Buck Baker
Encyclopedia
Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. (March 4, 1919 in Richburg, South Carolina
- April 14, 2002 in Charlotte, North Carolina
), better known as Buck Baker, was an American
race car driver.
, but failed to finish because one of his tires blew off. Despite his inauspicious start, Baker went on to become one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR
's history. He was the first back-to-back winner of the Grand National (now Sprint Cup) Championship in 1956 and 1957. He was second twice (1955 and 1958) and finished in the top five on four other occasions.
Baker's 682 NASCAR starts (44 from the pole
) ranks him third all-time and his 46 victories rank him 13th. In 1953, 1960 and 1964, Baker won the Southern 500
at Darlington Raceway
.
In 1967 Baker switched to NASCAR's Grand American
division, where he was also very successful.
After his retirement in 1976, Baker opened up the Buck Baker Racing School
http://www.buckbaker.com/, where Jeff Gordon
drove his first stock car. His son, Buddy
, is a 34-year Winston Cup veteran and now teaches at the school along with Buck's daughter, Susie Baker.
in 1990, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
in 1998.
In 1963, Baker was given credit for winning a race that he clearly did not win. Wendell Scott
won the race. NASCAR later reversed its ruling for the race. Scott did not receive the trophy.
In 1998 he was named one of the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
.
, at the age of 83, of natural causes.
His wife, Susan, is the president of the Buck Baker Racing School. Buck Baker's son, Buddy
, also grew to be a renowned NASCAR driver, and eventual TV broadcaster.
Richburg, South Carolina
Richburg is a town in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 332 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Richburg is located at ....
- April 14, 2002 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
), better known as Buck Baker, was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
race car driver.
Racing career
Baker entered his first race in 1939 in Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, but failed to finish because one of his tires blew off. Despite his inauspicious start, Baker went on to become one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
's history. He was the first back-to-back winner of the Grand National (now Sprint Cup) Championship in 1956 and 1957. He was second twice (1955 and 1958) and finished in the top five on four other occasions.
Baker's 682 NASCAR starts (44 from the pole
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
) ranks him third all-time and his 46 victories rank him 13th. In 1953, 1960 and 1964, Baker won the Southern 500
Southern 500
The Showtime Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, USA, and is the second such event at Darlington to bear the name. It began in 1957 as a race in the Convertible Division, known as the Rebel 300. In 1966, the race was...
at Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
.
In 1967 Baker switched to NASCAR's Grand American
Grand American
Grand American was a NASCAR sanctioned series of pony car stock cars. The series ran from 1968 until 1971. The series was called "Grand Touring" from 1968 to 1969. It was sometimes nicknamed the Baby Grand series.-History:...
division, where he was also very successful.
After his retirement in 1976, Baker opened up the Buck Baker Racing School
Buck Baker Racing School
The Buck Baker Racing School was founded by two time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Buck Baker in 1980.Vehicles used in the school are actual NASCAR Nextel Cup Ford, Chevy and Dodge race cars which have previously competed in their respective series. Each car weighs approximately and includes...
http://www.buckbaker.com/, where Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
drove his first stock car. His son, Buddy
Buddy Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. , nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.-Early life:...
, is a 34-year Winston Cup veteran and now teaches at the school along with Buck's daughter, Susie Baker.
Awards
Baker was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame in 1982, the International Motorsports Hall of FameInternational Motorsports Hall of Fame
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to auto racing either as a driver, owner, developer or engineer...
in 1990, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...
in 1998.
In 1963, Baker was given credit for winning a race that he clearly did not win. Wendell Scott
Wendell Scott
Wendell Oliver Scott was an American stock car racing driver from Danville, Virginia. He is the only black driver to win a race in what is now the Sprint Cup Series. According to a 2008 biography of Scott, he broke the color barrier in Southern stock car racing on May 23, 1952, at the Danville...
won the race. NASCAR later reversed its ruling for the race. Scott did not receive the trophy.
In 1998 he was named one of the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is a list of NASCAR drivers.In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select "The 50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." It was inspired in part by the NBA's decision to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History on its 50th...
.
Last years and death
Baker died on the night of April 14, 2002 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, at the age of 83, of natural causes.
His wife, Susan, is the president of the Buck Baker Racing School. Buck Baker's son, Buddy
Buddy Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. , nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.-Early life:...
, also grew to be a renowned NASCAR driver, and eventual TV broadcaster.