May 11, 2019, St. Louis Region – Statements from World Wide Technology Raceway owner and CEO Curtis Francois on the passing of St. Louis-area NASCAR Gander Outdoors Series team owner Mike Mittler:
“It is with heavy heart that we say goodbye to Mike Mittler. In the earliest days of my ownership of Gateway, Mike was there, offering to help however he could. He was selfless, loyal, honest and as fine of a man as I’ve ever met. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will miss him; the racetrack will miss him — but our lives are all the better for knowing him.”
From Chris Blair, Executive Vice President and General Manager of World Wide Technology Raceway:
“Our entire team, and families, are saddened by the loss of Mike. He was a great friend and loyal supporter of our track.
“I had known Mike a long time before my move to St. Louis and he welcomed me and treated me like family upon my move.
“In addition to my work at the track, Mike had been a supporter of my family race team. He provided shocks to my son, Austin, when he was an eight-year-old Quarter Midget racer. When Austin was preparing for his first Super Late Model race, Mike was there at the track coaching him. Last year, Mike was rolling around on the garage floor and working side by side with us as we prepared for a USAC Silver Crown race.
“Mike was special. He was a great man who inspired many. I value each moment shared with him through the years, especially those in the garage along with my son.”
Mike Mittler (center), flanked by NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards (left) and Ken Schrader (right).
For more information about World Wide Technology Raceway, please call (618) 215-8888 or visit www.wwtraceway.com. Follow WWTR on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
About World Wide Technology Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway is the home of INDYCAR, NASCAR and NHRA racing in the St. Louis region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 340 acres, Gateway Motorsports Park is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. World Wide Technology Raceway’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, 1.6-mile road course, a state-of-the-art karting facility and a 14-acre, multi-purpose dirt off-road venue. World Wide Technology Raceway was the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from St. Louis Attractions Association. In 2018, owner and CEO Curtis Francois received the Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission in recognition of his work for restoring World Wide Technology Raceway (known then as Gateway Motorsports Park) to prominence.
