career and later life After his retirement, Baker became a television broadcaster, acting as an analyst initially for The Nashville Network beginning in 1991, and later for TBS and CBS beginning in 1996. As a commentator, he helped call some of the most legendary moments in NASCAR history, including the first Winston All-Star Race held at night, the last 500-mile race at Dover in 1997, Dale Earnhardt's only Daytona 500 win, and the first race at Daytona to be held under the lights in Prime Time. He remained with all 3 networks until the new consolidated television package took effect beginning with the 2001 season, after which he stepped away from the broadcasting booth. In 2007, Baker became the part-time co-host of "The Driver's Seat" with John Kernan on Sirius XM's new NASCAR Radio channel. He later became a regular on "Tradin' Paint" with Steve Post and co-host on "Late Shift" with Alex Hayden. On July 7, 2015, Baker announced his retirement from broadcasting, and revealed that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. During his final broadcast, he told his audience, "Do not shed a tear. Give a smile when you say my name". Baker died on August 10, 2015, at his home in Catawba County, North Carolina. During the August 2015 race weekend at Michigan International Speedway, the drivers in all three NASCAR series placed stickers on their cars to honor Baker's legacy. Awards In 1997, Baker was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama, and the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2008, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2020. Motorsports career results NASCAR (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.) Grand National Series Winston Cup Series Daytona 500 results International Race of Champions (key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.) References External links Official website The Inside Groove.com – Historical Nascar Image Gallery Actual footage of Buddy Baker setting the 200 mph world record in the No. 88 Chrysler Engineering Charger Daytona Profile, aerowarriors.com 1941 births 2015 deaths American television sports announcers Deaths from lung cancer in North Carolina International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees