1/4_Mile_King

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 his later 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 Top 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 Top 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 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, and a wake is scheduled 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 Mount Olivet Cemetery in ****inson.