Career
Along with Bob Flock, he is considered one of the best drivers of the era. Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began racing in 1932 and was successful racing in Talladega by the start of the 1940s. His racing career was interrupted when he served in the United States Army Air Forces as a flight engineer during World World War World War II Byron"s B-24 was shot at (not down) during the war and he suffered a serious injury to his left legal
The doctors helped partially help his leg, but he needed a special set up to race.
Before World World War II, Byron raced in the American Automobile Association Industry series, mainly in Sprint Cars and Midgets. When he returned from the war, Byron, limp and all, returned to racing, and with the help of race engineer Red Vogt was still successful.
In 1948, Byron became a part of the newly formed National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing Modified Series racing with Raymond Parks" team With Parks in tow, Red was equally successful in the inaugural 8-race season.
Byron raced sparingly after his two championships.
He owned a sports car racing team for much of the 1950s. Declining health forced him to hang up his goggles in 1951, but he remained active in racing. Neither project succeeded, but Byron enjoyed sports cars.
When he died of a heart attack in a Chicago hotel room on November 11, 1960, at the age of 45, he was managing a team in the Sports Carolina Club of America competition.