Buddy Baker
Encyclopedia
Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. (born January 25, 1941 in Florence, South Carolina
), nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American
NASCAR
racecar driver.
Buddy Baker was born in Florence
, South Carolina
, the son of two time winner of the NASCAR Championship and a Hall of Fame member Buck Baker
. Baker began his NASCAR career in 1959. In 1970, he became the first driver to ever exceed 200 mph (320 km/h) on a closed course. This feat was accomplished in the Chrysler Engineering #88 Charger Daytona, which is being restored in Detroit. The same year, with a victory at the Southern 500
, he became the first NASCAR driver to win the same race at the same venue as his father. (Buck
did it in 1953.)
, NASCAR's most prestigious race. His victory remains the fastest Daytona 500 ever run, with an average speed of 177.602 mph (285.809 km/h).
Baker is one of eight drivers to have won a Career Grand Slam, by winning the sport's four majors – the Daytona 500, Aaron's 499, Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500.; Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson are the other seven to have accomplished the feat. He is the only one of the eight to not win the championship.
He generally raced part-time, competing in every race in only three seasons. He owned a car with Danny Schiff from 1985 to 1989, and was instrumental in the career of Jimmy Spencer
. He competed in two International Race of Champions
series. His final race in NASCAR was in 1992.
Buddy currently helps run the Buck Baker Racing School
with his brother.
Buddy Baker was the first driver to exceed the 200 mph mark on March 24, 1970 on a closed course test run. His speed was clocked at 200.447 mi/h; a record that stood for 13 years. That record was finally broken by the late Benny Parsons.
and later (1994–2000) races produced by their World Sports Enterprises division, including CBS races
. After the 2000 season Baker could still be heard on TNN, calling the American Speed Association
races in 2001 and 2002 with Bob Dillner
(their final race call was for the 2002 Winchester 400
). During 2007, Buddy could be heard as the part-time co-host of The Driver's Seat with John Kernan on Sirius Satellite Radio
's NASCAR
channel 128. As of 2011, Buddy now the co-hosts Late Shift along with Dave Ross
on Sirius Satellite Radio. As of January 2011, Buddy is co-owner of Tony Kostelnak Racing.
in Talladega, Alabama
. He was inducted into the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends in 1995, and into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame inductee in 1997. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
in 1998.
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
), nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
racecar driver.
Early life
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, the son of two time winner of the NASCAR Championship and a Hall of Fame member Buck Baker
Buck Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
. Baker began his NASCAR career in 1959. In 1970, he became the first driver to ever exceed 200 mph (320 km/h) on a closed course. This feat was accomplished in the Chrysler Engineering #88 Charger Daytona, which is being restored in Detroit. The same year, with a victory at 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...
, he became the first NASCAR driver to win the same race at the same venue as his father. (Buck
Buck Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
did it in 1953.)
Career
During his career, Baker won nineteen races including the 1980 Daytona 500Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
, NASCAR's most prestigious race. His victory remains the fastest Daytona 500 ever run, with an average speed of 177.602 mph (285.809 km/h).
He generally raced part-time, competing in every race in only three seasons. He owned a car with Danny Schiff from 1985 to 1989, and was instrumental in the career of Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer is a current television commentator, and a former NASCAR driver. He formerly hosted the NASCAR inspired talk show, “What’s the Deal?”, on SPEED. He is the former co-host, with John Roberts and Kenny Wallace, of the SPEED's pre-race and post-race NASCAR shows NASCAR RaceDay and...
. He competed in two International Race of Champions
International Race of Champions
International Race of Champions, better known as IROC, was a North American auto racing competition, promoted as an equivalent of an American All-Star Game or The Masters...
series. His final race in NASCAR was in 1992.
Buddy currently helps run 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...
with his brother.
Buddy Baker was the first driver to exceed the 200 mph mark on March 24, 1970 on a closed course test run. His speed was clocked at 200.447 mi/h; a record that stood for 13 years. That record was finally broken by the late Benny Parsons.
Commentator
From 1991 until 2000, he became a television commentator on The Nashville NetworkThe Nashville Network
The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows...
and later (1994–2000) races produced by their World Sports Enterprises division, including CBS races
NASCAR on CBS
NASCAR on CBS was a series of NASCAR races airing on CBS Sports from 1960-2000.-Races covered by CBS:*Jiffy Lube Miami 300*Michigan 400...
. After the 2000 season Baker could still be heard on TNN, calling the American Speed Association
American Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
races in 2001 and 2002 with Bob Dillner
Bob Dillner
Bob Dillner is a motorsports journalist and television broadcaster. He is best known as a NASCAR pit lane reporter for the Speed Channel...
(their final race call was for the 2002 Winchester 400
2002 Winchester 400
The thirty-third annual Winchester 400 motor race was held under American Speed Association sanction on October 6, 2002, at the Winchester Speedway, Indiana ....
). During 2007, Buddy could be heard as the part-time co-host of The Driver's Seat with John Kernan on Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
's 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...
channel 128. As of 2011, Buddy now the co-hosts Late Shift along with Dave Ross
Dave Ross
Dave Ross is a talk show host on Seattle's KIRO-FM radio station, with whom he had been a news anchor from 1978 until his talk show started nine years later in 1987. He has sometimes broadcast his show while on assignment in other locations, including overseas, such as Baghdad, Iraq in April...
on Sirius Satellite Radio. As of January 2011, Buddy is co-owner of Tony Kostelnak Racing.
Awards
In 1997, Buddy Baker joined his father as an inductee in 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 Talladega, Alabama
Talladega, Alabama
Talladega is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 15,143. The city is the county seat of Talladega County. Talladega is approximately 50 miles east of Birmingham, Alabama....
. He was inducted into the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends in 1995, and into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame inductee in 1997. He was named one of 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...
in 1998.