Eldora Speedway | 13929
St Route 118 | New Weston | OH | 45348
For immediate news release e-mail: mail@eldoraspeedway.com
STEWART,
GORDON, MONTOYA HIGHLIGHT ELDORA'S NEXTEL PRELUDE
FOR
IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE contact: Larry Boos - mail@eldoraspeedway.com
Nextel
Prelude to the Dream Entry List Announced: Stewart, Gordon,
& Montoya Highlight List
ROSSBURG,
Ohio (April 16) – Eldora Speedway’s much heralded
Nextel Prelude to the Dream has gained even more momentum with
this week’s announcement of the participating talent,
which will feature a lineup of no less than five former NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series champions.
Eldora’s
owner, Tony Stewart, has announced that this year’s edition
will take place on Wednesday, June 6. It will again be sandwiched
between the June 2 World of Outlaws Built by The Home Depot
event and the $100,000 to win Dirt Late Model Dream June 8-9.
Following
the successful and highly popular format used each of the past
two years, Stewart will welcome many of his Nextel Cup brethren
and other racing notables for an evening of dirt track competition
on the nationally recognized half mile clay oval. The talent
will again be placed behind the wheel of fast and powerful Late
Model race cars.
Headlining
that list and making his first return to the dirt surfaced Eldora
oval since 1991 is four-time Nextel Cup champion Jeff Gordon,
driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet. In that visit to Eldora
16 years ago Gordon left victorious, as he won the Midget portion
of the USAC Four Crown Nationals.
Stewart,
with his long history of dirt track accomplishments –
including last year’s Nextel Prelude trophy – will
join Gordon as a former Nextel Cup champion. Recognized for
his prowess behind the wheel of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet
fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart will have to fend off the
challenges from the impressive roster of drivers that includes
a mixed bag of dirt track experience. Some of the drivers have
Eldora roots, some are Nextel Prelude returnees and others will
be on the Eldora high banks for the very first time.
Rounding
out the list of former Cup Series champions who will compete
in the Nextel Prelude to the Dream are Matt Kenseth (2003),
Bobby Labonte (2000) and Bill Elliott (1988).
With impressive
credentials as the 2005 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year, Kasey
Kahne will join this year’s mix of drivers. And while
new to the event, Kahne is not new to Eldora. He has a 2003
All Star Sprint victory at Eldora on his ever-expanding resume.
Also joining the Nextel Prelude field and making their Eldora
debuts will be Juan Pablo Montoya, Clint Bowyer, Ray Everham,
and Kyle Busch.
Also in
the fold is inaugural Nextel Prelude to the Dream winner Kenny
Wallace, veteran dirt racers Ken Schrader and Dave Blaney, and
Nextel Prelude returnees Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick, Aric Almirola,
Mike Wallace, Ryan Newman, JJ Yeley, Kyle Petty, Denny Hamlin,
the ageless Red Farmer and drag racing standout Ron Capps.
Wearing
his proverbial track owner hat, Stewart beams with pride when
he reflects upon this event.
“The
Eldora legacy is to go above and beyond for its loyal fans.
The Nextel Prelude to the Dream carries on that tradition. Nextel
has returned to partner with us, and with some of the best race
car drivers in the world competing on the hallowed dirt of Eldora,
it promises to be another memorable night.”
Stewart,
hinting at even greater news in the coming weeks, stated, “Stay
turned for a huge event-related announcement in a couple weeks
and a list of additional star attendees.”
Tickets
for the 2007 Nextel Prelude to the Dream, which sold out each
of the past two years, are now available online at www.eldoraspeedway.com
or by calling the track office (937) 338-3815.
