ROSSBURG, Ohio — Eldora Speedway has named veteran motorsports executive Jerry Gappens as its new general manager, succeeding Roger Slack, who has decided to pause his 12-year career at Eldora.
Gappens comes to Eldora from Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway where he has been the promotor of the quarter-mile, dirt oval since 2018. Longtime Eldora Speedway employee Larry Boos will replace Gappens at Gas City.
Prior to his tenure at Gas City, Gappens spent 23 years with Speedway Motorsports, specifically serving as executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon for eight years (2008-2015) and senior vice president of events and marketing of Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway for 15 years (1993-2007).
Slack, the outgoing general manager of Eldora who has spent more than three decades in motorsports, is taking a sabbatical from the industry.
“Jerry Gappens brings a ton of experience to Eldora Speedway that will allow us to deliver the best fan experience possible, as well as the best experience for all the racers who compete at our track,” said Eldora owner Tony Stewart, who purchased the track from Earl Baltes in 2004. “Jerry knows grassroots racing from being at Gas City and he also knows how to put on big events from his time at New Hampshire and Charlotte.
“I know from my own experience racing at New Hampshire and Charlotte that Jerry genuinely cared about the amenities and overall environment the fans had in the grandstands and the drivers and teams had in the infield. He was visible, out and about, accessible, and no job was too small. The details mattered. It’s exactly what we need at Eldora.”
Carved from a cornfield in 1954, Eldora has become a leader in motorsports growth and sustainability. The half-mile, dirt oval hosts some of the most prestigious grassroots racing events in the world, and this year marks its 69th consecutive season of racing.
“When Tony called and asked if I was interested in becoming the general manager of Eldora, I recognized immediately that this is a great, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Gappens said. “Dirt racing is in my blood and Eldora is the most legendary short-track racing venue in the country. I’m thrilled to join the team at Eldora and work together to further its already outstanding legacy.
“I also want to thank Jack Himelick, owner of Gas City I-69 Speedway, for trusting me with the stewardship of his track for the past four years. I’m very proud of all that we accomplished together during that time, and I want to give a special and heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the fans, staff and competitors for their support.”
The 60-year-old Gappens was introduced to racing by his father, Jerry Gappens Sr. The Gappens Family hailed from Tipton County, Indiana, and not long after Jerry Jr., was born, the two visited local dirt tracks, including Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway where Jerry Sr., raced in the 1960s.
“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,” Gappens Jr., said. “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.”
Gappens’ dad passed away in 2012, and during his time at Gas City, he honored his father with the Jerry Gappens Sr. Memorial Cup, an annual race that hosted the top sprint car drivers across the country.
“I’m fortunate to have two great parents and I appreciate all the time and energy they put into everything they did. Honoring dad was a way to recognize his legacy and his contributions to short-track racing,” Gappens said.
“I’m taking that same approach with all the great events Eldora has on tap this year, including the return of The Eldora Million on June 9, one of the most legendary events in the track’s history.”