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Published September 1, 2009 Prelude To The Dream, And The Best Race In The World
Ohioans are lucky to have one of dirt racing’s most famous tracks, Eldora Speedway, owned by NASCAR great Tony Stewart. The facility near Rossburg held the only $1,000,000 to win event in dirt track history, and annually hosts some of the crown jewels of dirt racing. Two such events are scheduled next week, The Prelude to the Dream, and the World 100. The rescheduled Prelude to the Dream will be run on Wednesday, September 9th. Hopefully weather will co-operate this time. While the event is sold old, for the third year in a row it is available on HBO pay per view at a very reasonable $24.95. Yes, it is just an exhibition race on dirt, not asphalt. However, all the drivers participating in the event are highly competitive and every one of them wants to win. NASCAR drivers work closely with super late model drivers who provide them with race cars and many of them actually test prior to this event. I call The Prelude the best NASCAR race of the season even though it is not a sanctioned event. With at least 21 NASCAR drivers racing, the Prelude has the hype of a NASCAR event, plus something most Sprint Cup series events seem to be lacking-actual side by side racing. Drivers scheduled to participate include Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Joey Lagano, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Robby Gordon, Kasey Kahne, David Reutimann, A.J. Allmendinger, Ryan Newman, Marcus Ambrose, David Stremme, Dave Blaney, Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, Bill Elliott, and Aric Amirola. NHRA greats Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps will once again try “left turn” racing as well. As in past years, the track will donate all proceeds of this event to charity. This year Stewart has chosen military themed charities as recipients. The four charities that will be receiving donations are: Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Home Front, and Fisher House. Not only do you get to watch a night of racing featuring NASCAR greats, but it is for worthwhile charities as well. While other events may pay more, the World 100 is the most prestigious event of the season for super late model drivers. Eldora Speedway is a high banked, scary fast race track, and on 9/11 and 9/12 150 of the nation’s top late model drivers will try to tame the speedway and claim the big trophy and a handsome check-well if $40,000 is handsome. The World 100 is to dirt racing what the Daytona 500 is to NASCAR racing, and a win is something every driver wants on his resume. Prelude to the Dream drivers will be using back up vehicles of late model drivers such as Scott Bloomquist and Billy Moyer. These cars weigh 2,300 pounds, and engines generate up to 800 horse power. Because of NASCAR rules, late models are in many ways technologically the equivalent if not superior to cars raced in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Put 24 of them on a track like Eldora, and it is a total assault on your senses. Tony Stewart will tell you that while late model drivers may not be as well known as their NASCAR counterparts, they are every bit as talented and as professional. If you have never been to a late model race, well, unless you want to be hooked forever, you probably shouldn’t go to the World 100. It is that good. Eldora Speedway is located in southwest Ohio, and the World 100 is not a sell-out yet. Two day general admission tickets are $40 for adults, $25 for ages 12-15, and $15 for 11 and under. For more information, go to www.eldoraspeedway.com. Thanks for stopping by.
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