TRIBUTE

1976 – 2024

By Nate Van Wagnen

“ Chris Miller , a son , a brother , an uncle , a friend , and so many other things , has been taken from us too soon ,” read a statement from Maryland International Raceway . “ Words cannot express what this loss means to us or how we are feeling here . Please keep the Miller family , Royce , Linda , Jason , and Ashley , along with the rest of us here at MIR in your prayers while we try to navigate through this tragic loss .”

After the Miller family purchased MIR in 1990 , the Miller brothers learned every trick of the trade from their father and the MIR staff members over the years . Chris applied that knowledge when he held the role of operations director at MIR . His expertise also played into the success of the World Cup Finals Impact vs . Domestic , which will celebrate its 28th running on October 30-November 3 . The brothers combined their talents again in late 2017 when they launched the XDA , which now sees several hundred entries at its six races per season .

“ God built him and I very differently , and we each have very different strengths ,” Jason said . “ That is why we are so effective together , and I could not run this business without him because he runs it too .”

While Jason was often seen as the face of the brothers ’ XDA and WCF events , he made it a point both before and after his younger brother ’ s passing that it was Chris ’ work behind the scenes that made the events stand out to racers , fans , and sponsors .

“ I may be the face , the promoter , the marketer , the rule maker , and the track prepper in

our business , but Chris literally does everything else for WCF and XDA ,” Jason shared in a 2019 Facebook post . “ Things that take so much time , that most people don ’ t even realize .

“ He does all the graphic design , video editing , website design , accounts payable , accounts receivable , handles logistics , results , points , runs race control , race configurations , qualifying , ladders , point of sale , books our travel , handles payroll , settle-ups , merchandise , press releases , manages

our direct mail and email databases , manages our office network , IT guy , handles our taxes , all the paperwork , oversees all advance ticketing , gold cards , email blasts and still manages to keep his head perfectly shaven all the time . I am sure I have left out a ton of other stuff he does , but you get the drift .”

The MIR and XDA teams , along with the Miller family and their extended family and friends , banded together to host the season-opening Platinum General Services XDA Spring Nationals on April 19-21 in Miller ’ s memory . It was an emotional weekend for all involved , especially the office staff that spent so much time with Miller while he ran the events from race control .

“ He was one of the first people I met when I started working at the track and welcomed me in with open arms ,” said Chris Higgins , MIR ’ s director of marketing and public relations , and one of the track ’ s announcers . “ I am going to miss our talks , laughs , and stories together . We have lost an amazing person / soul and this one hurts .”

Chris leaves behind his parents , Linda and Royce ; his brother , Jason Miller and his wife Rachel ; his sister , Ashley St . Pierre and her husband Kevin ; three nieces , two nephews , and numerous relatives and friends . In lieu of flowers , donations to Chris ’ legacy may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI ), per his obituary .

“ His smile , personality , sense of humor , laughter , and overall presence will be greatly missed not just by us here ,” continued MIR ’ s statement , “ but by his family , friends , and the drag racing community .” DI

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MARYLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY AND JASON MILLER