Our Next Event

The 26th Annual Lake Mirror Classic

Friday-Sunday,
October 17th-19th, 2025.

2025 Grand Marshal

Gary Patterson – President of Shelby American

As president of Shelby American, Gary Patterson oversees all manufacturing, sales, operations, distribution and marketing. He has been a key Shelby team member since the birth of the continuation Cobra in 1996 through current Mustang and Ford F-150 and F-250 based vehicles.

Patterson manages a broad range of business initiatives all over the world. He has also been a liaison with all military branches throughout his tenure at Shelby, hosting military groups, promoted job opportunities at Shelby for service members. A major supporter of the armed forces, his two sons currently serve in the United States Air Force and Coast Guard. Gary has been at the forefront of countless charitable operations over decades helping to raise millions of dollars for first responders and groups like JDRF and Autism national charities.

Patterson was the Chief test and development driver for Shelby for many years until taking on his present role. He has been deeply involved in the creation of every Shelby vehicle since the company moved to Las Vegas. He has also served as a factory team driver for Shelby American at many events over nearly 3 decades. Patterson is on the NADA advisory board. He also serves as a technical advisor for the Ultimate Street Car Association.

Patterson has always been involved in motorsports and raced everything from tricycles to sports cars. His love for Mustangs began when his father brought home a 1965 hi performance convertible. Those early years led to his first car purchase, a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang which he still owns. Patterson drag raced that car while in high school and later became involved in autocross and competed in a modified Corvette. He currently owns several key Shelby development vehicles that he helped to create. Patterson began his Open Road Racing career in 1991. His involvement raised millions of dollars through non-profit organizations.

Patterson has served as President of the Mustang Club of Las Vegas, Vice President of Competition for the Central Buckeye Corvette Assoc. and was an NCRS judge. Patterson was promoted to President of Shelby American in December 2016 and is currently the longest standing president in the history of the company outside of founder Carroll Shelby.