Living the Dream at Eldora

Eldora Frontstretch — Mason Zeigler and many more of the nations best Dirt Late Model drivers prepared to take to the track for the 23rd running of “The Dream”

It was a definitely a Dream weekend at Eldora Speedway on June 8^th-10^th with the 23^rd running of the $100,000 to win annual event.

Eldora Speedway is notoriously too tough to tame; a big banked half-mile the track is definitely wicked fast.

Worlds Greatest — Pitside at Eldora has a new look with a state of the art infield care center, media center, and new amenities.

This past Saturday was my first time back to the speedway after a two year hiatus, and although I had heard of some of the changes..it was definitely weird to see the old concession stand and pit bathrooms replaced by a state of the art medical and media center as well as brand new concessions and bathrooms. The nostalgic part of me missed seeing the big cinder block building with viewing platform, but I have to admit that I absolutely loved having the nice updated facilities down in the infield.

Each and every year it seems as though some improvement is being made to the grounds at Eldora Speedway, making it more and more family friendly.

With non-smoking/no alchohol sections, covered grandstand area’s, and even a full bar with a view of the track; Eldora has the perfect racing experience to suit anyone and everyone and to top it all off it has phenominal racing action.

With six 15-lap heat races and only the top three transferring to the A-Main from each; the race to get into the show is as intense as any weekly A-main. Jimmy Mars #28, Shannon Babb #18B, Mason Zeigler #25z, Brandon Overton #116, Kent Robinson #7R, and Mike Marlar #157 all picked up heat race wins setting the top 6 on the 100-lap starting grid and even though the heat races were intense; nothing could compare to the B-Main action.

In B-Main number one it was Dale McDowell in the #17M picking up the win, but it was the #18 of Chase Junghans making moves working his way up to 2^nd and earning a spot in the A-Main from his 9^th place starting spot.

For B-Main number two Jon Henry #15H made a stout run from 7^th to pick up the win; but undoubtedly the show maker was World 100 winner Bobby Pierce who piloted his #32P from a 25^th starting spot to grab the 4^th and final transfer spot. Pierce would later work his way up from 28^th to 13^th in the star-studded A-Main.

Pierce was not the only man on the move during the 23^rd running of the “Dream”. Dale McDowell drove the #17M from 21^st to finish 6^th and even though Scott Bloomquist put on a clinic in regards to tire conservation and was untouchable during the final laps on his way to victory and a $100,000 payday; the race for 2^nd through 4^th was intense between #1 Brandon Sheppard, #116 Brandon Overton and #39 Tim McCreadie. Lap after lap saw side-by-side action that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end and made for a super exciting end of the weekend.

There is no doubt that every race at Eldora is exciting and the Dream is exactly that. With stiff competition and a wicked fast track it truly is a Dream for all fans!

I cant thank Eldora Speedway and their staff enough for their hospitality and I am already looking forward to my next visit to the Big E.

DeLayna’s Corner

DeLayna-Racing — Two-Year-Old DeLayna Dubie is a lifelong race fan and guest contributor for PitSide Online

DeLayna’s Dream Highlights:

DeLayna - Sprint — DeLayna got to take a seat in Devon Dobie’s Sprinter which was on display

“I love Late Models…This is Aweeeee-some” – Although slightly disappointed that there were no Modifieds and only one sprint car, DeLayna soon learned the greatness of having almost 90 of the best Late Model drivers in the nation doing battle in a single event.

Of the bathrooms, “I can do it myself” was the theme of the night. The sinks are actually a perfect height for potty trained toddlers and with PLENTY of stalls, Eldora is a no-wait racetrack that ranks at the top of DeLayna’s list for comfort. As a side note they also have baby changing stations so fans of all ages can enjoy.

“This Hot Dog is Delicious” – The concessions at Eldora are vast and very reasonabily priced. Apparently the hot dogs are great as is the “Wemon Ice Cream” aka. Lemon Italian Ice’s that made a 90º day much more bearable.

Although DeLayna missed the las77t 40-laps of the A-Main, only half waking to clap for the winning Bloomquist, and by Sunday morning she was asking “We go to Eldora again?” I have to say I couldn’t agree more!

Thank you all so much for reading and we’ll see you when the next green flag flies!