Gary Myers, the former NASCAR driver, stock car legend and patriarch of a noted racing family, died Thursday, September 10, following an extended period of ill health. He was 76.
His death was announced on Facebook by his son, racecar driver Burt Myers.
“Last night I lost my hero,” Burt Myers wrote. “He fought so hard but was so tired. My daddy is in Heaven and can finally do the things he wanted to do the last several years. Thank God for the times we had. He taught me everything I know. Selfishly I want him here but I know he is much better off now. I miss him so much. I love you Daddy!”
The Myers are a four-generation racing family that also includes Gary’s son Jason Myers, whose Facebook page also posted a tribute. “Last night we lost our patriarch,” the statement reads. “Gary was Jason’s best friend. He taught him and Burt everything they know and touched so many people along the way. To know him, was to love him. Rest easy, legend. You will be with us always.”
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Gary Myers was the son of racer William “Billy” Myers, who died in 1958, and the nephew of NASCAR driver Bobby Myers, who died in 1957. Gary Myers’ grandson is driver Slate Myers.
The Myers family is most closely associated with Bowman Gray Racing Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where they have raced for more than 60 years.
Over his career, Gary Myers competed in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the NASCAR Grand National East Series, and the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour. He won 38 races at Bowman Gray and was the 1996 SMART Modified Tour Champion. He first raced professionally in 1974, competing in 46 NASCAR Cup Series Races over the next four years.
“We lost one of our heroes – Gary Myers,” SMART Modified Tour said in a statement. “Gary was a Founding Member of the SMART Modified Tour & its 1996 champion. He had 15 wins. Gary’s sons, Burt & Jason, as well as grandson, Slate, are winning racecar drivers as well. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the entire Myers family.”
A statement from the Bowman Gray stadium reads, “Our Bowman Gray family is saddened by the loss of Gary Myers. Gary earned 38 wins at Bowman Gray in Modified competition, in a career that also saw him make starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and Grand National Series. Our thoughts are with his wife Pam, sons Burt and Jason, grandson Slate, and the entire Myers family.”
In addition to sons Burt and Jason and grandson Slate, Myers is survived by wife Pam, Complete information on survivors was not immediately available.