Buddy Helms Oldest NASCAR Driver Dies From Burns at Age 87

MIAMI, Dec. 2, 2003 -- Buddy Helms, a stock car racing pioneer who entered a 1946 Hudson Super Six into the first NASCAR sanctioned race in 1949, died at the Ryder Trauma Center on December 1 at the age of 87, just two weeks after he had been honored as the oldest living NASCAR driver in a special parade lap at the Homestead-Miami Speedway prior to the "Ford 400" Winston Cup season finale. "It was the most exciting day of my life!" he was to comment after circling the newly banked track in a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible. The appreciative race fans screamed his name as he cruised across the finish line.

Helms was critically burned in a gasoline accident at his Fort Lauderdale home on November 18, while replacing a fuel pump on a vintage Chevrolet marine engine. He fought a valiant battle to live until succumbing to congestive heart failure on Monday.

In addition to that opening Charlotte race, the North Carolina native also drove in Atlanta, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, and Hillsboro. Car owner Sam Rice selected Buddy as relief driver for renowned racing legend, Fireball Roberts, in NASCAR's first "Southern 500" at the newly opened Darlington Speedway in 1950.

He was chief mechanic for daredevil Buddy Shuman, who finished in the top ten points standings in 1952. He was the "set-up" man for Buck Baker's winning Oldsmobile at Darlington in 1953, and was called upon again by perennial contender Speedy Thompson to build the winning Chevrolet that won the "Southern 500" in 1957.

After moving to South Florida in 1958, he worked closely with legendary boat builder Richard Bertram to perfect the revolutionary "Deep V" hull that became the industry standard for all fiberglass hull designs that followed. He remained in the marine industry until his retirement in 1975.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, December 4, followed by a special remembrance service in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, December 20, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.