American motorsport industry businessman (1951–2025)
Clyde Vickers (August 24, 1951 – January 3, 2025) was an American motorsport industry businessman, and a stock car racing driver and team owner. Vickers owned CV Products which manufactures and distributes race parts and accessories,[1] as well as several other smaller businesses.
Vickers raced intermittently into the early 1980s,[5][6] with downtime caused by financial difficulties. In the mid-1970s he went to work on several NASCAR crews, including those run by Morgan Shepherd and Richard Childress.[7][8]
In 1988, Vickers founded CV Products, an auto racing and powersports parts company located in Thomasville, North Carolina.[5][9][10] Vickers remained active in racing during this period, working as a spotter and crew member for former Winston Cup driver Jimmy Means until 1993.[11][12]
In 1993, in addition to his work with his new company, Vickers began helping his son Brian Vickers with his career as a Go-Kart racer.[11] The younger Vickers later began racing stock cars at age 13 in the Winston Cup series.[13][14]
In 2001, Vickers owned a team which raced in the NASCAR Busch Series.[15] in which Brian Vickers was a driver. The team was not a financial success.[16] Brian later went on to drive for other teams and win many races.
In 2007 Vickers also was owner of another motorsport company, Xceldyne.[17] By 2009 the companies had merged and were presented with a North Carolina Motorsports Industry Association award as the best large company.[18]
In 2013 CV Products employed 160 people.[19] That year, Vickers was appointed to the North Carolina Motorsports Council.[20][21]