hadn’t heard this..so…..When Darrell Waltrip quit Cup racing four years ago, he was tied with fellow retiree Bobby Allison at third in all-time wins. According to the NASCAR record book, both had 84 victories (behind Richard Petty’s 200 and David Pearson’s 105). At the start of the 2004 season, however, those records were altered. Allison was awarded an 85th win, leaving him alone in third and dropping Waltrip to fourth. Allison had long argued that decades ago he won a race for which he was never credited. There was a dispute over whether the race Allison won was, at the time, part of NASCAR’s official premier series [he won in a Mustang]. Last year NASCAR finally decided in Allison’s favor. Waltrip still holds the distinction as the winningest driver in NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present), during which time all of his 84 victories came. Second is Dale Earnhardt (76) followed by Jeff Gordon and Cale Yarborough (69 each), Petty (60) and Allison (55). Waltrip is preparing for his fifth season as a Fox Sports racing commentator. He begins his duties during next month’s Daytona SpeedWeeks.(Tennessean)(1-5-2005)
UPDATE: from a DW Q&A column at FoxSports.com: Linda from Manassas, Va.: I just read where NASCAR, after reviewing the situation, has given Bobby Allison a win he had in a Mustang. Wonder if NASCAR will ever “review the situation” and give you the win at North Wilkesboro that they gave to Brett Bodine?! [Jayski Note: Bodine was put on the lead lap by NASCAR who said after the race they erred but let the win stand, DW finished 2nd – DW doesn’t address that part of the question]
DW’s Answer: “I heard through the grapevine through Jayski actually that NASCAR had revised the results after 30 years and given Bobby Allison credit for some race that he won in a Mustang. No one has called me and told me anything about it, not that they necessarily would. A Mustang has never been a Cup car so I don’t know if that change is official or not. If it is, it would be one of those things that make you go “Hmmm.”(FoxSports), been told by sources that Bobby Allison also had not heard about the win being added.(1-12-2005), for the winner list see my All-time Nextel Cup winners list page.
