LewTheShoe
Seeking Skill-based Meritocracy... More HP Less DF
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NASCAR's rich and colorful history includes many individuals that we sometimes think of as "heroes" for their racing accomplishments. However, when it comes to genuine heroes from the NASCAR family, there is one clear GOAT, and his name was Bud Moore.
Bud Moore entered the army in June 1943, one day after graduating from high school. One year later, June 6, 1944, the D-Day invasion of Normandy... Moore's platoon went ashore at Utah Beach in the first wave of the assault. Bud was a machine gunner. Loaded down with a heavy weapon plus a 51-pound backpack, just reaching shore was quite an accomplishment. In the face of German resistance, Moore and his unit took casualties, but managed to advance 1/2 mile from the shoreline on the first day. From that day forward, for the next 9 months and 14 days, Bud Moore was continuously on the front line without a break... the Battle of the Bulge, the Siege of Bastogne, the allied advance into Germany. He received two Bronze Stars for heroism and five Purple Hearts for combat injuries. When the war ended, he went home, married his high school sweetheart, and started a long and successful career in NASCAR as crew chief and team owner.
Buddy Baker, Bud Moore #15...
Bobby Allison, Bud Moore #15
1979 Daytona 500. Bobby parked his #15 Bud Moore Ford on the backstretch to join a chat between brother Donnie and Cale. No one knows for sure, but they probably were *not* discussing post-race dinner reservations.
Bud Moore entered the army in June 1943, one day after graduating from high school. One year later, June 6, 1944, the D-Day invasion of Normandy... Moore's platoon went ashore at Utah Beach in the first wave of the assault. Bud was a machine gunner. Loaded down with a heavy weapon plus a 51-pound backpack, just reaching shore was quite an accomplishment. In the face of German resistance, Moore and his unit took casualties, but managed to advance 1/2 mile from the shoreline on the first day. From that day forward, for the next 9 months and 14 days, Bud Moore was continuously on the front line without a break... the Battle of the Bulge, the Siege of Bastogne, the allied advance into Germany. He received two Bronze Stars for heroism and five Purple Hearts for combat injuries. When the war ended, he went home, married his high school sweetheart, and started a long and successful career in NASCAR as crew chief and team owner.
Buddy Baker, Bud Moore #15...
Bobby Allison, Bud Moore #15
1979 Daytona 500. Bobby parked his #15 Bud Moore Ford on the backstretch to join a chat between brother Donnie and Cale. No one knows for sure, but they probably were *not* discussing post-race dinner reservations.
