Hall of Famer and legendary NASCAR driver, Bobby Allison, passed away at his home in Mooresville, North Carolina on Saturday, passing away at the age of 86. His health had been declining for some years, although the cause of death was not disclosed. NASCAR paid tribute to Allison, who was the 1983 NASCAR champion and a three-time winner of the Daytona 500, as part of its second Hall of Fame induction class in 2011.
Allison, known for his accessibility to fans, his dedication to family, and his devout Catholic faith, had a significant impact on the sport over his career, punctuated by infamous moments like his fight with Cale Yarborough in the last laps of the 1979 Daytona 500 which went down in NASCAR history.
Beginning his motor racing journey in Miami in 1937, Allison sought out opportunities beyond Florida, finding success in small, central Alabama dirt tracks. ‘The Alabama Gang,’ including his brother Donnie, Red Farmer and later his sons Davey and Clifford, dominated regional races throughout the 60s and 70s. His career, however, was nearly cut short by a horrific crash in 1987 which led to his retirement the following year.
Allison’s contributions to the sport weren’t just behind the wheel. His 85 wins on NASCAR’s Cup Series recently placed him fourth on the victory list, surpassed only by fellow Hall of Famers Richard Petty, David Pearson and Jeff Gordon. Allison’s resilience demonstrated by his recovery from his almost deadly 1987 crash and personal tragedies like the death of both his sons and remarrying his wife, Judy, only for her to pass on in 2015, have endeared him to fans of the sport. The world of racing mourns the loss of a champion whose influence extended far beyond the track.