Before Jerry Was A Race Car Driver, Bud Camden was a race car driver!

It's not commonly known if Primus' Jerry ever raced his car around town while dressed only in his union suit. But Wyland “Bud” Camden certainly did. At the West Side Speedway in Wichita, Kansas on September 7, 1941 race car drivers stripped to their one-piece long underwear during the “Underwear Derby!” This Saturday night novelty race was also known as the “Striptease Race.” Camden was the second favorite driver behind Emmett Taylor.

Each race that night consisted of two drivers who quickly drove their cars around the track for two laps. Screaching to a halt, the men exited their cars and were required to strip down to their union suits before getting back into their cars to continue the race. 

Bud Camden takes off his clothes except for his union suit and steps into his race car during the "Underwear Derby." Emmet Taylor is partially shown in his white union suit just over Camden's left shoulder. 

Driving around for two more laps in their long underwear, the men stopped once again, ran from their cars to where they had left their clothes and speedily got dressed again. To complete the Underwear Derby, the men then had to run the final lap around the race track on foot. 

Bud Camden Hops into his Car
wearing just his Union Suit! 

Camden was the fastest man to drive, strip, drive some more, dress, and then run to the finish line ahead of all the other drivers that night. Taylor was disqualified possibly because his rear drop seat became unbuttoned, but that is purely conjecture.