Part 2

Eldora Speedway has played an important part in their step towards fame.

Of the trio, Blaney carries the most impressive Eldora record. Long known among the racing fraternity as “The Buckeye Bullet”, second generation driver Dave Blaney has amassed 16 career wins at Eldora. Six of those have come within the WoO wars at Eldora, so he will be on familiar turf during the Kings Royal.

The Ohio native needs no introduction to the pomp and circumstance of the Kings Royal, as he has sat atop the throne and worn the crown twice (1993, 1995). His final Eldora victory lane appearance came in 1997 when he snatched the $100,000 Historical Big One paycheck.

Stewart’s pre-NASCAR prowess at Eldora came in non-winged action through the United States Auto Club (USAC). Under the USAC banner, Stewart, who also carries the title as owner of Eldora Speedway, captured a pair of feature wins during the 1995 Four Crown Nationals. Checkered flag runs were earned in the Sprint Car and Midget divisions that weekend.

Very little track time in winged Sprint Cars appeared on the two-time NASCAR Cup champion’s early resume. With a desire to perfect his driving style, Stewart has been donning the aerodynamic wing repeatedly over the past few years. He captured the NRA sanctioned Old Spice Sizzler a few years ago, and has three Prelude to the Dream wins behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model, so his desire to excel at Eldora has not waned.

Kahne, the youngest of the trio, went straight from the short tracks to NASCAR-land. With plenty of Eldora experience under his belt, he has a pair of wins to his credit. In 2000 he captured a USAC Midget win during the fall Four Crown Nationals and in 2003 he returned to the massive one-half mile clay oval to reign supreme over an All Star Circuit of Champions field.

All three tested the Eldora clay during the June 9 Prelude to the Dream, and are anxious to shift gears from full bodied to open wheel racing. They are prepared to race, knowing that the WoO and NRA gentry will show no mercy.

Each night will be a full show for both sanctioning bodies. Friday’s (July 16) event has been dubbed the Knight Before the Kings Royal, with full points for the WoO fraternity. In addition to the points to be earned by the NRA Sprint Invaders, they will be chasing for the Jimmy Johnston Memorial trophy.

Saturday’s (July 17) chase is highlighted by the annual run for the $50,000 Kings Royal paycheck and the aforementioned trip to the throne and wearing of the crown.

Complete event information is detailed on the track’s website www.eldoraspeedway.com

Stewart, who doubles as the Eldora owner, has impressed the NASCAR world with his front-running consistency in 2009, a cumulative effort that has him atop the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings. Much of the intensity and tenacity that has allowed Stewart to reach that plateau was groomed through his earlier years on the Midwest’s dirt tracks, behind the wheel of a Sprint Car. And a return to that heritage not only reminds Stewart of those times, but inspires him.

“Any time I can get behind the wheel of a Sprint Car, I look back and appreciate my career”, Stewart said.

But don’t get him wrong, it’s not just a chance drive during the Kings Royal weekend. The competitive instinct that drives him towards the Sprint Cup championship carries over to everything he drives, and Stewart will be attacking his Eldora run with the same vengeance.

“When it comes to competition, I love to race and I love to win – Eldora will be no different”, Stewart added.

Kahne agrees, “It doesn’t matter where I’m racing or what type of car I’m in. If I’m behind the wheel, I’m racing for the trophy……..and it would be special to win at Eldora.”

The twosome will be competing against the NRA (National Racing Alliance) Sprint Invaders on both nights of the fabled Kings Royal weekend, as part of a doubleheader that will also feature the travelling World of Outlaw (WoO) Sprint Tour.

Billed as ‘an original Sprint Car tradition’, the Kings Royal has become a marquee event on the grueling WoO circuit. From the crowning of the King, to the seat above the legendary throne, to the $50,000 winner’s paycheck, the pomp that surrounds the Kings Royal gets the adrenalin flowing amongst both the fans and the drivers.

That same rush carries over to the Sprint Invaders as they compete before their largest audience of the year, as well as against Sprint Cup winners Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne.

The busy weekend of racing also includes a charity go-kart race on Thursday night, a corn hole tournament Friday morning and the annual National Sprint Car Hall of Fame auction on Saturday afternoon. Fans can contribute to the weekend through the Kings Royal lap sponsorship program that will see all of the money raised given back to the drivers leading specified laps.

Complete event and ticket information may be found on the speedway website, www.eldoraspeedway.com, where tickets for both nights of racing may be purchased online. Eldora’s box office is also open Monday-Friday during normal business hours for ticket purchases and questions. That telephone number is (937) 338-3815.