Arrington, Buddy
Name/Title
Arrington, BuddyEntry/Object ID
2025.1.30Description
Buddy Arrington (1938–2022) was a quintessential NASCAR independent—born July 26, 1938, in Martinsville, Virginia, and passing away there on August 2, 2022. His long career in the NASCAR Cup Series spanned 25 years and 560 starts, making him one of the sport’s most enduring privateer drivers. Arrington never won a Cup race, giving him the second‑most starts without a victory, but he earned 103 top‑ten finishes, including a standout third place at Talladega in 1979, where he briefly led late in the race. He finished in the top ten in season points twice—ninth in 1978 and seventh in 1982—despite running on a shoestring budget with volunteer crew members and heavily used equipment. His loyalty to Mopar machinery became his trademark; he continued racing Chryslers and Dodges long after factory support ended, often relying on cast‑off Petty Enterprises cars and re‑skinned bodies to stay competitive. After retiring from driving in 1988, Arrington remained deeply connected to motorsports. His son, Joey Arrington, built Arrington Manufacturing in Martinsville, a performance‑engine and racing‑technology business that grew out of the family’s long experience building engines for Buddy’s independent team. His legacy endures as one of the last true independents—resourceful, determined, and admired for competing against factory‑backed giants on grit alone.Collection
Simeone - PhotographCategory
Race Car Drivers