Houston, Texas-area businessman Ed Rinehart, whose towering presence as a longtime dirt racing supporter of teams, tracks and series exceeded his impressive height, died Saturday. He was 80.

Over more than 30 years in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, Rinehart Trucking was a generous sponsor for the Mid-American Racing Series, Rick's Furniture Series, United States Modified Tour Series and several regional racetracks including Columbus (Miss.) Speedway. He sponsored standout drivers including Hall of Famers Dale McDowell and Wendell Wallace, Jack Sullivan and Anthony Rushing among others while owning Late Models driven by Howard Willis and Mike Bowers.

Rinehart was honored by a tribute lap during the weekend's Fall Southern Showdown at Sabine Speedway in Many, La.

"Mr. Rinehart devoted much of his life to dirt track racing in the Mid-South by sponsoring countless racing endeavors throughout the years," Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., posted on its Facebook page. "He leaves behind a great legacy, and he will be sorely missed!"

In a Facebook post, Jack Sullivan remembered the wise-cracking, jovial giant.

"If you ever went and stayed with him in Houston, It wouldn’t take you long to realize you were walking around with Elvis. He was bigger than life, never met a stranger and if you were too quiet or new to the bunch he would jump on you first," Sullivan wrote. "Rinehart always helped me racing in some form or fashion. We’d be off racing in the middle of nowhere and he’d come riding up. He’d say go to the tire truck and get some tires, or here’s some money for this or that. I never asked him for anything ... he loved racing, he loved us and he wanted to be involved."

Along with his trucking business, Rinehart served as a Montgomery County Commissioner from 1999-2014 and County Judge Mark Keough remembered Rinehart as "a fierce advocate for East Montgomery County (who) developed some of the programs that seniors and residents of Precinct 4 continue to enjoy to today." Montgomery County's Ed Rinehart Sports Complex was named in his honor and Rinehart's main priority was having a facility where children could be safe from drugs and violence. "If we can save one kid," Rinehart, "it will be worth $3 million."

The comment reflected what Rinehart once said about auto racing while standing in the pit area at Batesville (Ark.) Motor Speedway near the Late Model driven by Bowers he owned with Ed Jordan.

“If my kids can’t be involved, then there ain’t no point in doing it,” Rinehart said, watching his children toss football with crew members and their children. “That’s what it’s all about.”

A celebration of life is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the show barn at A.V. "Bull" Sallas Park in New Caney, Texas.