Editor's note: DirtonDirt.com managing editor Todd Turner (pictured left) of Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 10 was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. This is his acceptance speech:

When I was a kid in the early 1970s watching cars go around in circles while devouring every auto racing story in the Courier-Journal and Louisville Times, I never could have imagined a career as a short-track motorsports journalist. To say it was a dream wouldn’t be accurate — it wasn’t in the MORE

ROSSBURG, Ohio — Predictions for Saturday’s six Dream XXX heat races at Eldora Speedway, where the 100-lap feature pays $100,030-to-win and a division-record $6,000-to-start. Senior writer Kevin Kovac’s transfer predictions are included (complete Dream coverage):

The first time I see James Essex at most Dirt Late Model events, he’s scurrying through the pits, peeking over his glasses to say hello — and scribbling on an index card with his black uni-ball Roller fine point.

The longtime Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series announcer’s stack of 4-by-6-inch ruled index cards are his rubber-banded bible for each racing season, the holiest of holies for recalling driver hometowns, ages, chassis, engines, sponsors and more.

The decidedly old school method of MORE