Bobby Allison, the esteemed founder of the “Alabama Gang” in racing and a distinguished member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86.
A statement from Allison’s family, released by NASCAR, confirmed that he died at his residence in Mooresville, North Carolina. While the specific cause of death was not disclosed, it is known that Allison had been experiencing health issues for several years.
Recently, Allison ascended to fourth place on the NASCAR Cup Series victory list when chairman Jim France acknowledged him as the victor of the Meyers Brothers Memorial at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina in 1971. This recognition led to an update in the sanctioning body’s record books, attributing 85 wins to Allison and breaking his tie with Darrell Waltrip.
Jim France, along with longtime NASCAR executive Mike Helton, honored Allison with a plaque celebrating this achievement. As a result, Allison now ranks behind only fellow Hall of Famers Richard Petty (200 wins), David Pearson (105 wins), and Jeff Gordon (93 wins) in terms of Cup victories.
Allison was inducted into NASCAR’s second Hall of Fame class in 2011. He claimed the NASCAR championship in 1983, finished as the runner-up in the series title race on five occasions, and was a three-time champion of the Daytona 500.
Allison’s family remarked in a statement, “Bobby was the quintessential driver for fans. He took great pleasure in engaging with his supporters, frequently pausing to sign autographs and converse with them wherever he traveled. He was a devoted family man, a loyal friend, and a committed Catholic.”
Beyond his driving skills, he played a significant role in elevating NASCAR’s profile. His notorious altercation with Cale Yarborough during the final laps of the 1979 Daytona 500 became one of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Allison has often recounted, “Cale went to beating on my fist with his nose,” a phrase he frequently uses to describe the incident. “Cale and I both recognize that it ultimately benefited the sport’s appeal. It demonstrates our genuine passion.”
Born in Miami in 1937, Allison sought racing opportunities beyond Florida. He eventually settled in central Alabama, where he discovered several small dirt tracks.
He returned to Florida to recruit his brother Donnie and close friend Red Farmer. Together, they established their base in Hueytown, Alabama, and dominated regional competitions throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. They were later joined by Jimmy Mears, Neil Bonnett, and Allison’s sons, Davey and Clifford, forming what became known as the Alabama Gang.
Allison concluded his racing career in 1988 after surviving a near-fatal accident. In June 1987, he crashed during the opening lap at Talladega Superspeedway, colliding with the outside wall before being struck on the driver’s side. Upon arrival at a local hospital, he was initially pronounced dead but was subsequently revived.
Afterward, he managed to recover his memory, relearn daily tasks, and sought to return to racing. However, a succession of personal tragedies prompted his retirement. In 1992, his son Clifford suffered fatal injuries in a crash during practice for the Busch Series at Michigan International Speedway. The following year, his other son, Davey, lost his life in a helicopter accident at Talladega.
Three years later, Bobby and his wife Judy divorced, but they rekindled their relationship four years after that at their daughter-in-law’s wedding and remarried in 2000. They remained together until Judy’s passing in 2015.
In recognition of his contributions to motorsports, Allison was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992 and later into the NASCAR Hall of Fame alongside notable figures such as Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, Pearson, and Lee Petty.
“Bobby Allison epitomized the essence of a ‘racer,’” stated France. “While he is celebrated as one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history, his influence on the sport reaches far beyond mere statistics.”
Allison is among a select group of ten drivers who have achieved NASCAR’s career “grand slam,” which encompasses the Cup Series’ most prestigious events: the Daytona 500, the Winston 500, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500.
Additionally, Allison participated in six IndyCar Series races for Roger Penske, including two appearances at the Indy 500.
