Dick Baty enjoyed a lifelong passion for cars, engines, and going fast. He began his racing career on the
Julesburg Drag Strip in 1956, and continued quarter-mile competition after a stint in the U.S. Army. Dick
drove a chopped 1935 Chevy D/Altered Coupe and 27 Model T roadster, both powered by 6-cylinder
engines, to some impressive E.T.’s and class wins that resulted in the 1961 D/Altered class title at
Continental Divide Raceway.
Dick started racing modifieds on Colorado Springs and Denver area oval tracks in 1964, driving the #44
car owned by Johnnie Carlson and equipped with the GMC 6-cylinder motor he had used in his drag car.
He built his own car later that season, constructing a 1934 Chevy with another 6-cylinder engine he
built. Success in the modified division grew quickly for Dick. He considered Englewood Speedway to be
his favorite track , and was the place where many of his most cherished racing memories took place. He
set the Englewood track record in his division in 1968, then set the national record for 1/3 mile tracks on
the same night. Englewood Speedway was also the site of a major crash that injured his back and closed
Dick’s driving career in 1970.
Over his 16-year career in the Englewood modifieds, the name of Dick Baty was instantly recognized by
the legions of fans who attended the weekly racing program at the speedway. He was known for racing
hard and clean, and was always available to lend a hand when someone need to get a car back on the
track after a crash or mechanical problem.
He remained active in the sport for years after he stepped away from the driver’s seat, serving on the
Board of Directors for the Englewood Racing Association and Denver Timing Association, as well as
mentoring young drivers as they entered the sport and helping former competitors continue their racing
careers. He sponsored several cars, including Roger Avants’ Figure-8 car from 1972 to 1976, and owned
the #78 Midget driven by Dave Crocker to great success. In both cases, Dick was instrumental in the
advanced the careers of future Hall of Fame drivers.
His professional life was spent building a successful auto repair business, which fed his ongoing love of
hot rods, race cars, and motorcycles. Dick’s post-racing years were filled with building, repairing, and
maintaining a number of street rods, including his beloved 1955 Chevy Nomad. Dick passed away in
December of 2009, and the huge number of friends and fans that attended his memorial was a fitting
tribute to this talented and humble man.
We now recognize his many career accomplishments as we enthusiastically welcome Dick Baty into the
Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2022.
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