Originally aired during the 20 broadcast of the inaugural mudsummer. He had owned several nightclubs including, crystal ballroom with leroy and ellie, eldora ballroom, bar e club, and shady park in celina, and had played at wintergarden nightclub in piqua, st. Mar 23, 2015 the now named eldora ballroom is still there, while the racetrack has grown into national treasure. Tony stewart, owner, eldora speedway, said, earl was the yardstick other track promoters measured themselves by. Dirt late model hall of famer billy moyer pocketed the super late model win, while jon henry raced to. Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the eldora ballroom and the wabash river by bandleader earl baltes in 1954, eldora speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Earl baltes, eldora speedway founder passes at age 93. Mar 24, 2015 earl baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, died on the morning of march 23, 2015 at miami valley hospital in dayton, ohio. Earl baltes was the yardstick other track promoters measured themselves by. A tripleheader of racinga action and the final late model tuneup before the world 100. Vip helicopter charters to the eldora speedway for nascar.
Baltes, who had seen a race at the new bremen speedway, was inspired to build his own track after seeing the enthusiasm of the crowds. Mar 25, 2015 earl baltes went from a total racing neophyte to the founder of eldora speedway in ohio, which became one of americas most legendary dirt race tracks. Eldora speedway, also known as the big e and auto racings showcase since 1954, is located near rossburg, ohio. That involved, most likely, something in the neighborhood of 15,000 seats around a highbanked half mile. The earl of eldora tells the story of his life, his dreams, and his experiences. He died this week at age 93, one of the most acclaimed promoters in the history of the sport. Tony stewart, nascar driver and owner of eldora speedway.
With his colorful, straightforward style earl tells of the many deals and promotions that changed the course of american motorsports. Baltes classic kicks off world 100 week at eldora speedway. Big bills path to talladega eldora speedway founder and longtime promoter earl baltes died monday morning at an ohio hospital. The life and times of one of the nations best racing promoters 4. Eldora speedway new weston, oh was built in 1954 by earl baltes, a prominent area. He had his own orchestra, the earl baltes orchestra. Eldora speedway founder earl baltes died monday morning, the track confirmed via its website. Eldora speedway sports magazine, dirt track racing, tony stewart, nascar. Eldora speedway new weston 2020 all you need to know. It was the ungodly fast and historic eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, scraped from literally nothing by its founder and ageless promoter, the irrepressible earl baltes. Eldora speedway the most famous short track in america by holder, bill. This night will also be the final tuneup for the late models before the famous world 100 week, september 101112. Mar 23, 2015 earl baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, died on monday at miami valley hospital in dayton, ohio. Description eldora speedway the history of the most famous dirt short track in america 195420.
The impressive facility is a memorial to its owner and creator, earl baltes, who is as much a part of the track as its menacing high banks. Parnelli jones and a great selection of related books. Aug 10, 2014 legendary promoter earl baltes speaking during some world 100 drivers meetings 198090. The fact that hbo payperview is at eldora speaks to the tracks visionary nature a vision founded and implemented for 50 years by earl baltes, the former owner of eldora speedway. Earl was a wellknown race promoter for over 50 years having started eldora speedway in rossburg as well as promoted, new bremen speedway, limaland speedway, millstream at findlay, mansfield. Baltes, who opened the rossburg, ohio, speedplant in.
Eldora speedway statement on the passing of earl baltes. Earl baltes went from a total racing neophyte to the founder of eldora speedway in ohio, which became one of americas most legendary dirt race tracks. Home of the biggest dirt races in the world including the dirt. Eldora speedway logo the track was built by earle baltes, in rossburg ohio.
Jonathan davenport is enjoying a season for the record books. Sep 01, 2000 the impressive facility is a memorial to its owner and creator, earl baltes, who is as much a part of the track as its menacing high banks. Apr 27, 2011 a master of promotion, caretaker of eldora speedway for 50 years, and the man that made tony stewart a racetrack owner. It was a rough, tough, daring journey, and now you can ride along. Eldora speedway founder earl baltes passes away fox sports. For more information, the baltes family and author dave argabright documented his memoirs in the book earl. Eldora speedway is set to host the 100lap main event of the world 100. Apr 18, 2020 2020 67th season opener season opener. This book covers the exciting sixdecade history of eldora speedway which has the unique capability of being a national leader in both stock cars and open wheel machines. Eldora founder earl baltes passes away performance.
This book covers the the exciting sixdecade history of eldora speedway which has the. Eldora speedway founder passes away the early bird. He was born april 27, 1921 in versailles, ohio, son of the late leroy and ellie frantz baltes. Mar 23, 2015 longtime track promoter built ohio track in 1954 related. Earl baltes was the yardstick other track promoters measured.
Earl baltes was the owner of eldora speedway from 19542004. Mar 23, 2015 earl baltes april 27, 1921 march 23, 2015. Baltes and author dave argabright documented his memoirs in the book earl. The track was originally a quartermile long but expanded to a halfmile in 1958. Earl baltes obituary greenville, oh the daily advocate. Eldora speedway the most famous short track in america. Baltes built the famous dirt track in rossburg, ohio, in 1954 and helped promote it into. Eldora speedway logo the track was built by earle baltes, in rossburg ohio, in dark. It hosts such races as the kings royal, the dirt late model dream, chevrolet american revolution weekend, and the world 100. Baltes was a musician and dancehall owner when he happened upon a sprint car race at new bremen. Eldora speedway new weston, oh was built in 1954 by earl baltes, a prominent area bandleader with no previous racing experience.
Eldora speedway merchandise page 4 tony stewart store. Open wheel leader eldora speedway earl baltes field of. Earl was the yardstick other track promoters measured themselves by. Eldora founder earl baltes passes away performance racing. Parnelli jones and a great selection of related books, art and. Wrapping up the three most intense days of racing, saturdays traditional race format of six heat.
The now named eldora ballroom is still there, while the racetrack has grown into national treasure. Eldora speedway the most famous short track in america holder, bill. The fact that hbo payperview is at eldora speaks to the tracks visionary nature a vision founded and implemented for 50 years by earl baltes. Postponed rescheduled date tbd this event has been postponed in accordance with the presidents coronavirus guidelines for america, the ohio department of health odh stayathome order issued to prevent the spread of covid19, and the center for disease control and prevention cdc guidance on mass gatherings. The phenomena that is eldora speedway and its evolution from earl baltes vision into the worlds most famous short track. Earl baltes, eldora speedway founder passes at 93 speed51. Mar 23, 2015 earl baltes, 93, of new weston, ohio, passed away, monday, march 23, 2015 at miami valley hospital in dayton. Tony stewarts eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, will be quite busy over the next week. Baltes classic kicks off world 100 week the republic. Founded in 1954 by band leader and dance promoter earl baltes, eldora speedway is located just north of rossburg, ohio in a natural amphitheater along the banks of the wabash river. Its the final late model tuneup before the world 100. The people, the places, and the emotions youll never. Eldora speedway race results from the final night of the dirt late model show tonight, its the final night of the threeday show at the rossburg, ohio dirt track.
The reason why involved not just the race, but the race track, too. Earl baltes turns 90 years old and we look at his life and times in celebration. Eldora speedway news latest news from the rossburg, ohio. The now named eldora ballroom is still there, while the racetrack has grown into a national treasure. Legendary promoter earl baltes speaking during some world 100 drivers meetings 198090. The life and times of one of the nations best racing. With the stockers, the track has hosted arca, alms, ump, usac, stars, and fastrak series. Eldora speedway founder, earl baltes, celebrates 90th.
Longtime track promoter built ohio track in 1954 related. We love eldora and cant wait to come back for the dream and world 100 every year read. Eldora speedway the most famous short track in america by. Shortening its name to a single word, baltes opened eldora speedway on.
After 50 seasons of operation, baltes and wife berneice chose to sell eldora to tony stewart in november 2004 due in part to his demonstr. Postponed rescheduled date tbd this event has been postponed in accordance with the presidents coronavirus guidelines for america, the ohio department of health odh stayathome order issued to prevent the spread of covid19, and the center for disease control and prevention. Earl baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, died on the morning of march 23, 2015 at miami valley hospital in dayton, ohio. Eldora is a halfmile clay oval with an estimated seating capacity of nearly 20,000. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, nicholas, ralph, and james baltes. Founder earl baltes has been so influential and important in the motor sports industry. The 10th annual earl baltes classic was held at eldora speedway rossburg, ohio as the dirtcar ump super late models and dirtcar ump modifieds took center stage. Earl baltes, 93, of new weston, ohio, passed away, monday, march 23, 2015 at miami valley hospital in dayton. Rossburg the 10th running of the baltes classic by coors light kicks off eldora speedways biggest week of the year with a rare sunday night event this. Parnelli jones and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The impact he has made and theyve made as a family. In late tony stewart purchased the legendary eldora speedway from earl. The eldora speedway in new weston, ohio was built in 1954 by earl baltes, a wellknown local bandleader. Earl baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, died on monday at miami valley hospital in dayton, ohio. This book covers the the exciting sixdecade history of eldora speedway which has the unique capability of being a national leader in both stock cars and open wheel machines. Longtime owner earl baltes headed the track for a halfcentury and his. Vip helicopter charters to the eldora speedway for nascar events. Media in category eldora speedway the following 9 files are in this category, out of 9 total. Baltes, who was born on april 27, 1921 in nearby versailles, ohio, had stumbled onto a race at new bremen speedway and was so impressed by the big, enthusiastic crowd that he decided to build his own race track. These words well describe earl baltes, one of the most successful shorttrack. Mar 23, 2015 rossburg, ohio march 23, 2015 earl baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, passed away this morning at miami valley hospital in dayton, ohio. Baltes classic by coors light will honor earl and berniece baltes. Rossburg, ohio march 23, 2015 earl baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of eldora speedway in rossburg, ohio, passed away this morning at miami valley hospital in dayton, ohio.
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