The first time I heard Baltes (born on April 27, 1921) speak was at a Dayton Auto Race Fan Club meeting when the club still met in Kettering. Baltes took command of the room with his wit and humor, and some great stories.
His book, “Earl! The Life and Times of One of the Nation’s Best Racing Promoters,” is even better. It’s worth reading even for non-race fans, with classic stories like the “Tiger in Your Tank” promotion. The winner of a drawing won the choice of a live tiger or 500 gallons of gas.
As it turned out, track promoter Blaire Ratliff had trouble coming up with a live tiger. And of course, the winner wanted it for his kids. Baltes and track announcer Omar Williams had to sweet talk the winner into settling for the gas and not — as Earl put it — a sick tiger with “one eye seeping to beat hell, and his tongue is discolored ... ”
To this day Baltes knows how to work a room. His give-and-take with Eldora owner Tony Stewart at the awards banquet is legendary, as is the story of how he lost all his hair.
If you’re not driving past Eldora on Wednesday, birthday wishes for Baltes can also be put on Eldora’s Facebook page.
Ninety years ago on Wednesday, Earl Baltes was born.
But it seems like we’re the ones who received a special gift.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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