Legendary NASCAR driver Bobby Allison and his late wife, Judy Allison, who were married for over 55 years, faced much more sadness and pain than most people would in many lifetimes combined.
The late couple got married in 1960 and led a blissful marital life. They went on to welcome four children, Davey, Clifford, Bonnie, and Carrie.
Highlights
- Bobby Allison was married to his wife Judy Allison from 1960 until her demise in 2015.
- Judy, who battled breast cancer, passed away following complications from surgery.
- The Allison couple lost their two sons, Davey Allison and Clifford Allison, in separate tragic accidents.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison passed away on Saturday (9 November 2024) at his Mooresville, North Carolina residence. He was 86 year-old.
NASCAR broke the tragic news by releasing a statement from Allison’s family. The cause of his passing has not been stated. But his health had been declining for the past few years.
Allison won 84 NASCAR races, which is the third-best record of all time. Unfortunately, his career ended in a crash in June 1988 at Pocono Raceway.
During the race, a tire on his car exploded, causing his car to spin and crash.
Another driver, Jocko Maggiacomo, hit Bobby’s car in the door. The track’s safety team had to use special equipment called the “Jaws of Life” to get Bobby out of his car.
He was unconscious and taken by helicopter to the hospital. Bobby was in a coma for weeks.
Doctors had to put a steel rod on his broken leg and operate on his skull to reduce brain swelling in order to save his life.
Judy’s Commitment To Bobby During Their Darkest Hours
After the accident, Bobby Allison faced a long and difficult recovery. Throughout this challenging period, his wife stood by him with unwavering strength, offering constant support every step of the way.
And one more…Bobby Allison and his lovely wife, Judy. They were doing a promotion at Walmart during a race weekend. pic.twitter.com/IKlG1LC4O0
— Angie Campbell (@angiecampbell_) February 9, 2024
In an interview, the late racing driver said,
“For two solid months, I couldn’t add two and two. I was conscious, but I had no idea who was who or where I was or what year it was. I sat and cried, like a two-year-old. The world was really mixed up to me. I was mad that they let me live.”
Bobby Allison
After four years, Bobby and Judy were beginning to find their footing again. However, something unfathomable happened.
Their youngest son, Clifford Allison, died on 13 August 1992 in a crash during a NASCAR Busch Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.
Clifford’s car spun out of control and crashed into a concrete retaining wall. He stopped breathing on the way to the hospital.
The Allison Couple’s Days Turned Only Darker
Bobby and his wife never imagined that their lives would become so cruel to them.
Just 11 months after losing their youngest son, their eldest son, Davey Allison, was involved in a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway.
Tragically, he could not survive. Davey was also a NASCAR star who won Daytona 500 in 1992.
Burying two sons and the abrupt end of Bobby’s racing career was too much for the Allison couple. Overwhelmed by grief, the couple grew apart and eventually divorced.
Their Separation Was Temporary
Judy and Bobby were reunited when Adam Petty passed away during a practice crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Sad news that my all-time sports hero, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, has died. Was fortunate to interview him multiple times.
— Jeff Birchfield (@JBirchfieldJCP) November 10, 2024
Here was the day his grandson Robbie won at Kingsport Speedway with Bobby and his wife Judy in attendance pic.twitter.com/U0fvTjKSl9
They drove together for eight hours to attend Adam’s funeral in North Carolina. Following this, their bond grew stronger, and they remarried in 2000.
Years later, they faced another challenge. Bobby Allison’s wife battled with breast cancer.
While the diagnosis was serious, it was not terminal. So, there was much hope of recovery from the treatment.
Judy underwent surgery. But, complications from surgery led to her passing at the age of 74.
NASCAR honored Judy as a beloved matriarch who supported her family and many others in the racing community.
Additional Information
- Bobby and Judy Allison’s daughters, Carrie Hewitt and Bonnie Farr largely stay out of the spotlight. They also have a grandson, Robbie.
- Complete information on the racing driver’s survivors was not immediately provided.
- Bobby Allison’s net worth at the time of his passing is $5 million.
