Bettie Gong Panch, beloved wife of NASCAR legend Marvin Panch, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning (June 9, 2006) at the Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville, North Carolina.

Bettie Gong was a petite lady of Chinese descent who spent her early years working in her family's Berkeley grocery store. Among the store's regular customers was a strapping young daredevil named Marvin Panch, who stopped by nearly every day for lunch. Smitten by her beauty and bubbly, outgoing personality, Marvin began to stop by the store for more than just a good sandwich. Word has it that Bettie Gong was engaged to a doctor, but knowing a good thing when she saw it a romance soon began.

Bettie and Marvin Panch were married on January 1, 1953 and soon moved east due to Panch's chosen profession as one of the nation's premier racecar drivers. Initially they settled in Langhorne, Pa. and then moved south to the Daytona Beach area. Prior to relocating to the Daytona Beach area, the Panch's had two children - a son, Richie and a daughter, Marvette.  

Marvin's racing career began to flourish with Bettie supporting him every step of the way. She was the perfect helpmate for Marvin's career in addition to focusing her efforts on raising two fine children.  

Bettie was a racing pioneer in her own right, participating in an all-female road race at Daytona International Speedway in 1960. She was one of the first racing wives seen regularly in victory lane and became a fixture on the racing circuit. Bettie Panch was tireless worker for   charitable events and, in the 1960s was the founder of the Grand National Racing Wives Auxiliary (which today is know as the Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports, Inc).  Bettie also served on the Board of Directors for the Living Legends of Auto Racing - a  Daytona Beach, Florida based organization whose commitment is to preserve the history of stock car racing. 

Bettie Panch will be missed dearly by many in the racing community.  Those of us at WAM are thankful for her insight so that we can help those in need today.

The Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports, Inc. received a Safety All-Star Award from the Home Safety Council.  HSC partnered with WAM in 2005 with our First Annual Derby Duck Race.

The 2006 Safety All-Star Award recognizes those individuals and corporations that have coordinated and implemented vital safety programs for their employees, consumers and the general public.  Brian Bell, Industry Relations Manager, accepted the Safety All-Star Award for WAM.

The Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports, Inc. participated in the NASCAR On Track for Charity walk at Dover International Speedway on June 3rd.  The walk benefited the Greg Biffle Foundation, Evernham Racing for a Reason, The Green Foundation, The Dale Jarrett Foundation, The Kasey Kahne Foundation and the Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports.

Pictured are fans who walked with the WAM team, along with Wendy Venturini, WAM Director (third from left), Brandi Bell, WAM Member and Ann Schrader, WAM Director (far right). (click for full image)