History

Buddy Baker

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Buddy Baker may not have as many wins as his contemporaries in the sport, but none were faster. Born in Florence, S.C., Baker was the son of legendary NASCAR driver Buck Baker and started his racing career in 1959. In a career that spanned over 33 years, Baker amassed 19 NASCAR Cup victories with 311 top-10 finishes and 38 poles.

During the factory-driven search for absolute speed in late 1960s and early 1970s, Baker was at the forefront of drivers who set speed records which still stand today. Baker became the first 200 mph driver on a closed course in 1970 at Talladega Superspeedway.

His 1980 Daytona 500 victory is the fastest ever run with an average speed of 177.602 mph, a record which has stood almost three decades.

Baker’s career accomplishments have earned him induction into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 1997, induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1995 and Baker was named on of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.