Got a call from a friend a few minutes ago reporting that Earl Gaerte passed on this morning at 8:50 after a long illness. Very sad news, Earl played an enormous role in the development of short track horsepower and across four decades was a key figure in many forms of motorsports.

He was also a really neat man and a good friend to countless people in our sport.

RIP my friend.

RIP Earl.

Gaerte Engines powered our ASA Thunderbirds during our time in the series, great people. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe and the rest of the family.

Brent Seelman
D-R Racing Enterprises
Okemos, MI/Denver, NC

RIP Earl - - truly an icon of our sport, not only sprint car racing, but racing as a whole. Our prayers to the entire Gaerte family..

Deepest Sympathies to Joe and the family...Earl was a really cool guy to talk to.

Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

Icon is a very applicable term, in this case, JV. He's left quite a legacy to Joe and the rest of the family. Not the least of which is a last name that will always be synonymous with racing horsepower. When somebody says that they've got a Gaerte, you know they mean business. R.I.P.

Jerry

He gave me job 29years ago It may have not work out in the end but no regret, And alot of respect for him as person. God Speed! Earl (aka chief)

So sad to hear RIP Earl.
Posted using Mobile Device

RIP Earl!!

Sad news.... we got a motor from him once, my dad looked at the dyno sheet and said "Earl, your gonna have to de tune this" He laughed his ass off. Thoughts and Prayers to the entire family.

RIP Earl.

sad day. the man was a legend. R.I.P.