Junior Johnson. Said that Bobby Allison was the most naturally gifted. Race car driver he ever seen. Bobby knew everything about a race car. He built his own cars. Set them up to race. Built his own engines. Richard Petty said Bobby was a master at setting up a race car. Bobby was the best. And a great man.
Joe, my family, & my uncle directly, owned Montgomery International Speedway & ran Birmingham International Raceway from 1958 through the early 1970s. My dad was Bobby's family doctor. I watched Bobby every Saturday night win from 1962, when I was 4yrs old, all the way until 1972. Nobody could beat Bobby. Red Farmer came close & Donnie, as well, but they could not win against Bobby. At 4 yrs old, in 1962, my parents would show friends what a devoted Bobby Allison fan I was by saying two words, "Bumpin Bobby." I'd get so mad I'd turn red in the face. Bobby would come up on other drivers blocking him & give them a nudge. If they didn't get out of his way he'd spin them the next lap. The high banks at Montgomery were the best racing I've ever seen. Bobby, Red, & Donnie every Saturday night. Bobby ran modifieds with us with the number 312. Red F-97, & Donnie #99.
Met bobby at the milwaukee mile like in 1982. Nice and friendly! He talked to a bunch of us amc guys on the infield. Don't think he was racing? I was able to do a parade lap with some amc cars before the race. I think I was 17 and they said no burnouts. I hammered my 69 amx just for a second because I didn't want to get kicked out. Have an autographed picture of Bobby still hanging in the garage!
Allison was a one off He could build the car, He was an innovative driver, and won against Nascar elite. He got all of those wins jumping from team to team. Imagine if he had got with Junior early and stayed with him.
