Bobby Allison wins NASCAR race at Bowman-Gray after 53 years
- Bobby Allison's NASCAR victory at Bowman-Gray Stadium took place on August 6, 1971.
- The formal recognition of his win comes 53 years later from NASCAR, which now counts him as an 85-time Cup Series winner.
- This acknowledgment serves to honor Allison's significant contributions to the sport and rectifies past oversight.
On October 23, 2024, NASCAR announced the official recognition of Bobby Allison's victory at the 1971 Myers Brothers Memorial race, held at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This recognition comes more than five decades after the race, where Allison dominated amidst a field that included both Grand National and Grand American cars, making the declaration a significant event in NASCAR history. The delay in acknowledging Allison's victory was due to the mixed classification of vehicles in that particular race season, which complicated the win's official status. NASCAR's retrospective decision marks a pivotal moment for Allison, who is celebrated not only for this win but also for his extensive career, which includes three Daytona 500 victories between 1978 and 1988. The announcement on October 23 was made by NASCAR officials, including Senior Advisor Mike Helton, during a visit to Allison, aimed at bringing closure and recognition to the past. This act of recognition emphasizes NASCAR's commitment to honoring its history and the contributions of its notable drivers. Bobby Allison's legacy in motorsports is further solidified by this late acknowledgment, showing appreciation for his lifelong dedication to the sport and ensuring that his achievements are properly memorialized within NASCAR's rich heritage.