Chocolate Myers
Danny "Chocolate" Myers (born October 17, 1948 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an American stock car racing personality. A long-time staffer for Richard Childress Racing, he was the fueler on six of the team's NASCAR championships (Dale Earnhardt Sr., 1986–87, 1990–91, 1993–94) and is the current curator of the team's museum. He is a radio host on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Racing career
Chocolate Myers worked as the fueler for Richard Childress Racing's #3 and later #29 team from 1976 until 2002.[1] He was part of the "Flying Aces" crew that was named the NASCAR pit crew of the year from 1985 until 1988.[1] During the 20 years as an over-the-wall crew member, Chocolate and team owner Richard Childress visited victory lane 84 times, including the 1998 Daytona 500 win with driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Chocolate began his own "big time" racing career in 1968. That was the year he and his friend Richard Childress went to the Daytona 500 together the first time.
Earnhardt died in the 2001 Daytona 500 and the images of Myers' emotional outburst three weeks later as the team scored its first win with new driver Kevin Harvick are regarded today as one of NASCAR's most emotional wins. Myers retired at the end of 2002; during the season he was part of the crew that was swapped from servicing Kevin Harvick to Robby Gordon's car.[1]
One of the highlights of Chocolate's career was racing in Japan with his friends Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. in 1996. Another highlight was going to sign autographs for the troops in the War in Iraq. Chocolate Myers is also on the Racers Speaking Circuit.
Racing family
Chocolate Myers is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is the eldest son of the NASCAR racer Bobby Myers, who was known as the "Master of the Madhouse" for his racing exploits at the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium.[1] Bobby Myers died in an accident at the 1957 Southern 500 while driving for Richard Petty's father Lee Petty.[1]
Every year, NASCAR bestows the prestigious Myers Brothers Award to the person, corporation, or entity that has had the greatest positive impact on the sport of stock car racing that year.[1] The Myers Brothers Award was named for Bobby and Billy Myers, Chocolate's father and uncle.[1] Chocolate is married to Caron Myers, (Caron Pappas Myers) a television/radio broadcaster. Caron Myers has worked as a NASCAR reporter and as a reporter for FOX 8/WGHP television in High Point, NC. Caron also reports for WFDD, Wake Forest Demon Deacons radio, the Triad's NPR New and Arts station. The couple has a 23-year-old daughter Alexi Nichole Pappas Myers. The family lives in a log home on High Rock Lake in Southmont, NC. Chocolate Myers remains with RCR as the curator of the RCR Museum in Welcome, NC, and serves as RCR's safety director.[1]
Actor
Myers also hosts a radio show, Tradin' Paint, on Sirius Satellite Radio. Chocolate Myers has done color-commentating on ESPN2, appeared in countless television commercials, and acted in movies, including the "Smokey and the Bandit" series.[1] He has also appeared on several episodes of QVC.
Honors
He was inducted into the Legends of NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2006. Chocolate Myers and his wife Caron are featured in a chapter of Peter Golenbock's book "The Last Lap".
Additional reading
References
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