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RACING
NEWS
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| Myers Family Tradition Reigns Supreme At Bowman Gray Stadium | 
by Jason Mitchell
There have been three NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races atthe famed Bowman
Gray Stadium and there has been one common theme at the conclusion: Somebody with the last name of Myers has been standing proud in Victory Lane.
In the first Whelen Southern Modified Tour race at Bowman Gray in 2005, it was Burt Myers (No. 1 JRC Investments Ford) scoring the victory. One year later in 2006, Jason Myers (No. 4 Moorefields Trantham Enterprises/ DMZ / RH2 Ford) scoring his first and only Whelen Southern Modified Tour victory. Last year at the famed .250-mile track, it was Burt Myers taking the victory after a thrilling last lap pass around John Smith.
Bowman Gray Stadium is the oldest NASCAR-sanctioned track and currently celebrating 60 years of racing. While the Myers brothers are two of the most popular drivers in recent years at their hometown track as regular weekly competitors in Bowman Gray’s Modified division, the Myers name has been synonymous with the track since it first opened in 1949.
The track has presented the Myers family with the thrill of over 100 victories as well as some painful times. Brothers Bobby and Billy Myers started racing at Bowman Gray during the track’s infancy. Bobby Myers won two track championships at Bowman Gray and Billy Myers won three track championships.
Bobby Myers was killed in 1957 following a crash at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. One year later, Billy Myers died of a heart attack during a Modified race at Bowman Gray.
Heading into Saturday night’s Advance Auto Parts 199, the Myers family torch is carried by Burt Myers and his younger brother, Jason Myers.
“I can remember going to Bowman Gray when I was 5 or 6 years old and watching my dad race,” Burt Myers said. “As a kid, I always wondered how they did it. Now I’ve come along and been pretty successful at it, and so has Jason. We’re just having fun and this is what we do, just like all our family has done before us. As far as our family’s history, that’s something we don’t really focus on even though it is in the back of our minds.
“If you stop and look back at what you’ve accomplished, you can stop looking towards the future. I just try to keep digging and try to keep running as good as we can.
“It is special when you think about how long our family has been racing at Bowman Gray and all we’ve accomplished through the years.”
Jason Myers agrees with the assessment of his older brother.
“All of the history that my family has racing at Bowman Gray is something special because our family has been a part of Bowman Gray since the track opened. We’ve always been a part of it,” Jason Myers said. “This Saturday night’s race will be an emotional race – Bowman Gray’s history is built on emotion. Emotion is what feeds the drivers at Bowman Gray because the drivers and teams really feel like they’re a part of NASCAR, and that’s what’s kept the track going for more that 60 years.”
Burt and Jason’s father, Gary Myers, said Bowman Gray has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.
"My family’s history at Bowman Gray means a lot to me,” Gary Myers said. “I came over here as a toddler, and I've been here pretty much ever since then. I’ve sold programs and drinks in the grandstands when I was a kid to make a few dollars. I’ve been coming to Bowman Gray for a lot of years. I don’t always agree with everything that goes on at Bowman Gray all the time, but I still love the place.”
There is a sense of delight for Gary Myers as he watches his sons carry on a family tradition.
“I’m very proud – I couldn’t help but to be proud of my boys,” Gary Myers said. “I just want to see them do well.”
For now, the focus of both Burt and Jason Myers is centered on Saturday night’s 199-lap race. Qualifying is slated to take place on Friday night to set the 26-car field.
Burt Myers is heading into Saturday night on a bit of a roll coming off a victory last Saturday night at Bowman Gray in the first of two 25-lap features in the track’s NASCAR Whelen All- American Series Modified division.
“Racing at Bowman Gray on a weekly basis like we do definitely gives us an advantage,” Burt Myers said. “The race last year was a situation that paid off for me to be lucky rather than have the best car.
“There are so many factors that come into play at Bowman Gray. I think me and Jason are going to have a good shot at making it four wins in a row. This weekend is really a big deal for everybody. We want to be as prepared as we can because this race is very special for all the guys on the Whelen Southern Modified Tour.”
The youngest of the Myers brothers is intent on adding a fourth NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour trophy from Bowman Gray to their collection.
“This is the biggest race we have at Bowman Gray all year long.,” Jason Myers said. “I go to
Bowman Gray because it gives me a chance to race against my brother and have fun. To be able to combine both the Tour and Bowman Gray together is awesome.
“I just hope the Myers family can make it four in a row on Saturday night.”
All parties involved agree that one of the most special moments of their racing career was a warm summer night at Bowman Gray in 2006 when Jason Myers scored his first NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour victory.
“What meant the most to me when I won at Bowman Gray was the emotion that Burt showed,” Jason Myers said. “That was a big deal. I’d have to say that was the biggest win of my career. I’d won some big races in the past but to win that race at Bowman Gray was definitely my biggest win so far and it was definitely an emotional time.”
Burt Myers says his brother’s victory at Bowman Gray was one that he will never forget.
“I had a pretty bad night, so to see Jason win took a lot of the frustration away from me,” Burt
Myers said. “It ended up making it a good night for me. Jason is my brother and I love him. It was very emotional for me. I was in tears.”
The race: This event is the fourth of 11 races on the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour schedule. It is the only race in 2008 at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The procedure: The starting field is 26 cars, including provisionals. The first 24 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining two spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps (49.75 miles).
The championship race: L.W. Miller (No. 36 John Baker Plumbing & Utilities Pontiac) is the current Whelen Southern Modified Tour points leader after three races. Miller holds a 36-point advantage over second-place Ronnie Silk (Sunoco/ LaBleu Water Pontiac). Brian Loftin (L&R Transmission/QMP Solutions Chevrolet) is third and Frank Flemming (Patterson Automotive/ProHealth Center Pontiac) sits fourth in the standings, 65 points in arrears. Jason Myers (No. 4 Mooresfield Trantham/DMC/RH2 Ford) rounds out the top five and is 73 points behind Miller.
History of the Stadium: The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Bowman Gray Stadium was May 18, 1949 and the event was won by Fonty Flock. The NASCAR Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup) first raced at Bowman Gray in 1958 and the Stadium hosted that series 29 times through 1971.
The Race: Advance Auto Parts 199
The Place: Bowman Gray (N.C.) Stadium
The Date: Saturday, August 2
The Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Track Layout: .250-mile paved oval
The Purse: $25,920
2007 Winner: Burt Myers
2007 Pole Winner: Tim Brown
Schedule: Practice 4:00-5:10 p.m.; Time Trials: 8:30 p.m.
Track Contact: Loren Pinilis: 336-765-6802 or publicrelations@bowmangrayracing.com
2008 Standings
Rk Driver Points
1 L.W. Miller 506
2 Ronnie Silk 470
3 Brian Loftin 547
4 Frank Fleming 441
5 Jason Myers 433
6 Brian King 419
7 Tim Brown 418
8 Burt Myers 408
9 Andy Seuss 404
10 G. Brunnhoelzl 363
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