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With so much focus on the Rookies of late, my mind tends wander back in time to the Rookies of my earlier NASCAR memories. Sometimes one finds those that make you wonder what might have been.
Billy Wade from Houston, TX first appeared on the NASCAR circuit in 1962 running four races and finishing in the top 10 twice. Billy was by today’s standard no young gun at 32 years of age but times were different back then for those breaking into the NASCAR spotlight. Wade’s star shone brightly the next season as Billy won Rookie of the Year honors easily by amassing 14 top ten finishes including a second. He ran 36 of the 54 races that year and finished 16th in the championship points race.
In 1964 he moved to Bud Moore’s team and became a legitimate championship contender. During the tour’s “northern swing” he collected four consecutive checkers winning at Old Bridge, NJ; Bridgehampton, NY; Islip, NY; and Watkins Glen. Billy became the first driver in NASCAR history to post four consecutive victories.
Billy finished fourth in the championship hunt that year with his four wins and 25 top ten finishes. Billy started 35 of that year’s 61 race schedule. It was to be the only four wins of Billy’s short career. Wade was slated to once again pilot Bud’s car for the 1965 season and was considered to have a decent shot at capturing the crown.
Tragedy struck on January 5, 1965. Billy was killed at Daytona when a tire blew on his car during a Goodyear tire test. The car veered up the 32-degree banking and hit the wall hard enough to leave a distinct imprint. The car never turned over or caught fire, but the right side was pulverized and the car's dashboard was left in a V-shape. Wade was pronounced dead, at Halifax Hospital, of massive head and internal injuries. Wade had just completed a lap at 170 Mph.
Billy Wade from Houston, TX first appeared on the NASCAR circuit in 1962 running four races and finishing in the top 10 twice. Billy was by today’s standard no young gun at 32 years of age but times were different back then for those breaking into the NASCAR spotlight. Wade’s star shone brightly the next season as Billy won Rookie of the Year honors easily by amassing 14 top ten finishes including a second. He ran 36 of the 54 races that year and finished 16th in the championship points race.
In 1964 he moved to Bud Moore’s team and became a legitimate championship contender. During the tour’s “northern swing” he collected four consecutive checkers winning at Old Bridge, NJ; Bridgehampton, NY; Islip, NY; and Watkins Glen. Billy became the first driver in NASCAR history to post four consecutive victories.
Billy finished fourth in the championship hunt that year with his four wins and 25 top ten finishes. Billy started 35 of that year’s 61 race schedule. It was to be the only four wins of Billy’s short career. Wade was slated to once again pilot Bud’s car for the 1965 season and was considered to have a decent shot at capturing the crown.
Tragedy struck on January 5, 1965. Billy was killed at Daytona when a tire blew on his car during a Goodyear tire test. The car veered up the 32-degree banking and hit the wall hard enough to leave a distinct imprint. The car never turned over or caught fire, but the right side was pulverized and the car's dashboard was left in a V-shape. Wade was pronounced dead, at Halifax Hospital, of massive head and internal injuries. Wade had just completed a lap at 170 Mph.