BALTES
CLASSIC A TRIBUTE TO FOUNDERS, REWARD FOR FANS AND DRIVERS
ROSSBURG,
OH (August 5) – Tony Stewart, current owner of Eldora
Speedway, has vowed that the legacy of Earl and Berneice
Baltes and their contributions to the classic speedway will
never be forgotten. In addition to the life-sized, true
to detail bronzed statue of them that greets race fans at
the entrance of Eldora Speedway, Stewart celebrates the
renowned pair with the annual Baltes Classic. This year’s
affair, the third annual, will be staged Sunday, September
5.
Earl, along with Berneice at his side, became nationally
known for his uncanny knack of intriguing not only race
teams, but the fans alike, with his motivating promotions.
Whether it be unheard of prize money to win for the teams,
marrying of apes on the stage or wheelbarrow races for the
fans, Baltes always kept people guessing what his next promotional
gimmick would be.
That began from his inaugural fray into auto racing with
the debut of Eldora Speedway in 1954 right up until his
retirement from racing in 2004 and the sale of the facility
to two-time NASCAR Cup champion Stewart.
Appreciative of the opportunity to carry on the Baltes’
dream, Stewart first unveiled the incomparable bronzed likeness,
and then the Baltes Classic, which gives back to the fans.
“What better way to acknowledge Earl and Berneice’s
efforts than to reward the fans?” quipped Stewart
in an earlier interview. “Earl has always gifted the
race teams with the best money there is in racing, but the
fans have been the life blood and backbone of Eldora, so
we want the Baltes Classic to be a tribute to the founders
and the fans.”
As such, thousands of dollars in prizes will be distributed
to the fans on September 5. Already stepping to the plate
are The Home Depot, Marathon Oil Company, Burger King, Old
Spice, Armor All, Kraft, Office Depot, Bass Pro Shops, Tony
Stewart Racing and Oakley. In addition, a four-person suite
pass to the famed World 100 will be awarded, along with
ticketing packages to future Eldora Speedway events.
The on-track menu will feature the Sunoco sponsored American
Late Model Series (ALMS), United Midwestern Promoters (UMP)
Modifieds and Eldora Stock Cars, in a holiday weekend tripleheader.
For the ALMS runners, using this event as their final tune-up
for the following week’s World 100, their treat will
be increased prize money, as well. The standard $2,000 to
win payoff has been upped to $3,000 for the Baltes Classic.
Tony summed it up best with, “Earl and Berneice Baltes
have done so much for racing, for so many years, that no
one will ever forget them.”
