Former NASCAR team owner Harry Scott Jr. passes away at 51

Harry Scott Jr., a recent owner in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, died Wednesday at the age of 51.

His family released a statement announcing the news:

“We are shocked and saddened to confirm that Harry Scott, Jr., age 51, passed away yesterday, August 2, 2017. Harry will be remembered as a loving family man and successful business owner. We ask that everyone please keep Harry’s smile, generosity and essential kindness in your thoughts and prayers. Details about funeral services will be announced when they are finalized.”

Scott, a native of Raleigh, N.C., fielded teams in the Cup Series between 2013-16 with drivers Clint Bowyer, Justin Allgaier, and Michael Annett. Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell and Bobby Labonte also drove cars owned by Scott.

Bowyer drove for HScott Motorsports last season before moving over to Stewart-Haas Racing to take over the No. 14 car after Tony Stewart retired. Annett was a fulltime driver for Scott in 2015-16 and Allgaier in 2014-15. Allgaier expressed his condolences and thanked Scott for giving him "the opportunity to fulfill my dream of driving in NASCAR’s top series" on his Instagram account:

Scott began his NASCAR efforts as co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports with fellow team owner Steve Turner in 2013. The group fielded entries in the Camping World Truck and Xfinity Series. Later that season, Scott agreed to purchase the assets for Phoenix Racing, a single-car entity competing in the Cup Series. 

Scott closed the operation at the end of the 2016 season because of a lack of funding and driver availability. Both Allgaier and Annett now drive in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Scott fielded an Xfinity Series car in 2015 in colloboration with owner Chip Ganassi. Larson, Justin Marks and Brennan Poole shared driving duties on the No. 42 car, and Larson took Scott to victory lane in the 2015 Xfinity season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was Scott's lone career victory in NASCAR's top-two series.

Scott also operated five NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams with co-owner Marks. Justin Haley (2016), William Byron (‘15) and Ben Rhodes (’14) won K&N Pro Series East championships for the HScott/Marks organization.

Marks issued a statement on his Twitter account, which read in part: "Harry loved racing and was truly committed to seeing success across all of his teams. Without his commitment to the sport, many would not have had the opportunity to ascend to positions they hold today."