NASCAR makes major change to all-time wins list, ending 53-year controversy

For over half a century, controversy and debate surrounded a NASCAR Cup Collection race at Bowman Grey Stadium on August 6, 1971.

It was one in every of six races that 12 months that includes a combined discipline with Cup vehicles and the smaller Grand American vehicles. Bobby Allison selected to drove a Grand American ’70 Ford Mustang that day and ended up beating the entire Cup stars, main 138 of 200 laps with Richard ‚The King‘ Petty a couple of seconds behind in second place.

Whereas Allison went to Victory Lane and hoisted the trophy like another week, the win was by no means really acknowledged within the report books. In truth, nobody was awarded the Cup win for that race regardless of it being an official a part of the 1971 schedule. The truth that he wasn’t driving a Cup automobile within the combined discipline meant that he wasn’t credited as a Cup Collection winner.

Bobby Allison being acknowledged for 85 NASCAR Cup wins

Photograph by: NASCAR Media

Allison has not been quiet on his views on the race,  having been adamant about having 85 Cup wins — not 84. It is much more necessary since being granted that win would break a tie with one other NASCAR Corridor of Famer. Nicely, it is lastly occurred. NASCAR has dug into the report books, grabbed some white out and made it proper. At 86 years outdated, Allison takes sole possession of fourth on the all-time wins listing after being tied with Darrell Waltrip since 1992.

Allison, who received the 1983 NASCAR Cup Collection title, was additionally inducted into the NASCAR Corridor of Fame in 2011. This additionally comes at some attention-grabbing timing as Bowman Grey — the positioning of this controversial end result — is returning to the Cup schedule in 2025. The historic quick observe in Winston-Salem, North Carolina will host ‚The Conflict‘ in 2025, which serves because the unofficial kick-off to the brand new season.

It is going to be the primary Cup race at Bowman Grey since that controversial 1971 occasion the place Allison did not get credit score for a win that was rightfully his. Because the newly topped most up-to-date Cup winner at Bowman Grey, he will certainly be there subsequent February when the inexperienced flag flies.

Learn Additionally:

Up to date All-Time Wins Checklist