Former NASCAR driver and Bowman Gray Stadium veteran Gary Myers has died at the age of 76, bringing an end to a racing career that connected four generations of one of North Carolina motorsport’s best-known families.
His son, longtime Modified racer Burt Myers, confirmed the death in an emotional social media tribute, saying he had lost his “hero.” Gary died Thursday night after a period of declining health. His family has not publicly announced an official cause of death.
For racing fans, the loss reaches far beyond Gary’s 46 NASCAR Cup Series starts. His strongest legacy was built at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, where he won 38 races and remained part of the racing community for more than six decades.
Burt Myers pays tribute to his father
Burt Myers said his father had fought hard and had become tired, while remembering the lessons Gary passed down to him throughout his life and racing career.
The tribute also highlighted how closely family and racing were connected in the Myers household. Gary was not simply a former competitor watching from the sidelines. He remained closely involved as his sons Burt and Jason Myers developed into accomplished Modified racers of their own.
Although Burt had previously spoken about his father’s health struggles, no specific illness has been officially identified as the cause of death. Until the family provides further information, the cause should be considered undisclosed.
Gary Myers became a Bowman Gray fixture
Gary Myers recorded 38 victories at Bowman Gray Stadium, one of the most distinctive short tracks in American motorsport.
His connection to the venue began long before he became a driver. He watched his father Billy Myers and uncle Bobby Myers compete there during the 1950s before eventually building his own reputation at the quarter-mile oval.
That long history helps explain why his death carries particular significance in North Carolina racing. Gary’s career connected several different eras of Bowman Gray competition, from the generation before him to the racers who followed.
The stadium remains relevant to NASCAR’s modern era as well. Earlier in 2026, Ryan Preece won the Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray before later claiming his first points-paying Cup victory, a breakthrough covered in Ryan Preece’s 2026 Daytona NASCAR win.
His NASCAR Cup career spanned five seasons
Myers competed in 46 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1974 and 1978, when NASCAR’s premier championship was known as the Winston Cup Series.
Those appearances placed him at the top level of American stock-car racing, but Cup statistics tell only part of his story. Gary came from an era in which many respected drivers built their reputations at regional tracks while also competing in selected national events.
That pathway was especially important in Modified racing, where local tracks and touring series often created long-lasting fan followings that extended beyond national championship results.
1996 SMART Modified Tour championship was a major milestone
One of Gary’s biggest career achievements came in 1996, when he won the SMART Modified Tour championship.
The official SMART Modified Tour history lists Myers as the 1996 champion and credits him with 15 career tour victories, placing him among the most successful winners in the series’ history.
Gary also won at Franklin County Speedway during the 1996 SMART season, adding another important result to the championship campaign.
The title strengthened a racing résumé already defined by Bowman Gray success and NASCAR Cup competition, while showing that his ability extended well beyond a single track.
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The Myers racing story spans four generations
The Myers racing story spans four generations
Gary was part of the second generation of an extraordinary racing family.
His father Billy Myers and uncle Bobby Myers were already established competitors before Gary began his career. Gary then passed the racing tradition to his sons Burt and Jason Myers, both of whom became prominent Modified racers.
The legacy later reached a fourth generation through Gary’s grandson Slate Myers.
That continuity makes the Myers family unusual even within motorsport, where racing surnames often span several generations but rarely remain so closely connected to the same historic track.
Burt and Jason continued Gary’s influence
Burt Myers went on to become one of Bowman Gray Stadium’s most successful Modified racers, while Jason Myers also established a strong record at the venue.
Gary remained involved as their careers progressed, shifting from competitor to mentor, father and eventually grandfather within the racing community.
Modern NASCAR has continued to evolve far beyond the regional short-track world where Gary built his reputation. That wider transformation can also be seen in events such as NASCAR’s 2026 San Diego race at Naval Base Coronado, which illustrates how different the sport’s venues and audience have become from the era in which Myers competed.
Gary remained connected to major family milestones
Even after his own racing career ended, Gary continued appearing at Bowman Gray and supporting his family.
In June 2025, Gary and his wife Pam were present when Burt earned his 101st career Modified victory at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt spoke publicly at the time about his father’s health and said having both of his parents in Winner’s Circle made the victory especially meaningful.
Those appearances showed that Gary’s role in the Myers racing story did not end when he stopped driving. He remained an important presence as the next generations added their own achievements.
Why Gary Myers mattered beyond NASCAR statistics
For readers who know Gary mainly as a former NASCAR driver, his 46 Cup starts provide only a partial picture of his career.
His 38 Bowman Gray victories, 15 SMART Modified Tour wins and 1996 championship better explain why he became such an important figure in Southern Modified racing.
His family connection adds another layer. Gary experienced the sport as the son and nephew of racers, then as a competitor, father of successful drivers and grandfather of another generation entering racing.
That makes his legacy broader than a traditional career record. Gary Myers served as a bridge between the early Bowman Gray era represented by Billy and Bobby Myers and the modern careers of Burt, Jason and Slate.
For fans who watched the Myers name remain part of Bowman Gray for decades, Gary’s death at 76 marks the loss of one of the central figures in that continuing racing story.
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