Gary Patterson was one of the original Outlaws, traveling from track to track before it was fashionable. As a true independent, he answered only to himself. He raced what he wanted and where he wanted, seeking the biggest challenges or the biggest purse. But, no matter where he was found, he lived and raced only by his choices. No promoter, no race car owner, and no sanctioning group had a leash on "GP".

He was among the most well-known sprint car drivers in the world, revered in some quarters, considered in more controversial terms in others. Nonetheless, he was universally recognized and respected for his driving talent at every track from Knoxville to Adelaide. Regardless of his politics, he stood for hard, wheel-to-wheel, give-no-quarter, competitive racing. 

"GP", "The Preacher", was one of Northern California's favorite sons. And even though he ran on everything from mile ovals to bullrings, the scenic 1/2 mile Calistoga Speedway was one of his favorites. He raced Calistoga by choice.

Even the 1983 accident that ended his life was the result of his own choice - to take his chances with the wall rather than take out another driver along the way. He lived by his own decisions, he raced by his own decisions, and was never afraid to face the consequences. He respected other people's choices. He expected no less than the same respect for his own.

Gary Patterson was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1998
(Contributed by Steve Lafond)

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FORMER WINNERS OF THE “Tribute to Gary Patterson”

1984- Chuck Gurney
1985- Brent Kaeding
1986- Tim Green
1987- Jimmy Sills
1988- Jeff Swindell
1989- Jason Mcmillen
1990- Jimmy Sills
1991- Tim Green
1992- Tim Green
1993- Randy Tiner
1994- Brent Kaeding
1995- Paul Mcmahan
1996- Steve Kent
1997- Randy Tiner
1998- Randy Hannagan
1999- Brent Kaeding
2000- Steve Kent
2001- Brent Kaeding
2002- Jason Meyers
2003- Dennis Moore Jr.
2004- Sparky Howard
2005- Steve Kent
2006- Steve Kent
2007- Jonathan Allard
2008- Tim Kaeding
2009- Kyle Hirst
2010- Zach Zimmerly
2011- Peter Murphy
2012- Rico Abreu
2013- (410) Rico Abreu, (360) Tim Kaeding
2014- (410) Shane Golobic, (360) Rico Abreu
2015- (410) Jonathan Allard, (360) Andy Forsberg
2016- (410) Tim Kaeding, (360) Jason Meyers
2017- (410) Cory Eliason, (360) Dominic Scelzi
2018- (410) Rico Abreu, (360) Shane Golobic

2019- (410) Shane Golobic, (360) Rico Abreu
2020- (410) Justin Sanders, (360) Colby Copeland