Who was Bobby Allison married to? Family and all you need to know as NASCAR Hall of Fame dies aged 86
The NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 3-time Daytona winner, Bobby Allison, passed away at the age of 86. The news of his death was confirmed by his family, who shared a statement with NASCAR. They expressed their grief and revealed that Bobby breathed his last at his home in Mooresville, North Carolina, on November 9, 2024. However, the cause of death wasn't disclosed.
The statement by Bobby Allison’s family read:
“Bobby was the ultimate fan’s driver. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his fans and would stop to sign autographs and have conversations with them everywhere he went. He was a dedicated family man and friend, and a devout Catholic.”
The founder of Alabama Gang, Bobby Allison was best known for his races in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1961 to 1988. At the same time, his races in IndyCar, Trans-Am, and even Can-Am made him a popular name. Born in Miami, Bobby was married to Judy Allison. The couple tied the knot in 1960 and were married till 2015 when Judy tragically passed away.
Judy and Bobby Allison had four kids: More details explored about the NASCAR Hall of Famer as he passes away at the age of 86
Judy and Bobby Allison got married in 1960 and welcomed four kids. During their marriage, they gave birth to two sons, Davey and Clifford, and two daughters, Bonnie and Carrie. However, Los Angeles Times reported that the couple lost their second son, Clifford, in August 1992 in a car crash, when he was practicing for the Bush Series.
Furthermore, the same publication reported that Bobby's other son, Davey, who followed the footsteps of his father and joined NASCAR as a racer, also died the following year. In July 1993, Davey was in a helicopter which crashed at Talladega. Later in 1996, Judy and Bobby Allison parted ways and divorced.
However, Times Now reported that the two reunited four years later, and were later married till 2015, when Bobby’s wife Judy died due to the complications of surgery.
Bobby is now survived by his two daughters, Bonnie and Carrie, and their respective families.
Bobby Allison, who started his NASCAR career in 1965, was once named amongst the NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, honoring his achievements, including the 1983 championship title, three Daytona 500 victories, and five runner-up finishes in the series title race.
Despite his successes, his journey was filled with immense personal and physical setbacks. As stated on NASCAR Hall's website, Allison’s racing career took a horrifying turn at Talladega in 1987. His car’s tyre blew, sending him airborne and crashing into the fence with enough force to tear out a section and almost land in the grandstands.
Even though Allison survived, a few months later, another accident at Pocono left him fighting for his life. A blown tyre led to a severe collision that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and broken bones, robbing him of his memories from the previous months.
As per USA Today, this accident left Bobby bedridden for a long time, and he could not race again in his life, as many of his injuries took a long time to recover. However, as Bobby Allison passed away, fans and followers have been posting tributes for the racer. On the other hand, the family is yet to reveal details about his funeral and memorial services.