The Legendary 1969 Dodge Daytona: First to Break 200 MPH
One of the most iconic vehicles in automotive and racing history, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, holds a unique place as the first car to officially exceed 200 miles per hour on a closed course. This specific car, known internally at Chrysler Corp. as serial No. DC-93, is a testament to the engineering prowess and competitive spirit of the era. Its story is one of innovation, speed, and a record that stood the test of time.
On March 24, 1970, at the Alabama International Motor Speedway (now Talladega Superspeedway), NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker took the wheel of this distinctive high-winged, swooped-nosed Dodge. His historic lap of 200.447 mph not only shattered the 200 mph barrier – a speed once thought impossible on a closed circuit – but was also remarkably over 30 mph faster than the pole speed for the prestigious 1970 Indianapolis 500. The legacy of the 1969 Dodge Daytona and Buddy Baker’s achievement remains a significant chapter in motorsports. You can find more information on the history of this legendary model, including the 1969 dodge charger daytona.
From Charger to Racing Icon
The history of DC-93 is as dramatic as its record-setting speed. It began its life not as a purpose-built race car, but as a 1969 Dodge Charger 500. This car was initially used as a test vehicle for a magazine on the West Coast. Its civilian life was short-lived, however. Tragically, it was stolen, stripped of valuable parts, and later discovered abandoned on blocks in the Watts area of Los Angeles.
Recognizing its potential, Chrysler officials reclaimed the damaged vehicle and shipped it for a complete transformation. Nichels Engineering in Indiana undertook the ambitious task of rebuilding the stripped hulk, converting it into a formidable NASCAR stock car intended for research and development purposes. Fitted with the distinctive aerodynamic nose cone and the towering rear wing characteristic of the Daytona model, DC-93 underwent testing at Chrysler’s 4.75-mile Chelsea Proving Grounds oval in Michigan. Reports from the summer of 1969 suggest it topped 205 mph even before its official record run.
A Chassis with Racing Pedigree
Beyond its record-breaking moment, the chassis of this very 1969 dodge charger daytona hemi for sale was campaigned in various NASCAR superspeedway events. It was driven by a roster of talented individuals, including NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Bobby Isaac, as well as racing legends like Dan Gurney, Paul Goldsmith, and Charlie Glotzbach. While these drivers contributed to the car’s racing history, its undeniable main claim to fame was Baker’s barrier-smashing 200 mph run at Talladega.
Buddy Baker with the iconic 1969 Dodge Daytona that broke the 200 mph barrier
The Driver’s Perspective
Buddy Baker, known affectionately as “Leadfoot,” was the perfect choice for Chrysler’s audacious attempt to break the 200 mph mark on a closed course. Characteristically humble after achieving the seemingly impossible, Baker reflected on the significance of the moment. “Gosh, it’s the best feeling I’ve had in a long, long time,” Baker stated. “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.”
Talladega Superspeedway itself was built by NASCAR founder and Hall of Famer William H.G. France with speed records in mind. Its design, including the lengthy oval and the steep 33-degree banking in the corners, was engineered for speed. Baker noted that at 200 mph, the significant banking felt deceptively flat. “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 commented. “We’re just tickled to death to be able to come down here and break the record.” The 1969 dodge challenger daytona moniker also evokes the high-performance era, though the Charger Daytona was the model that made this specific history.
The distinctive high rear wing of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
The Track and the Certification
The presence of NASCAR officials was crucial for validating Baker’s record. Bill France was on site to witness the attempt, as was Joe Epton, NASCAR’s chief timer and scorer, who brought his specialized timing equipment. NASCAR inspected Baker’s Dodge Daytona prior to the test to ensure its legality within the sport’s regulations.
The morning of the test was wet, delaying the attempt. However, the weather improved, and the track dried by early afternoon, allowing the historic run to proceed. Baker patiently worked the car up to speed during the testing day. He first eclipsed the 200 mph mark on his 30th lap around the superspeedway, recording a speed of 200.096 mph. Just four laps later, he hit his peak for the day, 200.447 mph, setting a new track record and immortalizing the car and driver. Baker later emphasized the importance of the official certification to The Huntsville (Alabama) Times in 2010, stating, “There’s a lot of people say they climbed Mt. Everest on the backside and nobody saw it… To be the first official (lap above 200 mph), that’s what matters to me.”
Buddy Baker smiles after his record-setting 200 mph run in the 1969 Dodge Daytona at Talladega
Powering the Legend
Supporting Baker and the vehicle was a team of Dodge engineers who fine-tuned the winged Daytona throughout the day, pushing to extract every ounce of speed. Baker recalled a conversation with them after breaking the barrier in a 2001 interview. “After we broke the 200-mph barrier, I said: ‘Let’s go to it and really set ’em a record,’” Baker recounted. “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.’”
Under the hood of this record-setting all electric dodge charger ancestor was Chrysler Corp.’s legendary 426-cubic-inch Hemi engine. This powerplant was instrumental in achieving the incredible speeds needed to challenge and break the 200 mph mark, solidifying the Hemi’s reputation for raw power and performance in motorsports history. As Dodge looks to the future with models like the 2024 dodge challenger electric car, the internal combustion legends like the Hemi in the Daytona serve as a powerful reminder of the brand’s performance heritage.
Restored 1969 Dodge Daytona DC-93 as it appeared for the official 200 mph record run
Restoration and Legacy
That historic day in Talladega became a defining moment for Buddy Baker, an unparalleled accomplishment in the sport that cemented his legacy. While others would eventually go faster, Baker was the undeniable first to officially eclipse the 200 mph mark on a closed course. “Dodge picked me to run the first official 200 mph lap at Talladega,” Baker shared in the book “Flat Out and Half Turned Over – Tales from Pit Road with Buddy Baker.” He added, “We had all run 200 mph before, but not officially. When they did pick me to be the one, there was a lot of bellyaching from the rest of the guys driving Dodges. 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.”
This priceless piece of racing history, DC-93, is now owned by Scott Borchetta. It underwent a meticulous, multi-year restoration led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham and his skilled team. Their dedicated work has preserved the car exactly as it was when it made history, carrying the No. 88 on the right side but no number on the left, just as it appeared on that fateful day in 1970.
