Walter Lee "Walt" Pickard

Year Inducted: 1988 (p)
Nominated By: Michael T. Giarrartano
Sports Competed In: Racing
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Contributor

High School:
Attended Pueblo Central H.S., graduating in 1951.

Achievements:
High School:
● Earned eight varsity sports letters from 1948-51, competing in wrestling and baseball.
● Helped the Wildcats to the 1950 state championship as a catcher.
● Also played on the WIldcats football team for two years.
● Softball catcher on the American Legion Post 203 teams that won back-to-back state tiles from 1948-49.
● Also a reserve catcher for the VFW Post 203 at the 1951 World Championship Tournament.

College:
Went to Pueblo Junior College to learn about Welding and worked as an Apprentice for Iron Workers Local 750.

Achievements:
Auto Racing:
● Won 112 main events in 17 years.
● Raced at the Pueblo Speedway where he won four track championship.
● Also raced at Beacon Hill where he set a track record, winning 10 events in a single night.
● Earned fastest times in one season of Modified racing.
● Raced against two greats in the sport in Bobby and Al Unser and has competed at all Southern Colorado tracks as well as Albuquerque, NM, Cheyenne, WY and Hutchinson, KS.

Occupation:
Entrepreneur and owner of Beacon Hill Race Track - Race Car Driver

Personal:
Made his home in Pueblo...Was married to his wife, Marian who passed away on August 5, 1997... Walt passed away on Oct. 31, 2020.