JAMES KENNETH "BUDDY" PARROTT - 11/24/1939
Parrott's career began in 1968 when he became a tire changer for Huggins Tire, a Goodyear distributor. Buddy began his career in Cup in June 1970 as a mechanic and tire carrier for legendary crew chief Harry Hyde. In 1970, Parrott worked under Harry Hyde for Bobby Isaac. Parrott worked for Hyde's #71 team through 1974, then in 1975 he became the crew chief for Ferrel Harris. In 1977 he was hired by DiGard Motorsports. He worked under David Ifft as crew chief for Darrell Waltrip. In May 1977, following victory at the Winston 500, Ifft left the team and Parrott was promoted to full-time crew chief. The combination became one of the strongest in Winston Cup racing as Waltrip and Parrott won ten races in the 1977-1978 seasons including the 1979 World 600. In 1979, Waltrip finished a close second in points and won seven races; again winning the World 600. After winning four races in the first half of 1980, Parrott was fired from the DiGard team; he finished the season with the Harry Ranier team and driver Buddy Baker. Parrott was hired by Charlotte medical doctor Ron Benfield as crew chief for a team he had formed for 1981. For three seasons Parrott was crew chief of Benfield's #98 race cars driven by Johnny Rutherford, Morgan Shepherd, Rusty Wallace and Joe Ruttman. In 1984, Parrott was
hired by Mike Curb to be Richard Petty's crew chief. Parrott and Petty won at Dover, and was chief for Petty's 200th career victory in the 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. From 1985-1987 Parrott was hired by owner Eric Freedlander to lead his driver Tommy Ellis who raced part time. They had little success as they were only able to post four Top 10 finishes over that span. In 1985 Parrott joined Derrick Cope of Bob Whitcomb Racing's team, and helped him win the 1990 Daytona 500. In 1992 Parrott led Ted Musgrave for 20 events for owner Ray Dewitt. They only posted one Top 5. In 1993, Parrott was reunited with Wallace at Penske Racing, winning and amazing 10 races together their first season. They also has 19 Top 5’s but finished second in the points. 1994 saw them win eight events; but falling to third in the points that season. In 1995 he joined Diamond Ridge Motorsports to work with Steve Grissom. However, Parrott left the team citing business disagreements with owner Gary Bechtel. In 1996, he joined Jeff Burton's crew, and they had six Top 5 finishes. In 1997 he helped Burton win the inaugural race at Texas Motor Speedway. Later that season, Parrott was fined $20,000 by NASCAR for improperly mounted roof flaps prior to the Winston 500 at Talladega. They went on to win three races that season and finish fourth in points. In 1998, he became the team manager for Mark Martin's Roush Racing team. At California Speedway that year, Parrott tripped over cords in the pit box, fracturing his ribs, but still celebrated Martin's victory in the 1998 California 500. He remained with the team until his retirement in 2001 after 34 years of service. For his career Parrott collected 49 wins. He had wins in World 600 (1978, 1979); and the Daytona 500 (1990). His drivers finished twice in the CUP points (1979 & 1993).
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