[LindaKMansfield]

Gas City I-69 Speedway’s Gappens
Accepts General Manager Position at Eldora;
Boos to Take Over as Gas City Promoter

GAS CITY, Ind., April 18 — 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 the famous 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 said he 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.

Over the off-season Gappens developed an exciting schedule of over 20 events for Gas City I-69 Speedway in 2022, primarily on Friday nights.

Located approximately 70 miles north of Indianapolis, Gas City I-69 Speedway opened in 1986. Bull Bradley was one of the original co-owners.

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, a Kokomo, Ind. native, leased the facility in 2018 and has developed it into one of the premier weekly short tracks in the nation. It is the site of two USAC NOS Energy Drink national midget events and also hosts two USAC AMSOIL national sprint car events.

Notable drivers who have competed at the speedway include four-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jeff Gordon, who raced winged sprint cars there in the late 1980s, and Kyle Larson, the reigning NASCAR Cup champion. Popular drivers like Dave Darland, J.J. Yeley, Cory Kruseman, Levi Jones, Brady Bacon and the late Tony Elliott also enjoyed great success competing at Gas City. The defending track champions are Scotty Weir of Marion, Ind. (non-wing sprint cars); Bub Roberts of Warren, Ind. (modifieds); Andy Bishop of Gas City (street stocks) and James Headley Jr. of Wabash, Ind. (hornets).

Gas City I-69 Speedway is located on State Road 22, approximately a half-mile west of exit 259 of Interstate 69, about halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind.

Teams, drivers and fans are asked to monitor the track’s website at gascityI69Speedway.com and its social media outlets for up-to-date information as usual. The track is on Twitter (@GasCitySpeedway), Instagram (@GasCitySpeedway) and Facebook (GasCitySpeedwayOnTheGas).

[BrentTFunk]

Wow. Wasn't expecting that. Good luck to Jerry. He did a lot in a short time at Gas City. Couldn't think of better replacement than Larry Boos.

[DirtTrackTherapy16J]

Congratulations to Mr. Gappens on a new journey and new opportunity as well as Mr. Boos on a new journey and new opportunity. Mr. Gappens will help keep Eldora top notch and a premier track in our Country and Mr. Boos will continue running Gas City right where Mr. Gappens left off, keeping it as one of the best short tracks in our State and weekly shows!! Thank You to both men for everything they have done at each track and everything they will do at their new tracks!!

[B99]

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk Wow. Wasn't expecting that. Good luck to Jerry. He did a lot in a short time at Gas City. Couldn't think of better replacement than Larry Boos.

Let me prefact, a legit question as I have not been (for various reasons) to Gas City since Gappens took over. What did he do to the place in his tenure? I wasn't aware Gas City needed a lot done.

I ask you Brent as you would know.

[BrentTFunk]

I feel like he saved it. It seemed no one was interested, or had time to promote it full time. He ran a good show.

[B99]

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk I feel like he saved it. It seemed no one was interested, or had time to promote it full time. He ran a good show.

Fair enough. Gas City seemed to be teetering for a few years before he came on board. I always liked the place, a real racy joint.

[Will Shunk]

Absolutely, how fortunate for Jack Himelick that a person of Larry Boos is willing to put one more thing on his racing plate. The entire staff @ Gas City I-69 Speedway is top notch and will continue to grow and thrive under Larry's leadership. I am so looking forward to this next chapter as I enter year 24 shooting turn 2 as many Fridays as possible in 2022.

[Pitdad]

Originally Posted by B99 I always liked the place, a real racy joint.

Only got to go there one time (so far). The Hoosier Hundred was "rained out" and we had nothing else to do before the 500, so we made a beeline up to Gas City. I think Puterbaugh Jr covered the field that day.

I like any place where they have to take shovels and knock the mud off the fence after heat races. Don't care for the dusty, dry slick much...

Glad it's in good hands.

[spankytoo]

I did not like Gappens stance that "wreck'em to win it is okay".

[tamati]

Congrats to Jerry hopefully he takes his expertise to Eldora and teaches them how to prepare a race track.