Houston, Texas born Billy Wade made an early name for himself around the various tracks of The Lone Star State. In 10 years of competition he won several state championships as well as trying his hand in both open wheel and sports cars.
He made his NASCAR debut in 1962 driving in just three “Grand National” races. In 1963 he landed a full time NASCAR drive as the second driver in the Cotton Owens team. He easily won the “Rookie Of The Year” award with 14, top 10 finishes.
The following year he drove for Bud Moore winning 4 consecutive races in the July of that year. His season ending tally included an additional 25 top 10 finishes and 5 pole awards.
Billy Wade was killed tire testing at Daytona International Speedway on the 5th January, 1965. He was testing the, then new, inner liner race tires, that are still used in NASCAR today.
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[…] If you’re jonesin’ til the next season of Nascar begins, check out this NASCAR blog to get yourself worked up into a lather over the latest news and Nascar events. I thought that this entry about Billy Wade was neat - check out that 1964 Mercury! Man, Nascar vehicles sure have changed in the past 40 years. It’s interesting that he died testing the very same tires that are in use today. I also noticed this entry about Nascar making an appearance in an Archie comic book. My kids have a bunch of Archies laying around, I wonder if they read that one? […]
Does anybody have any family information on him, did he have brothers named Albert or Fleetwood?
Michael I saw your message by accident but I do have an response for you. Billy Wade had a few siblings one of witch was my grandfather Lloyd T Wade. I can ask my mother more if you would like to know. You can reach me at reilandmotorsports@hotmail.com.
I would have swept the floors of his garage to be involved with him racing. He was married to my aunt and she is the “best”!
For some reason I can barely read the information above.
My name is Rhonda Richards and I am the youngest daughter of the late Billy Wade. I have a nine (9) year old son who I named after my Father. His name is Billy Wade Richards. (Motocross Racer)
My cousin recently informed me of this site and I would appreciate any and all communications as I have tried to keep up with information over the years.
This is absolutely amazing to me and I have so enjoyed throughout my life reading and researching my Fathers achievements. He was a Legend. I’m so PROUD of my Father.
I have been to the Darlington 500 where I met up with Junior Johnson on Pit Row before the race. He told me that my Father was not only a good man on the track but as well off the track. He was a family man indeed and Loved his wife and girls.
I was treated like a Queen. As well, twice to Spartanburg South Carolina to explore Bud Moore Engineering and Racing Associations and have personally met and stayed at the home of Bud and Betty Moore. God Bless Them Both, my mother still gets Christmas Cards every year and as well from Cotton & Dot Owens. However, while out that way, I didn’t get to meet with the Owens.
Dale Moore (PR) picked me up and showed me around. It was amazing. You could have eaten a steak dinner with A-1 right off the garage floor. SPOTLESS! The Moore Family is just plain ole good ole country layed back wide open country folks. I will NEVER forget both trips that I was able to make. SpeedHeaven, Rhonda
Billy won every race during the NASCAR’s “Northern Tour”. The tracks raced were: Bridgehampton, Long Island, Islip Speedway, Long Island, Watkins Glen, New York. I was at the race at Bridgehampton where he beat Ricard Petty after Petty’s car broke down. The track was a road course and those big American cars looked like trucks on the course. Billy was a great driver and I was glad I saw him race. His death was a tragedy.
Rhonda,
I stumbled across this thread while looking for old info on Meyer speedway. You may not remember me, but I lived on Ripplebrook for a few years when you were probably a tad older than your son! We moved into a home a few years after your father’s passing. As kids, I remember you telling me your father passed by racing cars but I truly did not comprehend who he was and his accomplishments. Not only was he successful, but by reading what as been posted on him, he appears to have been a decent person as well.
I’m glad you have been able to find more info on your father. The internet is a good tool when used right. Anyway, take care shoot me an email when you get the chance.
kerry@doublekproductions.com
Hi Rhonda,
I too stumbled across this website. I knew your father, he drove for my dad “back in the day”. I have two versions of my website.
http://home.earthlink.net/~snyayers/earlystockcars/index.html
http://sonny296.homeserver.com/oldstockcars/
Sonny Ayers
My uncle’s raced with Billy Wade at Playland Park and Meyerland Speedway. The one that built the cars name was Tim Cates. There were a couple of my great uncles involved, Bud Cates, Sam Cates and my Dad, Tim’s brother, known as Peto. My dad said the best driver he ever saw, and that included A J Foyt, was Billy Wade. My uncle’s car was the red over white #1 with Franks Ice House for a sponcer. They won a lot of races’, but Billy won more in the later years. When i was little, i loved his # 53.
Hi cousins Rhonda, Cheryl, Melinda and Vikki!
Not really cousins, but when I was little I thought your dad was my uncle. He was so much a part of the Lacy family!
There’s lots more about Billy and others from Playland and Meyer in the forums of Texas Speedzone at TXSZ.com.
Check it out when you get a chance.
How can i send some pictures from playland park?