Bobby Allison, NASCAR legend and leader of 'Alabama Gang,' dies at 86

Sad news tonight ahead of the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship race. Legendary driver Bobby Allison has passed away at 86 years old. Allison just officially received his 85th victory from a Bowman Gray race in 1971 recently.

From his exploits on the track to the fiery moments off it. Bobby Allison helped define multiple generations of NASCAR racing. An icon of the early Winston Cup years.

A champion in 1983, Allison won his fair share of Crown Jewel races. He was the leader of the Alabama Gang and gave so much to the sport. May he rest in peace.

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

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 10, 2024

During his long and illustrious career, Bobby Allison accomplished about all there is to accomplish. He raced for 27 years at the highest level of stock car racing. From the Busch Clash to the Coca-Cola 600, Daytona 500, Southern 500, and of course, the banks of Talladega – Allison won so many of the biggest races in the sport.

Of course, the recent addition of that 1971 victory to his total count is special. It is great that he was alive to see it happen. Allison liked to remind people that he had that win, even if it wasn’t recognized for 53 years.

Bobby Allison went out on top, too. He won his third and final Daytona 500 in 1988 at 50 years old. It is fitting that he “earned” his 85th and final win at age 86.

Bobby Allison helped launch NASCAR into pop culture

Before Bobby and Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough squared off in the Daytona infield, NASCAR was a regional sport. One that was not recognized much outside of the Southeast. In fact, that 1979 Daytona 500 was the first to be televised live, in full.

Allison sits among the greatest of the greats. Richard Petty, David Pearson, Yarborough, and all of the stars of the 70s and 80s. A much different time in the sport, but perhaps the most vital and important time in NASCAR history.

This is a tough one for the NASCAR community. Allison lived a long life, but he is a larger-than-life figure for so many. One of those icons that feels immortal until we are all reminded of the unfortunate reality.

Bobby Allison is one of the best to ever race a stock car. He will be talked about for years to come for his accomplishments on the track and all that he did to help NASCAR become the sport that it is today.