Allison, who debuted full-time on the Grand National circuit in 1965, is fourth on the all-time winners list in NASCAR’s premier series. He has made 718 career starts, the 14th most in series history, and has finished in the top five 336 times, the most of any driver other than the legendary Richard Petty.

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

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

Allison helped put NASCAR on the national stage with both his performance on the track and his personality off the track, adding entertainment value to the sport. His fight with Cale Yarborough in the closing laps of the 1979 Daytona 500 made headlines and sparked a new era for NASCAR.

Allison was a founding member of the legendary “Alabama Gang”, a racing group founded by Allison, her 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.