Bobby Allison, a seven-time Monster Mile champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer, dies at 86

Bobby Allison, a seven-time Dover Motor Speedway champion, died Saturday at age 86.

Allison is one of four drivers honored with a marquee plaque on the famous Monster Monument at Victory Plaza. Allison is tied with Richard Petty for second on Dover's all-time wins list with seven, only trailing Jimmie Johnson's 11. Allison, Petty, David Pearson (five Dover wins) and Jeff Gordon (five Dover wins) are honored with Monument marquee plaques.

A member of the famed "Alabama Gang," Allison won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1983 and was inducted into NASCAR's Hall of Fame in 2011.

Allison's 85 NASCAR Cup Series victories are fourth all-time, including the Monster Mile's first 500-mile race on June 6, 1971 (Mason-Dixon 500). Allison's other six Dover wins came in Spring 1972, Fall 1978, Spring 1980, Spring 1982 and a Spring/Fall sweep in 1983.

Melvin Joseph, one of Dover Motor Speedway's founding fathers, was friendly with Allison and the driver encouraged the Sussex County-based builder during the construction of the track.

"Everything at Dover is just special," said Allison in an interview during the track's 50th anniversary celebration. "I always look forward to going up there."