Roush Fenway Racing’s Chris Buescher Returns to Defend Win at Mid-Ohio
Chris Buescher’s win last season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was the first of his NASCAR XFINITY Series career. This weekend the 2015 series points leader returns to defend his win at the 13-Turn course and further extend his standings lead over second-place Chase Elliott (-24) and third-place Ty Dillon (-24).
Roush Fenway Racing’s hottest driver, Chris Buescher posted his series leading ninth top-five finish this past weekend at Watkins Glen, finishing third. Continue reading →
It’s a big weekend for Brad Keselowski Racing as its team sponsor hosts Saturday’s Careers for Veterans 200 presented by Cooper Standard and Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation. Series points leader Tyler Reddick and NASCAR Next alum Ryan Blaney will represent the team in the No. 19 and No. 29 Fords. Reddick claims two wins this season and leads second-place Matt Crafton in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points standings by 11. Blaney has made two Camping World Truck Series starts this year, finishing seventh at Dover and third at Kentucky. Continue reading →
Baker’s NASCAR Career as Driver and Broadcaster Spanned Parts of Seven Decades
Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker Jr., the 1980 Daytona 500 champion and famed NASCAR commentator, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 74 (b. 1-25-41).
At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Buddy Baker was often called the ‘Gentle Giant,’ though the nickname ‘Leadfoot’ was more àpropos due to the blistering speeds he often achieved during his 33-year career.
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.
A race commentator and radio host during a lengthy and prolific post-racing career, the Charlotte, North Carolina native’s biggest win came in the 1980 Daytona 500. He finished with an average race speed of 177.602 mph – a track record that still stands.
“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, son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker, accumulated 19 wins in the premier series, including a victory in the 1970 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where he lapped the rest of 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, and in 2014 was first nominated for inclusion into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
After retiring in 1992, Baker made a successful transition to the television booth as a commentator for The Nashville Network and CBS. He most recently served as a radio co-host on ‘Late Shift’ and ‘Tradin’ Paint’ for SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 9, 2015 Photo – Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 9, 2015 Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 9, 2015 Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 9, 2015 Photo – Daniel Shirey/Getty Images
A week after running out of fuel while leading with three laps left at Pocono, Joey Logano finished off an unprecedented weekend sweep at Watkins Glen International with his first road course victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Pressuring race leader Kevin Harvick over a 30-lap green-flag run to the finish of Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at The Glen, Logano made the winning pass through the last two corners at the 2.45-mile road course as Harvick ran out of fuel in turn six. Continue reading →
