Baker has remained involved in the sport, working race telecasts for The Nashville Network and then co-hosting a radio show two nights a week on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He elected into the worldwide Motorsports Hall of Fame (1995) and the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (1997) and NASCAR named Baker as one of its 50 greatest drivers in 1998.
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A race commentator and radio host during a lengthy and prolific post-racing career, the Charlotte native’s biggest win came in the 1980 Daytona 500.
After his racing career ended in 1994, Baker helped run a racing school while also doing some broadcasting work. “Give a smile when you say my name”.
Baker made the announcement saying it would be his final appearance on “The Late Shift”. Following the news that his illness was terminal, the popular Baker did not want anyone to feel sorry for him.
“Buddy was a real pioneer in the sense that he taught everybody how to race on the big speedways”, said H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler, former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The Baker family moved to Charlotte, where Buddy attended Garinger High, where he played tackle on the Wildcats’ football team.
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Before moving into broadcasting, Baker competed in NASCAR’s premier circuit from 1959-92 and scored 19 victories. He won three straight Cup events on the east Alabama track in 1975 and 1976, and also captured the 1980 Winston 500 there. Was first NASCAR driver to crack 200-mph barrier, going 200.096 miles per hour during a 1970 test at Talladega….
