RIP Earl

[Dante Toledo, OH]

They have done a great job on the write up on Eldora's website. Usually when a former track owner or promoter dies, they have a moment of silence or maybe even a memorial race or something. I believe Earl is probably the only one that deserves a moment of silence and memorial race at every track. He will missed everywhere.

[over4T]

I'll always have fond memories of Earl from the late '60s when I ran Eldora in the Sunday shows in one of the support divisions. Never won so much as a heat race and broke a lot of stuff. Earl, on more than one occasion, would slip me $5 for gas to get me back to Indiana where I was working. Went back to California and it was over 20 years till I saw him again and he still remembered me. Never again in all my years in the sport have I seen a promoter his equal. Thanks again Earl. R.I.P.

[Captain Happy]

This sport was elivated beyond anyone's expectotions by Earl alone. May he rest in peace, and in his memory let this sport be bountiful with the seeds he planted. Racing was lucky to have him. Thank you Earl!

[TerryM]

The term "GOAT" gets thrown around far too easily these days, but when it comes to dirt track promoting, there's no doubt Earl Baltes was the greatest of all time. My dad took me to Eldora for the first time in 1969 when I was 6 years old. It was my first dirt racing experience and I was hooked for life. At one point I attended 22 straight World 100's and 10 straight Dream 100's, as well as the one and only Earl's Million and several other big shows at the Big E. Not once did I ever leave there having not had a great time -- even the times we got rained out.

There's nothing like coming up the road, peaking that little hill, and seeing that incredible scene up ahead. It still gives me chills all these years later. Whether it's that or the cars pulling on to the track for the first heat race on World 100 Saturday, there's nothing like the Big E and there never will be anything like it for me. And it's all because of the great Earl Baltes. He had big dreams and big plans, and he always followed through with his vision -- even the Million to win race he talked about for years. There will never be another Earl Baltes. I guess he finally sold that last hot dog he needed to sell before moving on. Godspeed Earl and Bernice.

[GotDirt1313]

Never got the pleasure of meeting Mr. Baltes, wish the opportunity had came, I do know that the world lost a legend, not just the racing world. I 've always wondered why they didn't just call it "EARLDORA" because it should have been, that 's what it will always be to me, R.I.P Mr. Baltes and God speed!!!

[fastford]

its always sad when someone passes away, considering the person he was, he would probably would want everyone to celebrate the legacy he is leaving behind, which for the dirt racing community was one of the greatest there's been, R.I.P. Mr. Baltes.

[TDRacin®]

A very sad day in motorsports. He was a hero of mine who was one of the hardest working people I have ever met. He always had time for me or my son whenever out paths crossed.

[miso_ohio]

Sad day for the racing community everywhere, my condolences to his friends and family.

Just about everybody who has been to Eldora can tell a story or two about him, he will be greatly missed.

[mantooth]

Best quote ever " If I could sell one more hotdog I might break even-Earl Baltes" RIP Earl

[racer67x]

Rip...........

[golddirt]

A good man has been called home thanks for all you have done for dirt racing, earl r.i.p.

[buster83]

we at a winged sprint car race it came a down pour and we went to the big barn Earl was there and he told us don`t worry we will get this race in,hell i was ready to go home the rain finally let up they packed the track they got the sprint cars on the track and ran everything, it was 4:30am when got home. that was Earl thing to complete the program if at all possible.

[25 Jay 53]

RIP Earl. I am fortunate enough to have got to see the Million and 4 World 100's under his leadership, greatest promoter of all time. If there was a mount Rushmore for dirt racing he would be on it.

[HoosierDirtFan]

RIP Earl Baltes. You gave the dirt racing community and family and great racing facility thee hallowed ground of Eldora Speedway in west central Ohio on Route 118 where you could take your family and watch drivers do battle at high speeds. You gave us so much with hard work and sweat you cut a 1/2 mile of speed out of a field, Many a great names have circled the facility, names that include Kinser, Rayburn, Swindell, Bloomquist, Moyer, Wolfgang, Hewitt, T. Stewart, Pervis, Boggs, Moore, Haudenschild, and many more. You put on races that other tracks where maybe afraid to try and some of those turned into huge yearly traditions including the Kings Royal, Dirt Late Model Dream, World 100, and some 1 time happenings like the Eldora Million, Mopar Million, & Historical Big One. The facility is in many ways like no other with a great family atmosphere where you can see folks wearing there favorite drivers and race tracks t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, souvenir flags, race DVD's, with 5 separate camping grounds that surround the track and are usually filled to capacity during the BIG races each year. I doubt we races fans will ever see anyone quite like you in the rest of our life times. For giving people like my self a dirt racing facility I can enjoy for many years to come. For all that and more stated above I say thank you sir. You will be missed by the many who flock to ELDORA each year to watch those races you made so famous and enjoyed by the masses.

ALSO TO remind others here on 4M.net and the many race fans - Earl was a WWII veteran <> So from some one who can appreciate the U.S. Armed Forces for what they do to keep folks like my self FREE I say Thank you for your dedication & service to this country.

I hope Tony Stewart and staff at the Eldora Speedway would create a race in Earls memory not just the Baltes classic. A truly HUGE race that Earl was known for putting on.

God Speed Earl Baltes (93) 1921-2015

[Captain Happy]

Make The Baltes Classic into something the caliber of the Dream and World but bigger!!$$!!