H B Bailey started racing in 1954 at Playland Park in Houston Texas, where he won the track championship in 1959. Although they ultimately raced in different arenas, A. J. Foyt started his career at the same track in 1953. Using the proceeds from his Houston salvage yard, Almeda Auto Parts as funding, Bailey competed as an independent in NASCAR top race division from 1962 to 1993 making 85 starts. H. B. attempted less than 10 races annually during four different decades and was well-liked and considered a leader among the group of independent drivers that raced for the love of the sport without sufficient financial backing. Though competing against race teams funded by the top automobile manufacturers and other corporate sponsorships, Bailey accrued two top-five and three top-10 finishes in NASCAR's top race division during his career. Darlington Raceway was his favorite venue as was demonstrated by his being a three-time member of the UNOCAL/Darlington Record Club. In 1994, he returned from his semi-retirement and was the first NASCAR driver to make a qualifying lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the inaugural Brickyard 400.
He also competed in the short-lived NASCAR Grand American series, including a win in 1971, a Daytona pole and finishing second in the 1972 championship points.
In 1977 H B Bailey won the Texas Race of Champions at Texas World Speedway located in College Station, Texas.
When H. B. Bailey passed away, many of the NASCAR racing community expressed their sorrow. "Our sport was built by people like H.B. Bailey," said Richard Petty, who raced alongside him for years. "We all did things the same way in those days - we drove ourselves to the race track, we worked hard when we got there, we raced hard and then we drove home. H.B. was a racer through and through, and the sport is better off because he was a part of it. We will miss him."
Current Bio by kbbtex
He also competed in the short-lived NASCAR Grand American series, including a win in 1971, a Daytona pole and finishing second in the 1972 championship points.
In 1977 H B Bailey won the Texas Race of Champions at Texas World Speedway located in College Station, Texas.
When H. B. Bailey passed away, many of the NASCAR racing community expressed their sorrow. "Our sport was built by people like H.B. Bailey," said Richard Petty, who raced alongside him for years. "We all did things the same way in those days - we drove ourselves to the race track, we worked hard when we got there, we raced hard and then we drove home. H.B. was a racer through and through, and the sport is better off because he was a part of it. We will miss him."
Current Bio by kbbtex
H B Bailey started racing in 1954 at Playland Park in Houston Texas, where he won the track championship in 1959. Although they ultimately raced in different arenas, A. J. Foyt started his career at the same track in 1953. Using the proceeds from his Houston salvage yard, Almeda Auto Parts as funding, Bailey competed as an independent in NASCAR top race division from 1962 to 1993 making 85 starts. H. B. attempted less than 10 races annually during four different decades and was well-liked and considered a leader among the group of independent drivers that raced for the love of the sport without sufficient financial backing. Though competing against race teams funded by the top automobile manufacturers and other corporate sponsorships, Bailey accrued two top-five and three top-10 finishes in NASCAR's top race division during his career. Darlington Raceway was his favorite venue as was demonstrated by his being a three-time member of the UNOCAL/Darlington Record Club. In 1994, he returned from his semi-retirement and was the first NASCAR driver to make a qualifying lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the inaugural Brickyard 400.
He also competed in the short-lived NASCAR Grand American series, including a win in 1971, a Daytona pole and finishing second in the 1972 championship points.
In 1977 H B Bailey won the Texas Race of Champions at Texas World Speedway located in College Station, Texas.
When H. B. Bailey passed away, many of the NASCAR racing community expressed their sorrow. "Our sport was built by people like H.B. Bailey," said Richard Petty, who raced alongside him for years. "We all did things the same way in those days - we drove ourselves to the race track, we worked hard when we got there, we raced hard and then we drove home. H.B. was a racer through and through, and the sport is better off because he was a part of it. We will miss him."
Current Bio by kbbtex
He also competed in the short-lived NASCAR Grand American series, including a win in 1971, a Daytona pole and finishing second in the 1972 championship points.
In 1977 H B Bailey won the Texas Race of Champions at Texas World Speedway located in College Station, Texas.
When H. B. Bailey passed away, many of the NASCAR racing community expressed their sorrow. "Our sport was built by people like H.B. Bailey," said Richard Petty, who raced alongside him for years. "We all did things the same way in those days - we drove ourselves to the race track, we worked hard when we got there, we raced hard and then we drove home. H.B. was a racer through and through, and the sport is better off because he was a part of it. We will miss him."
Current Bio by kbbtex
Bio by: DENNIS GOFORTH
Gravesite Details
AGE: 66 YEARS OLD
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
