Story perspectives

NASCAR Legend Gary Myers Dies at 76

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 10:37 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Gary Myers, a U.S. NASCAR legend, died on September 10 at age 76.
His son Burt Myers announced the death on Facebook, calling his father his hero.
Myers won 38 Modified races at Bowman Gray Stadium, his family’s home track.
He captured the 1996 SMART Modified Tour championship.
He is survived by wife Pam, sons Burt and Jason, and grandson Slate.

History

Historical Context

In 1948, Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR, uniting regional stock-car racers under a national sanctioning body that quickly grew into a popular motorsport. Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, hosted its first NASCAR race in 1949, drawing 12,000 spectators and cementing the track’s legendary status. Gary Myers, a 38-win Modified champion at Bowman Gray, echoed the early era’s local heroes like Richard Petty, whose 200-race victories reshaped the sport’s popularity. Thus, Myers’ 1996 SMART Modified Tour title reflects NASCAR’s enduring tradition of regional champions influencing national growth, a pattern that continues shaping motorsport economics today.

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Story summary

Gary Myers, a U.S. NASCAR legend, died on September 10 at age 76.
His son Burt Myers announced the death on Facebook, calling his father his hero.
Myers won 38 Modified races at Bowman Gray Stadium, his family’s home track.
He captured the 1996 SMART Modified Tour championship.
He is survived by wife Pam, sons Burt and Jason, and grandson Slate.

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