by Jeff Adams
<b>2003 “Dream” Preview </b>
Once again, its’ time to make the trek to “Earls Palace of Speed”, Eldora Speedway, for the 9th running of the “Dream 100”, with the winner picking up a cool one-hundred grand.
Here is a preview of this prestigious race:
-135 cars from 15 states qualified in 2002, with Billy Moyer
setting fast time of 15.478
-Scott Bloomquist is the defending event champion, holding off a back-to-front charge by Moyer, who brought out a caution on lap 12, and then charged through the field.
-Bloomquist (1995,2002) and Freddy Smith (1994, 2000) are the only 2-time winners of the “Dream”. Other winners were: Rick Eckert (1999), Moyer (1998), Jimmy Mars (1997), and Donnie Moran (1996).
-Last years’ top 10: Bloomquist, Moyer, Don O’Neal, Wendell
Wallace, Steve Francis, Darrell Lanigan, Rick Aukland, John Mason, Steve Shaver, and Randle Chupp.
-Francis is the only driver to qualify for every “Dream” race, and has placed in the top 10 the last 4 years, but has yet to win.
Bloomquist has made every race except 2000.
-I love the Eldora format, but I wish they would make the lapped cars go to the rear on re-starts. Inevitably, one driver makes a charge to the front, but loses sight of the leader when they have to pass the lapped cars in line. Drivers would hate this rule, but the fans would love it.
-the program will consist of qualifying and non-qualifiers races
Friday night, with 6 heat races, C-Main, B-Main and the 100 lap “Dream” on Saturday at 7PM sharp.
-the favorites have to be the “Big 3”: Bloomquist, Moyer, and
Moran. Co-favorites: Aukland, Francis, Brian Birkhofer, O’ Neal, Eckert, Lanigan, Freddy Smith. Sleepers: Shaver, Skip Arp, Shane Yoder, Kris Patterson.
-if momentum means anything, Shannon Babb sure has it after
dominating last weekends’ 3 race “Tri-State Challenge” series. Armed with a new Mastersbilt, Babb could win his first Eldora “biggie”. Bloomquist is also on a roll, having won 3 straight, including the “Show-Me 100” and the last 2 Xtreme races.
-as of this writing, it looks like weather may once again play a
factor in the festivities. The forecast calls for showers on Friday, with temps in the mid-70’s all week.
-don’t forget to hit the party at the track Thursday night. It is
quite the social event, with drivers, owners and promoters all taking in libations and talking racing.
We are leaving on Wednesday this year, our earliest departure for the “Big E’” ever. It should be another memorable weekend in Ohio.
See you at the “Dream”!
<b>2003 “Dream” Preview </b>
Once again, its’ time to make the trek to “Earls Palace of Speed”, Eldora Speedway, for the 9th running of the “Dream 100”, with the winner picking up a cool one-hundred grand.
Here is a preview of this prestigious race:
-135 cars from 15 states qualified in 2002, with Billy Moyer
setting fast time of 15.478
-Scott Bloomquist is the defending event champion, holding off a back-to-front charge by Moyer, who brought out a caution on lap 12, and then charged through the field.
-Bloomquist (1995,2002) and Freddy Smith (1994, 2000) are the only 2-time winners of the “Dream”. Other winners were: Rick Eckert (1999), Moyer (1998), Jimmy Mars (1997), and Donnie Moran (1996).
-Last years’ top 10: Bloomquist, Moyer, Don O’Neal, Wendell
Wallace, Steve Francis, Darrell Lanigan, Rick Aukland, John Mason, Steve Shaver, and Randle Chupp.
-Francis is the only driver to qualify for every “Dream” race, and has placed in the top 10 the last 4 years, but has yet to win.
Bloomquist has made every race except 2000.
-I love the Eldora format, but I wish they would make the lapped cars go to the rear on re-starts. Inevitably, one driver makes a charge to the front, but loses sight of the leader when they have to pass the lapped cars in line. Drivers would hate this rule, but the fans would love it.
-the program will consist of qualifying and non-qualifiers races
Friday night, with 6 heat races, C-Main, B-Main and the 100 lap “Dream” on Saturday at 7PM sharp.
-the favorites have to be the “Big 3”: Bloomquist, Moyer, and
Moran. Co-favorites: Aukland, Francis, Brian Birkhofer, O’ Neal, Eckert, Lanigan, Freddy Smith. Sleepers: Shaver, Skip Arp, Shane Yoder, Kris Patterson.
-if momentum means anything, Shannon Babb sure has it after
dominating last weekends’ 3 race “Tri-State Challenge” series. Armed with a new Mastersbilt, Babb could win his first Eldora “biggie”. Bloomquist is also on a roll, having won 3 straight, including the “Show-Me 100” and the last 2 Xtreme races.
-as of this writing, it looks like weather may once again play a
factor in the festivities. The forecast calls for showers on Friday, with temps in the mid-70’s all week.
-don’t forget to hit the party at the track Thursday night. It is
quite the social event, with drivers, owners and promoters all taking in libations and talking racing.
We are leaving on Wednesday this year, our earliest departure for the “Big E’” ever. It should be another memorable weekend in Ohio.
See you at the “Dream”!
