ART MEYERS, 92

Word has reached us that long-time USAC and Indianapolis 500 race official Art Meyers passed away July 15 at age 92 in Glendale, Ariz.

Art was born on November 29, 1922 in Watertown, South Dakota where his father owned and raced Oakland "Big Cars." At 11, after his father died, he lived in Hutchison, Minnesota on a farm with his uncle and aunt. Art enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was assigned as a cook to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. While there he met Janet Dugaw and they married in Chicago in 1946. In 1951, they moved to Denver, Colorado where Art started his career in automobile sales and started his involvement in automobile racing - a passion that he pursued his whole life - by working as a mechanic on AAA Stock Cars. Art eventually became an AAA pit steward and pitted for Indy cars. In 1957, the Big Car Racing Association elected Art as its first president. In 1959, Art joined the United States Auto Club (USAC) and Art, Jan and their daughter Nancy moved to Glendale, Arizona where Art continued his career in automobile sales and his work with USAC. In Glendale, he became the co-owner of Meyers American, Mazda and Subaru dealerships located on Glendale Avenue. With USAC, Art worked as Safety Director, Chief Observer, Chief Steward and promoted the 1975 Champ Car race at Phoenix International Raceway. Art represented USAC in the Auto Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS) for over 30 years. He was a Co-Steward for the Formula 5000 SCCA ranks. In 1997, he was Chief Observer at Blackrock, Nevada as Englishman Andy Green broke the sound barrier and the World's Land Speed Record with a speed of over 763 miles per hour. Art was the Senior Pit Steward for 25 years officiating in the United States, Argentina, Canada, England and Japan. In 2012, Art was inducted into the Big Car Racing Hall of Fame in Lincoln, Nebraska. Art is survived by his daughter, Nancy, sisters Dorothy Bailly and Dolores Ritchey, two nieces and three nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Mary Lou Meyers, and wife, Jan.