Billy Carden
Encyclopedia
Billy Carden was a NASCAR
Grand National driver from Mableton
, Georgia
, USA
. He was a stock car racing pioneer and an early NASCAR competitor.
and the 1959 Daytona 500
which were seen as the major events of his generation. After the end of his career, total career earnings for this driver were considered to be $8,415 ($ in today's money). Out of all his races that he has participated in his career, Carden has started an average of 13th place and finished an average of 18th place.
Carden was a legend on the tracks around Georgia. He began racing in 1947 alongside the likes of Bob and Fonty Flock
and Ed Samples. He won championships at Chattanooga and Nashville (both in Tennessee) as well as at Huntsville and Birmingham (both in Alabama. Mr. Billy also picked up a series of wins and titles all over the state of Georgia including many at the legendary Peach Bowl in Atlanta. But perhaps his most memorable win came right at home. In 1950, Carden won the longest ever event to be held at the famed Lakewood Speedway
in Atlanta, a 200-lap event officially sponsored by the AAA
. Carden was also an occasional competitor on NASCAR’s famed convertible circuit in the late 1950s. There, he recorded one win in 1958 at Columbia, South Carolina. That was the race where he outdistanced a NASCAR champion by the name of Lee Petty
for the victory. Carden out-dueled another NASCAR champion by the name of Red Byron
for the win in a race that lasted well over three hours.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National driver from Mableton
Mableton, Georgia
Mableton is a census-designated place in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 37,115.It was named for Robert Mable, who in 1843 bought 300 acres of land on September 11...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He was a stock car racing pioneer and an early NASCAR competitor.
History
Carden has contributed four finishes in the top five, seventeen finishes in the top ten, starting the race at the pole position twice, 58 laps led, and 6431.8 miles (7951 laps) of racing experience at the top level. He was a participant at both the 1955 Southern 5001955 Southern 500
The 1955 Southern 500 was a NASCAR Grand National racing event that took place on September 5, 1955 at the Darlington Raceway in the American community of Darlington, South Carolina. This race officially spanned on a paved oval track...
and the 1959 Daytona 500
1959 Daytona 500
The 1959 First Annual 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona was the second race of the 1959 NASCAR Grand National season. It was held on February 22, 1959, in front of 41,921 spectators...
which were seen as the major events of his generation. After the end of his career, total career earnings for this driver were considered to be $8,415 ($ in today's money). Out of all his races that he has participated in his career, Carden has started an average of 13th place and finished an average of 18th place.
Carden was a legend on the tracks around Georgia. He began racing in 1947 alongside the likes of Bob and Fonty Flock
Fonty Flock
Truman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
and Ed Samples. He won championships at Chattanooga and Nashville (both in Tennessee) as well as at Huntsville and Birmingham (both in Alabama. Mr. Billy also picked up a series of wins and titles all over the state of Georgia including many at the legendary Peach Bowl in Atlanta. But perhaps his most memorable win came right at home. In 1950, Carden won the longest ever event to be held at the famed Lakewood Speedway
Lakewood Speedway
Lakewood Speedway was a race track located south of Atlanta, Georgia, in Lakewood, Georgia, just north of the eastern arm of Langford Parkway . The track held many kinds of races between 1919 and 1979, including events sanctioned by AAA/USAC, IMCA, and NASCAR. It was a one-mile dirt track which...
in Atlanta, a 200-lap event officially sponsored by the AAA
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
. Carden was also an occasional competitor on NASCAR’s famed convertible circuit in the late 1950s. There, he recorded one win in 1958 at Columbia, South Carolina. That was the race where he outdistanced a NASCAR champion by the name of Lee Petty
Lee Petty
Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
for the victory. Carden out-dueled another NASCAR champion by the name of Red Byron
Red Byron
Robert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
for the win in a race that lasted well over three hours.