Ambitious Sunday Race Menu Follows Salute to Eldora Founders Earl & Berneice Baltes
Baltes Classic presented by Coors Light Features Tight Points Chase & Final Tune-up for World 100
ROSSBURG, OH (August 28) – There is a lot on the line when racing action returns to Eldora Speedway Sunday night (August 31) – the 7th annual Baltes Classic presented by Coors Light – saluting founders Earl and Berneice Baltes.
Earl Baltes’ vision and clever promotions greatly impacted auto racing nationwide. He carved Eldora Speedway out of a cornfield in 1954 and right through his retirement in 2004, maintained a watchful eye over his empire while ruling with a jovial iron fist with the support of his wife Berneice. Over the years, he moved Eldora Speedway into the forefront of America’s short-track racing with eye-opening events and enormous payouts.
On Sunday, the 93-year-old Baltes will return to the stage one more time and as always, Berneice will be at his side.
Following the fitting salute, it is down to business for the racers.
For the Stock Car division it will be their final night of 2014 action and a new champion will be determined. Coming into the chase, Jeff Koz holds a comfortable lead over Paul Pardo, Frank Paladino and Earnie Woodard. Interestingly enough, none of that quartet has garnered an Eldora title previously.
Running under the Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS) banner, Sunday’s 25-lap, $3,000 to win chase kicks off a busy UMP DIRTcar Late Model run at Eldora that spotlights six A-Feature events over the course of a seven-day period. In addition to Sunday’s headliner; twin 25-lap A-Features will kick off the 44th annual World 100 Weekend this Thursday (September 4) and Friday (September 5) prior to Saturday’s (September 6) 100-lap World 100 chase for the famed globed trophy and $47,000 winner’s purse.
Rounding out the competition story lines Sunday night will be the heated point battle in the Modified division, also running under the sanctioning eye of UMP DIRTcar. Three-time and defending champion Jerry Bowersock carries a slim two-point margin over Matt Westfall, who is seeking his first Eldora title.
Tickets and campsites for the Baltes Classic presented by Coors Light, World 100 and remaining 2014 Eldora events are available by going online to www.EldoraSpeedway.com. Additionally, tickets and campsites may be purchased through the Eldora offices during normal business hours by calling (937) 338-3815 or on race day.
Race fans and race teams can get behind-the-scenes access by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at Facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and view video highlights at YouTube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc. Mobile device users can access the Eldora Speedway app for the iPhone, iPad and Android which are available for download via iTunes and Google Play.