Frank Rogers

Tommy Bare, the patriarch of a three-generation Late Model racing family with each member a champion at Virginia Motor Speedway, died Sunday evening at his Rockbridge Baths, Va., home. He was 76. | Slideshow

The standout Mid-Atlantic driver's tire tracks were followed by his son John "Booper" Bare with an outstanding career while grandson Tyler Bare is a successful Late Model driver at age 25.

"It is with heavy hearts and eyes full of tears, that we have to announce the unexpected passing of our Hero, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather," the family announced via the Tyler Bare Racing Facebook page.

Famously driving the No. B-8, among Tommy Bare's biggest victories were the inaugural Hub City 150 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway in 1975 and Winchester (Va.) Raceway's Winchester 200 in 1972 and ’77. He was also the 1979 Fall Classic winner and 1979-80 Gibson-Brown Memorial winner at Virginia Raceway near Jamaica (now Virginia Motor Speedway). He also captured 1989’s Baker Bros. 200 at Natural Bridge (Va.) Speedway.

Among track championships were titles at Log Cabin Raceway in Rocky Mount, Va., and Virginia Raceway, where Booper Bare was the 2003-04 Late Model champion and Tyler Bare won the 2015 Crate Late Model title.

Private burial will be Thursday, March 26, at McElwee Chapel Cemetery in Rockbridge Baths. A celebration of life will be held later. Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory in Lexington, Va., is handling arrangements.

Editor's note: Updates with arrangements.