Innovative Auto-Racing Promoter Helped Build NASCAR Into A National Sport While Maintaining His Short-Track Roots

ROSSBURG, Ohio (July 17, 2018) – Legendary auto-racing promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler will serve as grand marshal for Wednesday night’s Eldora Dirt Derby for the Camping World Truck Series – the only national NASCAR series event held on dirt.

“Captivating finishes, unpredictable racing, wild action and all kinds of pyrotechnics at America’s greatest dirt track. This is the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show of NASCAR racing. It’s big and bold and just how Earl thought. I can’t wait to finally see it in person!” said Wheeler, who shared a special kinship with Eldora’s bold founder and longtime promoter, the late Earl Baltes.

In 1975, Wheeler was hired to manage Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS). Utilizing his innovative style of entertainment promotion and his extensive motorsports background, Wheeler helped transform the 1.5-mile superspeedway into one of the world’s leading sports facilities. He served as president and general manager of the iconic 1.5-mile superspeedway until May 2008.

When CMS announced its intention to build a dirt track in 1999, Wheeler consulted with Baltes, the 1993 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year on the design and construction of The Dirt Track @ Charlotte Motor Speedway and named Baltes the grand marshal for the inaugural event in May 2000.

Tickets and event information for Wednesday night, including reserved seats, are available now from www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by calling (937) 338-3815. Children under 12 are admitted free to all General Admission spectator areas at Eldora Speedway and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events.

About Eldora Speedway:

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. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Eldora is celebrating its 65th consecutive season of racing in 2018 featuring the biggest events in short-track racing, including: the 24th running of the $100,000-to-win Dirt Late Model Dream Weekend; the 35th Annual $50,000-to-win Kings Royal Weekend; the Camping World Truck Series’ Eldora Dirt Derby – NASCAR’s only race on dirt on Wednesday, July 18th; the 48th Annual World 100 Weekend on September 6th-7th-8th; and the historic 4-Crown Nationals on September 21st and 22nd. The complete schedule for Eldora’s 2018 season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access by following @EldoraSpeedway on social media channels Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Exclusive video content posted on www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedway has been viewed over 4.2-million times.