ELDORA MAY 12 AUTOGRAPH SESSION & USAC THEME  EXPANDED UPON


ROSSBURG, OH (May 4) – Eldora Speedway’s rescheduled Coca Cola Spring Classic event for USAC (United States Auto Club) Sprint Cars continues to gain in momentum.   Set for Wednesday, May 12, track owner and two-time NASCAR Cup champion, Tony Stewart previously announced a lowering of the general admission to $10 and that he will participate in a rare pre-race autograph session.


 


Since that announcement, Stewart, one of a handful drivers who has won championships in each of USAC’s premier divisions, has welcomed two additional figures that have predominantly shaped USAC’s history at the legendary one-half mile clay oval.   Immediately following Stewart’s autograph session (limited to 500 armbands), Earl Baltes and Jack Hewitt will welcome the fans in yet another autograph session.


 


Baltes, the founder and builder of Eldora Speedway, needs no introduction.   Recognized as the P.T. Barnum of auto racing, Baltes’ firm hand guided Eldora into prominence and first introduced USAC to the western side of Ohio back in 1962.   That started a storied trend that found many Indy 500 bound drivers competing on Eldora’s famed high banks.


 


One of those drivers that completely reshaped the Eldora history books was Jack Hewitt from nearby Troy, Ohio.   Quickly earning the moniker as ‘Eldora’s favorite son’, Hewitt sits comfortably on top of the all-time USAC win list at Eldora with 13 wins.  The closest active driver to that total is Tracy Hines with 7 wins to his credit.  Hewitt, who many times bounced off the Eldora walls en route to victory, is best remembered for his stellar 1998 performance that found him winning all four legs of the annual Four Crown Nationals.


 


Celebrated writer Dave Argabright, who has had the privilege of putting together intriguing books about the careers of Baltes and Hewitt, will be on hand as well, with copies of the books for the fans to purchase and have autographed.


 


Stewart will begin his autograph session at 3:15, to allow  time to prep for another busy night of racing at Eldora.  Since assuming ownership of the facility from Baltes in 2005, the popular Indiana native has participated in Sprint and Late Model racing at Eldora, and has picked up wins in each, but on May 12 he will turn another page with a run with the UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) Modifieds.


 


Baltes and Hewitt will welcome race fans from 5:00 until 6:30, at which time the action will turn to the race track for hot laps and time trials.   The first green flag of racing action is set to fall at 7:30 PM.