Prelude to the Dream
When: Wednesday, Sept. 9
Time: 7 p.m. (public gates open at 8 a.m.)
Where: Eldora Speedway, Rossburg
TV: HBO Pay-Per-View
Drivers: A.J. Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Marcos Ambrose, Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Ron Capps, Carl Edwards, Bill Elliott, Ray Evernham, Robby Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Cruz Pedregon, David Reutimann, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, David Stremme, Brian Vickers, Kenny Wallace
Info: www.eldora speedway.com
ROSSBURG — When it comes to racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, three-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson is the big man on campus.
When it comes to racing late models at Eldora Speedway, well, the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet said it felt like the first day of school.
“I was like a freshman in high school just trying to figure out where to go and what to do,” Johnson said of his first visit to Eldora for the Prelude to the Dream in 2008.
Johnson is one of 25 professional drivers scheduled to compete at the all-star charity event on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Last year, he finished an impressive eighth driving a late model for the first time and doing so on Eldora’s intimidating high-banked, half-mile track no less.
“I think I’ll be much more competitive (this year),” Johnson said. “By the end of the night I didn’t realize how few laps you get. I finally got in the swing of things but by then it was all over.”
Johnson, who entered the weekend second in the Sprint Cup points behind Eldora track owner Tony Stewart, is glad to support the four military-themed charities the Prelude honors. Like many of the drivers he has a connection to the military.
“(My grandfather) was one of the first tanks that busted through the walls at a concentration camp in World War II,” Johnson said. “My other grandfather was in the Navy on an aircraft carrier. My wife’s brother is in the Navy as well. My brother-in-law is going through the steps to hopefully become a SEAL someday. It’s all around us.”
Sold out
No tickets remain for the Prelude, but a few lucky fans might be able to find a couple on Eldora Speedway’s Facebook site. People who can’t attend the event are offering to sell tickets there. The race can still be seen on HBO Pay-Per-View with a digital cable box or satellite service. Visit www.hbo.com for information.
Inside information
Kenny Wallace, who won the first Prelude in 2005, hopes to attack Eldora the same way sprint car legend Jack Hewitt used to.
“Jack was the legend at running up against the wall at Eldora or anywhere he raced,” Wallace said of the Troy resident.
“We finally met up last year and gave each other a big hug. ... When Jeff Gordon first came to NASCAR he was telling me when he would go to Eldora the announcer would say, ‘Get on your feet ladies and gentlemen! Here he is! Riding high, not afraid to die, can he do it, Jaaaaack Hewwwiiit!’ I loved the appeal of Jack’s legend at Eldora. It’s great to get the blessing of all these greats.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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