The **1969 Charger Daytona**: Breaking the 200 MPH Barrier

The NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “NASCAR 75: Moments and Memories” exhibit proudly features a truly legendary vehicle: the 1969 Charger Daytona known as DC-93. This isn’t just any classic muscle car; it’s the very machine that shattered a monumental speed barrier, becoming the first car ever to lap a closed course at over 200 miles per hour. Piloted by the famed Buddy Baker, this iconic winged warrior cemented its place in motorsport history on a fateful day in 1970.

DC-93: The Car That Made History

On March 24, 1970, at the formidable Alabama International Motor Speedway (now Talladega Superspeedway), Buddy Baker (NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2020) achieved the unthinkable. Behind the wheel of this specific 1969 Charger Daytona, serial number DC-93, Baker clocked an astonishing lap speed of 200.447 mph during testing. This wasn’t just exceeding a number; it was breaking a psychological and engineering barrier previously thought impossible on a closed circuit. To put it in perspective, Baker’s speed was over 30 mph faster than the pole position speed for that year’s Indianapolis 500, showcasing the incredible power and aerodynamic prowess of the Daytona.

Buddy Baker standing next to his No. 88 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona race car, known for breaking the 200 mph barrier.

Buddy Baker, aptly nicknamed “Leadfoot,” was Chrysler Corporation’s handpicked driver for the audacious attempt to breach the 200 mph mark, a feat he successfully accomplished in the iconic 1969 Charger Daytona.

From Stolen Shell to Record-Setter: The Unlikely Journey of a 1969 Charger Daytona

The story of DC-93 is as dramatic as its performance. It started life not as a Daytona, but as a 1969 Dodge Charger 500, initially serving as a test vehicle for magazines on the West Coast. Its journey took a sharp turn when it was stolen, mercilessly stripped of valuable parts, and discovered abandoned on cement blocks in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood. Chrysler officials, however, saw potential in the salvaged wreck. They reclaimed the car and sent it to Nichels Engineering in Indiana. There, the damaged shell was meticulously rebuilt and transformed into a dedicated NASCAR research and development vehicle. Crucially, it was fitted with the distinctive aerodynamic nose cone and towering rear wing that defined the 1969 Charger Daytona. Early tests at Chrysler’s Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan during the summer of 1969 hinted at its potential, with reports suggesting speeds exceeding 205 mph on the 4.75-mile oval.

Detailed view of the massive rear wing mounted on the trunk of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, essential for aerodynamic stability at high speeds.

The imposing rear wing wasn’t just for looks; it was a critical aerodynamic component of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, designed to manage airflow and provide stability on NASCAR’s high-banked superspeedways.

Racing Pedigree and the Road to 200 MPH

While forever linked to Baker’s 200 mph milestone, the chassis of DC-93 saw action under several other legendary drivers on NASCAR’s superspeedways. Hall of Famers Bobby Allison (Class of 2011) and Bobby Isaac (Class of 2016), along with racing greats Dan Gurney, Paul Goldsmith, and Charlie Glotzbach, all spent time behind its wheel. Yet, its defining moment remains Baker’s barrier-breaking run at Talladega.

Talladega itself was conceived by NASCAR founder William H.G. France (Hall of Fame Class of 2010) with speed records explicitly in mind. Its length and steep 33-degree banking were engineered for unprecedented velocity. Baker, however, noted the peculiar sensation of such speed on the high banks: “Well, believe me, when you’re running 200 (mph), it feels just like it’s flat, because it takes every bit of the banking to run this speed,” he remarked. Despite the intensity, Baker was elated: “Gosh, it’s the best feeling I’ve had in a long, long time… This is something that no one can ever take away from you, being the first guy to run 200 mph on a closed-course circuit.”

Buddy Baker smiling proudly beside a Goodyear race tire marked '200.447 MPH', commemorating his record-setting lap in the 1969 Charger Daytona.

The sheer joy on Buddy Baker’s face mirrors the significance of the speed etched onto the tire—a testament to his historic achievement with the 1969 Charger Daytona.

Making it Official: Certifying a Motorsport Milestone

NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. personally attended the test session, underscoring its importance. NASCAR’s chief timer, Joe Epton, was also present, bringing official timing equipment from Atlanta International Raceway, where a race had been postponed due to rain. The sanctioning body was determined to certify the record officially, even inspecting Baker’s 1969 Charger Daytona beforehand to ensure it met regulations.

The day began damp, but conditions improved, allowing the test to proceed by early afternoon. Baker methodically worked the car up to speed. On his 30th lap around the massive Talladega oval, he first broke the barrier with a lap of 200.096 mph. Just four laps later, he achieved the official record speed of 200.447 mph. Baker later emphasized the significance of the official certification: “There’s a lot of people say they climbed Mt. Everest on the backside and nobody saw it,” he told The Huntsville Times in 2010. “To be the first official (lap above 200 mph), that’s what matters to me.”

Side profile of the restored No. 88 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, showcasing the number placement as it was during the record-breaking run (number on right door, none on left).

Meticulously restored by Ray Evernham’s team, the 1969 Charger Daytona DC-93 wears its No. 88 exactly as it did on the day it broke the 200 mph record—numbered only on the passenger side door.

Engineering the Legend: Power and Precision

A team of dedicated Dodge engineers accompanied Baker, constantly fine-tuning the winged 1969 Charger Daytona throughout the day to extract maximum velocity. Baker recalled a conversation after breaking the record: “After we broke the 200-mph barrier, I said: ‘Let’s go to it and really set ’em a record,’” he told the Dodge crew. Their response highlighted the extreme nature of the speeds: “They said the next barrier is at 300 mph and asked me, ‘Do you want to break that one?’ I said, ‘No. Scratch my name off that trophy.’” Underneath the aerodynamic skin lay the heart of the beast: Chrysler’s formidable 426-cubic-inch Hemi engine, providing the raw power needed to propel the Daytona past the historic mark.

Close-up of the legendary 426 Hemi V8 engine powering the record-setting 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona.

The legendary 426 Hemi engine, a powerhouse synonymous with Mopar muscle, provided the thrust for the 1969 Charger Daytona to achieve its 200 mph feat.

A Legacy Preserved

That day at Talladega became a defining moment in Buddy Baker’s career and a landmark event in motorsport history. While others would eventually surpass 200 mph, Baker and the 1969 Charger Daytona DC-93 were the first. “Dodge picked me to run the first official 200 mph lap at Talladega,” Baker reflected later. “We got a lot of press. It wasn’t a big deal for me back then, but it became a big part of my life.”

Now owned by Scott Borchetta, DC-93 underwent an exacting, multi-year restoration led by Hall of Famer Ray Evernham (Class of 2018) and his skilled team. Thanks to their dedication and the generosity of Borchetta and Evernham, this priceless piece of automotive history, the first 200 mph 1969 Charger Daytona, is preserved and displayed for all to appreciate at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.