Champion Car Owner Profile: Philip Smith
In 2005 Burt Myers, along with his brother Jason, decided to take part in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. Burt knew it would take a total team effort.
The brothers work on their cars side-by-side in the same shop and their dad, Gary, is ever-present working and offering advice to both sons as they prepare for each race. While Gary is directly involved as Jason’s car owner, Burt has had the same car owner since he began racing on the tour – Philip Smith.
Smith has worked with Myers to secure sponsorship and help make sure the team had what it needs to be successful, but Burt Myers added Smith also brings something else crucial for the team’s success.
“Philip is the kind of guy that knows how to treat people right and that makes a big difference,” Burt Myers said. “He has been with me a long time and we have had the chance to enjoy a lot of wins together. Obviously I am as happy for him as anybody getting to celebrate a NASCAR Touring title.”
That continuity has paid dividends as Smith has provided the cars that have help Burt Myers produce eight wins, 23 Coors Light Pole awards, 37 top-five and 58 top-10 finishes in career 70 starts. Those stats make for a pretty impressive résumé.
“We just have great people on the team,” Smith said. “From the driver, to our great sponsors and dedicated crew, this [championship] is a result of everyone working together to achieve a common goal. This championship is a true team effort and we are going to celebrate it as a team and have some fun in Charlotte.”
Burt Myers used a lot of hard work and a little racing luck during the second half of the season to get into contention for the 2010 championship and is happy his car owner is seeing the results of five years of hard work.
“We set a goal many years ago to race for wins first and let the points fall where they may,” Burt Myers said. “We all stay so busy racing the tour and at Bowman Gray Stadium every week and Philip has always been there to help keep things together and moving forward.”
After winning their first touring title together, Burt Myers doesn’t see any reason why he and Smith can’t team up and try and become the first back-to-back champion since Junior Miller won the first two NASCAR crowns in 2005 and 2006.
“We have a great thing going and I hope Phil and I are racing together for many more years to come,” Burt Myers said. “Hopefully this is the first of many more trips to Charlotte for all of us.”
Myers and Smith will join the entire team during this Saturday night’s NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Series Awards Gala at the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom, adjacent to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Sources: Tim Southers, NASCAR WSMT PR