Eldora Speedway’s Roger Slack Named Auto Racing Promoter Of The Year

Story By: RACING PROMOTION MONTHLY – DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Roger Slack, who promoters and manages Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, was introduced as the 44th Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year this morning at the 47th Annual RPM@Daytona Workshops presented at the Hilton Oceanfront in Daytona Beach, Florida, representing Region Three, the Central Region of RPM balloting.

Slack won with over 73% of the votes during the final round of balloting.

“This is a tremendous honor,” began Slack. “This is voted on by the industry in which we all work and to be recognized like this is very humbling. It is truly a great honor and experience and I am very fortunate to have my family, friends and colleagues here to share in this. It’s incredible. I am grateful for everyone who has played a role in my career to get to this point. Eldora has such a great legacy to it and I am proud to be a part of carrying on and building on such a great tradition. We have been very fortunate to have Tony (Stewart) be able to provide us a great platform to accomplish the things we can and carry on what Earl and Bernice Baltes built.”

Slack is the first Canadian born recipient of the award and comes from a long-line of family who has been involved in racing dating back to his Great Grandparents, who were involved in horse racing. His Grandfather Bob Slack was the visionary behind Cayuga Motor Speedway (now Jukasa Motor Speedway) in Nelles Corners, Ontario and his Father, Randy raced throughout the region while assisting at Cayuga. His brother Bob is now a business partner at Bicknell Racing Products, one of the most recognized names in dirt modified and specialty parts manufacturing. Slack received a trophy designed by Simes Graphic Designs artist, Jay Simes and the traditional watch from Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

“Racing has always been in our blood,” Slack continued. “It is what we have always done and today, this honor is not just for me, but for everyone who has given me an opportunity to reach this point.”

Slack was the flagman for Rex Robbins American Speed Association (ASA) as well as the Chili Bowl for several years before spending time with Speedway Motorsports as part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway under the direction of Humpy Wheeler and learning from legends like Glenn Donnelly. Slack served at World Racing Group while playing a major role in the production of Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds on the legendary 1-mile track in Syracuse.

Eldora Speedway also won the Kings Royal also won the Outstanding Event of the Year Award. The event has grown into a three-day racing, week-long celebration of the sport for the 410 Sprint Car division which features the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series.

“This is a big year for us and these honors are incredible,” added Slack. “We work very hard at entertaining people and giving competitors a great experience and we will continue to do so. That experience is what makes Eldora so memorable for so many and we strive to have it with everything we do.”

Region One, Eastern Region; Lyle Devore from Albany-Saratoga (NY) Speedway; Region Five; Great Plains Region; Ray Marler of I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Missouri and Region Six; Southwest and Western Region; Dennis Gage from Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California all accepted their awards. Jim Stannard accepted the award for Toby Kruse and the Ratajczak family for their Region Four, Northern Region win for their efforts at 141 Speedway in Maribel, Wisconsin. Chris Martin was recognized for his Region Two Southeastern Region win at Cochran Motor Speedway in Georgia.

The 47th Annual RPM@Daytona stands as a “can’t miss” event for track promoters nationwide.