Former Bedford (Pa.) Speedway promoter Joe Padula Jr., whose children continue to operate the popular fairgrounds oval, died Saturday. The Hagerstown, Md., resident was 71.

Spending a lifetime in racing, Padula rarely missed an event at Bedford over nearly 40 years. A race fan since he was a child, he later competed for 11 seasons before taking the reins at the Bedford oval from 1988-99 and has remained active at the facility the last 15 years.

The former employee of Mack Trucks and the Department of Energy was inducted into the Auto Racing Club of Hagerstown’s Hall of Fame last year.

Joseph Felice Padula Jr., who died at his hometown’s Meritus Medical Center, is survived by son Joseph Padula III along with daughters Morgan Padula and Sara Hoffman, three grandchildren and a sister, Edie Downs. The family plans a memorial service at Bedford with a date to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to Auto Racing Club of Hagerstown Injured Drivers Fund, P.O. Box 608, Clear Spring MD 21722.