Following an award-winning stint as a sportswriter in upstate New York, Hartmann's career in harness racing began in 1980 and over the years he was the communications director at Pompano Park, Pocono Downs and Foxboro Raceway. He also was general manager of Plainridge Racecourse when it opened in 1999.

He was a frequent contributor to harness racing's trade magazines, as well as providing information about Florida racing and special events at Plainridge. In addition, Hartmann worked regularly with the publicity department of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown.

He was a past president and chairman of the U.S. Harness Writers Association and a past president of the North American Harness Publicists Association. In 1994, he received NAHPA's Golden Pen Award for outstanding contributions to harness racing publicity.

Funeral arrangements will be announced when available.

by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Courtesy of the US Trotting Association Web Newsroom