[Daisy's dad]

Back in 2019, I prepared for my annual RV trip from Mesa, AZ to ISW. The plan that year was to arrive at Gas City on Tuesday and set up the RV, then do a quick round trip with a friend by car, to Eldora for the Wednesday make-up date for the USAC/WoO race. After getting everything set up at Gas City, a car pulled up across from us and a gentleman got out and walked over to us. I fully expected it would a track employee who would tell us that we couldn't set up shop on Tuesday for a Thursday race. Instead, he introduced himself as Jerry Gappens, the promoter, and welcomed us to Gas City. He also presented me with a beautiful 60" X 34" I-69 Gas City Speedway flag, in recognition of us being the first RV there. He took a photo of us holding up the flag, which he later posted on Facebook, and later on returned with a speedway t-shirt for my friend. Over the next couple of day, he stopped by a few more times to see how we were doing, and to share racing stories.

That was one of the highlights of ISW for me that year, and I will not forget it. I was saddened to read about his passing yesterday. Until I read the obituary on Eldora's site yesterday, I had no idea of his illustrious career in motorsports over the years. My condolences to Jerry's family, co-workers and friends on their loss.

[hoscalecody]

Jerry was a class act and one of the nicest guys ever!

First time I met him, I was thinking "what now?" I seen pictures of what he looked like so I knew it was him. This was the first time we raced at Gas City, I've been there multiple times before then, but haven't raced their yet. To get through the gate was already a giant struggle with getting screamed at and threatened with arrest by a power hungry police officer at the gate. Officer was screaming and yelling us about out trailer. Screaming "Jerry doesn't want this POS in his pits!" He wouldn't let us in, even though we showed him there was a race car in the trailer. Finally after about 5-10 minutes of this officer going crazy, one of the gas city workers came over and let us in. You see here, our trailer was not a normal enclosed trailer. I was always super low budget so we had more creative ways for getting to the track. Our trailer was an old camper we converted into an enclosed trailer. So it was very stealthy, unless you seen inside it, you'd never expect a race car in it. So we understood that, but we showed the cop that and still wasn't having it.

About 30 minutes rolls by, car is unloaded, we're getting it ready. That's when I see Jerry walking directly to us, there was pretty much no one parked near us. So that's when I was thinking "what now?" I was fully expecting to get screamed at again over our trailer.

So glad to mention that did not happen. He came over profusely apologized, saying he absolutely loved the trailer. Gave us his personal number so if we did come back and had a problem just call him and it will be taken care of. He also said he understands if we never come back, due to what happened. A little while later right before hot laps, we was about to do our routine of praying over the car for a good and safe night. Right before we started, Jerry rolls up and ask if he can pray with us and he led the prayer. That meant a lot us.

Every time we went to Gas City when he was promoting it after that. Within 20-30 minutes of us getting there he'd stop by see how we are and everything see if we had any problems getting in.

Year or so later I flipped a couple times down the front stretch, car was pretty messed up and I had a concussion. The ambulance gave me a ride back to the trailer. One of the first ones to meet me as I was stepping out of the ambulance was Jerry.

I talked to him him a few times since he started promoting Eldora and congratulated him on being able to promote Eldora.

Here is a picture of the hauler in question on that day. It was taken maybe 5 minutes before I met Jerry.

I'm not one to get emotional, but seeing Jerry had passed messed me up pretty good for a while. There's not a ton of guys out there like Jerry and will be truly missed.

[BrentTFunk]

First met Jerry in the 90's when I worked at Kokomo Speedway with his parents. A really good guy. Just talked to him at Eldora earlier in the month. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP friend.

[Hammer]

Jerry was such a nice friendly guy and a real people person. He'll definitely be missed by tons in the racing world. RIP Jerry and God
bless his family.

[WinglessLovers]

Jerry was a great guy. Always liked to kid him when he was sweeping water off the concrete or knocking mud off the fencing & say, "Aw, the glamorous life of a promoter". RIP, Jerry!! You will be sorely missed.

[Danny Burton]

http://www.hoseheads.com/dannyb.html