Devils Bowl promoter Lanny Edwards passes on, Sept 9, 2016

[97car]

Lanny Edwards longtime promoter has passed away today, September 9, 2016

 

[NickHolt]

On September 9, 2016, the racing world lost one of its most legendary promoters as Lanny Edwards slipped from this earth to be with our Lord. He was 76 years old.

 

 

The owner of the Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, Texas), RPM Speedway (Crandall, Texas), and Lawton Speedway (Lawton, Okla.); Edwards helped give rise to some of racing’s biggest and brightest stars, along with involvement with the formation of the World of Outlaws. Lanny was also the co-founder of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire alongside longtime friend, Emmett Hahn.

 

Inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2006, Edwards’ contribution to the world of Motorsports will forever be enshrined in the people who have come to call him both Father and Friend. In his Hall of Fame induction story, Lanny gave a piece of advice that everyone should know.

 

“Don’t ever try to cheat someone, and don’t belittle anyone. You’re not better than anybody else.”

 

If the measure of a person’s life is what they leave behind, without a doubt, Lanny led a fantastic one. Truly we say, God Speed Mr. Edwards. We’ll see you at the end of our race.

Services for Lanny Edwards will be announced as soon as the details are made available.

 

(written by Bryan Hulbert)

[NickHolt]

STATEMENT FROM TMS PRESIDENT GOSSAGE ON THE PASSING OF LEGENDARY RACING PROMOTER LANNY EDWARDS

 

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 9, 2016) - The following is a statement from Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage on the passing of legendary motorsports promoter Lanny Edwards earlier today.

 

Edwards, 76, was the owner of Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas; RPM Speedway in Crandall, Texas; and Lawton Speedway in Lawton, Okla. He also was the co-founder of the renowned Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals and was integral in the formation of the World of Outlaws sprint car series. He is enshrined in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, National Midget Hall of Fame and Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments over more than five decades in racing.

 

"Lanny Edwards was the epitome of a race track promoter. Hard working, master of all things, capable of doing anything at his tracks and events. Long before I moved to Texas Motor Speedway, I knew Lanny by his national reputation even though we had never met. It was a pleasure to go to his tracks, particularly historic Devil's Bowl Speedway. He was very proud of what he accomplished and was a far better race promoter than me. His wife, Beverly, and the rest of his family are in my prayers."

 

Speedway officials will honor Edwards at the U.S. National Dirt Track Championship that will be held tonight and Saturday evening at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Texas Motor Speedway will distribute a decal in his memory for the competitors to adhere to their cars and also have a special remembrance during Saturday's pre-race invocation.

[Nathan]

Sad day!