Well done by Ronnie Bacelo of DeSoto Speedway:
Michael Mccrary Sr. was born in Lima Ohio and moved to Florida in 1969 where he set his sights on the Late Model Division at Hialeah Speedway. Michael Mccrary Sr. made his presence known at both Hialeah Speedway and Palm Beach Fairgrounds. McCray won his share of races and won the Marion Edwards Jr. Memorial in 1976 and the South Florida State Championship 200 in 1977.
McCrary was the first Howe and Dillon Chassis dealer in Florida and was known to own several cars throughout the years. The list of talented drivers that piloted the ?M? machines for him is a stout list. 5 Dick Anderson, 8 David Seeright, 71 Dave Dunkin, 19 Gayle Haynes, 75 Butch Mock, M2 Joe Edwards, M51 Roger Boone, 7 Nokie Mallory, 15 Buddy Ryan, M51 Mike McCrary Jr, Jimmy Cope, Dan Ross and the famous M87 Hot Shoe Gary Balough.
Michael Mccrary was business partners with Bill Carlbert Sr. at Davie Generator Service and sponsored Carlbert in his Street Stock #M4. Mike also owned Mike?s Lounge in Miramar which was an after race hotspot for 25 Years.
Racing stayed in the family as his wife Marilyn Mccrary , son Mike McCrary Jr., daughters Michelle, Melissa, Misty and his youngest son Matt who is currently making his name in the sport.
Marilyn Mccrary has raced in Mini Stock, Street Stock, Open Wheel Modified, Super Late Model and Indy Lites. She is no stranger to victory lane winning the Florida State Mini Stock Championship at the old Lakeland 1/4 mile bullring. Marilyn Mccrary also won 28 races at Lakeland and 24 at Auburndale in one season. Marilyn Mccrary is making her Late Model debut at Desoto Speedway on Jul 30th in a brand new HAMKE built machine. We won?t ever tell her age but she could pass for 25 any day.
Mike McCrary Jr. would make his presence known in the early 90?s running Super Late Models and Limited Late Models . Winning was nothing out of the ordinary for the oldest son.
When it came to his girls Michelle would marry Hialeah Speedway?s Mario Gosselin whom now is a superstar in the NASCAR Camping World Truck and Xfinity Series. Melissa would marry George Gorham who currently runs the Super Late Model and Sportsman division. Oh it?s not over, Misty would marry long time racer Dexter Bean to keep the streak going. Don?t think for a minute that all these girls didn?t make a name for themselves. They all raced and they all won.
Last but not least there is the youngest of them all Matt McCrary who has raced and also won in the Street Stock, Mini Stock and Open Wheel Modified. Matt has been patient but yet eager to get his feel of the Super Late Model division. Michael Mccrary reunited himself with one of his good friends and previous drivers Hot Shoe Gary Balough who he hired to crew chief Matt in his Super Late Model.
Make sure you attend the SUNOCO 100 on July 30th as Matt, Marilyn and George Gorham continue on this racing family tradition that has continued for around 46+ years. We are very excited to have all the McCrary family on hand as well as the famous Gary Balough.
