Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. (also "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy) (born January 25, 1941 in Florence, South Carolina) is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.
Buddy Baker was born in Florence, South Carolina, the son of two time winner of the NASCAR Championship and a Hall of Fame member Buck Baker. Baker began his NASCAR career in 1959. In 1970, he became the first driver to ever exceed 200 mph (320 km/h) on a closed course. The same year, with...
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Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. (also "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy) (born January 25, 1941 in Florence, South Carolina) is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.
Buddy Baker was born in Florence, South Carolina, the son of two time winner of the NASCAR Championship and a Hall of Fame member Buck Baker. Baker began his NASCAR career in 1959. In 1970, he became the first driver to ever exceed 200 mph (320 km/h) on a closed course. The same year, with a victory at the Southern 500, he became the first NASCAR driver to win the same race at the same venue as his father. (Buck did it in 1953.)
During his career, Baker won nineteen races including the 1980 Daytona 500, NASCAR's most prestigious race. His victory remains the fastest Daytona 500 ever run, with an average speed of 177.602 mph (285.809 km/h).
Baker is one of eight drivers to have won a Career Grand Slam, by winning the sport's four majors -- the Daytona 500, Aaron's 499, Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500.; Richard Petty, David...
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