By Larry Boos
ROSSBURG, OH (Sept. 27) โ Eldora Speedwayโs staff and officials have joined the auto racing fraternity in expressing their sympathy and sadness on the passing of Hoosier Racing Tire founder Bob Newton of Lakeville, IN.
โI am going to miss Bob, I worked with him a lot of years and at a lot of tracks,โ stated Eldora Speedway founder Earl Baltes.
Hoosier Racing Tire has a rich history at Eldora Speedway; one that was forged through a friendship that developed between Newton and Baltes. It was strengthened by Hoosierโs involvement with the acceptance of Bob Memmerโs concept to create a unified set of dirt Late Model car specifications, including an affordable tire rule. Baltes was a ringleader behind Memmerโs thoughts and encouraged him to contact Newton, which led to the development of UMP (United Midwestern Promoters).
โWithout Bobโs help and belief in Memmerโs idea, I donโt know that dirt Late Model racing would have been saved or ever gotten this big,โ continued Baltes.
The mandated UMP-Hoosier LM tire compounds have been an integral part of the continued popularity of Eldoraโs World 100 and Dirt Late Model Dream.
Hoosierโs presence at Eldora has not been limited to dirt Late Models. Nearly every division that has competed on the legendary .500-mile clay oval has seen Hoosier Racing Tire participation. That involvement even carried over to Eldoraโs newest edition, Little Eldora Speedway, with the Hoosier Hotshoe Classic and the introduction of Hoosier branded go-kart tires to the area.
Bob Newtonโs support of short track racing helped to groom many of todayโs superstars, including current Eldora Speedway owner, three-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart, who established a personal bond with Newton.
Condolences are extended to the entire Newton family.