MEMBERSHIP LOGIN
JOIN PRI
Lung Cancer Claims Buddy Baker At 74
Image
Buddy Baker, one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history, died at his Lake Norman, North Carolina, home Monday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 74.
Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker Jr. was often referred to as the “Gentle Giant,” standing a burly six feet, six inches tall. Baker, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker, raced stock cars for 33 years.
Baker, who retired from driving in 1992, won 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, including the 1980 Daytona 500, driving the famed No. 28 “Gray Ghost.” Baker is a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
In 1970, Baker became the first driver to eclipse the 200-mph mark on a closed course while testing at Talladega Superspeedway. Although he didn’t win at the 2.66-mile superspeedway that year, Baker visited Talladega Victory Lane four times throughout his stellar career.
Baker also won the 1970 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where he lapped the field. In 1972–73, Baker became the first driver to win consecutive World 600s. He also won the inaugural preseason event now known as the Sprint Unlimited in 1979. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.
Baker later became an analyst for TNN and CBS’s coverage of NASCAR racing and hosted a racing radio show on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“Many of today’s fans may know Buddy Baker as one of the greatest storytellers in the sport’s history, a unique skill that endeared him to millions,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “But those who witnessed his racing talent recognized Buddy as a fast and fierce competitor, setting speed records and winning on NASCAR’s biggest stages. It is that dual role that made Buddy an absolute treasure who will be missed dearly.”
Baker was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in early July.
Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker Jr. was often referred to as the “Gentle Giant,” standing a burly six feet, six inches tall. Baker, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker, raced stock cars for 33 years.
Baker, who retired from driving in 1992, won 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, including the 1980 Daytona 500, driving the famed No. 28 “Gray Ghost.” Baker is a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
In 1970, Baker became the first driver to eclipse the 200-mph mark on a closed course while testing at Talladega Superspeedway. Although he didn’t win at the 2.66-mile superspeedway that year, Baker visited Talladega Victory Lane four times throughout his stellar career.
Baker also won the 1970 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where he lapped the field. In 1972–73, Baker became the first driver to win consecutive World 600s. He also won the inaugural preseason event now known as the Sprint Unlimited in 1979. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.
Baker later became an analyst for TNN and CBS’s coverage of NASCAR racing and hosted a racing radio show on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“Many of today’s fans may know Buddy Baker as one of the greatest storytellers in the sport’s history, a unique skill that endeared him to millions,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “But those who witnessed his racing talent recognized Buddy as a fast and fierce competitor, setting speed records and winning on NASCAR’s biggest stages. It is that dual role that made Buddy an absolute treasure who will be missed dearly.”
Baker was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in early July.
