When the NASCAR Cup Series arrived at the Phoenix Raceway, everyone was looking forward to the title showdown. However, the race weekend began on a sour note when news broke that Bobby Allison had passed away. The 1983 Winston Cup champion was 86 at the time, and his death cast a small shadow on the race weekend.

Now, the city of Hueytown, Alabama, has paid tribute to the legendary driver as he was laid to rest. Several fans gathered on the streets and there were a fair few parades in his honor. It is also worth mentioning that as his funeral procession passed by, fans waved the checkered flag for it. This just goes to show how much of an impact Bobby Allison had on the community.

How did Bobby Allison pass away?

The NASCAR legend reportedly passed away in his home in North Carolina. This also came, barely a month after NASCAR credited him with the 1971 Meyers Brothers Memorial win at Bowman Gray Stadium. Owing to that decision, his Cup Series win tally went up to 85, and he was brought one step closer to fellow Hall of Famers Richard Petty, David Pearson, and Jeff Gordon.

In his honor, the residents were all lined up on the streets to pay their respects. This was largely because he played an instrumental role put Hueytown on the map and made the town popular. The legendary driver was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. Alongside him were Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Lee Petty. In his 25-year career, Bobby Allison has racked up countless accolades.

Allison competed in the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series, which is the precursor to the Xfinity Series. In that category, he picked up two wins, as well as six wins in the erstwhile Grand National East Series. Another feather in his cap is that he won the prestigious Daytona 500 on three occasions. However, what Allison is best known for is for being the founder of the Alabama Gang.

What is the Alabama Gang in NASCAR?

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To sum up, they are an exclusive club of NASCAR drivers who hailed from Hueytown in Alabama. However, it is worth mentioning that it wasn’t just limited to drivers who were born there. Any driver who operated out of that particular city and set up shop over there was also considered. Bobby Allison was among the very first to do this, as he left his hometown of Miami in Florida.

Soon enough, he brought his brother Donnie, as well as their friend and fellow racer, Red Farmer. Not long after, more and more drivers joined them, including Bobby’s son Davey Allison, and drivers Neil Bonnett, and David Bonnett. Hut Stricklin was also considered part of the gang, as he was married to Donnie’s daughter. Other prominent drivers were well aware of the Alabama Gang and got along with them.

Now, Bobby departs the world, leaving behind a rich NASCAR legacy that will last a lifetime. Bobby Allison will forever be beloved and remembered in the NASCAR community as the founder of the Alabama Gang and a great champion.