CONCORD, N.C. — Veteran motorsports announcer Rick Eshelman has died. He was 61 years old.
The voice of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Eshelman was inducted into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in August. He is one of only four announcers to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.
Eshelman grew up in Michigan attending Flat Rock Speedway. After working as a scorer, he announced his first race at Flat Rock in 1979. A year later he was announcing at Toledo Speedway in Ohio before joining the Air Force. In 2012 the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club presented him with the prestigious Tom Carnegie Announcer of the Year Award.
“It is with great sadness and shock to know we lost our brother Rick Eshelman,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. “Please send prayers to his family, his World of Outlaws and DIRTcar family, and his many friends across the country.”