In 1972-73, Baker became the first driver to win consecutive World 600s NASCAR’s longest race.
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Baker, known as the “Gentle Giant” for his affable demeanor and 6-foot-6-inch (2.01 meters) frame, was a 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and named in 1998 one of its 50 greatest drivers.
Baker won 19 races in what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including the 1980 Daytona 500. Upon his retirement, Baker helped run the Buck Baker Racing School in Rockingham.
Baker was son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker.
“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.
AP Buddy Baker celebrates after winning a race at Charlotte Motorspeedway in 1973.
Baker was a man who did not fear death and was fearless, which can be seen in his career. I dialed his number and was surprised when the call was taken by his hospice nurse who told me that Baker appreciated the prayers. I’ll always remember how talented he was as a race auto driver, and how he had a wonderful presence at the track.
“Our sport is all about driving, and if anybody in the grandstand can get in a vehicle, because it’s so stable, then that’s not drivin’ – that’s riding”. He most recently served as radio co-host on “Late Shift” and “Tradin’ Paint”.
Amid his triumph at Darlington Raceway in 1970, Dough puncher lapped the whole field of his rivals. “He also won over millions of fans, becoming one of auto racing’s most endearing characters”.
“The policeman comes up to me and says, “Buddy Baker!” The high point of Baker’s career arguably occurred in 1980, when he won the Daytona 500; but throughout his career, Baker achieved equally impressive feats on the track.
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Seventeen years later in 1987, Bill Elliott would set the official qualifying record of 212.809 miles per hour at Talladega, a record that still stands today, but it was Baker who set the precedence.
