Byrd, Dave
Name/Title
Byrd, DaveEntry/Object ID
2025.1.70Description
Dave Byrd of Los Gatos, California, was one of the top West Coast Late Model Stock Car drivers of the early 1980s. He was a standout in the Winston Racing Series Pacific Coast Region, where NASCAR tracked weekly short‑track performance across dozens of tracks. Byrd had his breakout season in 1983, winning the Pacific Coast Region championship with 17 wins in 55 starts, outrunning well‑known West Coast racers like Jim Pettit II and Doug Williams. That same year, he was track champion at Antioch Fairgrounds Speedway and also earned Winston Racing Series track honors at Watsonville Fairgrounds Speedway, making him one of the most successful weekly racers in California. Byrd was known for being fast, consistent, and extremely active — running multiple tracks each week, which was essential for scoring Winston Racing Series points. He had finished second in the region the previous year, showing that his 1983 title wasn’t a fluke but the peak of a steady climb. Drivers like Byrd formed the backbone of NASCAR’s regional racing system: highly skilled short‑track specialists who rarely chased national touring series but dominated their local circuits. His success at Antioch and Watsonville places him among the most accomplished California Late Model drivers of his era.Collection
Dr. Frederick A. Simeone Founder CollectionCategory
Race Car Drivers