Early Life

Elize Wylie Baker Jr. aka Buddy Baker was a champion at car racing. An American professional stock car racing driver and commentator who built an incredible racing career with numerous awards to his name.

Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker Jr. was born on January 25, 1941, in Florence, South Carolina. He was the son of two-time NASCAR champion, Buck Baker, which laid the foundation for his passion for racing.

Career

Baker started racing at a very young age of 17 in 1958. The following year, Baker progressed to NASCAR, where he found the perfect career path for him.

Although, as a teenager when he joined NASCAR, Baker admired top NASCAR drivers like his father and Fireball Roberts. Baker took knee interest in studying these men which helped him in his early career.

As time progressed, Baker won his first car race in 1967. He became the first driver to exceed 200 mph on a close course.

Baker was also excellent at superspeedways during his racing career, particularly at Daytona and Talladega, where he won a combined six races.

Over the course of his 33-year racing career, Buddy Baker won a total of 19 races in the NASCAR Cup Series, including the prestigious Daytona 500 in 1980. He earned the nickname “Gentle Giant” due to his towering height of 6’6″ and his calm demeanor both on and off the track.

One of Baker’s most notable achievements was his victory in the 1980 Daytona 500, which remains the fastest Daytona 500 in NASCAR history.

He set an average speed record of 177.602 mph, showcasing his exceptional speed and driving prowess. Baker was also one of only nine drivers to achieve a Career Grand Slam in NASCAR, winning the Daytona 500, Aaron’s 499, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500.

Although Baker never won a NASCAR Cup Series championship, he made a significant impact on the sport. He competed in 700 races over his career, with his best finish being 5th in 1977. Baker raced part-time for most of his career, only participating in three full seasons. From 1985 to 1989, he co-owned his own car, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the sport.

After retiring from racing in 1992, Buddy Baker transitioned into a successful broadcasting career. He became a television broadcaster and worked as an analyst for The Nashville Network, TBS, and CBS. Baker’s insightful commentary and extensive knowledge of the sport made him a beloved figure among NASCAR fans. He called some of the most memorable moments in NASCAR history, including Dale Earnhardt’s only Daytona 500 win and the first race at Daytona held under the lights in Prime Time.

Baker’s contributions to NASCAR were duly recognized, as he received numerous awards and honors. In 1995, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends. He was also named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. In 2020, Baker was posthumously inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s legends.

Later Life and Death

Tragically, Buddy Baker was diagnosed with lung cancer and announced his retirement from broadcasting in 2015. He passed away on August 10, 2015, at the age of 74, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of NASCAR.

Legacy

To honor his memory, drivers in all three NASCAR series placed stickers on their cars during the August 2015 race weekend at Michigan International Speedway.
Buddy Baker’s remarkable career and contributions to NASCAR will always be remembered. His skill, sportsmanship, and affable personality made him a beloved figure in the racing community. As the Gentle Giant of NASCAR, Buddy Baker will forever be celebrated as one of the sport’s true legends.