Bobby Allison's Devastating Career Ending Crash

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

A true NASCAR hall of famer who had the worst ending to a career in a long time. Glad to know that Bobby is still involved with the sport today.

[@saragrant9749]

And even worse to follow, losing BOTH his sons in separate incidents (racing crash and helicopter crash). I can’t imagine how hard that was for him but he persevered!

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@saragrant9749He did not handle it all well, he became an alcoholic for many years and separated from his wife. Not sure if they got divorced, but they separated for sure.

[@windycityassassin1122]

@@ethanweeter2732they did divorce, but I believe they reconnected at Adam Petty’s funeral and they definitely remarried

[@josephfairman5329]

I'd think the guys who died during a race ended their career worse.

[@saragrant9749]

@@josephfairman5329 obviously. This was pretty rough though, as he was alive and able to understand he could no longer do what he loved to do. That’s no easy thing to experience.

[@south_carolina_man]

Bobby Allison has 85 wins. It's about time NASCAR acknowledges it.

[@gregorygolden1296]

You are EXACTLY right. Today, NASCAR is a fractured shell of what it once was.

[@south_carolina_man]

@@gregorygolden1296 that's not what I was insinuating. I was simply stating that his win total needs to be updated out of respect for him.

[@masoneveridge4078]

@@south_carolina_man I’m late but I heard 86 wins often

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@masoneveridge4078Bobby claims 85 because the Coca Cola 600 was won by Richard Petty with an oversized engine. Forgot what year though, but it was in the 1970s.

[@masoneveridge4078]

@@ethanweeter2732 uh the one everyone knows about is his 198th win in the 83 600

[@dontask8979]

To loose both sons and nearly her husband... That is to much for anyone. RIP Judy Allison

[@MikeyC1990]

Especially having each tragedy happen so close to each other with barely anytime to grieve makes even more heartbreaking.

[@Dynamatrix2000]

Lose not loose.

[@Dynamatrix2000]

Lose not loose.

[@vinceedwards575]

90% of people don't know the difference between lose and loose. Weird.

[@beeemm2578]

@@Dynamatrix2000 worth repeating

[@crystaljon]

As for Maggiacomo, he would largely recover from his injuries, and make one more Cup start later that year at Watkins Glen, but the guilt and PTSD from the incident ultimately ended his career.

[@tomt9543]

I’ve heard that Jocko was a very successful short track racer in the northeast, but I don’t know much about him other than this unfortunate incident.

[@MikeyC1990]

@tomt9543 jocko also did some road racing and just happens to be the 1976 SCCA Transam champion as well.

[@KADoodlez]

Apparently sterling marlin has the same issues after his involvement in dales accident

[@ceeinfiniti1389]

@@KADoodlez Yeah he was getting so many death threats that Dale Jr had to tell people to stop. Imagine the guilt on top of having your life threatened by thousands of strangers.

[@needsmetal]

​@KADoodlez he still does, according to the people around him, he watches the last 20 laps twice month to try to find something he could have done differently

[@brucenance8013]

I was lucky to meet Davey Bobby and Donnie and Daytona when I was a teenagerthey didn't get tired of signing autographs and taking pictures great down-to-earth God bless all of the Allison family

[@YFDJM2MOTORSPORTS]

Just seeing him there watching the 2020 Daytona 500 is just sad , we will never know what could have happened if his 2 sons never passed away & if he never had a flat tire or that crash

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

Yeah, on one hand, it is great that he is still involved and interested in the sport, but him being alone, there was heartbreaking. His home should’ve been full of his family gathered to watch the 500 together and reminisce. Instead, it was empty.

[@gregorygolden1296]

I have met Bobby a couple times. Once at the Palm Beach Fairgrounds Speedway in the 70's and at a drivers reunion for drivers at Hialeah and Palm Beach Speedways. The second time I was able to give him a color 8X10 color picture of Davey standing next to a Late Model early in Davey's career. It made me feel good to give something to a man who gave us so much. One of the best there ever was. Bobby could win in anything. Could build a car from the ground up, set it up, and then go out and win in it. GOD BLESS Bobby and the whole ALABAMA GANG.

[@paulshamblin6260]

My friend had permission to fish in their backyard. He took me. Bobby came out of the shop and talked to us. He was a rock star. Batman with a batmobile. Very nice to us. We were probably 10 years old. Those cars were so cool. Never heard a bad word about him in our town.

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

Man this brings back memories. Davey was my favorite from his rookie year in 87. My dad brought home a poster of his car from 87, and i was hooked. Living in the northeast, at that time, racing wasnt really a big deal, but the allison family has always been my favorite. Awesome video 🤘🤘 thank you for bringing up the old days when nascar was good.

[@tuowl0564]

Allison's last race at Pocono happened to be my first as a 5 year old. All I remember (Pocono was tough to see back then as it was, at 5 all I did was people watch) is the shouting/screaming and the dust cloud when my dad picked me up, people conversating with those who had scanners (just getting popular) and the radio (still more popular than scanner), and then what seemed like an hour later looking up to see the life flight helicopter leaving. Since my family lived in the Lehigh Valley I wrote Bobby a get-well letter while he was the nearby hospital since I felt the need to do something according to my parents. There were legit rumors circling during the September 1990 Peak 500 at Dover (attend that race too) that Bobby was actively practicing in preparation to return to Cup in 1991. However, that never ended up happening for one reason or another.

[@richardstephens5570]

You didn't mention how he became a member of "The Alabama Gang". Racetracks in Alabama paid way more prize money than tracks in Florida, so Bobby, his brother Donnie and friend Red Farmer moved to Alabama. The trio traveled together, racing(and winning) at short tracks all over the South. When the three showed up at a race in Greenville, N.C., driver Jack Ingram muttered out loud, "Oh no, here comes that damn Alabama Gang." The nickname stuck.

[@MrBrennanCreeper]

Greenville, NC? Maybe it's the track in Robersonville, just on the other side of Greenville.

[@richardstephens5570]

@@MrBrennanCreeper Bobby recounted the story, maybe he meant to say South Carolina(Greenville-Pickens Speedway).

[@chev500l8]

He's still a true legend of the sport, it was awesome to see him get a daytona 500 win.

[@Rocketman442-RC]

I had a chance to see him a couple weeks ago in a small town north east of Wilkesboro called Mount Airy. For those people that don't recognize that name Mayberry may ring a few bells lol. Yes the town of Andy Griffith show. There was some heartfelt chit chat between Bobby and I before he went to do his autograph session. His life has sure become lonesome. Tried to keep the talk leaned towards fishing because I know the racing stories seem to get him worked up sometimes. He is still a very kindhearted and fun person to be around. I will never forget the first time I met him in 2001 at Daytona Speedweek preparing for a super late model race at New Smyrna speedway. His words excatly... "sun you drive pretty dang good for being from Pennsylvania. You must have grown up on dirt". Lol

[@hilldwler420]

I’m from Hueytown I grew up around the Alabama gang. Donnie Allison had a house down the street from me and when I was a kid we would play on the wrecked frames of the cars.

[@toddfowler4017]

A true fisherman! And one of the BEST race car drivers-EVER!!🇺🇲🎣🚘🙏🇺🇲

[@anncase8673]

We could have had another great NASCAR dynasty had the Clifford and Davey not died Bobby's wreck really is a sad case of massive misfortune, though i'd say its miraclous he even survived

[@nascargavin8]

Very, very well done.

[@C-WiL]

fr

[@tommydotyjr.2966]

Awesome video, just one slight revision. Mercury's back-to-back titles with Flock and Baker were 1955 & 1956, not 56 & 57. Baker did go back-to-back in 56 & 57, but he ran for a different team in Chevrolets for 1957

[@TanTan-hr7uq]

One of the best ever

[@mikev1218]

The Allisons are the reason I fell in love with NASCAR.

[@sissygeist3129]

Such a great video, thank you..l watched many a race with an Allison driving..

[@TheModelingNut]

One of 2 legends I would love to meet someday.

[@headbrown5629]

He has 85 wins. And did race after the Pocono crash in a Jaguar series with older past champions. The races are on KZbin

[@howdiedoodie8587]

I grew up in and still live in Alabama and I saw Bobby Allison frequently at a small hamburger joint in Bessemer Alabama called Mac’ Snack. Great Burgers. I never talked to him just nod and say hi. I figured he needed to enjoy his time away from racing while out enjoying himself and away from autograph seekers and very talkative race fans, and it seemed everyone in the area felt the same as I did and would just nod and say hello. He spent a good bit of time at that little Burger joint as it was close to the small airport where he kept his Piper planes and flew them regularly before his last crash and then after he hired a local pilot. Before I met my wife she met Bobby’s pilot and asked him what it was like to fly in a plane. He invited her with Bobby’s permission to go up in the Piper. She went for about a 30 minute flight and she was enjoying it when the pilot told her to take control. She said are you crazy? He said I show everyone the basics . He said I could pass out or die right now and you would have to land. She said it was a blast and she flew it for about 15 minutes learning how to lower and slow the plane. She has never been on another plane since and never plans on it, but really enjoyed going up in Bobby’s Piper.

[@pettykittyfam]

This story breaks my heart ❤️😭❤️ Bless him ❤

[@danjones815]

I had the privilege to see, in person, Bobby win the 1987 Firecracker 400 at Daytona. He only led 2 laps, whereas Davey led 32 but came in 20th. It was the only Winston Cup race I ever attended, except for watching qualifying for the May ninth 1997 Winston 500 at Talladega, where John Andretti won the poll. The race was called on Sunday and postponed due to rain. I did get see the Motorsports Hall of Fame on that Sunday.

[@lordracer7743]

Keep up your superb work Man. Great video like everyone.

[@beeemm2578]

That comment about fishing is SOOOO true. Even if you don't catch anything, you're still out there in the sun, near or on the water and its so peaceful.....which is a treat unto itself

[@timfoster5689]

I don’t know about y’all but them Coca Cola crew pants are cool as hell

[@marymonroe7042]

Bobby Allison is a very kind man. He came to Bristol for the race many years ago; during his visit, he came to our Parish for Mass! We got to speak with him! Such a blessing! 😊

[@teresagoodwin7458]

I got to see and meet Bobby and Donnie Allison at The Old Columbia Speedway in Cayce South Carolina way back. I was at the track every Thursday night religiously with my Precious Mama and Precious Daddy and Daddy always parked in the infield which was also the pit area for all the race cars. Imet Ralph Earnhardt, Tiny Lund, Red Farmer, Buck Baker, Lee Petty, Fireball Roberts, Cale Yarbrough and so many others who were Nascar in the beginning. I was BLESSED to be near all the GREATS OF THAT ERA, plus my Daddy had 2 good friends with garages and race cars and I wouldn't trade the education I got from being an inquisitive child from the time I was walking. Before that Daddy would carry me and talk to his friends and to some of the famous drivers like Junior Johnson who I forgot to include above, (I was a Daddy's girl through and through and still am even though Daddy's in HEAVEN now but I wouldn't trade what I learned about cars ,motors and all the parts on cars. GID BLESS DADDY'S 2 BEST FRIENDS FOR HAVING THE PATIENCE OF JOB TO ANSWER A LITTLE GIRL'S ENDLESS QUESTIONS 🙏🏻WHAT A BLESSING because there are a lot of crooked mechanics out there that will lie to you with a straight face telling you parts are broken or absolutely must be replaced when in fact there's nothing wrong with the part or part's mentioned. I've called out many a mechanic for lying and told them I would show them the parts and prove they weren't broken or in need of replacing. They'd stammer and stutter and make a quick disappearing act. Daddy thought it was hysterically funny and said that's my Baby Girl even after I was grown and married. Back in my really young years The Old Columbia Speedway was a dirt track and then someone had the idiotic idea to pave the track. Well, it stayed paved for a while and then they dug up the asphalt and made it dirt again which was awesome and after another little while they paved it again and it has remained paved. The people who owned it were going to sell it and so many people and race car drivers raised so much cain they kept it and prior to the pandemic they held The Racer's Reunion and some people had the original cars, one being Ralph EARNHARDT'S, which was awesome to see and touch and remember how much enjoyment and excitement and entertainment we got every Thursday night. Thank you for sharing this BLESSING because I was away from racing for a little while and I learned a few things I didn't know and I truly love hearing about the greats who made Nascar and could race hard for 400-600 laps/miles without the luxury of a cooling system and lot's of time no power steering so they were racing and fighting an ill handling race car. We always went to Darlington twice every year too. And we were always in the infield and back then it was easy to mix and mingle with the race car driver's and crew members as long as they weren't rushing trying to fix something to get back on the track so they could finish the race. Thanks again for sharing this BLESSING. This due hard race fan really appreciates it. I love to hear the old stories. I'm sad and grieve when any driver gets in a bad wreck and is injured or worse 😢But I still love hearing the stories. 👍💞🤗💞🏁🏆🏁🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thegreattreon0177]

He ran his nose into his fist...lol classic!

[@stephenullman4534]

This was absolutely beautiful!

[@erictroxell715]

Wow. This brought back memories to me too. I really liked bobby. I remember that interview you shown (the one with his wife). I was so happy they got remarried. He was always such a competitive person who loved many

[@rdsledge]

I spoke with Bobby a few years ago when he was the Grand Marshal at an ARCA race at Salem Speedway.He appeared normal in every way and was in good spirits. Truly one of the Great Race Driver of his time.

[@justjoe0327]

I really did enjoy it. Thanks for the share.

[@adampatterson5475]

Very sad, Bobby can't remember victory lane at Daytona

[@MathewWeaver73]

I love watching old NASCAR races, the racing was so much better. I wish they could remaster them in hi-def

[@billcary30]

so sad to see a family endure so much. Glad he made it. I can't honestly say i was a bobby fan (not usually a fan of drivers that drive for beer, personal preference don't judge) but i do respect them and what they do. i remember in 87 when bobby had his wreck at dega. We owned a restaurant at the time, and dad comes by the dishpit saying "bobby flipped at talledega, if you want to find out what happened i'm leaving in 2 minutes." my brain was like, wait bobby? dega? flip? what ? came back in 2 minutes and needless to say i wasn't ready to go. he repeated what he said and we went back to the house to find out what was going on. i vaguely remember in 88 (we weren't watching much racing the following year since we didn't have cable) the 1-2 finish with davey and thinking, that's so cool. then it all went down hill, and i began to wonder who's idea of a bad dream this was. bobby nearly dies, clifford dies, alan dies, davey dies, (probably leaving some out in there) ernie nearly dies. i was beginning to think i was jinxed when it came to guys i liked. anyways back to bobby's story. I saw an interview years ago with either his daughter, or maybe liz (davey's wife). said that she goes by the hosue daily and works cross words with him. you say what's my point? well that's what i'm thinking too when i see this. SHe said something to the effect that this had been suggested for him after the wreck to build back up his mind and his thinking abilities. (remember this is way back in 88 so nearly 35 years ago). she says to that day he worked the local puzzle every morning with her over coffee. when he got stronger and better at them they'd compete to see who could finish first. She said the crazy thing was even early on she could tell a difference in her dad's mental abilities and his memory after he started doing those even in first few days even when she had to coach him on what they were sometimes. she also said something about how when he'd wait for her to get there to start she could even see a difference in him over when he didn't wait on her. now they have number fill in puzzles, word fill in puzzles, crowword books, search a words (which they probably had back then too) soduku and who knows what else. i guess i didn't understand how much these help mental prowess and such even in older people. I asked a friend who does physical therapy and some of the other (forgot what it's called) and he says that he doesn't really do the other side, but he has noticed with stroke patients, those that do even just word searches, there's a visible difference in the way they act, how they recover physically, and emotionally. he says he wouldn't doubt it helps the spiritual and mmental side either. he says till he saw that interview he didn't know they were recommending that way back then. that'd of probably been when he was in college for his bachelors or strating the next part based on how much older than me he is). he said if it works for stroke victims it should work for brain injuries somewhat too. i've also known other people that say people with dimentia and start of alzheimers it also helps. i guess a word to all of us, find a puzzle book type u like, and even if you only do 1 or 2 a day DO IT! THE MENTAL HEALTH YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!

[@paulwojnar2291]

I was at that race at Pocono. What a horrible day that was.

[@mustangmike4078]

Since you asked so politely I sub'd. Yeah love Bobby, his championship winning year he drove for my uncle Bill's raceteam DiGard. I got to go to the shop and sit in the cars one time, and drink unlimited amounts of Gatorade from the Gatorade fountains. Back in the day when there was only lemon/lime and orange. It was cool.

[@robertlyman2278]

Great video 👍👍👍 Thanks so much

[@masoneveridge4078]

9:55 hmm Bobby is with his dead son Clifford who died the year before in 1992

[@stockamx]

I have a autograph pic of him and the AMC matador hanging in my garage! I won't forget!

[@zcam1969]

Bobby signed a autograph for me at Martinsville in 1982. he was a idol to me when i was a kid

[@DrummerDanny76]

I was born and raised in Miami Fl. and never knew that there was a very well known race car driver from My hometown, pretty cool !!!!

[@mrbigw100]

Red farmers interview on the dale jr download podcast talks about Bobby’s crash and Clifford and daveys deaths it’s a good listen

[@tritontransport]

Bobby saying if he had been at pocono his racing career would have been worth it. The “no fear” driver era. He almost died and had brain damage but still wanted to race again I’m sure Dale Sr thinks the same thing about his fatal crash from heaven

[@glorybound7599]

Thanks and God bless

[@narcoloopsie999]

I didn’t realize that Clifford and Davey had died so close together 😭

[@glennharless1399]

Thank You for this Video . God Bless Bobby !

[@YimmyT]

Great vid.

[@brianbooher7318]

Probably the truest pure driver NASCAR has ever seen he loved racing

[@Pointlesscrap-lu5vi]

Wow

[@Mtbr_Cody]

I sent Bobby a picture to sign. He sent me back the picture, and a small card saying: “Bobby Allison, leader of the Alabama gang.”

[@WillChandlerFLD120]

Bobby, Red, Donnie terrorized the short banked tracks after running the flats in Florida. Thats where the name came from. Every time they pulled into a race. Everyone would say Damn there comes that Alabama gang.get ready to run 3rd or worse 😂

[@brianrigsby7900]

3:49 that’s Donnie

[@craigkemmerzell5741]

Great driver 👌

[@user-zf8ge7qj6m]

My favorite driver.

[@timwinn3904]

I went to two races that year Daytona and Pocono I will always remember Davey checking on his dad he would stop then he would have to get back in the feild and Daytona that year that finish was incredible my sister. In law at the time had a T shirt made for the face that had Bobby on the front Davey on the back and it read the new Alabama gang

[@MrJoe1129uscg]

I didn't know Bobby Allison and Elana Scherr are friends, pretty sure that's Elana fishing with Bobby.

[@ndgoliberty]

Man I don’t think I’ve cried about a racer since learning about Kulwicki.

[@eyeroll5060]

I cant recall the race or driver but there was a crash where the car "surfed" the catch fence with the cars roof. It ripped the top of the car off and the drivers severed hand was stuck in the catch fence. Could u do a vid on this wreck pls. Theres very little on yt about it that can find

[@vr6swp]

That’s Russell Phillips. Happened in an ARCA series race I believe. There are probably a dozen or more videos about it

[@ChrisWolfe-zz2vw]

Your caption of Bobby with his two sons states 1993, but Clifford passed in 1992

[@wazzazone]

Wow I did enjoy the video

[@rosewhite---]

I'm in England and just cannot imagine what racing a Dodge Charger is like!

[@racecitypatriot66]

All of the Allison's had some really bad wrecks. Luckily/ thankfully none was fatal. I'm a huge Davey fan. And if he wasn't taken so soon in the helicopter crash Nascar would be totally different. No telling how many races and champions he would have won. Would have damn sure been up there with Richard petty and David Pearson. I 100% think he would've had 100+ wins.

[@crystaljon]

Not to be "that guy," but that's a bit extreme.

[@MikeyC1990]

I'm thinking maybe more likely around 50-60 wins and possibly 2-3 cup series championships for Davey.

[@faithful2thecall]

I understand being a fan. Realistically he probably would have had a career more like Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, or Mark Martin with 40-50 wins and maybe a title. He wasn't going to beat Earnhardt for the title in 1993 or 1994 and then Jeff Gordon and Hendrick became dominant so it would have been tough for Davey to get a title.

[@racecitypatriot66]

@@crystaljon how you figure. Yates had best engines and team. Davey would've brought even more money in. Look at Gordons wins he wasn't as good as Davey was. I can't remember off hand but I think it was 22 wins when he was killed. In 5-6 years.

[@racecitypatriot66]

@@MikeyC1990 he already had 22 wins I believe it is. I can't look it up right jow

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Why does Robert get called Bobby?

[@Freemoney1000]

Robert -> Rob -> Bob -> Bobby just a nickname but has to be something like that

[@myklaaron7879]

Bobby had like 4 career ending wrecks

[@johnrosier1686]

Bobby had his share of bad wrecks. My favorite driver.

[@zcam1969]

Bobby Allison told a reporter /when he asked him when are going retire ? Bobby said 65 is the retirement age ! and then this wreck happened. really he won the Daytona 500 1988

[@pp3k3jamail]

💥💥 I don't agree with your comment at the beginning about Bobby Allison's career was cut short. I mean he had been racing in nascar since the mid 60s.

[@richardstephens5570]

His career WAS cut short because he was planning on racing more years. Bobby was 50 years old when he got injured. Richard Petty, Mark Martin and Harry Gant all retired when they were 54.

[@user-oj9pk8bb4p]

I remember watching that fight between Cale Yarboro and Bobby Allison, I heard it was because Yarboro blamed Allison for wrecking him tbough

[@blaaahization]

To survive a crash like that only to get a neck injury from a TV placement...

[@danmalliard280]

I just wanted to say I have a picture of Bobby Allison and his wife and two sons when they were leaving the nashville fairground Speedway in 1975 the picture l have they were in there family 👪 car leaving by fair park the two sons looked to be ages of 9 and maybe or 10 year's old l was in my Jr year in 1975 Bobby's wife was driving there car when I seen them leaving, Bobby rolled down there passenger window and was able to get there picture, lm not sure but think the race was the nashville 420 lm 68 year's old now and feel very lucky to have this picture of this family in a moment in time, Danny Malliard

[@gaffneyrailroading1982]

The f**ked up part of it is that he's still kicking, and both of his sons are gone.

[@lenordbrazil9580]

Good people

[@grungyflannel]

i dont think anyone could have beaten cale in a fistfight, guy was a golden glove boxer and a freakin wolverine...he once landed a plane while being attacked by a bear he had bought on a whim when it escaped its cage midflight...then sedated the bear, restrained it, and took off again. but i'd stick to my story too if i was bobby :)

[@leechjim8023]

I thought Bobby had a devastating crash at Talladega at that time! What gives!?🤔

[@richardstephens5570]

The Talladega crash happened the previous year and Bobby wasn't injured.

[@user-xg1ut3bm8u]

Really sad

[@stonemanson4884]

👍

[@michaelscriffiano9267]

He had a flat and was told to pit.....he refused....the rest is history

[@user-su5jp7lk8g]

I remenber that day NASCAR did a pay to watch.

[@trailscouter]

I hate Pocono. That evil triangle has ruined and killed many drivers.

[@Electriceye1984bySam]

🫡🏆

[@fredwalker3374]

His coca cola monte carlo car was my first poster

[@trentonayershandsoffire3620]

😮

[@davidrice3337]

NASCAR is dead - they can try to throw crap at the wall and some might stick but it'll never be anything close to where it was - the drivers are not relatable and the cost has become so exorbitant it isn't worth it

[@kalcongdon17]

These documentaries you do are unwatchable. Nobody needs the long drawn out life intros to everyone you do a video about. Get to the point.

[@IamMichaellucifer13]

Sad thing about all these wrecks, the use of turtle wax, and not rabbit wax is the cause for all these, lmfao.

[@user-ed1yx2fq7l]

Why did he crash didn’t he know it would hurt?

[@gregorygolden1296]

Really??? About a stupid a question as one could ask. Think before you text......

[@Dynamatrix2000]

Troll

[@dansmith6748]

I remember this like it was yesterday