Bobby Allison, a legendary figure in the world of NASCAR and the architect behind the “Alabama Gang,” passed away on Saturday at the age of 86.
NASCAR conveyed the news through a statement from Allison’s family, indicating that he died at his residence in Mooresville, North Carolina.
While no specific cause of death was provided, it was noted that Allison had been experiencing declining health over the years.

Recently, Allison achieved a significant milestone in his racing career, moving up to fourth place on NASCAR’s Cup Series victory leaderboard.
This recognition came from NASCAR chairman Jim France, who acknowledged Allison as the winner of the Meyers Brothers Memorial race at Bowman Gray Stadium, which took place in North Carolina in 1971.
Following this update, Allison now holds 85 Cup Series wins, surpassing Darrell Waltrip and trailing only three Hall of Famers: Richard Petty with 200 wins, David Pearson with 105, and Jeff Gordon with 93.

To honor this achievement, both France and longtime NASCAR executive Mike Helton presented Allison with a commemorative plaque.
Allison, who was inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in its second class in 2011, made a remarkable impact on the sport during his career.
He was crowned the NASCAR champion in 1983, finished as a runner-up in the championship hunt five times, and triumphed in the Daytona 500 on three occasions.

Allison’s contributions to NASCAR extended beyond his racing prowess.
One of the sport’s most memorable incidents, his notorious altercation with Cale Yarborough during the closing laps of the 1979 Daytona 500, remains a crucial highlight in NASCAR’s history.
Reflecting on that event, Allison has frequently recounted, “Cale went to beating on my fist with his nose.”
He emphasized that both he and Yarborough understood how that incident helped enhance interest in racing, demonstrating their genuine passion for the sport.