1980: Baker finally measures up

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- About the only mistake Buddy Baker made during the 22nd annual Daytona 500 was missing the entrance to Victory Lane.

But you could forgive him, since he'd tried so many times to find it, without success.

	Buddy Baker

Baker lifted his long-standing Daytona hex in record-setting style, leading 143 laps on his way to becoming the first winner to top $100,000 in earnings. His average speed of 177.602 mph was a new record for 500-mile races.

"The Daytona 500 is our Super Bowl," Baker said, wiping his eyes as he climbed from his Oldsmobile once he finally found the right path. "It's the one I always have been shooting for. If I had to quit racing tomorrow, I now would feel as if I had had a good racing career."

Baker had led the 500 at some point during 12 of the previous 13 races -- only to face misfortune. With only 17 wins in over 500 races, Baker had the reputation -- perhaps undeserved -- of being tough on his equipment.

KNOW YOUR NASCAR  50 Greatest Drivers: Buddy Baker  1980 Season Recap  More NASCAR History

Not on this day.

Locked in a four-car battle with Bobby Allison, Neil Bonnett and Dale Earnhardt, Baker knew each car would have to make one more pit stop.

Allison took 12 seconds for fuel and right-side tires while Bonnett's Wood Brothers team needed 11 seconds to empty one can in his tank.

That left Baker and Earnhardt to head for the pits one lap later. Baker's crew pulled off a sparkling six-second stop while Earnhardt's chances at victory ended when a bad left rear tire forced him to return for service.

	Buddy Baker's No. 28 Oldsmobile

That left Baker with a 12-second cushion -- although bad luck was saving up for one last shot.

"With two laps to go, my gas gauge fell to two pounds of pressure," Baker said. "Normal is seven pounds. When it gets to two, it's like when you are driving on the highway and your car starts to sputtering."

However, John Utsman's motor let go at about the same time, bringing out the caution flag and allowing Baker to coast the final five miles to the win.

1980 Daytona 500 Top 10  1. Buddy Baker  2. Bobby Allison  3. Neil Bonnett  4. Dale Earnhardt  5. Benny Parsons  6. Terry Labonte  7. Donnie Allison  8. Sterling Marlin  9. Lennie Pond  10. Jody Ridley

Even with all his previous disappointment, Baker was confident that this was the year.

"There was never any question in my mind that I had the fastest car," Baker said. "I don't think it would have made any difference if I hadn't got the big advantage on the pit stop."

Baker's other major challenge came from Cale Yarborough, but he had gear problems, which caused him to wreck on lap 183.

The only other car on the lead lap at the end was Allison, as Bonnett's engine expired on the final lap.

Earnhardt and Benny Parsons rounded out the top five.

Terry Labonte finished a strong sixth, while Sterling Marlin was eighth in his Daytona 500 debut. Kyle Petty became the first third-generation driver to compete in the race when he started 11th and finished 32nd.

This is one in a series of articles counting down to the 2003 Daytona 500.