Clyde Baker was the race superintendent for the Valley County Fair from 1929-1951 and was instrumental in making the Ord, Neb., track a venue where many of the sports greatest drivers raced. The track he helped create was a challenging high-banked half-mile with long chutes resulting in high speeds. Baker’s forte’ was his rapport with the racing community. He always treated the racers fairly and honestly, creating an atmosphere where the sport’s best wanted to race. It was through his tireless effort that men such as Johnny Gerber, Lloyd Axel, Joie Chitwood, Gus Schrader and Bobby Grim in the Big Cars (now known as Sprint Cars), plus Harry McQuinn, Lloyd Ruby, Jud Larson and Bobby Parker in the Midgets began their careers. Many more traveled our country’s roads to race at Ord. Baker always made the racers feel welcome in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Baker was inducted into the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2006.