We are shocked and saddened by the news of the untimely loss of our beloved “Petaluma Ironman” Shawn McCoy.

For immediate release:

Petaluma Speedway is shattered by the news of Shawn McCoy’s untimely passing during last night’s Marysville Raceway Taxicab Open.

Shawn, known as The Ironman of Petaluma Speedway, was famous to fans for his blue and multi-colored number 60 Super Stock and Dwarf Car, but moreso was a part of the Petaluma Speedway family, deeply interwoven through two generations of McCoys who made the Speedway their home on race nights for over a half century. For those who knew Shawn, his large and intimidating look was about as far from the truth as humanly possible. Shawn was a gentle giant, with a handshake and stories about his racing and his life that never ended. Shawn was fiercely proud of his father Bob, who ran the push truck brigade until he passed nearly a decade ago. Gentle Giant Shawn would cry when talking about his father. He deeply loved his wife, Becky, who pushed sprint cars, keeping with the McCoy tradition. As much as Shawn loved Petaluma Speedway, Petaluma Speedway loved Shawn right back. When Shawn’s Ironman streak ended, we cried for him. He tried to convince doctors to let him out of the hospital so he could take the green flag and keep the streak going, but was denied; he started another one when he came back. Now, with his loss, it’s etched in racing history. When you talk about Petaluma Speedway, inevitably “that guy who was always there in the blue Chevelle” is talked about. For those good with names, you remember Damitz, Lindt, Johns, and McCoy as among the first names you think of when you think of Petaluma history, along with Dempsey, Pedlar, Roy, Pacheco, and Williams. Shawn loved racing, and if we take any solace in Shawn’s passing, he passed doing what he dearly loved to do.

We were all fortunate to know this quiet and gentle giant for as long as we did. We mourn the loss of Shawn McCoy as the Petaluma Speedway family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Shawn’s wife Becky and the entire McCoy family at this time.