Eldora Speedway...
3-Wide start designed for Baltes Promotional Flair   

ROSSBURG, OH (August 17) – When two-time NASCAR Cup Champion Tony Stewart purchased Eldora Speedway from the legendary Earl Baltes in the Fall of 2004, he confessed that he had big shoes to fill. He admitted that no one could completely duplicate the Baltes style, but Stewart set out on a mission to preserve the famed Eldora Experience as much as he could, with continued respect for the foundation that Baltes had built Eldora upon. 

Aware of Baltes’ flair for the unheard of, Stewart and his Eldora team announced earlier this year a new concept for dirt Late Model racing – a three-wide start coming down for the green flag, with up to 33 cars in the field. Both ideas represent ‘firsts’ for Eldora. 

Appropriately enough, as a tribute to the 90-year old Baltes, this race will be conducted as part of the annual Baltes Classic on Sunday, September 4. Stewart introduced the Baltes Classic in 2008 as his way to give annual tribute to renowned man who almost single-handedly turned a cornfield into the most prominent grassroots facility in the Nation. At that time, Stewart unveiled a life-style bronzed sculpture of Earl and his wife Berneice, which sits at the entrance of the speedway, to forever welcome fans to Eldora. 

With WIX Filters on board as sponsor of the UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) sanctioned event, Stewart’s promotional team came up with 33 as the common denominator for the unique event. The race will go 33 laps, start 33 cars, pay $3300 to win and $330 minimum to start. 

Stewart quipped, “now THIS is something that Earl would be doing if he still had control of Eldora, and we’re excited about the buzz it has created among the racing fraternity and its fan base. It is truly hard to come up with an idea that Earl hasn’t already tried, but we’re convinced this is something that definitely complements the Baltes flair.” 

Apprehension personifies the mood of the drivers, as is always the case when something new is introduced. To ease the concerns somewhat, the start of the event will move from the exit of turn four to the middle of turns three and four. This move will allow the teams to progress up to speed in a safer manner, rather than full bore out of the turn. 

For the drivers, it will be a full points event towards not only the Sunoco American Late Model Series title, but the coveted Eldora Speedway Late Model title as well; and the final tune-up for the famed World 100, which will invade Eldora’s hallowed high-banks the following weekend. 

Joining the card for a tripleheader program will be the UMP sanctioned Modifieds and Eldora’s Stock Car division. For the Modifieds and Stock Cars, the Sunday special will serve as their final points meet towards the cumulative title. 

Complete event information may be found on the track’s website www.eldoraspeedway.com.