BBIGG BLOCK 396
07-03-2007, 05:16 AM
Don Gay Sr., a pioneer Funny Car racer known for his and brother Roy's line of Infinity Pontiac race cars, died June 30 at his home in League City, Texas, after a long illness. He was 60.
Gay began his driving career in his teens with a Pontiac stocker and later switched to altered-wheelbase machines that ultimately became today's Funny Cars, and brother Roy later took over the helm.
In the late years, he was active in the family automotive business, known as Gay Pontiac, Buick and GMC as well as Houston Raceway Park, where he was previous co-owner. Two of his sons, Don Jr. and Shane, followed their father to the cockpit on the dragstrip. Don Jr., had a successful career in Alcohol Funny Car but retired from the cockpit after an accident in a nitro Funny Car. Shane also had a winning career in the Super classes and in Alcohol Dragster.
Don Gay Sr. is survived by his mother, Marie Gay; four sons, Don Gay Jr. and wife, Kim, Shane and wife, Kate, Darren, and Glenn; two grandchildren, Eli and Caleb; former wives, Dawna Gay and Peggy Gay. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl and brother, Roy.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, with a wake at 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in League City. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Mary's in League City. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson.
Gay began his driving career in his teens with a Pontiac stocker and later switched to altered-wheelbase machines that ultimately became today's Funny Cars, and brother Roy later took over the helm.
In the late years, he was active in the family automotive business, known as Gay Pontiac, Buick and GMC as well as Houston Raceway Park, where he was previous co-owner. Two of his sons, Don Jr. and Shane, followed their father to the cockpit on the dragstrip. Don Jr., had a successful career in Alcohol Funny Car but retired from the cockpit after an accident in a nitro Funny Car. Shane also had a winning career in the Super classes and in Alcohol Dragster.
Don Gay Sr. is survived by his mother, Marie Gay; four sons, Don Gay Jr. and wife, Kim, Shane and wife, Kate, Darren, and Glenn; two grandchildren, Eli and Caleb; former wives, Dawna Gay and Peggy Gay. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl and brother, Roy.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, with a wake at 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in League City. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Mary's in League City. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson.