Allision, Waltrip Announced as First Two NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominee Finalists
Posted July 1, 2009; Source - Track Communications

NASCAR legends and former champions Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip have been revealed as the first two (of 25) finalists eligible for selection as members of the inaugural class of inductees to the new NASCAR Hall of Fame - under construction in Charlotte (NC), and scheduled to open in mid-2010.

The rest of the 25 finalists will be announced live on SPEED Thursday evening during a one-hour broadcast starting at 9 p.m. AT.

Darrell Waltrip - Driver, NASCAR Hall of Fame Finalist

Birthdate: February 5, 1947
Hometown: Owensboro, Ky.
Competed: 1972-2000
Starts: 809
Wins: 84
Poles: 59

A three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion (1981-82, ’85), Waltrip won all three with legendary driver/owner Junior Johnson. Waltrip is tied with Bobby Allison for third all-time in series victories with 84. His 59 poles rank fifth all-time in NASCAR Sprint Cup history. He competed from 1972-2000, another highlight being his 1989 Daytona 500 victory in a Rick Hendrick-owned Chevrolet.

Waltrip’s first series title came in 1981, when he finished with 12 wins and 21 top fives in 31 races. He won the title by 53 points over Bobby Allison. In his second championship season, 1982, he finished with 12 wins and 20 top 10s in 30 races, sweeping both races at four tracks (Nashville, Bristol, Talladega and North Wilkesboro). In his third championship season, 1985, Waltrip finished with three wins and 21 top 10s in 28 races.

Waltrip and his wife, Stevie, reside in Franklin, Tenn. He was nicknamed “Jaws” during his career because of an outspoken demeanor. He currently is a commentator on FOX’s NASCAR broadcasts. He was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998.

Bobby Allison - Driver, NASCAR Hall of Fame Finalist

Birthdate: Dec. 3, 1937
Hometown: Hueytown, Ala.
Competed: 1961-88
Starts: 718
Wins: 84
Poles: 58

Bobby Allison, the 1983 champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, ended his career with 84 victories – tied for third on the all-time victory list with Darrell Waltrip.

A charter member of the “Alabama Gang,” the longtime resident of Hueytown, Ala., has become one of NASCAR’s most beloved former competitors, in large part because of his remarkable resilience after a career-ending accident at Pocono Raceway in 1988 – just several months after he won the Daytona 500.

Allison continues to be cherished by the millions of fans who remember his long list of accomplishments:

His three (1978, ’82 ’88) Daytona 500 victories – especially the third, when he beat his son Davey to the finish, earning what would be his last victory; And his fantastic 1972 season when, driving for another legend, Junior Johnson, he won 10 races, had 12 second-place efforts and 11 poles, in the process finishing second to Richard Petty in the series championship standings. Fittingly, Allison was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998.

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