Every Saturday night at Bowman Gray is Fathers Day for the Myers family

Gary Myers admits that every Saturday night at Bowman Gray Stadium is Father's Day when he's watching his two sons, Burt and Jason, race around the historic quarter mile track.

The 76-year-old always has pep in his step when he's around Bowman Gray because it's where his family has literally grown up. His father raced there; he raced there; now, his sons are racing there.

And, oh yeah, for the last three years he's also gotten to watch his grandson, Slate, carry on the family name.

"I'm tickled to death for all of them," Myers said earlier this week. "Especially with Slate, because he's come a long way."

In recent years, Gary has had some health issues and doesn't get around as much as he used to. He moves around the pit area using a walker, or sometimes he turns the walker into a mobile chair, and he can get to where he needs to go a little faster.

During qualifying for the Modified races last week, Gary was just off the track near the pit with an old-fashioned stopwatch clocking the laps.

It's something he's always done, so it's best not to ask him any questions during qualifying. He's working.

Gary says it's no secret that they are a tight family. Gary's wife, Pam, says each Saturday night is a special time for the family because her husband can still make it out to the track.

"He doesn't want to miss seeing his boys race," Pam said.

Pam said her husband isn't very good at texting or working his cell phone, but he can still work a stopwatch at the track.

"We are pretty tight, and we do our own thing out there at the stadium," Gary said. "It's just special to be able to share it as a family each Saturday, so I'm thankful to still get out there."

Burt says he's thankful for the presence of his father, who as a driver won 38 times to rank 10th in track history in the Modified Division.

"Absolutely, we don't take it for granted that he's out there helping with the teams anyway that he can," Burt said.

The Myers family has combined for 225 Modified wins during the 78-year history of the weekly series.

"We've been out here on Father's Day weekend for as long as we can remember, but in recent years it just means a little more each Saturday," Burt said.

The family aspect permeates all throughout the fabric of the historic track.

"He loves it over there and he might not get around that much anymore but on Saturdays he does what it takes to make it out there," Burt said. "And I think he's gotten a real kick out of seeing his two sons win this year and then seeing Slate, his grandson, win twice."

Jason says he loves the fact that his father can still offer advice about what the car is doing.

"I'll get done with practice, and he'll ask me how the car is handling, and he can pinpoint what needs to be tweaked," Jason said. "I don't take that for granted that Daddy is still helping us and still loves being out there."

Father's Day is Sunday, but that doesn't mean the Myers family only celebrates on that day.

"Having Daddy still out there is a big deal to us, and it's a big deal for our family."

While 17-year-old Slate is making his presence known at the stadium with two wins, 10-year-old Max is likely the next generation of Myers' drivers.

"Max is getting into it, and he's all in about racing," Jason said of his oldest son. "I would bet that if Max ends up driving in a few years and is lucky enough to win, he'll do the same thing Slate did, and he'll dedicate the win to Pappy."

Gary is already predicting that Max will also do some big things once he's old enough. "Max is next," he said. "I know he's already talking about getting out there and driving."

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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 4:06 AM.