NASCAR ‘Gentle Giant’ Baker dies
NASCAR has lost one of its greats.
Buddy Baker, who announced last month that he had inoperable lung cancer, died Monday at 74.
Baker, known as NASCAR’s “Gentle Giant” because he towered over most of his peers at 6-6, won the 1980 Daytona 500, was a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and was named one of the sport’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998.
SiriusXM NASCAR Radio announced his death. Baker left his co-host slot on The Late Shift last month after telling listeners he had a huge tumor in his lung.
“Do not shed a tear. Give a smile when you say my name. I’m not saying goodbye. Just talk to you later,” he said as he signed off.
Baker followed in the footsteps of his father, two-time champion Buck Baker, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. The younger Baker debuted in NASCAR’s Cup series in 1959 at 18 and competed in 700 races, winning 19, before retiring after the 1992 season.
Among his wins beside the Daytona 500 were trips to victory lane in the Southern 500 in 1970 and the Coca-Cola 600 (or World 600) in 1968, 1972 and 1973.
In a statement, NASCAR chairman Brian France said: “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. 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 enjoyed the superspeedways most, becoming the first driver to exceed 200 mph on a closed course, at Talladega Superspeedway in 1970. He won at NASCAR’s largest venue four times, and his fearless style at top speeds earned him another moniker: “Leadfoot.” He ranks 14th with 38 poles and also amassed 202 top-fives and 311 top-10s.
“Buddy was always wide open, and that’s the way he raced and lived his life,” seven-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Richard Petty said in a statement. “He was always full of energy. He was a person you wanted to be around, because he always made you feel better.
“Buddy loved the sport, and he made a lasting impression on the sport on the track, in the television booth and on the radio. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Baker family at this time.”
Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis said in a news release: “I’ll miss Buddy. I’ll always remember how talented he was as a race car driver and how he had a wonderful presence at the track. ... But he also loved the people. I think that’s why he told such wonderful stories — because he loved people who loved NASCAR.”
So it seemed natural when Baker’s postrace work took him to the broadcast booth, where he started at The Nashville Network, moved to CBS and then landed at SiriusXM when the NASCAR channel launched in 2007.
The company remembered Baker on Monday, saying, “He brought a wonderfully engaging personality to the airwaves, and his storytelling ability made his show a joy to listen to. As one of NASCAR’s great competitors, he generously shared a wealth of knowledge — developed over many decades in the sport — with our listeners. He is greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
During Baker’s final broadcast, which lasted about 40 minutes, he told listeners: “I just want to say goodbye to everyone. Thanks for being a friend.”