Roger Miller Passes Away

Photo: Brian Cleary/GRAND-AM

Roger Miller, the son of the late founder of Miller Motorsports Park, Larry H. Miller, died Sunday at the age of 45. The unexpected death of Miller, announced today by his family, came just hours after competing in Saturday’s GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at Kansas Speedway.

Miller, who was in his third year of GRAND-AM competition, teamed with Ian James for a 11th place finish in the GS class aboard their Dempsey Racing-prepared Ford Mustang last weekend.

The cause of death has not been released at this time.

“The news hit us all hard, a shocking and deeply sad loss of a dear friend,” said Dempsey Racing team co-principal Patrick Dempsey. “We can’t express enough our sorrow and sympathy for Roger and his family. He was an integral part of our team and, more significantly, such a great friend for much longer than that.

“Our relationship with Roger and his family started at Miller Motorsports Park several years prior to racing with him and it was always a pleasure. Just a fantastic person, great teammate, and I am so glad, Joe [Foster], Ian and I and other members of our team were able to spend some time that will now be cherished with Roger just two weeks ago at Road America.”

Utah businessman Larry H. Miller, who owned the Utah Jazz as well as being the founder of Miller Motorsports Park, died in 2009. The circuit, opened in 2006, has played host to both the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM, among other national and international motorsports events.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John