Mike Potter, a colleague of the NASCAR Cup Series for almost fifteen years, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 73. Let’s see how did NASCAR driver die and Mike Potter cause of death in detail.
How did Mike Potter die?
Mike Potter, a NASCAR Cup Series driver and a racing legend from Johnson City, passed away on Monday after a protracted illness. He was 73. Mike Potter cause of death was illness.
The Super Cup Stock Car Series confirmed the death of Mike potter and the statement reads,
“Some sad news to share on this Monday – we have learned that Mike Potter passed away this morning,” reads a statement from the Super Cup Stock Car Series, in which Potter was a regular as both an owner and driver.
“Mike Potter first came to the Super Cup Stock Car Series in 2013 with a storied racing career at tracks such as Kingsport Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway, as well as 60 official starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, including the 1992 Daytona 500. His first successes in the SCSCS were as a team owner, starting with Ben Ebeling’s win at Lonesome Pine in 2016, his first career start.
In 2019, Jon Kerley would win the Veterans Classic at Shenandoah Speedway in a car fielded by Potter, a fitting victory as both served our country in the Marines. Mike Potter would even have his time of achievement behind the wheel later in 2019, taking the checkered flag at Midvale Speedway.
“More important than all those accomplishments was his sheer friendliness in the pit area, always checking in to see how everyone was doing. He was so appreciative to have the chance to see all the competitors and team members while at Tri-County Speedway only nine days ago. We will surely miss Mike Potter and ask that you please keep all of his family and friends in your thoughts. ”
We will miss you, Mike Potter pic.twitter.com/aETPkFaBZF
— Super Cup Stock Car Series (@SCSCSRacing) October 31, 2022
Mike Potter cause of death
Mike Potter was the son of an early mechanic and car owner Jess Potter. Potter, who primarily competes as an independent, made his Cup Series debut in Bristol’s 1979 Southeastern 500. He died on October 31, 2022, at the age of 73. Prolonged illness was Mike Potter cause of death.
My condolences to the family and friends of Mike Potter. I understand he was quite ill at the time I was putting together his video. It was a pleasure to learn his story.https://t.co/xLIaZZtUH4 https://t.co/8dEPJlP0Wn
— Brock Beard (@LASTCARonBROCK) October 31, 2022
Potter, racing his own No. 76 Chevrolet, placed 16th overall. He was well known for his qualifying in the No. 77 Chevrolet for the 1992 Daytona 500, where he placed 30th after stopping due to a fuel pump malfunction.
In the 1993 spring race at Darlington, he made his final Cup Series start for veteran car owner Jimmy Means. Potter is originally from Johnson City, Tennessee.
Mike Potter career
From 1979 to 1993, Potter competed in the Cup Series for a variety of teams including those owned by Buddy Arrington, Roger Hamby, Elmo Langley, Jimmy Means, Bobby Wawak, and himself.
His series debut occurred at the 1979 Southeastern 500 in Bristol, where the legendary Dale Earnhardt won his first of 76 races. While he did not have much success because the procedures were mediocre at best, he did manage 10 top-twenty finishes in sixty tries.
His fifteenth-place performance at Nashville in 1981 was the best of his career. He participated in the 1982 Daytona Xfinity Series race as well, finishing in thirty-second place. He reconnected with Means for the sporadic start in the series in 2007, over ten years after his final Cup start.
Despite being forced to drive start-and-park and backmarker vehicles for most of his starts, he ran the entire 2008 New Hampshire 500 and finished in 29th place.
“Mike Potter was a lifelong friend to our owner, Johnny Davis, and an all-around loving and compassionate soul,” JD according to Motorsports. “He loved and lived this sport, you could usually find him walking around the infield checking on everyone and making sure they had what they needed. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the honor of meeting him. A true friend is never truly gone. Their spirit lives on in the memories of those who loved them”
Gary Potter, Potter’s younger brother, has also competed in Xfinity racing, making five starts for the family team in 1982 and 1983 before switching to a mechanic. Gary won a Cup championship in 1995 while working on the crew of Terry Labonte’s #5 Hendrick Motorsports car.
To make ends meet, their father, who was a bootlegger like many of the early pioneers of stock car racing, owned a Cup team in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Potter achieved success outside of NASCAR at the local and grassroots levels. He finished in the top five three times in ARCA and came close to winning at Talladega in 1980. Following in his father’s footsteps, as Jess was in the Army, Potter also served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
He participated in a few Busch Series races in the early 2000s, mostly in 2003 for Means Racing. For Johnny Davis Motorsports, Potter entered five races in 2004, but only finished two of them.
In 2007, Potter rejoined the NASCAR Busch Series. Mike competed in a number of races for Johnny Davis Motorsports in 2008.
At his home track in Bristol, he competed in his first race of 2008. He finished last in the Johnny Davis Motorsports backup Chevrolet, the #0.
The team’s flagship entry, the #01 SponsorDavis.com Chevrolet, was driven by Potter for a few races when Kertus Davis quit the organization. At the Camping World RV Sells 200 in June, Mike ultimately came in at a solid 29th place.
At the age of 70, Potter triumphed in a Super Cup Stock Car Series race at Midvale (Ohio) Speedway in 2019. Gary Shell, Dusty Silvers, Buck Silvers, and Chrissy Adams, Potter’s cousin, served as his spotters.
Tributes to Mike Potter
Jeff Birchfield tweeted,
Johnson City racing legend Mike Potter, a veteran of 60 NASCAR Cup Series starts, died Monday after an extended illness. He was 73.
Top fan Michael Gillot commented,
Such sad news to hear. He was a great man and an awesome racer. My thoughts and prayers are for mikes family and friends. We got this and know u will always watch over us to keep us safe. Rip Mike. U will be greatly missed.
Jay Bradley commented,
Sorry to hear that, watched him many of times at Kingsport and Bristol Speedways. Always had good-looking race cars.
Brock Beard tweeted,
My condolences to the family and friends of Mike Potter. I understand he was quite ill at the time I was putting together his video. It was a pleasure to learn his story.
Colby Evans-ARCA/NASCAR S&P Cars tweeted,
Gutted to hear that Mike Potter has passed away today at the age of 73 Potter made 60 NCS starts, most notably in the 1992 Daytona 500 driving the #77 for Balough Racing Potter also made Xfinity Starts as late as 2008 for JD Motorsports. RIP (1949-2022)
Steven Taranto tweeted,
Mike Potter had 60 NASCAR Cup Series starts from 1979 to 1993 including the 1992 Daytona 500. His best career finish was a 15th at Nashville in 1981. RIP
KEEP READING,
How did Australian fast bowler Alan Thomson die? Cause of Death Explained
How did Andrew Duncan die? The Second City actor cause of death Explained
Follow us on Twitter for more updates.
Dhaleela (Editor) is a content writer with 4 years of experience in writing blog posts, articles, and job description-based writings. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. She focuses on crafting informative and engaging content for web pages and web posts in a variety of niches, including news, health, technology, and sports.
Coverage: Obituary, Crime, Missing, Sports, Entertainment