Allison’s famed 1969 Mercury Cyclone will be driven by grandson Robbie Allison
TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 17, 2025) – Talladega Superspeedway announced today that the late NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison will be honored during a special parade lap as part of pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500. Allison’s famed 1969 Mercury Cyclone will be driven around the track by his grandson Robbie Allison following the National Anthem.
“It’s going to be special honoring the late Bobby Allison with a parade lap in his famous 1969 Mercury Cyclone prior to the Jack Link’s 500,” said Brian Crichton, Talladega Superspeedway President. “Bobby’s history racing at Talladega is worth celebrating, with four career Cup Series victories along with being an integral member of the Alabama Gang. This tribute celebrates his remarkable contributions to NASCAR and the track’s storied history, and it will make for an unforgettable moment.”
Allison’s list of accomplishments can only be described as extraordinary. He accumulated 85 career NASCAR Cup Series wins along with being crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion in 1983. Allison was also a member of the legendary Alabama Gang – originally comprised of Bobby, his brother Donnie, and their best friend Red Farmer. All three are enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
At Talladega Superspeedway, Allison competed in 37 NASCAR Cup Series races from 1970-1988. Allison notched four victories (1971, 1979, 1981, 1986) at Talladega and had 13 top-five finishes as part of 19 top-10 finishes. Allison was named to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2011, and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.
Allison passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 86 in Mooresville, NC. Allison’s family announced his death the same day prior to the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship race. This will be the first race at Talladega Superspeedway since his passing last year and the parade lap is going to be an emotional moment for those in attendance as Allison’s legacy to the sport is honored.
“My granddad and I spent countless hours on road trips together. He insisted on driving every time,” said Robbie Allison. “I can’t help but smile when I think that we’re going on one last ride together, but I’m driving this time.”
The spring race weekend action at Talladega kicks off on Saturday, April 26, with a doubleheader. The ARCA Menards Series will hit the track at 12:30 p.m. ET for the General Tire 200 followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4:00 p.m. ET. On Sunday, April 27, the NASCAR Cup Series stars will duke it out during the Jack Link’s 500 to close out the weekend at 3:00 p.m. ET.
For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the Jack Link’s 500 race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.
About Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three-and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Source: Talladega Superspeedway | NASCAR Communications
