Eldora Speedway
Fast Facts: Dream XXIX
By Aaron Clay
DirtonDirt.com weekend editor
Dates: June 8-10 (complete shows on Thursday and Friday, featuring twin 25-lap, $12,000-to-win split-field preliminary features for DIRTcar Late Models; heat races and consolations precede Saturday’s 100-lap finale). | Complete Dream coverage
Track: Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio (high-banked, half-mile clay oval).
Purse: $129,000-to-win, $5,029-to-start.
Sanction: DIRTcar.
Last year’s winner: Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., who won his third consecutive Dream.
Tickets: $35 adult general admission (ages 14-and-up) on Thursday and Friday; $45 on Saturday; $135 for three-day pit pass (more details below).
Live streaming: FloRacing.
Track website: eldoraspeedway.com.
Track phone: (937) 338-3815.
Notes: Dirt Late Model teams invade Eldora Speedway for the 29th annual Dream, featuring a total purse payout nearing $600,000 across the historic three-day event that's the richest single event of 2023. … Racing action begins with full programs featuring twin 25-lap, $12,000-to-win preliminary races on Thursday and Friday, before culminating with Saturday’s 100-lap Dream XXIX finale; heat races and consolations will precede Saturday’s main event. Points will be awarded and accumulated on Thursday and Friday, setting the lineup for Saturday’s heat races. … The number of starters has been increased to 26 (from 24) for this year’s finale. … For the first time in its 29-year existence, eight-time event winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., isn't expected to enter the Dream. … Teams won't be permitted to utilize signal sticks at the facility, though hand signals and colored gloves are allowed to communicate with drivers. … The event’s only three-time consecutive winner, Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., eyes his fourth straight Dream victory, having collected more than $400,000 in race winnings there since 2021. … Five-time World 100 winner, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., seeks his second Dream triumph after winning 2015’s $100,000 payday when Bloomquist was light at the scales. … Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., won 2019’s Dream feature, collecting more than $125,000 at the Rossburg, Ohio, oval. … Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., topped a $5,000 preliminary event last year and added April’s $23,023 Castrol FloRacing Series stop at Eldora. … A prerace party will be held Wednesday from 8-11:30 p.m. in the fan zone, featuring live music by Erastus Band. … A Dream Big cornhole tournament will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in the Eldora Barn; Entry is $50 per team with the top-three teams receiving cash awards ($500 for first, $250 for second and $100 for third). The top-two teams will receive Eldora ticket credit that can be used for future events, along with Tony Stewart Foundation swag. … A driver autograph session will be held Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the fan zone. … Gates open at noon with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and racing set to follow each day.
Dream winners
Year: Winner, hometown
2022: Brandon Overton, Evans, Ga.
2021: Brandon Overton, Evans, Ga. (2)
2020: Postponed
2019: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
2018: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2017: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2016: Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
2015: Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
2014: Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
2013: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2012: Shane Clanton, Fayetteville, Ga.
2011: Don O’Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
2010: Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
2009: Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
2008: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2007: Steve Casebolt, Richmond, Ind.
2006: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2005: Matt Miller, Waterville, Ohio
2004: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2003: Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
2002: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2001: Replaced by Eldora Million
2000: Freddy Smith, Knoxville, Tenn.
1999: Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
1998: Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
1997: Jimmy Mars, Elk Mound, Wis.
1996: Donnie Moran, Dresden, Ohio
1995: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
1994: Freddy Smith, Baton Rouge, La.
Dream purse
Thursday-Friday prelims
1. $12,000
2. $6,000
3. $3,500
4. $2,800
5. $2,500
6. $2,300
7. $2,200
8. $2,100
9. $2,050
10. $2,000
11. $1,600
12. $1,400
13. $1,200
14. $1,100
15. $1,050
16.-24. $1,000
Saturday’s main event
1. $129,000
2. $25,000
3. $15,000
4. $12,500
5. $10,000
6. $8,750
7. $7,500
8. $7,000
9. $6,500
10. $6,000
11. $5,875
12. $5,850
13. $5,828
14. $5,800
15. $5,675
16. $5,650
17. $5,628
18. $5,600
19. $5,475
20. $5,450
21. $5,428
22. $5,400
23. $5,228
24.-26. $5,029
Event schedule
(All times local; subject to change)
Wednesday
3 p.m.-8 p.m.: Pit pass sales (at pit gate)
4 p.m.-6 p.m.: Early hauler parking
5 p.m.-7 p.m.: Early technical inspection
8 p.m.-11:30 p.m.: Erastus concert (fan zone)
Thursday
10 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
11 a.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
Noon: All gates, suites and concessions open
12:30 p.m.: Technical inspection begins
5 p.m.: Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m.: Hot laps
7:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
Competition
- Late Model time trials
- Late Model heats (10 laps)
- Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- Late Model first feature (25 laps)
- Late Model second feature (25 laps)
Friday
10 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
11 a.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
Noon: All gates, suites and concessions open
12:30 p.m.: Technical inspection begins
1 p.m.: Cornhole tournament (Eldora barn)
5 p.m.: Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m.: Hot laps
7:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
Competition
- Late Model time trials
- Late Model heats (10 laps)
- Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- Late Model first feature (25 laps)
- Late Model second feature (25 laps)
Saturday
10 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
11 a.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
Noon: All gates, suites and concessions open
3:30 p.m.: Driver autograph session (fan zone)
4:30 p.m.: Public drivers’ meeting (fan zone)
6:30 p.m.: Hot laps
7:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
Competition
- Late Model heats (15 laps)
- Late Model consolations (20 laps)
- Dream XXIX feature (100 laps)
Tickets
Thursday
One-day general admission (14-and-up): $35
One-day child reserved (13-and-under): $20
One-day child general admission (13 and under): free
Reserved seating: Additional $5 for adults
Three-day all access pit pass (all ages): $135
Friday
One-day general admission (14-and-up): $35
One-day child reserved (13-and-under): $20
One-day child general admission (13-and-under): free
Reserved seating: Additional $5 for adults
Two-day all access pit pass (all ages): $95
Saturday
One-day general admission (14-and-up): $45
One-day child reserved (13-and-under): $20
One-day child general admission (13-and-under): free
Reserved seating: Additional $5 for adults
One-day all access pit pass (all ages): $60
Camping
Primitive camping: $79 for the week
Online reservations: eldoraspeedway.showare.com
More information: eldoraspeedway.com/camping/campground-maps
Camping questions: (937) 338-3815
