chairman Jim France highlighted the attention-grabbing issue of that fateful 1971 race. “For 53 years, the Myers Brothers Memorial was the only race run by NASCAR that didn’t have an official winner,” France explained. “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.”

The recognition comes as no surprise to Allison, who now trails only Richard Petty, David Pearson, and Jeff Gordon in all-time Cup Series wins. Petty, Interestingly, initially opposed the recognition of Allison’s win, citing concerns over the mixed-class nature of the race and Allison’s decision to drive a smaller Grand Am car.

“I pleaded with Bill France Jr. to award me the win, and he said it looked pretty grim,” Allison recalled. “But I’ve always believed that if NASCAR is a major sport, then Bowman Gray is a major race. And how can you have a major race without a winner?”

With this recent announcement, NASCAR has finally put the controversy to rest, solidifying Allison’s legacy as one of the sport’s most accomplished drivers. As he looks back on his remarkable career, one can’t help but wonder what the future may hold for this NASCAR legend.