Chocolate Myers | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Myers atDaytona International Speedway in 2009 | |
| Born | Danny Myers (1948-10-17)October 17, 1948 (age 76) |
| Occupation | NASCAR personality |
Danny "Chocolate" Myers (born October 17, 1948) is an American stock car racing personality. A long-time staffer forRichard 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 theteam's museum. He is aradio host onSirius Satellite Radio.
Chocolate Myers worked as the fueler for Richard Childress Racing's No. 3 and later No. 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 ownerRichard Childress visited victory lane 84 times, including the 1998Daytona 500 win with driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Chocolate began his own "big time" racing career in 1968. That was the year he and Childress went to the Daytona 500 together the first time.
Earnhardt died in the2001 Daytona 500 and the images of Myers' emotional outburst three weeks later as the team scored its first win with new driverKevin 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 servicingKevin Harvick toRobby 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. He also went to sign autographs for the troops in theWar in Iraq. Myers is also on the Racers Speaking Circuit.[2]
Chocolate Myers is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is the eldest son of Lorene Yountz Myers and NASCAR racerBobby Myers, who was known as the "Master of the Madhouse" for his racing exploits at the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium.[1] Myers died in an accident at the 1957Southern 500 while driving forRichard Petty's fatherLee 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 racing reporter on several TV shows and as a reporter for FOX 8/WGHP television inHigh Point, NC. Caron has reported for WFDD,Wake Forest Demon Deacons and WTOB. She also writes occasionally for Our State Magazine. The couple has an adult daughter Alexi, who is married to Seth Miller. The couple has a son named Greyson and a daughter named Tatum. Chocolate and Caron have homes in Lexington, NC and Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Chocolate Myers remains with RCR as the curator of the RCR Museum inWelcome, NC and a host on SiriusXM Channel 90, the NASCAR Channel. Chocolate received North Carolina’s highest civilian award, The Order Of The Longleaf Pine in 2024.
Myers also co-hosts a radio show,Tradin' Paint, onSirius Satellite Radio. Chocolate Myers has done color-commentating onESPN2, appeared in countlesstelevision commercials, and acted in movies, including the "Smokey and the Bandit" series.[1] He has also appeared on several episodes ofQVC.
He was inducted into the Legends of NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2006. Chocolate Myers and his wife Caron are featured in a chapter ofPeter Golenbock's book "The Last Lap".[1] Chocolate received North Carolina’s highest civilian award with The Order of the Longleaf Pine in 2024.https://longleafpinesociety.org/