I have received an email from Windy that Earl "Woody" Midgley passed at 8:00 a.m. today.
Woody was a real character and a great guy! He served for many years as pit boss at the Nationals and quite a few at Brodak's as well.
I always enjoyed his humor.

So sorry to hear this.  I always liked him.

I am truly saddened  to hear of Woody's passing.
This might be a little off color, but I  feel compelled to share my experience with Woody at the 2001 NATs.
A bunch of us low life's decided to head off to the Jokers Wild, (A gentlemans club in Muncie) after top twenty day to blow off some steam.
I bought Mr. Midgley a couple of lap dances. (Because I'm a nice guy) and his reaction was priceless. Jeff Anderson and I have never laughed so hard in our lives
This was the highlight of the Nat's, and I'll never forget it. His twisted humor was on par with mine and I always wished I could have known him better.

Godspeed to Woody, and my thoughts are with his family and friends tonight.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team 

Woody could run a pit!  If you weren't supposed to be in the pits he would run you off and not think twice about it.  He knew what he was doing and how he wanted it done.  Good show my friend.

Thank you for your years of service and thank you even more for our brief but entertaining and enlightening friendship.

You are and will be missed.

Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.

Best pit boss ever. A Sam Fuller Sarge. A guy with smarts and perspective under the gruff. I talked to him only a few times. But I will remember him.

Woody was a super guy and a straight shooter. As a nobody he treated me with respect and candor! I truly enjoyed having known him as a nice man and a fine pit boss. His family has my sincere sympathy and best regards and prayers.

Phil Spillman

I didn't know Woody all that well; I'd see him at the Nats and some of the Northeast contests and we'd always exchange pleasantries. The thing that always struck me about Woody was that he seemed genuinely glad to see me each time we met. I observed that this was how he greeted everyone. People who are ready to greet others warmly and openly, instead of with guarded caution, seem to gravitate to this hobby/sport. We are blessed to be among such people and we truly feel great loss when they pass. I'm just glad that I got to meet Woody.

Woody's prowess at running the pits at the Nats has been mentioned on this thread. I can attest that Woody played no favorites in that job. He threw me out of the pits on more than one occasion when I didn't belong there. Fair and honest was Woody!

Bob Hunt       

Here's a link to the Memorial page: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Earl-Midgley&lc=4647&pid=169263609&mid=5829679