Former NASCAR team owner William Baumgardner Jr. passed away on January 13, 2025. Better known by the name Bill Baumgardner, the 77-year-old made a name for himself despite running a small team in the Busch (Xfinity) and the Cup Series. His team BACE Motorsports won three consecutive Busch Series titles from 1995 to 1997.

He left a legacy for himself and a blueprint for smaller organizations and teams to follow. The BACE Motorsports was operational from 1993 to 2005 and along with three championship triumphs, they bagged 16 Busch Series victories to their name. The team was famous among the NASCAR community when it reached new heights with its iconic No. 74 car.

“RIP Bill Baumgardner, the owner of BACE Motorsports, who died last week at 77. Baumgardner won three-straight @NASCAR_Xfinity titles from 1995-97, first with Johnny Benson and then with Randy LaJoie. He also went Cup racing in 2003 with Tony Raines.” Steve Taranto shared this update on X. BACE Motorsport temporarily shut down their operations in 2005 without notable sponsorship support. They were looking to make a comeback as soon as they had funds and new sponsors, but they sold their equipment to Kevin Harvick Incorporated.

Despite being a small racing organization, BACE went against the top teams and even dominated the Busch Series for multiple seasons. Like any successful team, they garnered a good fan following over the years, and a whole bunch of them turned up to send their condolences on the passing of owner Bill Baumgardner. They couldn’t help but relive the glory days of the team and celebrate the legacy of the #74 team.

Fans recall their special memories of BACE Motorsport on the passing of Bill Baumgardner

Drivers like Johny Benson, Randy LaJoie, and Tony Rainer were the ones who piloted the No. 74 car during the heydays of the team. But, for some fans, the time when Chad Little took the ride remains memorable even to this day. The No. 74 Chevy was in service from 1993 right until the last days of BACE in 2004, so it does hold a special place in the hearts of NASCAR fans. “I rooted for Benson, Lajoie, and Chad Little in the legendary 74. RIP Mr. B!”

Bill Baumgardner embodied the very idea of how passionate team owners were back in the day. An entrepreneur at heart, he was always on the lookout for building something big and started his company, StaffAmerica Corp., in 1985, which in turn fueled his ambitions to enter NASCAR racing. Moreover, he will be remembered for guiding a small but passionate team to Busch Series glory, thus inspiring future generations to embark on similar journeys. “My deepest condolences and prayers are with his family and friends 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️”

Although Rany LaJoie’s #74 car is one of the most popular ones from the BACE Motorsports’ era, fans do remember different paint schemes and associations with sponsors. Sharing his fond memories of celebrating BACE, this fan wrote, “I’ll always remember that white Speed Racer #74.”

Not only the Busch Series but there were some notable races that stood out for fans at the time when they entered Cup racing. Tony Raines’s P6 finish at Rockingham Speedway was his career-best finish, with Bill Elliott winning the event and Matt Kenseth clinching the championship. This was the 35th race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. “RIP Mr. Bill Tony Raines in that 2003 fall Rockingham race was something special. Great fight for a small team.”

Bill Baumgardner’s story is indeed inspiring; you need not always have to be the top dogs in NASCAR racing, such as the Penske or the Hendrick. Even a small passionate group can reach the highest of highs of NASCAR racing, and Baumgardner certainly made this dream possible with the #74 car. This is why the NASCAR community will remember him for years to come for his contribution and passion for stock car racing. “Great Car Owner & a Great Guy RIP.”