BALTES AND USAC ANNOUNCE SANCTIONING FOR ELDORA SPRINT MILLION

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Jan. 30) -- Eldora Speedway promoter Earl Baltes and the United States Auto Club (USAC) have entered into a monumental accord.

The Indianapolis based organization, entering its 48th year of operation, has been chosen by Baltes as the sanctioning body of choice for his historic Eldora Sprint Million, to be contested over the weekend of September 19 and 20, 2003 at his nationally known southwestern Ohio speed plant. One million dollars in prize money for non-winged sprint cars has been posted for the unprecedented event, which boasts of a $200,000 winner’s payout and $10,000 to start the main event.

Under the terms of the agreement, as announced Thursday in Indianapolis, USAC has granted Special Event status to the Eldora Sprint Million through their National Sprint Division. As such, all of the car specifications will be announced and enforced through USAC, while the conduct and coordination of the race format will be a corroboration between Baltes and USAC.

“I’m more excited about the interest that this race has generated, than anything else I’ve promoted”, offered the 81-year-old Baltes, “and by bringing USAC on board, it is sure to be a first-class hit”.

USAC Sprint racing and Eldora Speedway have combined to create a rich history, dating back to April 22, 1962 when Stan Bowman became the first USAC Sprint winner on Eldora’s one-half mile clay oval. Since that time, 155 feature events have been contested, with 60 different drivers moving into victory lane.

“This race is obviously one of the most important races in our 47-year history,” said USAC President/CEO Rollie Helmling. “It’s huge for our participants and we are extremely proud to have been selected as the sanctioning body. We anticipate the top drivers and equipment from across America for this race, and look forward to our involvement. Earl and his staff have long been part of our family and we are as excited for them as we are for our participants.”

Baltes and USAC will be working diligently over the next few weeks to finalize the complete details of the unparalleled Eldora Sprint Million and will release complete car specifications, race formats and the payoff structure as they are firmed up. The entry blanks will follow.

In the interim, Baltes has announced that ticket sales will begin Monday, February 3. He has priced the event at a reasonable $80 for adult (ages 16 & up) general admission, which includes both nights of activity. Reserved seats will be an additional $2. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Eldora Speedway office at (937) 338-3815 between the hours of 9:00 and 5:00.