The man who helped continue Earl Baltes’ and Tony Stewart’s vision for the Eldora track is no more. In 2022, Tony Stewart, the owner of Eldora Speedway, announced veteran motorsports executive Jerry Gappens Jr. as the new GM of the track. Gappens described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”. Two years and a Promoter of the Year award later, Stewart penned a heartfelt note as Gappens passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63.

Gappens arrived at Eldora in April 2022 having served at Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway. At Eldora he replaced Roger Slack and more than justified his selection by Stewart.

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

Jerry Gappens, who came to Eldora with years of experience and grassroots racing knowledge, started his motorsports career in northern New Jersey for National Speed Sports News under its late founder Chris Economaki during the early 1980s. Later he would join Speedway Motorsports and spend the majority of his career there before a final run 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 share his thoughts and prayers for his family in these tough times. “With Jerry at the helm, Eldora Speedway was in great hands, and I’m confident track founders Earl and Berneice Baltes would agree. The Eldora community prays for Jerry’s wife, Cheryl, their children Denny, Wes, Allison and Brad, and their family. Jerry’s presence was immeasurable, and he is sorely missed by all of us.” The cause of his death has not been revealed as of yet.

Racing for him wasn’t just a profession but something that he adopted early in his life. Last year’s Promoter of the Year in the North American Sprint Car poll, Gappens Jr. was 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 assisted in track preparation at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway.

The younger Jerry once mentioned, “I remember riding in the truck with him on the way home with the race car on the trailer behind us. I’d put his racing helmet on and fall asleep across the seat in the truck. He took me to my first Indy 500 when I was 8 years old back in 1969 and we didn’t miss an Indy 500 until I went to work at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

As the news of his demise came through, the NASCAR community expressed their heartfelt condolences and remembered his contributions.

The community reacts to the passing of Jerry Gappens

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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 indeed fulfilled his dream of contributing to elevating motorsports through his work over the years. His work with World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing was another immense contribution recognized by the World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. In a statement, Carter heaped praise on Gappens and said, “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 also offered condolences to Gappens family, adding, “We are saddened for his family and friends as well as the tight-knit group at Eldora Speedway. The thoughts and prayers of all of us at World Racing Group go out them.”

From 2018-2022, Gappens worked at the Jack Himelick-owned Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway, where he had been the promoter of the quarter-mile, dirt oval. A user even shared a bizarre coincident in the aftermath of Gappen’s death. “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.