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...... was a surprise celebration and going-away party for Buz held at
the
Palmetto Club on February 25, 2007.
Well attended by over a hundred of Buz's friends, racing
buddies, business associates and a great family, a fun time was had by
all with bench racin', great music by the "Back-Yard Birds"
(Really the Killer B's), Rob, Richie
& RJ,
and of course, all of the McKim food!
Send your stories or pictures
HERE for inclusion on this page,
or simply go to the Buz Blog and post.
(L-R) Roland Via, Buz, Seated Mr. &
Mrs. Tim Sullivan
looking over a Houston Lawing 1953 Speed Sport Directory
The "Buz Saw"
(Buz
Facts from his Mom Alma)
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His
very pregnant Mother (Alma) was in the
stands at Morristown, N.J. Speedway a
few days before he was born
-
Had we known he would have the love of
racing & NASCAR history, would have
named him "A.J." instead of Buz?
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At
the tender age of 3, his Aunt gave him
his first race car- a bright yellow #3
pedal car
-
While living in Pa. at the age of 8, his
Dad (Bob) bought him a 1/4 midget which
he raced at Phoenixville Raceway. Race?
He just kinda chased the other cars.
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Buz
moved to South Florida in 1961. His dad
became track announcer at Hollywood
Speedway. Buz saw the Allison brothers
competing against each other, being at
the track every Saturday night.
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Buz got to know Randy Tissott and
crew in South Florida.
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Moved to south Daytona February 1965.
Two days after moving in, Randy & crew
arrived with a stock car and stayed with
us, then ran the Daytona 500. The rest
for Buz, they say, is history.
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Buz met Bill Tuthill in 1966, who owned
the Museum of Speed in South Daytona and
was a founding father of NASCAR. Buz and
his brother Bobby became good friends
with Bill, who allowed them access to
the files at any time. They spent all
their time at the museum, where the huge
Bluebird was on display, and the boys
found respect for racing history.
-
Buz's dad Bob, worked for the partners
of the New Smyrna Speedway doing public
relations and track announcing. Bob also
announced for the Ocala, Barberville
(Volusia Speedway Park) and Deland
Raceway. Buz and Bobby were at the track
every weekend.
-
At age 16, Dad bought Buz a stock car,
which dad and the boys worked on. At age
17, Buz raced (and we use that word
loosely) at Deland Raceway.
-
May
1969, the boys were invited to Marvin
Panch's home for Richie's birthday. On
the way to the party they had an
accident. Bobby died 11 days later at
the hospital.
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Deland Raceway drivers voted to have the
year-end race as a Bobby McKim memorial.
What a tribute to a 15 year-old boy! Buz
drove in the race that was won by Holly
Hill's Larry Flynn.
-
While Buz was on vacation in New Jersey,
he had the honor of driving Uncle Joe
Ramm's stock car at the Flemington fair
grounds. Let's just say, it did not go
too well.......
-
Buz decided that racing was not for him
and his dad sold the racecar (Mom
relaxes at last!)
-
Buz
designed the paint jobs for Benny
Parsons and David Pearson's racecars.
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Buz did the artwork for the Indianapolis
yearbook and designed the brochure for
Talladega Speedway.
-
Buz
started his racing art, selling signed
prints of race drivers and cars. Mark
Martin appeared on QVC promoting his own
painting done by Buz. His original
artwork is on display in various NASCAR
locations.
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He worked part time at NASCAR archives
with his sister Patt. On January 1999,
he was promoted to the ISC archives
department, originally on Ballough Road
before moving to Fentress. Through Buz's
love of NASCAR history and his skills,
he was able to organize the archives
into a vital part of ISC and NASCAR.
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September 2003, he was promoted to
NASCAR as Coordinator of Statistical
Services.
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January, 2007, Buz was announced as the
first Historian for the NASCAR Hall of
Fame in Charlotte, NC.
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