Bobby Allison Chat Transcript

Room: Daytona Champions
Date: 10/17/2007
Start Time: 11:50
Stop Time: 13:29

Bobby Allison: Welcome to the chat, Bobby Allison will be joining us momentarily. Thank you for your patience

gmss0205: Earlier this year, 72 year old James Hylton tried to qualify for the Daytona 500. You are 70. Do you think there should be an age limit on NASCAR drivers?

Bobby Allison: No I don't, I have to pat anyone on the back that wants to try that. It is a younger man's sport, but I had some success at 50, but someone shouldn't be put aside because of an age number

J.J.: What about all the open-wheel stars going to NASCAR

Bobby Allison: It took them a lot of years to figure out the greatest racing in the world was NASCAR.

Bebit: Do you have an opinion on whether NASCAR should do away with the top 35 rule at the end of this season?

Bobby Allison: The top 35 rule is a little bit tough - it's great to be sure you are in the next weeks race if you are in the top 35 - allot of guys put in a lot of effort but then you have a situation like talladega like you have someone in the 8, 9 10, place in qualifying and have to go home because they didn't have a guaranteed spot.

moondoggie: One of the biggest moments in DAYTONA 500 history occurred when you fought Cale Yarborough. What do you remember from that day?

Bobby Allison: My memory from way backs there is good. From what I remember Donny was leading the race then Cale bumped in him, and I had to pass the wreckage, went around got the checkered flag - and he yelled the wreck was my fault - I probably questioned his ancestry - which wasn't smart, and he lunged at me at my face with his helmet - which stunned me, and I said I have to get out and address this right now, or run for the rest of my life, and he started punching me in the nose. NASCAR fined us 6,000 a piece, I finished 11th and couldn't pay the fine, so home to get the money to pay the fine. NASCAR took the $6,000 a piece and have made commercials and made billions of dollars and haven't paid royalties, and they said they would return the fine check but never did, they did return the prize money, but never the supplemental check. They still have it.

BEJO: WHAT DO U THINK OF MONTOAY

Bobby Allison: He is very interesting to me I like his enthusiasm, he came from another part of the world and racing. He came to NASCAR cause he saw an attraction that appealed to him. I don't know him personally yet, but I am found of his contribution, and pleased by what he has done and amused by his ability. I am glad to see him.

Lance: So much has changed in the sport, what is the one thing you think is still the same?

Bobby Allison: The actual racing when the green flag goes down is still the same. Now is more expensive and takes more people to get things done, you have specialists... tire pressure specialist, and have a shock absorber specialist engine specialists, rear gear specialists and all kind of extra people and I came from DEI where they have over 400 employees now.

BEJO: WHAT DO U THINK OF THE 50TH RUNNING OF THE 500

Bobby Allison: I think it's going to be a great event. I have been involved in a lot of the preliminary hype. D500 has been the superbowl of stock car racing since it started. Now they have the 50th coming up and I am glad I won a few a long the way - and it's great to be part of the celebration too.

Lance: Looking back on your career, would you say winning the
Daytona 500 ranks as the most important victories of you career?

Bobby Allison: Yes. As I look back the first 3500 win was such an incredible event for me and it came on the heels of such a dry spell, and it wasn't an easy race to win. Having all my issues and coming from the 33rd place was an important victory. The victory with my son coming in second, was the greatest victory of all. Unfortunately my accident in pocono erased alot of my memory of that event, but with all the documentary I have proof of the win in 1988

fastcobra: Who do you see as the brightest "up and coming" star?

Bobby Allison: So many right now that are so good. I have not been able to pick out 1 person for that. Several really good young men and I'm impressed and I think NASCAR is blessed with a great future because of the talent of the young people that are coming into it now.

Jose29: Where did you get your start in racing?

Bobby Allison: Hialeah speedway in 1955. It was an amateur division. I was a senior in high school in Miami, drove my car to the track, painted my number on the car with shoe polish and raced. I painted number 41 and the reason I was the football equipment manager and the only jersey that wasn't taken was #41 and I got it...so that's how I chose my car number

BEJO: hey bobby is there a chance that you ill be there at the 500 I really want to meet you

Bobby Allison: Yes I will be there.

BEJO: do u think dale jr mad a good choice going over to rickhendrick

Bobby Allison: I think it can be, you know he left his father's operation, but wanted to be more part of what is going on and felt that way with Rick Hendrick, and Rick has assured him that would happen and I think it would be a good move for him.

J.J.: Do any of today's drivers remind you of yourself as a competitor?

Bobby Allison: There are things I see about a few different ones that I think resemble some of my traits and some of my way I address the sport.

fastcobra: I just want to thank you for all you have done for the sport. Sometimes I think that not enough credit is given where credit is due.... Those of us who have watched the sport for years really appreciate what you guys did and how you built the sport. Do you think it can continue to grow?

Bobby Allison: I appreciate the compliment and yes I think it will continue to grow, I think it will be somewhat slow to what I have seen but I think it will continue to grow.

GoodyGoodnight: What do you think about all the new drivers and teams that will be trying to make the Daytona 500 next year?

Bobby Allison: I think it shows great strength for the sport. Daytona has always been a great attraction to start a new season. To be confident to have old and new teams starting for a position gives me confidence that the sport is healthy.

J.J.: What's your favorite car of all the ones you've raced? (the Matador?)

Bobby Allison: The matador was always a great car but not my favorite. Looking at the whole picture if I had the memory the 88 Buick would be my favorite. But being I can remember 1988 I can be sure if I could pick the 67 for fairlaine, or the budmore 78 thunderbird,- or my diegard buick won the 2nd 500 with or the miller buick I won the championship with.

Jose29: Where did DW get his nickname "JAWS"?

Bobby Allison: he came on the scene as a youngster full of enthusiasm with alot of noise verbally and I think Cale Yarborough nicknamed him jaws. Whoever it was did good.

fastcobra: Let me tell you that the 22 Miller car was one nice looking hot rod!! But that Alabama gang always drove great cars! What do you think about all of the cars looking so much alike now?

Bobby Allison: I am not a fan of the car of tomorrow because all the cars have to fit the same template. I always liked the variety and you can tell by my career because I won cup races with 9 styles of different cars. All the cars looking the same takes away from the original racing because the intent was to drive the cars that we drove on the street...that style car.
Jose29: What is your favorite NASCAR short track and why? Mine is martinsville its awesome!!!

Bobby Allison: tough question. The one I admired the most was martinsville, it was the only track I didn't win a cup event I won a modified but never the cup event. But it's still the neatest and prettiest on the short tracks.

bratch: what kind of car do you drive on the street?

Bobby Allison: I drive a buick and I have a few different ones 2004 park avenue that is my personal car, judy drives 2004 lesabre - her personal car and we still have a 1988 buick riatta which is the all time fun car that came out of Detroit as far as I am concerned. I also have a 1985 Buick regal that is painted and decorated like our 1983 miller Buick - I drive that to special events, but stays in the garage most of the time.

Pit Lizard: 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde started for the Carolina Panthers last weekend. We see a lot of athletes in other sports competing at older ages these days. But the NASCAR drivers seem to be getting younger and younger and not racing as long as they used to. Do you think you could still be competitive in the Cup series if you had a good team?

Bobby Allison: Coming up to my 70th b-day which is in a few weeks, I am not sure I could be as competitive as I once was, but under the circumstances I feel I could do a pretty good job, and I'm proud of Vinnie Testraverde.

moondoggie: Do you have any predictions for the winner of the 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500?

Bobby Allison: No I do not. I'm sure it will be a great race, and the guy that goes the fastest and get's there first will be the winner of that one like the 49 before it

BEJO: so bobby will you ever get back in a race car like that guy that did in the dule

Bobby Allison: Probably not, under some really unusual circumstances it could happen but probably not.
J.J.: Who was your toughest rival when you were breaking in to NASCAR?

Bobby Allison: Richard Petty went to all the races at all the different tracks and sizes - dirt or pavement and went good on all the tracks - so he was the goal to aim at.

Cougar: People call me Cougar, do you have any nicknames on the track?

Bobby Allison: I don't really think I did, just Bobby.

dew: I just wanted to say Thank You for all you have done for racing. I really miss you out there on that track!

Bobby Allison: Thanks

Bimmerbob: Nascar has gone through alot of changes to win broader appeal. Is there one change in they have made that really riles you up and you think they should undo?

Bobby Allison: I think they should get away from the COT and get back to ford, Chevy’s, dodges and toyotas, and get rid of the aerodynamics, which would put the cars back on their chasis. I made the first one --Monte Carlo ss chevrolet - gave it to one of the competitors and I had to race the Buick but I did do that.

Jose29: Have you ever talked to HARVICK (my favorite driver)?

Bobby Allison: I have said hello but have not talked any racing to Harvick

BEJO: what do u think of the new sprint cup series they keep changing it I don’t like it I want it to be the old Winston up

Bobby Allison: Actually NASCAR has had to go with the sponsorship on the series, and Sprint becomes name of the sponsor they want their name on it- it does sound unusual because there is sprint car racing which is a style of a car - but I do think I can adjust to sprint cup series without a problem.

Alaba-mama: what do you think about bruton smith wanted to move charlotte motor speedway out of concord?

Bobby Allison: I am really not at ease with that idea, charlotte has been one of the great stops for NASCAR racing since it was built and has grown in a magnificent facility - even though it does need repair I really wish the whole idea didn't come up. I think concord should have opened the request for the drag strip with open arms, now they say they would accept it but they have riled a man that wanted to go do things, and I am sad about that.

moondoggie: How do you feel about bump drafting and does the COT ruin up close racing. Rubbin's racing!

Bobby Allison: Bump drafting is no such thing. Drafting is the art of following closely without touching - if you bump you are bumping - so bump drafting is really a misuse of words and descriptions.

Jose29: What did you have for breakfast today Bobby?

Bobby Allison: 3 cups of coffee...

BEJO: what do u think of Jeff I've met him like 20 times at daytona i am good friend of jeff do u think jeff going for his 5th title

Bobby Allison: I think it's neat - I admire and respect him as an all time great competitor I think it's another one of those great things that goes on in NASCAR and if he get's it I have to pat him on the back.

dave: Howdy Bobby, What was your best finish at RIR? I love RIR Been going there since 2001

Bobby Allison: I won there at the previous configuration track several times.

GoodyGoodnight: Did you always race stock cars? Or did you race open wheel at any time in your career?

Bobby Allison: I started in early modifieds which were essentially open wheeled and went to 6 indy races. And modifieds in new york state in modifieds and they were pretty much open wheeled cars.

moondoggie: What is your fondest moment of the DAYTONA 500?

Bobby Allison: Well if I could remember 88 I am sure that would be it, so I would have to pick 1978.

BEJO: bobby do u have a myspace

Bobby Allison: Yes - my granddaughter ashley set one up for me.

BEJO: when you won the 500 the 1st time what was going threw your head

This is Why I'm Hot 12: If you could relive any moment from your career, what would it be?

Bobby Allison: Probably the 1988 daytona 500.

Bobby Allison: It's been fun chatting with you guys and hopefully I can do it again sometime. Thanks for all of your questions and your support. Be sure to check out the next chat with Darrel Waltrip on October 30 at 12:00.