NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison dies at 86

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The NASCAR world lost one of its legends Saturday when Bobby Allison died at the age of 86.

NASCAR released a statement from Allison’s family that said he died at home in Mooresville, North Carolina. 

A cause of death wasn’t given, but Allison had been in declining health for years.

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Bobby Allison speaks during a press conference at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Aug. 3, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C.  (Streeter Lecka/Stewart-Haas Racing via Getty Images)

"Bobby was the ultimate fan’s driver," Allison’s family said in a statement. "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."

"Bobby Allison personified the term ‘racer,’" NASCAR Chairman Jim France said in a statement. "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."

Allison's resume speaks for itself. He won the Daytona 500 three times, one of just five racers to accomplish that feat. He is also one of 10 drivers to have won NASCAR’s career "grand slam" that includes the Cup Series’ top races — the Daytona 500, the Winston 500, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500.

Allison was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of its second class.

Born in Miami in 1937, Allison started searching for more racing opportunities outside the Sunshine State. He landed in central Alabama, where he found a number of small dirt tracks.

Bobby Allison stands beside his car and talks with the press