NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, one of the men who founded the “Alabama Gang” and a veteran driver, died Saturday at 86. NASCAR said Bobby Allison died peacefully at his home in Mooresville, N.C. Allison had a long racing career punctuated by impressive talent and a fan-friendly persona that left a lasting footprint on NASCAR.
Bobby Allison’s career spanned decades, and his signature driving style brought many accolades to his feet. He stands fourth in all-time wins with 85 NASCAR Cup Series victories, including three Daytona 500 triumphs and the championship in 1983. He is one of only ten drivers to win NASCAR’s “Grand Slam,” which includes the Daytona 500, Winston 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500.
The “Alabama Gang,” a faction Allison co-founded in the 1960s, became synonymous with Southern racing excellence. And with brother Donnie and friend Red Farmer, there was no denying Allison’s legacy of exciting races and magical finishes. NASCAR went national in 1979 over a memorable scuffle between Allison and Cale Yarborough at the Daytona 500, a moment that seemed to personify the sport’s hardened tough guy image and attracted millions of new fans.
Outside of the racing, Allison experienced the personal tragedy of his sons Clifford and Davey who were becoming excellent racers. Allison remained one of the inspirations at NASCAR through his humility and resilience after undergoing all this. For this dedication to the sport, Allison managed to earn himself some accolades. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992. Later he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.
While the sport he helped build lives on through Allison, his death is lamented by fans peers, and the racing community.
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