1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Bobby Allison has passed away at the age of 86, his family confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
“With deep sadness, the family of Bobby Allison announces his passing at the age of 86,” the statement reads. “He passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2024, surrounded by family. He had been in declining health over the past few years but continued to give back to the sport he loved.”
Allison currently ranks fourth on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list with 85 victories, behind only Richard Petty (200), David Pearson (105), and Jeff Gordon (93).
Last month, Allison was retroactively awarded his 85th NASCAR Cup Series victory, as the sanctioning body recognized him as the winner of the 1971 Myers Brothers 250 at Bowman Gray Stadium.
“Bobby was the ultimate fan’s driver,” the statement continues. “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.”
At this time, funeral arrangements have not been announced. However, in lieu of flowers, the Allison family asks that you instead consider donating to Bobby’s home church (St. Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville, N.C.), your local Catholic church or diocese, International Motorsports Hall of Fame Preservation Society or Victory Junction Gang Camp.
“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,” said NASCAR CEO Jim France. “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.”
Allison was a multi-time winner in some of NASCAR’s biggest and most prestigious events, winning the Daytona 500 (3x), Southern 500 (4x), World 600 (x3), and Winston 500 (4x), as well as the 1982 Busch Clash.
The Miami, Florida-native was a seven-time winner of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Most Popular Driver Award (1971-1973 and 1980-1983).
Allison has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1992), the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1993), and the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2011). In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers and was on NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list in 2023.
