October 6, 2025 | By World of Outlaws PR

Sprint Car Hall of Famer Bobby Allen passes away

HANOVER, Pa.—Bobby Allen, one of the best Sprint Car drivers to ever emerge from the hotbed of Pennsylvania and one of the original Outlaws in 1978, has passed away. He was 81 years old.

Originally from Florida, Allen’s time behind the wheel of race cars began in the “Sunshine State” before he moved to PA with hopes of advancing his racing career. It wasn’t an easy transition at first, having to even sleep in the Lincoln Speedway ticket booth at times, but his determination led him to find his footing as he established himself as one of the region’s top talents. He won the 13th running of Williams Grove Speedway’s National Open in 1975.

When Ted Johnson unleashed the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 1978, Allen joined the band of travelers for the inaugural campaign. “Scruffy” won the second race in The Greatest Show on Dirt’s history on April 16, 1978 at Rossburg, OH’s Eldora Speedway. He added one more victory that year at Indiana’s Warsaw Speedway on the path to a third place finish in points.

He remained a force of the sport over the next several years, piling up checkered flags wherever he chose to race. He claimed the All Star Circuit of Champions title in 1980. He topped a pair of Tuscarora 50s (1982 and 1989). His 30th and final World of Outlaws win was the biggest of his career when he bested Sammy Swindell for the 1990 Knoxville Nationals title.

His time behind the wheel ending was by no means the conclusion of his time in the sport. Allen helped his son, Jacob Allen, and grandson, Logan Schuchart, get started in Sprint Cars before taking both Shark Racing teams on the road with the World of Outlaws in 2014. Many wondered whether they’d make it through that first year on tour, but the same fortitude the fueled Allen as a competitor also drove him as an owner. Not only did they finish the year, but they also came back for more in 2015, and they’re still going strong.

Schuchart got the Shark crew to World of Outlaws Victory Lane in 2016 at Cedar Lake Speedway. That was the first of his now 44 career triumphs, good enough for 20th all-time. Jacob bagged his first Series victory in 2020 and added four more in 2022.

Today, Schuchart is navigating his 12th campaign on tour in the No. 1S. Ashton Torgerson has taken over driving duties of the No. 1A on a pick-and-choose schedule with Jacob still closely involved with the team. Bobby remained a key part of the crew all the way to the end as he was at Williams Grove this past weekend with the team at the National Open.

“Bobby Allen embodied what it meant to be a World of Outlaws racer,” World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter said. “The Same way he ultimately raced to a Knoxville Nationals victory is the way he built his Shark Racing team with his family in the forefront. Whether it was on or off the track, Bobby meant so much to us as an organization. His experience and passion was valued by all of us and he will be sorely missed.”