Lois J. Tyler, 81, of Pennsylvania, passed away Thursday (Aug. 9, 2012) at the Kane Community Hospital following a brief illness. She was married Carl A. Tyler, who passed away Jan. 6, 1993. Along with many other jobs, she also worked in her husband’s mechanic business in Daytona Beach and Murphy, N.C. She spent many years as a NASCAR Legends Driver. Lois and her husband were active and involved with NASCAR for their entire life. Lois Tyler participated in the NASCAR Women’s National Championship Compact Car Race held January 31, 1960, at the Daytona International Speedway. Lois drove the #69 Studebaker Lark coupe. The racecourse for this race consisted of both the oval track as well as the road course. Lois finished 7th out of 7 entries. Lois has a lifelong interest in automobile racing. Her father, Ray Schimp, was a race track owner in Bradford. He opened a quarter mile racetrack in 1953. In 1957 the track was relocated and expanded to a half mile in length. Ray remained active in the operation of the track into the 80’s. Lois was a scorer for Richard Petty at Daytona for 17 years. She was an active member of the Living Legends of Auto Racing club. Lois ‘ husband, Carl Tyler raced for 25 years. He began in Pennsylvania, raced in the NASCAR Grand National Division, the last race on the beach, 1958, and the first Daytona 500 at the new speedway, in 1959. Carl raced in the NASCAR Sportsman Division from 1960 through 1969. He continued to race on area tracks in Florida until 1978. Carl races 12 Sprint Cup Series race in 1958-1959 with a best finish of 11th at Wilson Speedway.
Service info, online condolences and obituary can be found at www.framefuneralhome.com.(Bradford Era)(8-13-2012)
