Bobby Allison Officially Recognized as 1971 Myers Brothers Memorial Winner at Bowman Gray Stadium

In a historic move, NASCAR has officially recognized Bobby Allison as the winner of the 1971 NASCAR Cup Series Myers Brothers Memorial race at Bowman Gray Stadium, held on August 6, 1971. This decision updates NASCAR’s record books, placing Allison in sole possession of fourth place on the all-time Cup Series wins list with an impressive 85 victories.

“For over five decades, the Myers Brothers Memorial stood as the only NASCAR race without an official winner,” said NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France. “As we prepare for the upcoming Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the 1971 race resurfaced as a topic of discussion. We felt it was the right time to officially recognize Bobby’s win and celebrate his legacy as an 85-time NASCAR Cup Series winner. Bobby has made significant contributions to NASCAR, and we are honored to update the records in his favor.”

Earlier today, France, along with Senior Advisor to NASCAR Mike Helton, personally delivered the news to Bobby Allison.

A Long-Awaited Victory Finally Counts

The 1971 race at Bowman Gray Stadium featured a unique mix of Grand National (now Cup Series) cars and smaller Grand American cars. Bobby Allison, competing in both series at the time, opted to drive his Grand American Ford Mustang, dominating the race by leading 138 of the 200 laps. Although he was presented with the trophy in Victory Lane that day, the win was never officially added to his Cup Series tally—until now.

With this newly recognized victory, Allison’s total climbs to 85 Cup Series wins, placing him just behind fellow NASCAR legends Richard Petty (200 wins), David Pearson (105), and Jeff Gordon (93).

Celebrating Bobby Allison’s Legacy

Bobby Allison, inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of its second class, is one of the most decorated drivers in the sport’s history. His accolades include the 1983 Cup Series Championship, five NASCAR titles across various divisions, and three Daytona 500 victories (1978, 1982, 1988). His 1988 Daytona 500 win, where he famously held off his son Davey Allison, remains one of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history. In 2023, Allison was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

With the recognition of his 1971 win, Allison’s enduring impact on the sport is cemented further, highlighting the importance of accuracy in NASCAR’s storied past.