With this week's 53rd running of the World 100 approaching at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, we're ramping up our coverage of the $56,000-to-win event as the stage takes shape live on FloRacing. Below, we've listed 10 favorites that have the best odds to win the prestigious globed trophy.

Jonathan Davenport (Blairsville, Ga.)

Is there anyone better at Eldora Speedway than Jonathan Davenport? Only Scott Bloomquist and Billy Moyer in their heydays come close. Speaking of Moyer, the driver christened as Superman can tie the all-time World 100 wins leader should he win a prestigious sixth globed trophy come Saturday. It’s an astounding feat to ponder because Davenport’s historic run doesn’t span decades like Bloomquist and Moyer, only since 2015. It’s also important to note he’ll be in the very car that’s won four Eldora Crown Jewels: the 2021 and ’22 World 100, last year’s Eldora Million, and this year’s Dream. 

VIDEO: Jonathan Davenport reacts after winning his fifth World 100 at Eldora. 

Bobby Pierce (Oakwood, Ill.)

Has any driver entered the World 100 riding a more rip-roaring wave than Pierce? The 2016 World 100 champion has 11 wins in his last 14 races. Over the last 33 races he’s churned out 19 wins and 27 total podium finishes. For perspective, Davenport won 14 races in a 34-race stretch at the height of his $2 million season last year. Latching onto the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series and joining Longhorn Chassis has propelled Pierce to the next level this season. Pierce didn’t win his long-awaited Prairie Dirt Classic this summer, but he’s all but locked up the WoO title. Adding another World 100 trophy would vindicate the otherworldly pace he’s on.

Ricky Thornton Jr. (Chandler, Ariz.)

No driver’s contended for more Crown Jewel victories this season than RTJ, who should be right in the mix once again come Saturday’s 100-lap finale. Before this year, Thornton would be on the fringes of a top-10 favorite at the World 100, having won only a single Eldora prelim in the 2018 installment of the prestigious event. In this 24-win season bedazzled with triumphs of the Prairie Dirt Classic, Firecracker 100, and Off Road Speedway’s $100,000-to-win event on July 25, his universally fast race team has translated that to Eldora’s half-mile. RTJ won a Dream prelim in June and finished fourth in the rubber-down main event behind Davenport, Chris Madden, and Bobby Pierce.

Brandon Overton (Evans, Ga.)

Although the Evans, Ga., superstar hasn’t had much return on investment of running the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series this year, there’s still plenty up for grabs to end the season. Even amid a down season — only one full-field Lucas Oil Series win and failing to qualify for the Dream in June — Overton’s prowess at Eldora is still at his disposal. This is still the same driver that’s won three straight Dreams and the 2021 World 100. 

VIDEO: Brandon Overton reacts after winning the 51st World 100 at Eldora. 

Dale McDowell (Chickamauga, Ga.)

He is, quite literally, an ageless wonder. McDowell’s in the midst of his finest season ever at 57 years old, accentuated by the spectacular Topless 100 victory at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark., a few weeks ago. It’s like 2004 all over again for McDowell, who last won the Topless 100 that season. It was also the last season he accrued double-digit wins until this year at 10 wins and counting. Can he evoke more early 2000s charm? The 2005 World 100 winner still clearly has what it takes.

Hudson O’Neal (Martinsville, Ind.)

With majority of the hype surrounding Davenport, Pierce and Thornton, the Rocket Chassis house car driver is flying under the radar heading into the World 100. While it’s easy to believe that O’Neal has yet to win an Eldora Crown Jewel because of his young age at 23, it’s hard to believe Mark Richards has yet to win the World 100. This could be the year that changes. The team got back on track in last weekend’s convincing $50,000 victory at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway and showed half-mile speed that couldn’t be matched. If there’s a big ole cushion to lean on, O’Neal could be in business. Even not he’ll have a chance.

Chris Madden (Gray Court, S.C.)

While Madden’s resume remains void of an Eldora Crown Jewel, he’s a favorite in Rossburg. He’s finished on the podium in the last four Eldora biggies: second in this year’s Dream, third in last year’s World 100, second in last year’s Dream, and second in the Million. A question Madden will soon answer is which car — the Rocket Chassis or Longhorn — will he employ this week? Those Longhorns, namely Davenport and Overton, have been mightily good at Eldora in recent years. But Madden’s been right there with his Rocket. At 48 years old and on the back-nine of his career, Madden knows the clock is ticking.

VIDEO: Chris Madden discusses his Eldora heartbreaks and why he still loves the track during One Lap, One Beer.

Brandon Sheppard (New Berlin, Ill.)

He’s not on Pierce’s level, but Sheppard is riding a momentum wave of his own into Eldora. At six straight podium finishes with two wins to show for, Sheppard’s seemed to finally dial in that new Longhorn Chassis of his at the right time. The 2019 Dream winner has always been strong at Eldora. It’s worth noting his 26 top-10 finishes are tied with Dale McDowell for most at track the last five seasons. Sheppard finished 16th at the Dream earlier this year and 11th at the World 100 last year.

Tim McCreadie (Watertown, N.Y.)

It’s been a monotone season for T-Mac, who’s surprisingly yet to win a full-field Lucas Oil Series feature this year. The 2018 World 100 champion gets around Eldora well; he always has. Last year he finished third in the Dream, fourth in the Million, and fourth in the World 100. This year’s Dream stop was very metaphoric of his season, where he crashed in the heat race and resorted to a backup car and provisional to participate in the main event. Hundred-lap grinds are T-Mac’s specialty, so perhaps he can stay out of trouble and use that to his advantage come Saturday.

Mike Marlar (Winfield, Tenn.)

In the midst of another productive season, Marlar figures to make this year's World 100 his best yet. Eldora's been a fickle place for the Winfield Warrior. It took him until earlier this year with the Castrol FloRacing Night in America tour to win a feature at the Big E. But it's not like Marlar's been wayward at the half-mile either. He finished runner-up in the second 2021 World 100 and third in '17. He did, however, finish 24th last year and failed to qualify for the first of two World 100s contested in 2021.