NASCAR Hall of Famer dies as his family releases emotional statement

Bobby Allison, a towering figure in NASCAR and a revered member of the sport’s history, has died at age 86. A founding member of the Alabama Gang and 1983 Premier Series champion, Allison’s storied career spanned nearly three decades.

Bobby Allison was born on December 3, 1937 in Miami, Florida. His fascination with racing began at a young age. Despite initial resistance from his parents, Allison pursued his passion and began his racing career in Hialeah, Florida in 1955. He eventually moved to Hueytown, Alabama, where he, along with his brother Donnie and his friend Red Farmer, became known as the “Alabama Gang.” The group quickly established themselves as prominent figures in the racing community.

Over the course of his storied career, Bobby Allison secured 85 official racing victories, placing him fourth on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. His achievements were cemented with induction into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in 2011. His 718 career starts ranked him 14th in series history, and his 336 top-five finishes surpassed only Richard Petty. Allison also made her mark in NASCAR history with 446 top-10 finishes and 59 pole positions.

His notable achievements included three Daytona 500 victories in 1978, 1982 and 1988. His victory in 1988 was particularly memorable as he finished ahead of his son Davey, marking the first one-two finish between father and son at the Daytona 500 .

Aside from his notable victories, Bobby Allison was no stranger to infamous incidents on the race track. During the 1979 Daytona 500, he was involved in a post-race altercation with Cale Yarborough.

Allison also suffered tremendous personal loss when his career was cut short by a serious accident at Pocono Raceway in 1988, which resulted in severe head injuries and memory loss. This accident robbed him of the memories of his last victory and shortened his racing days. Family tragedies further overshadowed his legacy; the loss of his younger son Clifford in a racing accident in Michigan in 1992, followed by the devastating helicopter crash that killed his son Davey at Talladega in 1993.

In recognition of his enduring contributions, NASCAR recognized a controversial 1971 victory in a 2024 ruling, confirming his fourth place on the all-time wins list.

Bobby Allison’s family released the following statement via NBC Sports:

“It is with deep sadness that the family of Bobby Allison announces his death at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 9, 2024. His health declined in recent years, but he continued to give back to the sport he loved.

“Bobby was the ultimate fan driver. He really enjoyed spending time with his fans and stopped everywhere to sign autographs and have conversations with them. He was a committed family man and friend and a devout Catholic.”