Allison vs. Turner

When Bobby Allison came on the NASCAR circuit, he was as tough as an anvil. He didn't back down from anyone. In August 1966, he took on crusty veteran Curtis Turner on the quarter-mile, flat Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The battle began when Turner hooked Allison's rear bumper, spinning him on Lap 8 of the 250-lap event. Allison lost a lap, but joined right back in running up front, and was trying to pass Turner to get back in the lead lap. Turner was blocking all comers. As he moved to the outside to block a move for the lead, Allison dove under Turner and the cars rode three abreast into the third turn.

Turner and Allison came together. Turner's Ford spun, and he returned to the track moving slowly, waiting on Allison's Chevrolet. Allison saw what was happening and did not fall into the trap. Rather, he cut back and hit Turner's car in the rear. After that, it was man versus machines for the next 10 laps. They hit each other like they were in bumper cars at the county fair. Some of the banging occurred under the yellow flag. Turner spun Allison, and Allison came back and spun Turner. Turner waited on Allison once again for another shot at his car. Allison aimed his wrecked racer at Turner and buried the front of his car into Turner's car.

They ran into each other until neither car would move. The drivers climbed from their cars, and Turner jumped over a fence and walked off up through the grandstands. NASCAR fined each driver $100 for "rough driving."

"I didn't know what to expect, but I figured that Turner would be out to get me," Allison said.

"Finally, we were at another track, and I saw him coming toward me. He put his big, old right arm around my neck and whispered in my ear, 'You know, Pops, we ought to have a big drink and go somewhere and talk about old times.'

"We never had any trouble after that."

Fan Replies:

4/5/05:  Hi Mr. Via, my name is Eddie Taylor. I just found your great website FireballRoberts.com  (I'm a big Curtis Turner fan). I wanted to share this with you after reading your account of seeing Fireball the first time. I'm originally from Lumberton, NC, and my dad and 2 of his friends let me come along to the 2nd Rebel 300. Even back then I loved Curtis...imagine my delight when he won that day. After the race somehow I got on pit road with my racin' program and being 9 years old I was too dumb to be afraid and went around asking for autographs. I really only knew Fireball by his picture and that he was a great racer. I went up to him and asked for his autograph in my book, he smiled at me and wanted to know where my parents were. I replied that they were wandering around also and that I wasn't lost or anything. While signing my book he looked at me and said, "Well kid, did you have fun today?" I said I did and he replied "Good, keep coming back". I got many autographs that day, Lee Petty, Marvin Panch, but unfortunately my Rebel 300 program has been lost through the years. Sure would like to see it again. One other thing I got Joe Weatherly's autograph and asked him if he knew where Curtis was. Of course at age 9 I didn't realize who I was talking to and Joe, with a straight face, says "Last time I saw him he was drivin' around the race track in a convertible" and laughed. I was too dumb to realize I was talking to the second place finisher, and he was messin' with me good....Thank you for your COOL web site...I'll be sure and let other friends know about it.........Eddie

Curtis - Daytona Beach

Hand built and lettered diecast by Andrew Logan

Curtis with Smokey's '57 Ford

Hand built Model 60 ford

1968 - what track? What Owner?

Curtis Turner (Smokey's #13) racing Rex White (4) at Charlotte 1963

.... and back to the other pictures

Great Model built by Bill Little

 

Rebel Roy Hall, Raymond Parks on the beach, Daytona

Holman-Moody 1957 Ford Convertible on Daytona Beach - South turn

Curtis spinning in car #47