It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our friend, our president, and one of the guiding forces behind the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival, Tracy Modlin.
For many of us, this loss is difficult to put into words.
Tracy wasn’t just a member of our board. He was one of the people who helped build the Revival into what it is today. A lifelong Garnett resident, he attended some of the original Lake Garnett races as a young boy. Decades later, he dedicated himself to making sure those races would never be forgotten.
From the very beginning of the Revival, Tracy was there.
He served on our Board of Directors from the earliest days and, in recent years, as our president. If something needed to happen, Tracy found a way. Whether it was coordinating with the city, working with county offices, organizing event logistics, or making countless behind-the-scenes details come together, he was the steady hand that kept so much of the Revival moving forward.
When the future of the historic raceway itself was at stake, Tracy once again stepped forward. He spearheaded our Save the Track campaign, helping raise the funds and coordinate the contractors needed to repair and preserve the road that means so much to all of us. And when additional financing was needed to finish the project, Tracy didn’t hesitate to put his own prized motorcycle up as collateral because he believed that deeply in protecting Lake Garnett Raceway for future generations.
That was Tracy.
He never sought recognition. He simply did whatever needed to be done.
As much as he loved the history of Lake Garnett, Tracy loved the people even more. He was genuinely grateful for every volunteer, every participant, every sponsor, every spectator, and every member of the Garnett community who helped make the Revival possible. He never forgot that this event exists because so many people come together with a shared passion.
He enjoyed driving his big-block 1972 Corvette around the historic raceway, but those who knew him best also know how much joy he found sitting in the passenger seat while one of his granddaughters took the wheel. Moments like those reminded us what the Revival has always been about: sharing our passion with the next generation.
Tracy leaves behind an incredible legacy—not just in the event he helped build, but in the friendships he formed, the lives he touched, and the example he set for all of us.
His shoes cannot truly be filled. The best we can do is honor his memory by continuing the work he loved so much and ensuring that the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival continues for generations to come.
On behalf of our entire Board of Directors and the entire LGGPR family, we extend our deepest condolences to Tracy’s family, friends, and everyone in the Garnett community who had the privilege of knowing him.
Thank you, Tracy.
For your leadership.
For your generosity.
For your unwavering belief in this event.
For helping preserve the history of Lake Garnett.
You will be deeply missed, and you will never be forgotten.
