Billy Standridge facts for kids

William Gerald Standridge (born November 27, 1953 – died April 12, 2014) was an American stock car racing driver. He loved racing and competed in two big NASCAR series: the Winston Cup Series (which is now called the Cup Series) and the Busch Series (now the Xfinity Series).

Billy Standridge's Racing Journey

Billy Standridge was born in Shelby, North Carolina. He started his racing journey in a series called the Goody's Dash Series. This was a great way for him to learn and get faster.

Starting in the Busch Series

In 1986, Billy began racing in the NASCAR Busch Series. This series is often a stepping stone for drivers hoping to reach the top level. He raced his own Pontiac car and finished 14th in a big race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Over the next few years, Billy raced part-time in the Busch Series. He managed to finish in the top ten five times out of 84 races. His last race in this series was in 1993.

Moving to the Winston Cup Series

In 1994, Billy moved up to the Winston Cup Series, which is NASCAR's highest level. He raced in his first Cup Series event at North Carolina Speedway. Unfortunately, he crashed and finished 42nd.

That year, he raced in seven more Cup Series events. His best finish was 24th at the Southern 500 race. He even got sponsorship from popular brands like WCW and Dura Lube. The next year, he had an even better finish, coming in 14th at Darlington.

Racing His Own Team

After racing for another team for a couple of years, Billy decided to start his own racing team. He drove the #47 Ford Thunderbird. It was special because he got sponsorship from a website called Jayski and even from fans who donated money! He was one of the last drivers to use the Ford Thunderbird car. Most other teams had switched to the newer Taurus model by 1998.

Billy's Last Races

Billy's very last race was the Pepsi 400 in 1998. Sadly, his engine broke down early in the race. He tried to qualify for one more race in 1999, but his car wasn't fast enough.

Outside of racing, Billy owned an auto-parts store in his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina.

Later Life and Passing

In March 2014, Billy was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away on April 12, 2014, at his home in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Billy was survived by his wife, five children, and seven grandchildren.

Racing Career Highlights

Billy Standridge competed in various NASCAR series throughout his career.

NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Billy raced in the top-tier NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He made 23 starts over seven years. While he didn't win any races, he showed great determination.

Daytona 500 results

The Daytona 500 is one of the most famous races in NASCAR. Here's how Billy did in his attempts to race in it:

NASCAR Busch Series

Billy raced in the NASCAR Busch Series for eight years, making 84 starts. He achieved five top-ten finishes, showing his skill and consistency in this competitive series.

ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series

Before and during his NASCAR career, Billy also raced in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series. This series is known for helping drivers gain experience on different types of tracks.