Gary Myers, the former NASCAR driver and longtime Bowman Gray Stadium competitor, has died at age 76, marking the loss of one of the most recognizable figures in the Myers racing family.
Myers died Thursday, September 10, 2026, following a period of declining health, according to racing publication Jayski. His career stretched across multiple levels of stock-car racing, including the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, NASCAR Grand National East Series and NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour.
While Myers did not record a NASCAR Cup Series victory, his importance to short-track racing went far beyond the national statistics. He became closely associated with Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he recorded 38 victories and helped establish a family racing legacy that continues into a fourth generation.
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Gary Myers Built His Reputation at Bowman Gray
For fans familiar with the history of Bowman Gray, Gary Myers was much more than a former NASCAR driver.
The Myers family has been connected with the historic North Carolina short track for generations. Gary grew up watching his father, Billy Myers, and uncle, Bobby Myers, compete at the venue before eventually becoming a competitor himself.
Over the years, Gary became one of the track’s standout drivers, accumulating 38 victories at Bowman Gray. His success at the track helped cement the Myers name as one of the prominent racing families in the region.
His career also included a significant achievement in the SMART Modified Tour. Myers was a founding member of the tour and won its championship in 1996.
His NASCAR Cup Series Career
Gary Myers competed in 46 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1974 and 1978.
Although he never won a Cup Series race, competing at NASCAR’s highest level during that period was itself a significant accomplishment. His Cup career placed him among a generation of drivers who helped connect NASCAR’s national series with the strong short-track racing culture of the American Southeast.
His racing career was not limited to NASCAR’s top division. Myers also competed in the Grand National East Series and the Featherlite Modified Tour, building a résumé that reflected the breadth of American stock-car racing during the era.
That versatility became part of his legacy. Rather than being remembered only for his NASCAR statistics, Myers is being remembered for the larger role he played in modified and short-track racing.
A Four-Generation Racing Family
Perhaps the most significant part of Gary Myers’ legacy is the family he leaves behind.
Myers was the father of modified-racing drivers Burt Myers and Jason Myers. Both followed their father into racing and became familiar names at Bowman Gray.
Burt Myers went on to become one of the track’s most successful modern drivers, while Jason also established a strong record at the venue. The family connection now extends to Gary’s grandson, Slate Myers, representing the fourth generation of the family to compete at Bowman Gray.
That continuity gives Gary’s career a significance that is difficult to measure through statistics alone. His influence can be seen in the drivers he helped raise, mentor and inspire.
The family connection is especially meaningful at Bowman Gray, a track where racing has historically been closely tied to local families and generations of competitors.
Tributes Follow Gary Myers’ Death
News of Myers’ death prompted tributes from the racing community.
The SMART Modified Tour described Myers as one of its heroes, while his son Burt paid an emotional tribute to his father following his death.
The tributes reflected the dual role Myers held within racing. He was both a competitor with his own accomplishments and a father whose influence extended into the careers of the next generation.
For people who followed Myers throughout his career, his impact cannot be measured solely by wins or championship standings. His connection to Bowman Gray and the Myers family’s continued presence at the track became a defining part of his identity.
Why Gary Myers’ Legacy Matters
The death of former NASCAR driver Gary Myers represents the passing of an important figure from an earlier generation of American stock-car racing.
Modern NASCAR is dominated by major national teams, sophisticated technology and enormous commercial operations. Myers’ career came from a different racing environment, when drivers often built their reputations through local tracks before competing on the national stage.
Bowman Gray was central to that culture.
Myers’ 38 victories at the track demonstrate how important he was to its history. His 1996 SMART Modified Tour championship added another major achievement, while his NASCAR Cup Series experience connected him to the sport’s highest level.
His greatest legacy, however, may be the continuation of the Myers racing name.
What Comes Next for the Myers Racing Legacy?
Gary Myers’ passing does not end the family’s connection to racing.
His sons Burt and Jason remain part of the Myers racing story, while grandson Slate represents the fourth generation. That makes the family one of the clearest examples of how racing traditions can survive across decades.
For Bowman Gray fans, the Myers name is likely to remain familiar whenever another member of the family takes the wheel.
Gary Myers may no longer be at the track, but the racing culture he helped build continues.
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Conclusion
Former NASCAR driver Gary Myers leaves behind a racing legacy that reaches far beyond his Cup Series statistics. His success at Bowman Gray, his SMART Modified Tour championship and his role in a four-generation racing family made him an important figure in American short-track racing.
His death marks the end of a remarkable chapter, but the Myers family’s presence in racing ensures that his influence will continue to be visible at Bowman Gray and beyond.
FAQs
Who was Gary Myers?
Gary Myers was an American stock-car racing driver who competed in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series and several other racing divisions. He was also a prominent competitor at Bowman Gray Stadium.
How old was Gary Myers when he died?
Gary Myers was 76 years old. He was born March 4, 1950, and died September 10, 2026.
How many NASCAR Cup Series races did Gary Myers run?
Myers competed in 46 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1974 and 1978.
How many races did Gary Myers win at Bowman Gray?
Gary Myers won 38 races at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Was Gary Myers a SMART Modified Tour champion?
Yes. Myers was a founding member of the SMART Modified Tour and won its championship in 1996.
