First NASCAR Grand National Car to Post a
200+ MPH Race Lap
Winner of the 1970 Southern 500
Outside Pole Position of the 1970 Daytona 500
Powered by a 426 C.I.D. Hemi
4.25 in (108.0 mm) bore and 3.75 in (95.3 mm) stroke
475+ Horsepower
The Winged Warriors
In 1964 Chrysler re-introduced the Hemi engine to NASCAR racing with instant success and a victory at season’s first race the Daytona 500. The engine was so good that NASCAR banned if for a short time in 1965. To level the playing field NASCAR allowed Ford to run two 4-barrel carbs and they became the cars to beat in 1968 and 1969. Chrysler was determined to regain the upper hand and began development of one of the most radical aerodynamic cars ever to race in NASCAR, the Dodge Charger Daytona and its stalemate from Plymouth the Super Bird. Featuring a wedge nose and tall rear wing they were nearly unbeatable in 1970 winning 38 of the season’s 48 races. One of the leaders was the Dodge Daytona entered by Cotton Owens and driven by Buddy Baker.
Owens and Baker started 1970 off strong, qualifying second for the Daytona 500. Their race ended early with ignition problems. Problems dogged them at Rockingham and Atlanta but they had the field covered in the Alabama 500 at Talladega leading 101 laps until a spin put them out of the race. While leading this race Baker accomplished a feat that will forever make this car famous: recording the first NASCAR race lap at over 200MPH.
The # 6 Charger finished 2nd in the Firecracker 400 at Daytona, 4th at Atlanta, 6th in Michigan and 5th at Talladega 500. On September 7 Baker won the Southern 500 at Darlington, lapping second place finisher Bobby Isaac. The Chrysler wing cars were so dominate that NASCAR announce a rule change for 1971 limiting their engine size to just 305 cubic inches effectively eliminating them from competition. The car was raced for the last time in October 1970 at Charlotte. Baker qualified third and lead for over twenty laps before being taken out of the race by an accident. The car only sustained light sheet metal damage and was repaired by the Owens crew. In January of 1971 it was displayed by Dodge at Cobo Hall in Detroit. It was later moved to the NASCAR museum at Darlington. On July 19, 2005 the museum gave the car back to Cotton Owens.
The car is not restored, but thoroughly cleaned, detailed and all mechanical components checked. It is just as it was last raced in 1970.
Race History
Cotton Owens Dodge Charger Daytona driven by Buddy Baker
Daytona, qualified 2nd, — DNF
Rockingham — DNF
Atlanta — DNF
Alabama 500, led for 101 laps, first race lap at over 200 MPH — DNF
Firecracker 400 — 2nd
Atlanta — 4th
Michigan — 5th
Darlington Southern 500 — 1st
Charlotte — DNF
Buddy 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.
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.
In 1997, Buddy Baker joined his father as an inductee in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama. He was inducted into the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends in 1995, and into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame inductee in 1997. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.
Cotton Owens
Cotton's NASCAR (Grand National) career began in 1950 when he ran three races. He finished 13th in the point standings. He'd enter a few races over the next several seasons without a win.
Cotton's first win came on February 17th, 1957 at the series' premiere event: the Daytona Beach Road Course. In 1959, Owens finished second to Lee Petty in the race for the championship. In 1961 he had his most productive season with 11 Top 5s and four wins in only 17 starts.
In 1962 he became a car owner with driver David Pearson winning three Grand National Championships. During their six seasons together Owens and Pearson combined for 27 wins in 170 races.
Cotton was fortunate to have some of the biggest names in the sport drive his cars over the years. Drivers for Cotton Owens included many legends: David Pearson, Buddy Baker, Pete Hamilton, Marty Robbins, Ralph Earnhardt, Bobby Isaac, Junior Johnson, Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Mario Andretti, Charlie Glotzbach, and Al Unser. In all, a total of 25 drivers climbed behind the wheel of Owens' cars in 291 races, earning 32 victories and 29 pole positions.
In total, as a car owner and as a driver, Owens' career statistics include 41 wins and 38 poles in 487 races.
