Billy Lee III (10) of Ruskin, FL is the driver of the #38 Bandolero and frankly, he doesn't remember a time in his life when he wasn't on a race track. Billy, known throughout the pits as B3, got his racing start in a power wheels racing league on the drag strip at just 2 years old. The young Palmetto Power Wheels racer quickly became a fan favorite as he hit the track with his big smile and his modified Corvette.
In 2017 and 2018, with his power wheels Jet Firetruck, INFERNO, B3 became the show opener at the Night of Fire jet car events at Bradenton Motorsports Park, Palm Beach International Raceway, Orlando Speed World, and Sebring Raceway. Engaging fans and inspiring racers of all ages led Elaine and Chris Larsen of the Larsen Motorsports Jet Racing Team to sign B3 as the only youth exhibition racer in their Festival of Fire event in 2019 and 2020. The family-friendly, pyrotechnic jet racing event at Palm Beach International Raceway brought jet car racing teams from all over North America, as well as partners NASA, Miller Welding and the National Guard.
Following the 2020 Festival of Fire, at 6 years of age, B3 transitioned from power wheels to go-karts. He raced Champ and Flat karts, on both asphalt and dirt oval tracks throughout Florida, winning three season championships in his Rookie campaign.
At the age of 8, B3 joined Curt Britt Motorsports for the 2022 season and made his debut in the U.S. Legend Cars & INEX Series Rookie division behind the wheel of a Bandolero. In his first year, he competed in 49 races earning 9 wins and 35 Top Five finishes kicking off the season in his home state of Florida at Winter Nationals and ending the year in Las Vegas at Asphalt Nationals. He wrapped up the season as the U.S. Legends and INEX Florida State Bandit Division Champion for 2022 and was ranked #15 in National Points amongst 122 racers. B3 also finished 3rd in season points in the Georgia State Series run by retired NASCAR driver, Ken Ragan. The highly competitive series, comprised of 40+ races at multiple tracks in Georgia, brings racers from Virginia to Tennessee and throughout the southeast. B3 also finished 3rd in the 2022 Points Standings at Crisp Motorsports Park located in Cordele, GA.
2023 had B3 returning for his second season behind the wheel of his #38 Bandolero, this time competing for his first full season of his Bandit division campaign. With 50 races run at 9 different tracks in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina and Tennessee, B3 continued to challenge himself and develop his skills against the best racers in the country. The 2023 season concluded with B3 winning the INEX National Touring Points Championship, the INEX Florida State Championship for a 2nd year in a row, as well as the Crisp Motorsports Park Bandit Division Track Championship. Billy's proudest moment was undoubtedly being named the recipient of the Atlanta Motor Speedway ~ David Ragan, Sportsman of the Year Award.
B3 is a 5th grade student. With a commitment to running another full time campaign for 2024 and the support of his family, he has moved his education from a traditional school setting to an online program. When not at school or on the track, you will find him outdoors enjoying anything fast and fun. He is passionate about the details of NASCAR History, the legendary life of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and other iconic racers that have shaped the sport. His collection of nostalgic NASCAR items fills display cases in his home with his favorite item being a 50th Anniversary Richard Childress Racing helmet that he was awarded at the Youth Racers of America Charlotte Heat clinic in January 2022.