Earl Franklin Balmer (December 13, 1935 – October 25, 2019) was an American racing driver who drove stock cars and motorcycles.

[2] After exiting the NASCAR scene, Balmer returned to local racing, running late models at Fairgrounds Speedway.

He picked up the nickname "The Mad Bomber" early in his tenure in NASCAR because of the tendency for his car to wind up anywhere on the track.

Balmer acquired the ride after he heard that Fox's previous driver, Lee Roy Yarbrough, had left the team.

Balmer's car spewed petrol and debris up towards the press box, causing the journalists inside to duck for cover.

No one was injured, but the journalists handed a petition to track management asking to be moved to a safer location, which resulted in the press box being reinforced for the next race.