NASCAR legend Bobby Allison has died at 86, his family announced on Saturday.
The 1983 Winston Cup champion died peacefully at home while surrounded by his family. Allison’s health had declined over the past decade.
Allison was born in Miami, but his racing career took him to Alabama, where he quickly became a founding member of the “Alabama Gang.” Allison made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1961 and his final start in 1988 in a career that spanned 28 seasons and 718 races.
His biggest achievements include the 1983 Winston Cup Series championship, as well as three wins in the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982 and 1988. His win in the 1988 Daytona 500 was the final win of his career while he was still driving.
On Oct. 23, Allison was awarded the victory in the 1971 race at Bowman Gray Stadium more than 53 years after the race ended. The win broke Allison’s tie with rival Darrell Waltrip for fourth all-time on the NASCAR Cup Series wins list, giving Allison 85 career victories.
“Bobby was the ultimate’s fan’s driver,” the Allison family said in a statement. “He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his fans and would stop to sign autographs and have conversations with them everywhere he went. He was a dedicated family man and friend, and a devout Catholic.”
No funeral arrangements for Allison have been announced, per the family’s statement.
All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
