FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2012
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ELDORA SADDENED BY LOSS OF BOB NEWTON
Hoosier Racing Tire Patriarch Crafted Longstanding Relationship with Eldora

ROSSBURG, OH (Sept. 27) – Eldora Speedway’s 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.

“I am going to miss Bob, I worked with him a lot of years and at a lot of tracks,” 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 Hoosier’s involvement with the acceptance of Bob Memmer’s concept to create a unified set of dirt Late Model car specifications, including an affordable tire rule.  Baltes was a ringleader behind Memmer’s thoughts and encouraged him to contact Newton, which led to the development of UMP (United Midwestern Promoters). 

“Without Bob’s help and belief in Memmer’s idea, I don’t know that dirt Late Model racing would have been saved or ever gotten this big,” continued Baltes.

The mandated UMP-Hoosier LM tire compounds have been an integral part of the continued popularity of Eldora’s World 100 and Dirt Late Model Dream.

Hoosier’s 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 Eldora’s newest edition, Little Eldora Speedway, with the Hoosier Hotshoe Classic and the introduction of Hoosier branded go-kart tires to the area.

Bob Newton’s support of short track racing helped to groom many of today’s 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.