The family and World of Outlaws have issued statements
Rick Eshelman is the famed announcer for the World of Outlaws. He spent 40-years working in the sport.
The Michigan native grew up attending Flat Rock Speedway. He worked his way from the scoring department to the announcers booth where he found his calling.
He recently attended the event at Paducah International Raceway in Kentucky. From there, his next stop was Lincoln Speedway in Illinois but he never made it to the track.
Megan Hazel is the Director of Events for the World Racing Group. She made a social media post noting that Eshelman was missing.
“Illinois friends and family: My co-worker, Rick Eshelman, was traveling from Paducah to Lincoln, IL Thursday morning and never made it to his destination,” the post opened.
She added, “He was driving a white Jeep Grand Cherokee with FL tags. Please be on the lookout for him and the vehicle. There are a lot of people very worried about him.”
Several hours later, another post from Hazel added, “Rick is still missing. Authorities have been contacted in Illinois, Kentucky and Florida.”
“We’ve contacted cell phone companies, rental car companies, sirius and uConnect. We’ve called hospitals. If you live in those areas please be on the lookout.”
It’s now been confirmed that we’ve lost Rick Eshelman. He was 61-years old.
Derrick Eshelman statement
Tthe family issued the following statement via social media:
“It is with deep sadness that I have to let you all know that I appreciate every last one of you, with all my heart but my Father Ricky Arthur Eshelman has taken his life and is hopefully no longer in pain,” Derrick Eshelman stated.
“The last thing I ever got to say to you is I love you dad and for that I am forever grateful. I will do my best to answer any questions anyone may have, please feel free to reach out.”
“He loved how much he made you all laugh and smile. Thank you. Rest easy pops.”
Eshelman is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
World of Outlaws statement
“It is with great sadness and shock to know we lost our brother Rick Eshelman,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. “Please send prayers to his family, his World of Outlaws and DIRTcar family, and his many friends across the country.”
On August 13th, Rick Eshelman was inducted into the late model hall of fame.
