Billy Myers

William Wade "Billy" Myers (October 19, 1924 – April 12, 1958) was an American stock car racing driver who drove from 1949 to 1951. He competed in the NASCAR Grand National Series, from 1951 to 1958.

Myers was known for his success at Bowman Gray Stadium and won the NASCAR Sportsman Division Championship in 1955. Throughout his career he also competed in the NASCAR Modified Division and NASCAR Convertible Series.

Early life William Wade Myers was born on October 19, 1924, to his parents John R. Myers and Flonnie Wade Myers in Harrison County, West Virginia. His younger brother was fellow NASCAR driver Bobby Myers.

Racing career

Bowman Gray Stadium Myers first started getting involved in racing during the late 1940s, following in the footsteps of his younger brother Bobby, who had already made a name for himself at their local track Bowman Gray Stadium. Myers had served as his mechanic for his brother prior to starting his own racing career. During his early career, Myers earned the nickname "Mr. Bowman Gray" as he won the modified championship at the stadium three times in 1951, 1953 and 1955. In total, he won 22 Modified and Sportsman races at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Myers made his debut in the NASCAR Grand National Division in 1951, finishing eighth at Asheville-Weaverville Speedway. He then drove at both Detroit and Darlington for Hubert Westmoreland claiming an 18th-place finish in the Southern 500. Myers started driving the R. G. Shelton's #22 Hudson, Martinsville Speedway, finishing 3rd. He closed the year out with an 18th-place finish at North Wilkesboro and a 17th-place finish at Speedway Park.

During the 1956 season, Myers raced 42 out 56 events. On December 11, 1955, he picked a third-place finish at West Palm Beach, along with finishing runner up at the Daytona Beach course of February 26, 1956. During the second race of the season at West Palm Beach on March 4, Myers picked up his first NASCAR Grand National Division race victory. He finished runner up two more times at North Wilkesboro and Hickory. He won his only pole at Soldier's Field however he ended up finishing 17th after losing his brakes. Myers claimed another second-place finish at North Carolina and Road America at Elkhart Lakes, Wisconsin. He won his second race of the year at Norfolk Speedway on August 22. He closed out the year with another second-place finish at Coastal Speedway and Southern States Fairgrounds at Charlotte, North Carolina, and finished sixth overall in the standings with 13 top-fives and 22 top-tens. His final two races in NASCARs Grand National Division came at Daytona and Concord in 1958.

Personal life Myers was married to his wife Arlene, together they had a son named Gary, who raced in the NASCAR Cup Series. His nephew Danny "Chocolate" Myers, later became involved in NASCAR, serving as the gasman on the famous "Flying Aces" pit crew of Richard Childress Racing and seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion Dale Earnhardt.