Todd Turner/DirtonDirt

Doug Timmons, the longest-tenured promoter in Winchester (Va.) Speedway history who also supported numerous Late Model racers at Winchester and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway over many decades, died early Tuesday morning at a Washington, D.C.-area hospital. His passing was reported by retired racer Alan Sagi, who heard the news from family members. The Hagerstown resident, who died of heart failure, was 80.

Timmons promoted the Winchester oval from 1983-2005 and also served as co-promoter of Bedford (Pa.) Speedway from 1988-89 with Joe Padula Jr., helping revive weekly racing at the fairgrounds track (Padula died on Saturday at the age of 71). Timmons also served a stint on the management team at Hagerstown.

After 23 years of Winchester promotions, Timmons formed the Three State Flyers circuit for Super Late Models with touring events at Bedford, Winchester and Hagerstown among other Mid-Atlantic ovals from 2009-14.

Timmons supported dirt racers and fielded Late Models sponsored by his Timmons Sunoco, Timmons Texaco and later D&D Auto Recycling. Drivers included Larry Gorman, Roger Tracy, Pete Weaver, Joe Gardner, Andy Anderson, J.T. Spence and Justin Weaver, Pete’s son. Dougie Timmons was a longtime driver for his father and in recent years the Timmons family fielded cars for Dougie's nephews and Doug Timmons’ great nephews, Kyle Lee and Treyton Lee.

Hall of Fame driver Gary Stuhler and 10-time Winchester 200 winner, on his team’s Facebook page, said the Timmons era at Winchester “helped shape the sport and create memories that will last a lifetime for drivers, teams, fans, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.”