close
close

Association-anemone

Bite-sized brilliance in every update

Bobby Allison has died at 86; NASCAR Hall of Famer won the Daytona 500 3 times | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours
asane

Bobby Allison has died at 86; NASCAR Hall of Famer won the Daytona 500 3 times | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 14: Bobby Allison is shown celebrating the top 75 drivers before the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty pictures)

Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, died Saturday at age 86, according to Associated Press.

NASCAR announced that Allison died peacefully at his home.

NASCAR @NASCAR

The NASCAR family mourns the loss of Bobby Allison, who died peacefully at home today at the age of 86. pic.twitter.com/X4zUxohSNc

Allison, who became full-time on the Grand National circuit in 1965, is fourth on NASCAR’s all-time list for his main series. He made 718 career starts, 14th in series history, and finished in the top five 336 times, more than any driver other than the legendary Richard Petty.

He was the premier series champion in 1983 and won 85 races during his career.

Won the Dayton 500 in 1978, 1982 and 1988 and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway four times (1971, ’72, ’75, ’83). Allison also won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway three times (’71, ’81, ’84).

Allison helped propel NASCAR onto the national stage with both his on-track performance and off-track personality, which added entertainment value to the sport. During the 1979 Daytona 500, his battle with Cale Yarborough in the closing laps made headlines and sparked a new era for NASCAR.

Allison was a founding member of the legendary “Alabama Gang”, a racing group started by Allison, his brother Donnie and Red Farmer. The group has gained and lost members over the years, but all of the original members have been inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.