WORLD
100 TREND SHOWS PARITY
ROSSBURG,
OH (August 31) – Webster’s dictionary defines
parity as ‘equality of status or position’ and
a more perfect word couldn’t be found to describe
the recent trend of winners and competition at the World
100 at Eldora Speedway. So equal is the quality dirt Late
Model racing on the one-half mile clay oval for this famed
event, that the playing field is leveled out despite any
driver domination within a particular series or track affiliation
going into it.
The weekend of September 10 and 11 will determine if this
trend holds true or will be broken, as the 40th edition
of the World 100 will be contested and the chase for the
$43,000 top prize begins.
Brian Birkhofer began the current movement of first-time
winners with his stunning upset victory over Scott Bloomquist
in 2002. Since then, drivers that have taken their inaugural
World 100 conquest include Dan Schleiper (2003), Chub Frank
(2004), Dale McDowell (2005), Earl Pearson, Jr. (2006),
Jimmy Owens (2007), Shane Clanton (2008) and Bart Hartman
last season.
Bloomquist was the last repeat winner when he collected
his third globed trophy in 2001.
Getting into the starting line-up is half the battle, and
for many drivers, just achieving that aspect is considered
a success venture to Rossburg, Ohio.
Traditionally, the World 100 attracts the largest car count
of the season in dirt Late Model racing, with a bevy of
‘who’s who’ within the sport assembled
for the ritual. After a rigorous technical inspection by
the governing UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) officials,
the entrants a lined up for a brief hot lap session that
precedes two single-lap time trial runs that line the cars
up into one of six elimination heats.
Only three of the 20 heat race starters advance to the World
100 which makes those races features among themselves. A
second chance to make the starting line-up comes through
two B-Mains, to determine the 28 starters in the chase for
the ‘globe’.
Since its inception in 1971, 290 drivers have qualified
and started the World 100, a detail that ranks high on anyone’s
resume. In the 39 previous chases, 26 drivers have made
it to victory lane, with Billy Moyer leading the pack with
his five wins. Only five drivers have won more than once.
Backing up the parity theme of the World 100 is the fact
that last year’s run found five drivers making the
starting grid for the first-time; an equal number to that
of 2007. In 2008, three drivers made their first run towards
a position on the heralded World 100 stage.
Entry, ticket and event information for the 40th annual
running of the World 100 may be found on the track’s
website www.eldoraspeedway.com.
