Bill Engelstad, the longtime WISSOTA technical director and longest serving president of the Iron Range Racing Association that governed Hibbing (Minn.) Raceway, died unexpectedly Thursday at his Hibbing home. He was 66.

He died while preparing to leave for a Thanksgiving gathering, family members told the Mesabi Tribune.

The 2021 inductee into the Hibbing Raceway Hall of Fame served in many roles for many years at his hometown track, along with roles with the WISSOTA Promoters Association as board member, president and technical director until the time of his death.

WISSOTA racing reporter Ed Reichert remembers that Engelstad "could be very prickly at times, but he had a true love for auto racing and making it fair and safe for everyone."

Hibbing Raceway historian Mark Trenberth told the Mesabi Tribune that Engelstad's ruling decisions sometimes made him a flash point.

“You can’t talk about Billy Engelstad without talking about what a polarizing figure he was,” Trenberth said. “He was kind of like the villains in professional wrestling. He had just as many friends as enemies. But underneath he was a human being and he had a heart, too.”

Survivors include his wife Gina and son Jake. A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 9 at Maple Hill Community Center in Hibbing.

Editor's note: Updates venue for celebration of life.