Flookie Buford 2002 Inductee into the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame
Nashville, TN (Monday, December 28, 2020) – Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway (NFS) would like to extend condolences to the family of Speedway legend, James ‘Flookie’ Buford. Buford, of Franklin, Tennessee, was a fan favorite at The Fairgrounds Nashville during the 60s and 70s, winning races around the region.
It has been reported that Flookie had won feature races in every division he had competed in at NFS from Late Models to Figure-8s. Buford won the Late Model Track Championship in 1971 and 1972 and was inducted into the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame in 2002 alongside another resident and fan favorite from Franklin, Tennessee, Darrell Waltrip.
Current Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame Chairman, Donnie Redd, offered his condolences saying, “My thoughts and prayers with the family, an awesome driver and friend. May he rest in peace.”
Support of the Buford family poured in on social media late Sunday evening.
@RaceFairgrounds lost a legend last night. 2-time champ Flookie Buford passed away. Also won championships in 2 other divisions in the 60s. And such a nice man. Big supporter of old-timer events. RIP Champ and prayers for the family. pic.twitter.com/iEL9Z50lZx
— Russ Thompson (@Calhoun98) December 27, 2020
Saddened to learn of the passing of Flookie Buford. Flookie was @RaceFairgrounds 1967 Figure 8 champion & 1971-72 Late Model Sportsman champion. pic.twitter.com/m7phglu560
— toomuchcountry (@toomuchcountry) December 27, 2020
Franklin racing legend James "Flookie" Buford passed away last night. A member of the first Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame, Buford shares HOF honors with his son, Joe (C/O '09), the track's winningest driver, and his wife Lily (C/O '20). Grandson Cody also won races at NFS.
— Joe T Williams (@joe_t_williams) December 27, 2020
Miranda Buford, representing the Buford family on social media, thanked the Nashville racing community for the outreach, in a social media post reading in part, “Thank you on behalf of Lillie and our entire family. Your prayers and kind words are appreciated during this difficult time.”
Service will be held at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home in Spring Hill, TN. Visitation is Tuesday (12/29/2020) from 4:00pm until 8:00pm CT. The funeral service is Wednesday (12/30/2020) at 12:00pm CT. In lieu of flowers, the Buford family is asking for donations to support the Dementia Society of America.
By: Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
Photo: via Twitter @tomuchcountry