Bobby Allison, NASCAR Hall of Fame Driver, Dies at 86: ‘Shaped the Sport for So Many’

Allison — who won 85 career races — is being remembered by Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other racing greats

Bobby Allison, the 1983 NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Fame driver who won a 85 career races, has died at the age of 86.

The racing legend died peacefully at his home on Saturday, Nov. 9, announced NASCAR, which did not share a cause of death.

Allison's death comes after he was recognized by NASCAR on Oct. 23 with his 85th Cup Series victory decades after a disputed 1971 race at Bowman Gray Stadium. That win placed him at fourth on NASCAR's all-time premier series win list, behind Richard Petty, David Pearson and Jeff Gordon.

“Bobby Allison personified the term ‘racer.’ Though he is best known as one of the winningest drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history, his impact on the sport extends far beyond the record books,” NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France said in a statement.

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“As a driver, he won races and championships across several NASCAR divisions,” the statement continued. “But as the leader of the famous 'Alabama Gang,' Bobby connected with fans in a profound manner. In the most significant ways, he gave his all to our sport. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to Bobby’s family, friends and fans on the loss of a NASCAR giant.”

Allison's full-time premier series career began in 1966 following back-to-back NASCAR Modified titles, per NASCAR. Before that, Allison, his younger brother Donnie and fellow racer Red Farmer famously relocated to Alabama and formed what would become known as the "Alabama Gang."

Allison's career highlights include his 1983 Winston Cup Series Champion victory, three Daytona 500 wins and becoming a member of NASCAR’s second Hall of Fame class in 2011.

The final victory in Allison's career took place at the 1988 Daytona 500, when he and his son Davey Allison had a legendary father-son 1-2 finish, per NASCAR.

Davey died following a helicopter crash in July 1993, less than a year after his younger brother Clifford Allison died of injuries sustained during a crash at Michigan International Speedway in August 1992.

Several friends and admirers in the racing world paid tribute to Allison over the weekend, including NASCAR great Jimmie Johnson, who remembered the hall-of-fame driver as "a true legend" in a post shared to X.

"Bobby Allison was one of my heroes growing up—an incredible driver and person who shaped the sport for so many of us," Johnson wrote, alongside photos of the pair together. "Grateful for his kindness and everything he brought to racing. He’ll be deeply missed."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. also shared a message dedicated to Allison on Instagram, writing that the late NASCAR legend "gave more than anyone" to the sport. "Through triumphs and despite tragedies, he continued to put more in to the sport than he ever got in return," Earnhardt wrote.

"He did things his way, often taking the more challenging route to eventual victory,” he added. “The sport of Nascar stands on the shoulders of legends like Bobby. We all should be forever thankful."

In another touching tribute, Richard Petty wrote that Allison was "not just a fierce competitor on the track, but a friend off the track."

"We had many battles on the track over the years, but I always respected Bobby for the way he carried himself and his dedication to the sport," he wrote on Instagram. "My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time. His legacy will always be remembered."