Photo courtesy of World Of Outlaws, Facebook

The longtime World of Outlaws Late Model Series announcer Rick Eshelman has passed away at 61. 

Eshelman was inducted into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame earlier this year as one of only four announcers to be honored. In 2012, the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club presented him with the Tom Carnegie Announcer of the Year Award.

Eshelman grew up in Michigan, attending races at Flat Rock Speedway in Carleton, where he joined the team as a scorer before announcing his first race in 1979. A year later, he announced races at Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio, before joining the Air Force. 

“It is with great sadness and shock to know we lost our brother Rick Eshelman,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said in a release. “Please send prayers to his family, his World of Outlaws and DIRTcar family, and his many friends across the country.”