RED BYRON

November 11

 

1960: Red Byron, who suffered a serious leg injury in World War II but went on to become NASCAR’s first Cup champion in 1949, died on Veterans Day 50 years ago at age 45. Byron also won the first NASCAR championship in 1948. He was inducted into the National Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1966 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2008. In 1998 he was selected as one NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers.