After A Traumatic Head Injury In His 1988 Crash, Bobby Allison Struggled With Lifelong Partial Brain Damage And Memory Loss

Bobby Allison passed away on November 9, 2024, at 86, following a prolonged declining health.

American professional car racing driver and owner Robert Arthur Allison was a prominent figure in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing LLC (NASCAR).

Allison was the founder of the Alabama Gang, a group of drivers based in Hueytown, Alabama.

Bobby Allison raced competitively in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1961 to 1988 while regularly competing in short-track events throughout his career.

Bobby Allison began racing at 17 and entered his first race as a senior at Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School in Miami.

Furthermore, after graduating from high school in 1955, He worked as a mechanic and engine tester for Mercury Outboard Motors.

Similarly, after working at the boat division for 10 months, Allison was transferred to the racing division. In his first two months in the racing division, Bobby attended 19 races.

Bobby Allison is regarded as one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers of all time and is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. His first NASCAR race was in the 1961 Daytona Twin 100 Qualifier.

The car racer was the 1983 Winston Cup champion and won the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982, and 1988.

Bobby Allison Suffered Severe Head Injuries In A 1988 Crash At Pocono Raceway, Leading To Partial Brain Damage

On July 19, 1988, during the midpoint of the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Allison crashed on lap 1 of the Miller High Life 500. He was racing in sixth in points.

On the first lap of the race, Allison’s No. 12 Buick blew a tire and slammed into the outside of the wall. However, initially, he survived a head-on hit into the outside barrier.

But then, all of a sudden, Jocko Maggiacomo t-boned Bobby in the driver’s side of the car, which nearly k*lled him.

In 1988. Bobby Allison, almost 53 years old. Outlasted a defiant charge from his son Davey to win his 4th Daytona 500. It would be Allison's 85th and final cup win. Tragically, at Pocono later that year. He'd suffer near fatal injuries in an early crash and be sidelined for good pic.twitter.com/Z4HDMqp3qO

— Bumblebee48 🐝 (Not a bot as NASCAR claims) (@KellieBlundell) January 19, 2024

Allision was rushed to the local hospital, and after an initial first aid, he was declared dead. However, subsequent medical assistance saved him.

Bobby suffered a severe head injury, a permanent one. He was in a vegetative state for several months and then entered a rehab program.

Allison never fully recovered after lots of medication. He walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life.

Moreover, Bobby Allison lost most of his memories because of the crash effect. He had no memory of his career’s final win or of celebrating with his son in victory lane.

Slowly and gradually, Allison was gaining momentum, and he prepared to attempt a NASCAR comeback in the early 1990s. However, he could not perform well because of the recurring tragedies.

The head injury and partial brain damage cost him his retirement from NASCAR. After his career as a racer, Allison became a race-car owner with little success.

Bobby Allison’s Lived With Declining Health Enduring Pain With His Love For Sports

NASCAR announced the demise of Booby Allison in their statement, stating the family members informed the association that Allison is no more.

Although they did not state the de*th cause of the racing legend, Bobby’s family revealed he had declining health for years.

Bobby Allison has passed away on 11/9/24. pic.twitter.com/TYo3pKsqfA

— Thankful Mossy (Not a bot as NASCAR claims) (@mossegaming) November 10, 2024

Allison never fully recovered after the major ac*ident in 1988 at Talladega Superspeedway. During that crash, he suffered a severely broken left leg, broken ribs, a concussion, a bruised heart, and closed-head trauma.

Because of all those injuries, the car racing icon encountered several recurring illnesses and health difficulties.

During the later years of his life, Bobby Allison needed the support of a wheelchair to assist a caretaker.

Despite their regular illness and declining health, Bobby Allison was often seen in car racing events and gatherings, sharing his opinions and experiences with the new generation.

Bobby Allison took his last breath at his home in Mooresville, North Carolina, in the presence of his family members. Mr. Allison is survived by his daughters, Bonnie and Carrie.

Additional Information

• At his demise, Bobby Allison’s net worth was about $5 million. His racing career investments as a car race owner and career income are accumulated in his wealth.
• Bobby Allison married Judy Allison in 1960 but separated in 1966. They remarried in 2000 until Judy’s death in 2015.
• Bobby Allison was the father of four children: two daughters and two sons. His sons, Davey and Clifford Allison were both motorsports racing drivers. Davey passed away in a Helicopter crash, and Clifford lost his life in a crash during practice for a NASCAR Busch Series.