Judy Allison: NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison’s wife dies unexpectedly at 74

Judy Allison

Who is Judy Allison?

Judy Allison is the wife of Bobby Allison, also known as Robert Arthur Allison, a former professional stock car racing driver in the United States. Judy Allison died at the age of 74 following complications from surgery at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, North Carolina.

Judy Allison: Bio Summary

Full nameJudy Allison
Date of birth November 7, 1941
Place of birth San Jose, California, United States
Dead  December 18, 2015,(age 74) Statesville, North Carolina, United States
Famous asThe wife of Bobby Allison
ParentDorothy Libby Bjorkman, and Carl Bjorkman
SexFemale
Spouse Bobby Allison (m. 2000–2015), Bobby Allison (m. 1960–1996)
SiblingsArlene Halsey, Carolyn Woodward, Connie Carroll
Children Clifford Allison, Davey Allison, Bonnie Farr, Carrie Hewitt
Grandchildren Krista Marie Allison, Robert Grey Allison

What happened to Bobby Allison’s wife Judy Allison?

Judy Allison was born on  November 7, 1941, in  San Jose, California, United States to Dorothy Libby Bjorkman, and Carl Bjorkman. She is not her parents’ only child; she has three siblings, Arlene Halsey, Carolyn Woodward, and Connie Carroll. Judy and her husband Bobby Allison were married for 55 years before Judy passed away. Judy and her husband Bobby Allison had four children together: Clifford Allison, Davey Allison, Carrie Hewitt, and Bonnie Farr.

Judy Allison suffered more than any wife or mother should ever have to. She buried two kids, nearly buried her husband, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, after a near-fatal race crash, and battled her illnesses in recent years.

Judy remained the stoic backbone of the famed Allison family throughout it all, suffering all the tragedy and heartache with bravery, grace, and dignity that few could ever muster or comprehend.

Sadly, Judy Allison, the wife of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison, died unexpectedly on Friday afternoon at the age of 74 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, North Carolina, from complications from surgery.

“The Allison family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Judy A. Allison,” the family said in a statement. “… She was surrounded by her family, which included her daughters Bonnie Farr and Carrie Hewitt, grandson Robbie Allison, and brother-in-law Donnie Allison and his wife, Pat.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, one of Allison’s closest friends, gave the following statement:
“Judy has been a part of our family and the racing community for as long as we can remember.” We raced against one another, but Bobby and Judy rapidly became our friends. And there was nothing Judy wouldn’t do to assist you.

“She was someone you could always count on to be there.” Judy showed incredible courage, love, and grace in the face of adversity. She will live on in our hearts and minds as a member of the Petty family. At this moment, our thoughts and prayers are with Bobby and his family.”

NASCAR Statement

NASCAR issued the following statement in response to Judy Allison’s death:

“NASCAR extends its condolences to the family and friends of Judy Allison, wife of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison.” Judy, the matriarch of a legendary NASCAR family, laid the groundwork for the careers of a legendary husband and two boys who died far too young. Judy’s devotion stretched far beyond her own family, as many in the NASCAR family relied on her for support and compassion during difficult times.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a true friend and a woman who has given much to our sport.”

The NASCAR Hall of Fame continues to issue the following statement in response to Judy Allison’s death:

“On behalf of the NASCAR Hall of Fame team, I’d like to express our heartfelt condolences to Bobby Allison, his daughters Bonnie and Carrie, and the entire Allison family on the death of Judy Allison.” Judy Allison was far more than the Allison family’s and the legendary Alabama Gang’s matriarch; she was the basis and rock upon which their success, tenacity, and hard labor rested.

“Judy was the epitome of grace and unwavering support alongside Bobby’s stellar career, which included the 1983 premier series championship and 84 premier series victories, as well as induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s second class in 2011.” Judy showed the same grace, as well as incredible perseverance and courage, in the aftermath of Bobby’s near-fatal and career-ending accident in 1988, and the subsequent loss of two kids less than a year apart.

“Judy Allison embodies everything good about faith, family, and NASCAR.” She will be greatly missed, but her memory, impact, and magnificent legacy will carry on forever.”

ALSO, READ: Bobby Allison Children: Clifford Allison, Davey Allison, Bonnie Farr, Carrie Hewitt

Age

Judy Allison died on December 18, 2015, at the age of 74.

Meet Judy Allison’s Children

Judy and Bobby Allison had four children together: Clifford Allison, Davey Allison, Bonnie Farr, and Carrie Hewitt.

Clifford Allison was born in Hueytown, Alabama, on October 20, 1964. Clifford is the youngest son of four children born to Bobby and Judy Allison. Clifford Allison was a stock car racing driver from the United States. On August 13, 1992, at the age of 27, he died in a crash during practice for a NASCAR Busch Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

Davey Allison was born in Hollywood, Florida, on February 25, 1961. Davey Allison is the oldest of Bobby and Judy Allison’s four children. He had 19 Cup victories in his career and finished third in the standings in 1991 and 1992. Davey was a NASCAR driver from the United States. In the NASCAR Cup Series, he was best known for driving the No. 28 Texaco-Havoline Ford for Robert Yates Racing.

Allison was flying a Hughes 369 HS helicopter with Red Farmer as a passenger on his way to Talladega to witness practice on July 12, 1993. The helicopter oscillated from side to side, ascended about 25 feet, turned, and crashed while making a downwind landing. Davey was airlifted to Carraway Methodist Hospital, where he died the next day from his injuries at the age of 32.

Bobby Allison and his wife Judy split three years after these huge tragedies. They reconciled four years after their divorce while attending their daughter-in-law’s wedding. They remarried in July 2000 and stayed married until Judy died in 2015.

Who is Bobby Allison?

Bobby Allison also known as Robert Arthur Allison is a former professional stock car racing driver and owner from the United States. He was born on December 3, 1937, in  Miami, Florida, United States. Allison founded the Alabama Gang, a gang of drivers stationed in Hueytown, Alabama, with plenty of short tracks with big payouts. Allison raced in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1961 to 1988, as well as competing in short-track events regularly.

He also competed in IndyCar, Trans-Am, and Can-Am races. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 best drivers and a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He won the Winston Cup in 1983 and the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982, and 1988.

His brother Donnie Allison and his two kids Clifford and Davey Allison were all notable drivers.

Allison wrecked during lap 1 of the Miller High Life 500 on June 19, 1988, in the middle of the 1988 season. Initially, he survived a head-on collision with the outside barrier, but then Jocko Maggiacomo t-boned Allison on the driver’s side of the car, nearly killing Allison.

When he arrived at a local hospital, he was initially declared dead, but subsequent medical assistance saved his life. Allison entered a rehab program, and after regaining most of his memory and re-learning everyday activities, Allison prepared to attempt a comeback in the early 1990s. However, a series of tragedies caused Allison to abandon his comeback attempt, thus retiring from NASCAR driving.

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