In 1994, Earl Baltes, the owner/promoter of Eldora Speedway had another one of his wacky ideas: A Dirt Late Model Race with a $100,000 payout. That's right, the winner got $100,000. Earl called his race "The Dream" because for most drivers, winning $100,000 in one race would be a dream.
Since the inaugral running, The Dream has attracted scores of drivers hoping that they can make it to the A main and the chance to win the money. The event has become one of the premiere Late Model events in the country.
Tony Stewart purchased Eldora Speedway from Baltes in late 2004. To add his own touch to the track, he added some events, including "Nextel Prelude to The Dream" a Late Model race between current racing stars.
Last year, the first running of The Prelude, Kenny Wallace astonished everyone by winning. Red Farmer, a dirt track regular, former Cup driver and senior citizen, was the pole sitter. This year, the cast of characters includes both Wallace and Farmer, in addition to Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler, Ron Capps, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Robby Gordon, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, JJ Yeley, Ryan Newman and Dave Blaney. Stewart, due to his shoulder injury, will not be competing. Dale Earnhardt Jr and Greg Biffle will be at the track as well. Proceeds from the event will go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
What I like about this race is that it gets together two distinct groups of fans in auto racing: Nascar Fans (who may not go to a dirt track) and Late Model fans (who may not ever go to a paved track). Who knows what they might learn from each other?
The other cool thing about this race is that a lot of publicity is generated for a dirt track via this event. People who would not even know a place like Eldora exists may actually be interested in the race results.
And all of this is before someone wakes up on Sunday morning with $100,000.
Maybe some of the Baltes promoter magic rubbed off on Stewart?
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