Third Generation Driver Scores NASCAR Crown At Home Track
 |
| Jason Myers celebrates with his family after winning the season-ending Carolina Famr Credit 150 to clinch his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state championship. |
Jason Myers celebrates with his family after winning the season-ending Carolina Famr Credit 150 to clinch his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state championship. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — It’s been a great year for Jason Myers on and off the race track.
The 36 year-old native of Walnut Cove, North Carolina, and his wife Jenny just celebrated the birth of their third child, Maxton, and now he can also celebrate winning his first NASCAR championship.
Myers won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series North Carolina championship competing at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem. Myers edged track champion Tim Brown for the honor and while he didn’t capture the track title it was a memorable season for the third-generation driver.
“We had a great season this year at Bowman Gray and with what we accomplished in the (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified) touring series this year – third-place in the final standings – it’s been an awesome year for me and my family,” Myers said. “This is my first championship driving a modified anywhere and it’s special to me because I can now join my brother (Burt) and grandfather (Billy) winning a North Carolina state championship.”
Burt Myers won his titles in 2010 and 2011, while Billy recognized as a state champion in 1953.
“My dad started racing modifieds at Bowman Gray in 1980 and it’s always special to be able to race with my family each week at the track and the touring series,” Myers said. “We have experienced a lot of ups and downs through the years and this is a year I’ll remember for a long time.”
Crowning of champions for U.S. states and Canadian provinces date back to the earliest days of NASCAR and carried through 1981. Jim Lewallen was the first NASCAR North Carolina champion in 1950, and NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers such as Ned Jarrett and David Pearson won North Carolina titles. NASCAR resumed honoring state and province champions in 2007.
Champions are determined by the best 14 finishes at tracks within the respective state or province.
Myers finished the 2015 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season at Bowman Gray Stadium with a career-high in wins (seven) and poles (10) and is already wishing he could get back on the track soon.
“Our performance this year at the stadium has re-energized me and my entire team and family,” Myers said. “I wish we could get back on the track now and keep that momentum rolling and I honestly feel like we can contend again next year.”
The second-place finish at The Stadium and third in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour are also the best he’s ever recorded in both avenues and his family and close friends all helped make this possible.
“This is special because my mom and dad (Gary and Pam) have been with me and Burt throughout our entire careers and they’ve been there for the tough times,” Myers said. “I’m so blessed that now they can celebrate the good times with me too. Plus the dedicated people we have on our crew really make a difference for us each week and thankfully we can all celebrate this year together.”
Myers plans on returning with the No. 4 John Fitzgerald DUI Attorney/Cork’s Cap’s and Hat’s Ford in 2016 with his family to Bowman Gray along with competing in the touring series as well.
Also with the addition of son Maxton joining older sisters Emma and Sadie at the track with their dad, there will probably be a Myers racing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series for a long time.
“I really want to thank my dad and everyone who helps me on the track and those behind the scenes like Mark Moorefield who have been there for us a long time,” Myers said. “I’m sure there will be a Myers racing at the stadium for many years to come. I know we all love racing there and winning races.”
Established in 1982, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR’s national championship program for weekly short track auto racing. In all, 58 paved and dirt tracks throughout the United States and Canada participated in 2015.
Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering is the series’ title sponsor. Whelen Engineering is a leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and emergency vehicle lighting. NASCAR tracks and pace cars are among the many showcases for Whelen products.
Bowman Gray will hold its 2015 Banquet of Champions and recognize Myers’ runner-up finish to Brown in the track standings on November 21st at the Village Inn and Conference Center Clemmons, North Carolina.
Myers will also be honored for his North Carolina State Championship along with other track and state/province champions from across North America as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards on Dec. 11 at the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“We have been to Charlotte before to the award ceremonies but this is going to be special,” Myers added. “NASCAR always does a great job on making its champions feel special and I can’t wait to get to Charlotte and celebrate this award. I really appreciate Whelen Engineering and NASCAR for making this honor possible and I know our entire family and team appreciates all they do for us.”
- Credit to NASCAR Home Tracks for this article.
No comments:
Post a Comment