'A Little Bit Of Magic To It.' Why To Watch The Dream At Eldora Speedway
'A Little Bit Of Magic To It.' Why To Watch The Dream At Eldora Speedway
The greatest dirt track in the world, Eldora Speedway, hosts the Late Model Dream. And here's why that's a big deal according to FloRacing.
The Eldora Speedway has been the home of one of dirt racing’s most storied races for the last 30 years, The Late Model Dream, and it’s no secret why.
“It’s at the world’s greatest dirt track, Eldora Speedway,” said FloRacing analyst and reporter Kyle McFadden. “Best track (and) it’s the original six figure payday. The first high-paying race ever for dirt late model was the Dream.
"There’s a prestige aspect to that because this is the 30th year now, but also it still is today the highest paid race.”
The Late Model Dream returns to Eldora on June 6 with the main race on June 8 and all the action is streaming on FloRacing and the FloSports app.
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The two factors, the payout and the track’s state of the art facilities, make the Dream’s entry list loaded with some of the best drivers in the sport like Jonathan Davenport, who owns a cow named Eldora, and Ricky Thornton Jr., who has won everything there is to win except the Dream.
McFadden said the combination of the payout plus the legendary’s track centralized location and the special vantage points on the track, not to mention its famous owner Tony Stewart, make the race what it is.
“It’s got a little bit of magic to it in terms of the things that happen there,” McFadden said of Eldora Speedway and the Dream.
This year several drivers hope to capture that magic at 8 p.m. on June 8 when the final races begin. And for Davenport, another win at Eldora could cement him as one of the greatest to ever drive at Eldora.
“Jonathan Davenport is close to becoming greatest dirt late model winner of all time at Eldora,” McFadden said. “He’s always been like third or fourth in the conversation, but now if he wins one or two more of these he’ll be No. 1, basically, statistically.”
Who Are The Dark Horses At The Late Model Dream 2024 At Eldora Speedway?
Davenport is still the driver to beat, McFadden said, but there are younger drivers aiming to take his spot.
In any other race, Thornton would be far from a dark horse. In 2023, he set a record for the most Lucas Oil Late Model wins. But at Eldora, Thornton is still trying to break through.
“I would say Ricky Thornton Jr. surprisingly (is a dark horse) because he has not won at Eldora,” McFadden said. “He’s won every other race in the country, basically. He’s a guy who is looking for his Eldora Crown Jewel.”
McFadden also added that Devin Moran, who was the focus of a FloRacing movie called the “Million Dollar Curse,” is a dark horse. Moran’s father Donnie won at Eldora but ever since then no member of the Moran family has won at Eldora.
“His dad Donnie Moran won the Eldora Million but Morans have never won at Eldora again,” McFadden said. “Not even a preliminary feature. They’ve yet to win at the track.“
The race is streaming live on FloRacing and the FloSports app. Race replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
When Is The Dirt Late Model Dream?
June 6-8 (drivers will run either Thursday or Friday in 40-lap, $25,000-to-win preliminary feature programs; Saturday's 100-lap finale will be preceded by heat and consolations races).
The Castrol FloRacing Night in America at Eldora Speedway is on June 5.
Where Is The Dirt Late Model Dream Held?
Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio (high-banked, half-mile clay oval).
How Much Does The Dirt Late Model Dream Pay to Win?
The Dirt Late Model Dream is headlined by a $100,030-to-win Late Model feature.
2024 Dirt Late Model Dream Schedule
(All times local; subject to change)
Wednesday
- 10 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
- 11 a.m.: Pits open
- Noon: Technical inspection begins
- 1 p.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
- 2 p.m.: All gates, suites and concessions open
- 5 p.m.: Drivers’ meeting (infield)
- 6 p.m.: Hot laps
- 7:30 p.m. : Opening ceremonies
- Competition
- Late Model time trials
- Late Model heats (10 laps)
- Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- Castrol FloRacing Night in America feature (50 laps)
Thursday
- 11 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
- Noon: Pits open
- 12:30 p.m.: Technical inspection begins
- 1 p.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
- 2 p.m.: All gates, suites and concessions open
- 5 p.m.: Drivers’ meeting (infield)
- 6:30 p.m.: Hot laps
- 8 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
- Competition
- Late Model time trials
- Late Model heats (10 laps)
- Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- Late Model qualifying feature (50 laps)
Friday
- 11 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
- Noon: Pits open
- 12:30 p.m.: Technical inspection begins
- 1 p.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
- 2 p.m.: All gates, suites and concessions open
- 5 p.m.: Drivers’ meeting (infield)
- 6:30 p.m.: Hot laps
- 8 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
- Competition
- -Late Model time trials
- -Late Model heats (10 laps)
- -Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- -Late Model qualifying feature (50 laps)
- Following last checkered flag: Live music (fan zone)
Saturday
- 11 a.m.: Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
- 11 a.m.: Grounds cleared and secured
- Noon: All gates, suites and concessions open
- 1 p.m.: Outreach service (white tent near pond)
- 3:30 p.m.: Driver autograph session (fan zone)
- 4:30 p.m.: Public drivers’ meeting (fan zone)
- 6:30 p.m.: Hot laps
- 8 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
- Competition
- Late Model heats (15 laps)
- Late Model consolations (20 laps)
- Dream XXX feature (100 laps)
Who Sanctions The Dirt Late Model Dream?
DIRTcar Racing will sanction the 2024 Dirt Late Model Dream
Who Won Last Year's Dirt Late Model Dream?
Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., who won his second career Dream and first since 2015.
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