The American stock-car racing community is mourning the loss of Gary Myers, a respected driver whose name became closely associated with Bowman Gray Stadium, modified racing and one of the sport’s most enduring family legacies.
Myers died on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the age of 76, according to tributes from his sons, Burt and Jason Myers.
For decades, Gary Myers was known not only for his accomplishments behind the wheel, but also for the knowledge he passed from one generation to the next. Racing was part of his family history, his career and ultimately the legacy he left to his children and grandson.
His death has brought tributes from relatives, fellow racers, racing organizations and fans who remember him as a fierce competitor, mentor and family patriarch.
Gary Myers Obituary and Racing Legacy
Gary Myers built his reputation during an era when short-track racing demanded patience, toughness and an intimate understanding of a race car.
Among the places most closely connected with his career was Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Myers recorded 38 Modified victories at the historic venue, a record that placed him among the track’s notable competitors and helped make his name familiar to generations of North Carolina racing fans.
But Bowman Gray represented only part of his career.
He competed in several major stock-car series and eventually became one of the important figures in the development of modified racing.
Gary Myers at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gary Myers |
| Age at death | 76 |
| Date of death | September 10, 2026 |
| Profession | Stock-car racing driver |
| Known for | Modified racing and NASCAR competition |
| Bowman Gray Modified wins | 38 |
| NASCAR debut | 1974 |
| SMART Modified Tour | Founding member |
| SMART championship | 1996 |
| SMART wins in championship season | 15 |
| Wife | Pam Myers |
| Sons | Burt Myers, Jason Myers |
| Grandson | Slate Myers |
| Cause of death | Not publicly disclosed |
A NASCAR Career That Began in 1974
Myers reached NASCAR’s premier level during the 1970s, making his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut in 1974.
His career included dozens of starts at the highest level of stock-car competition, while his racing résumé also extended to the NASCAR Grand National East Series and the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour.
That range reflected the versatility required of drivers during an era when modified and stock-car racing were deeply connected.
For Myers, however, success was never limited to the biggest national stage.
Much of his reputation was built at short tracks, where drivers developed loyal followings and where a strong night at the track could become part of a driver’s lasting identity.
The 1996 SMART Modified Tour Championship
One of the defining achievements of Myers’ later career came with the SMART Modified Tour.
Myers was a founding member of the series and captured its championship in 1996.
That season was particularly impressive. He finished the campaign with 15 victories, establishing himself as one of the tour’s leading competitors.
His involvement with SMART also demonstrated another side of his contribution to racing.
He was not simply participating in modified racing. He was part of the group that helped establish and develop the series itself.
Racing Was a Myers Family Tradition
Gary Myers did not discover racing on his own.
He came from a family already deeply involved in the sport, following his father, Billy Myers, and uncle, Bobby Myers, into stock-car racing.
That family connection eventually became even larger.
His sons Burt Myers and Jason Myers followed him into racing and established their own reputations behind the wheel. His grandson, Slate Myers, has continued the tradition.
That makes Gary Myers part of an extraordinary four-generation racing family.
For the Myers family, racing was therefore more than a profession or weekend pursuit. It became a shared language between parents, children and grandchildren.
More Than a Driver to His Sons
The tributes from Burt and Jason following their father’s death showed how important Gary was away from the racetrack as well.
Burt remembered his father as his hero and credited him with teaching him everything he knew.
Jason also reflected on his father’s role as the family’s patriarch and the lasting effect Gary had on the people around him.
Those tributes provide a different perspective on a man whose public reputation was built around competition.
To his sons, Gary was the person who taught them how to race, but also someone who helped shape the people they became.
Bowman Gray Stadium Remembers a Standout Competitor
Bowman Gray Stadium was an important chapter in Myers’ career.
His 38 Modified victories at the Winston-Salem short track became one of the clearest measurements of his success there.
Following news of his death, the stadium joined others in remembering the veteran racer and acknowledging the mark he left on the track.
For fans familiar with Bowman Gray’s history, Myers’ name is tied to an era of intense modified competition and some of the venue’s most memorable racing years.
The SMART Modified Tour Pays Tribute
The SMART Modified Tour also remembered Myers as one of its heroes.
His connection to the organization went beyond his championship record because he was there from its beginnings as a founding member.
His 1996 title, combined with those 15 wins during the championship season, remains a significant part of the series’ history.
The recognition following his death reflected the broad reach of his contribution to modified racing.
A Family Legacy That Will Continue
Gary Myers’ most lasting achievement may ultimately have little to do with statistics.
He helped create a family in which racing knowledge was passed from generation to generation.
His father and uncle introduced him to the sport. Gary then passed that experience to Burt and Jason, while his grandson Slate has continued the family’s involvement.
Few racing families can point to four generations connected so closely to the sport.
That legacy means Gary’s influence will continue every time another Myers takes to a racetrack.
Cause of Gary Myers’ Death
The cause of Gary Myers’ death has not been publicly disclosed.
Some accounts have referenced a period of declining health or an extended illness, but no specific medical condition has been officially announced by his family.
For that reason, claims about a particular cause of death should be treated cautiously.
What is confirmed is that Myers died on September 10, 2026, at the age of 76.
Remembering Gary Myers Beyond the Finish Line
It is easy to measure a racing career through wins, championships and starts.
Gary Myers certainly had impressive numbers.
But the response to his death suggests his importance extended beyond the statistics.
He was a father who taught his sons about racing, a grandfather whose family continued the tradition and a competitor whose career stretched across multiple generations of American stock-car history.
His 38 Bowman Gray Modified victories and 1996 SMART Modified Tour championship will remain part of the record books.
His greatest legacy, however, may be the family he helped build around the sport.
Gary Myers Survived by His Family
Myers is survived by his wife, Pam, his sons Burt and Jason, and his grandson Slate, according to tributes released after his death.
For them, the loss is deeply personal.
They are mourning not only an accomplished racer, but a husband, father, grandfather and teacher whose presence had shaped their lives.
The racing community may remember Gary Myers for the cars he drove and the races he won. His family will remember the man who stood behind those accomplishments.
A Name That Will Remain in Racing History
Gary Myers leaves behind a racing résumé spanning NASCAR, modified competition and some of America’s best-known short tracks.
Yet the most remarkable part of his story may be that the Myers name is not ending with his passing.
His sons and grandson remain connected to the sport he loved, carrying forward a tradition that began generations ago.
For racing fans, Gary Myers will be remembered as a skilled competitor and champion.
For his family, he was something much more personal: the patriarch who helped turn a passion for racing into a four-generation legacy.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information and tributes available following Gary Myers’ death on September 10, 2026. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and no specific medical condition should be assumed. Additional details about funeral arrangements or memorial services may be released by the family at a later date.
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