Sad News: Tony Stewart And NASCAR World Mourn Loss Of Fan-Favorite Eldora Speedway Icon

The man who helped keep Earl Baltes’ and Tony Stewart’s vision for the Eldora track alive has passed away. In 2022, Tony Stewart, the track’s owner, appointed seasoned racing executive Jerry Gappens Jr. as the new general manager. Gappens described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.Two years and a Promoter of the Year award later, Stewart wrote a moving tribute when Gappens died at the age of 63.

Gappens came in Eldora in April 2022 after serving at Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway. He replaced Roger Slack at Eldora and proved to be an excellent choice for Stewart.

“Jerry’s presence was immeasurable,” Tony Stewart heaps praises on Gappens for his contributions to Eldora

Jerry Gappens, who arrived to Eldora with years of expertise and grassroots racing knowledge, began his motorsports career in northern New Jersey in the early 1980s for National Speed Sports News, which was founded by the late Chris Economaki. Later, he joined Speedway Motorsports, where he spent the majority of his career before retiring with Eldora.

Celebrating Gappens’ life and legacy in a press release shared by Eldora Speedway, Tony Stewart said, “Jerry came to Eldora with a wealth of experience and an equal amount of humility. No job was too big or too small. His attention to detail was impressive, and he made sure the fan experience at Eldora was exceptional, always finding ways to make improvements with each and every event he oversaw.”

 

The former SHR driver went on to express his thoughts and prayers for his family during these difficult times.”With Jerry at the helm, Eldora Speedway was in excellent hands, and I’m sure track founders Earl and Berneice Baltes would agree. The Eldora community prays for Jerry’s wife, Cheryl, and their four children, Denny, Wes, Allison, and Brad. Jerry’s presence was immense, and he is greatly missed by all of us.”The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.

For him, racing was more than simply a vocation; it was something he pursued from an early age. Gappens Jr., last year’s Promoter of the Year in the North American Sprint Car poll, was very close to his father and followed in his footsteps. His father was a sprint car competitor who promoted the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track and later worked on track preparation at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway.

The younger Jerry once said, “I remember riding in the truck with him on the way home, with the race car on the trailer behind us.”I would put on his racing helmet and fall asleep across the truck’s seat. He took me to my first Indy 500 when I was eight years old in 1969, and we never missed one until I started working at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

As news of his death spread, the NASCAR community shared their profound condolences and honored his achievements.

Gappens spent 23 years with Speedway Motorsports, during which he held key positions. He first served as senior VP of events and marketing at Charlotte Motor Speedway for 15 years from 1993 to 2007. Later, he would serve as Executive VP and GM of New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon for eight years.

Appreciating his dedication to the sport and expressing heartfelt condolences on his demise, a fan wrote, “What a life to be remembered. Godspeed, Jerry. ♥️”. Someone remembered him contributing to other great events, “I heard, he was the PA announcer for @CLTMotorSpdwy for many years too.”

His success and resume led Tony Stewart to acquire his services, and results followed. During the veteran motorsports executive’s tenure at Eldora, the race track continued its tradition of holding some of the highest-paying dirt-racing events, including the Eldora Million. This event in Jerry’s presence was the first winged sprint car event that handed out $1 million in winnings.

Gappens has actually realized his aim of helping to elevate racing through his work throughout the years. His involvement with the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing was another significant effort highlighted by World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. Carter praised Gappens, stating, “Eldora Speedway is synonymous with the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing, and Jerry enhanced that relationship with his hands-on approach to some of the biggest dirt track racing events in history.”

Carter sent sympathies to Gappens’ family, friends, and the Eldora Speedway community. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at World Racing Group go out to them.”

From 2018 to 2022, Gappens worked at the Jack Himelick-owned Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway, where he promoted the quarter-mile dirt track. Following Gappen’s death, one user even reported an odd coincidence. “Kind of spooky that I just emailed the city of Gas City earlier today about the status of the track since it is sitting idle now after Jerry’s departure.”

Last season Gappens ushered in the Dirt Track World Championship’s arrival, the Eldora’s first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Hence, his contributions to the track will remain etched forever.

Many others chimed in with their prayers for Gappens and messages for his family, stating, “May he rest in peace,” “Sending thoughts and prayers,” and “Prayers for all who loved him.”

This news does come as a bitter blow to Tony Stewart, as well as to us at EssentiallySports. We send our heartfelt condolences to the veteran’s family, friends, and fans.