GAS CITY, Ind. — Although Gas City I-69 Speedway was silent over the weekend, a great deal was happening behind the scenes. Jerry Gappens, promoter of the quarter-mile Grant County dirt track for the last four years, has accepted the position of general manager of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, and will start work at Eldora immediately.
Larry Boos, the promoter of both Winchester Speedway and Montpelier Motor Speedway, will take over Gappens’ position and become the new promoter at Gas City I-69 Speedway, too.
Boos, who was the director of operations at Eldora Speedway for more than 30 years, will hit the ground running, as Gas City’s “Test and Tune” is Wednesday, April 27, and the season opener is Friday, May 6. No changes to the schedule or the class rules are anticipated.
“It’s not unusual for good people to be offered new opportunities, and although the timing was not ideal for us, we cannot thank Jerry enough for the tremendous job he has done at Gas City over the last four years,” said Jack Himelick, owner of Gas City I-69 Speedway. “We wish him only the best. We also feel extremely lucky to have someone with Larry’s experience agree to take over.”
“It is very bittersweet for me, as I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into running and improving Gas City I-69 Speedway,” Gappens said. “It has been my honor to work with the staff, teams, drivers, sponsors and fans at Gas City. I’m proud of what we built. Gas City will always hold a special place in my heart.”
“I look forward to joining the competent Gas City I-69 Speedway team that is in place, and to continue the great plans that Jerry has worked so hard to put into place,” said Boos. “The excitement and competition levels have made Gas City a Friday night staple in the Hoosier state, and I am excited to come on board with the team.”
Boos intends to retain all of Gas City’s current staff members.
In addition to promoting Winchester Speedway and Montpelier Motor Speedway, Boos is the owner and promoter of the popular Rumble in Fort Wayne each winter. He has also been the manager of the Ohio Indoor Kart Series for 44 years.
After operating for a few years, the track went dormant for several years until Himelick purchased the facility in 1996. Himelick has made significant upgrades during his ownership. He brought in Jiggs Thomason in 1997 to promote the track and the two enjoyed a successful 17-year run until Thomason’s retirement. Various promoters rented the facility for special events only prior to Gappens’ arrival.
Gappens leased the facility in 2018 and has developed it into one of the premier weekly short tracks in the nation.