Eldora sets Dream prelim rosters
The 93 drivers pre-entered for this weekend’s Dream XXX at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, learned which night they will see preliminary action with Sunday night’s announcement of the rosters for the event’s qualifying programs. | Dream XXX Fast Facts
This year’s $100,030-to-win Dream, Dirt Late Model racing's richest event of the season, boasts a new format with the field split into a pair of preliminary programs Thursday and Friday with time trials, heats, B-mains and 50-lap headliners paying $25,000-to-win. It’s the first time all Dream entrants will not compete all three nights since the event was expanded in 2013 with two qualifying cards with twin 25-lap semifeatures.
The 47 competitors scheduled to race on Thursday include Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., and Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., the drivers ranked first and third, respectively, in DirtonDirt.com’s Top 25 poll. Former Dream winners in Thursday’s field: Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga.. Other high-profile racers include last season's World 100 winner Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C.
Friday’s 46-driver roster is highlighted by last season's Dream winner Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., and four previous Dream winners: Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., and Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. Other notable Friday entrants include Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., and Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C.
Drivers were given the opportunity upon entering the event to include the preliminary night they would prefer to run but they were not guaranteed to have their selection honors. Additional entries will be accepted by Eldora officials.
Points earned by drivers in the qualifying programs will determine the starting lineups for heat races during Saturday’s 100-lap Dream finale.