It would be hard to pinpoint a greater contributor to racing than Bud Moore. Sadly, he died November 27th, at 92 years old, but his legacy is great. With some of the most legendary drivers the sport of racing ever produced driving Bud Moore Engineering cars, his team was always hard to beat. Joe Weatherly, Parnelli Jones, Billy Wade, Earl Balmer, Darel Dieringer, Cale Yarborough, Gordon Johncock, Lee Roy Yarborough, Sam McQuagg, Curtis Turner, Bobby Allison, Dan Gurney, Tiny Lund, Dick Brooks, Donnie Allison, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Issac, George Folmer, Buddy Baker, Benny Parson, Dale Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd, Brett Bodine, Morgan Shepherd, Geoff Bodine, Lake Speed, Dick Trickle, Wally Dallenbach Jr., Larry Pearson, and Greg Sacks all piloted cars for Moore. With a roster that impressive, his impact on many forms of racing can clearly be seen.
A World War II veteran, Moore joined the Army in 1943 and as part of the 90th Infantry Division, made a D-Day landing on Utah Beach. Moore would eventually end his military service highly decorated, earning 5 Purple Hearts, and 2 Bronze Stars. Returning from his service duty, Bud did what many veterans of the day did and sought something exciting to replace the ho-hum existence of life back home. He ventured into motorsports and never looked back. Once saying “I’m a country mechanic that loved to make ’em run fast”, he certainly lived up to that throughout his career. Moore was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. In addition his on-track success, his impact on the people in the sport will be his most lasting legacy. He will be sorely missed…
