Jerry Cook (Left) with NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion Burt Myers (Right) at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. (Photo: Kate Gardiner/NASCAR)

Burt Myers is very aware of the history of NASCAR.

His grandfather Billy and great uncle Bobby were pivotal figures in its formative years, racing at the venerable Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. The National Motor Sports Press Association’s annual Myers Brothers Award and Luncheon are named in their honor. Burt’s father, Gary, kept the tradition of winning at ‘The Stadium’ going, and passed down the love of racing to Burt and his brother Jason.

“You have to be able to sacrifice many things in your life to be successful,” Myers said. “It’s hard.

“I’ve heard stories from my dad, about when he was younger and some of the sacrifices he made. We’ve been blessed to be as successful as we are. I’m very proud to say I’m part of that legacy that helped start NASCAR and helped get it to where it is today.”

Jerry Cook is well-versed in the Myers’ history and that of Bowman Gray. Cook, now a competition administrator with NASCAR, had more than his share of success – including three wins – on the flat .25-mile oval. Cook, a NASCAR Hall of Fame finalist, won six NASCAR Modified Division championships during an eight-year stretch between 1971-77.

The SPEED Performance Awards are now open for video voting at www.speedperformanceawards.com

While Myers won his fourth weekly Modified division title at Bowman Gray this year, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour title that had eluded him. That fact crystallized for him at last year’s touring series awards gala when he was reminded he was the tour’s most successful driver to never win a championship.

He filled that hole in his resume with wins in the final two races en route to the championship.

“I don’t think it’s really hit me just yet,” said Myers, who spent the last week attending the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet activities in Las Vegas. “It’s really given me a good idea of what I have to look forward to and I’m super excited about it.”