The Red Bryon's real name was Robert "Red" Byron and he was born March 12, 1915. He was the first driver to win NASCAR Sprint Cup in 1949 - the first NASCAR race.

The Red Byron - first winner of the NASCAR race on Daytona Beach

Byron was born in Colorado but moved to Anniston, Alabama when he was young. He started his successful racing career, at only 17 year of age, competing in races held in Talledega. When the second world war broke out he served in the Air Force as a flight engineer on a B-24 bomber. Unfortunately his plane was shot down and he suffered a very serious leg injury that would leave him with a limp.

In 1948 Byron began racing in the new NASCAR Modified Series and then went on to complete in the Strictly Stock series which is now the Sprint Cup.

By 1951 Byron's health was beginning to decline and he decided to no longer race. He joined several car related projects trying to develop a car to win the Grand Prix, neither of which were successful.

Whilst Byron was managing the Sports Car Club of America on November 11, 1960 Byron suffered a heart attack and died.

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Red Byron - Wikipedia
NASCAR Website
Red Byron - Grant W Cooper