NASCAR Legend Bobby Allison Dead At 86
NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison died peacefully at his home on Saturday, Nov. 9, his family announced. He was 86.
Allison was a three-time Daytona 500 winner and the 1983 Cup Series champion.
“Bobby was the ultimate fan’s driver. 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,” a statement from his family said.
For decades since his last win at the 1988 Daytona 500, Allison was tied with Darrell Waltrip for fourth on the all-time wins with 84 victories, but that changed just two weeks ago.
Read Also: SORRY, HATERS, THE NASCAR PLAYOFFS AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE
Allison had won the 1971 Myers Brothers Memorial at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., but was driving a Grand American car alongside Grand National cars in a rare two-class NASCAR race.
Drivers protested his victory counting and no official winner was declared, but NASCAR changed that in October, giving him the win to bring his career total to 85.
“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 CEO Jim France said in a statement on his passing.
Read Also: WHO IS FAVORED TO WIN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP?
“As a driver, he won races and championships across several NASCAR divisions. 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.”
Read This Next
