The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) has released the ballot to members for their prestigious Hall of Fame and special awards that will be presented during the organizations 51^st annual Convention set to take place January 12-14, 2024 at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The EMPA Board of Directors meticulously reviewed the many names that were narrowed down in the respective categories, including just under 60 for induction into the EMPA Hall of Fame.

Respected motorsports journalist and past EMPA president Ron Hedger and northeast pavement Modified ace George Kent are locked in to this year’s entry to the Hall of Fame, needing no votes.

There is an equally impressive list of distinguished individuals who will be voted on by the EMPA membership. They include asphalt Modified standout Ted Christopher, rising Sprint Car star Kevin Gobrecht, dirt Modified kingpins Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch Sr., renowned photojournalist Ace Lane Jr., pavement specialist Steve Park, NHRA perennial champion Don Prudhomme, celebrated central Pennsylvania Sprint Car racer Steve Smith Jr., and Cathy Venturini, a respected co-car owner on the ARCA Series.  

The organization will also honor National and Northeast Driver(s) of the Year in both asphalt and dirt. The youth is also recognized with the John Blewett III Young Gun Award presented by New England Race Fuels. Other honors to be bestowed are Newsmaker of the Year, Promotional Effort of the Year and Spirit of the Sport.

EMPA also recognizes many of their own, presenting a Writer of the Year and Photographer of the Year along with several other awardees in a variety of writer and photographer categories.

The annual three-day convention begins with a Friday evening Salute to the Champions presented by Belmont’s Garage, where a number of local and regional driving titlists are invited to meet and greet with the press. Saturday consists of press conferences and seminars followed by the evening’s formal Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony.

The Mission of EMPA is: to acknowledge excellence in motorsports and those who have excelled; to foster an atmosphere to improve the quality of motorsports reporting through fellowship and interaction of veteran media with less experienced members in a welcoming atmosphere where tips, techniques and ideas are exchanged.; and to increase positive interactions between race tracks, sanctioning bodies and the working motorsports media.

Founded in 1969, the Eastern Motorsport Press Association is an organization of professional writers, broadcasters, announcers, videographers, and photographers working in the motorsports industry. It also includes associate and corporate members with backing from Dover International Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts, New England Race Fuels, Maple Grove Raceway, and American Racer Tire who are among the supporters of the organization.

2023/24 Eastern Motorsport Press Association Hall of Fame/Award Nominees

EMPA Hall of Fame nominees:

The following two gentlemen will also be inducted. No vote is needed:

Ron Hedger, George Kent

4 will be inducted: Ted Christopher, Kevin Gobrecht, Brett Hearn, Ace Lane, Jr., Steve Park, Billy Pauch, Sr., Don Prudhomme, Steve Smith Jr., Cathy Venturini

John Blewett III Young Gun Presented by New England Race Fuels. One winner: Austin Beers

Justin Grosso, Katie Hettinger, Steven Snyder, Jr., Drake Troutman

Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Asphalt Driver of the Year. One winner: Wayne Helliwell Jr.

Matt Hirschman, Wayne Owen, Ron Silk

Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Dirt Driver of the Year. One winner: Brent Marks, Freddie Rahmer, Matt Sheppard, Mat Williamson

Al Holbert Memorial National Asphalt Driver of the Year. One winner: Ryan Blaney, William Bryon, Doug Kalitta, Kyle Larson, Alex Palou, Leah Pruitt, Brandon Queen

Al Holbert Memorial National Dirt Driver of the Year. One winner: Rico Abreu, Jade Avedisian, Kyle Larson, Hudson O’Neal, Bobby Pierce, Brad Sweet, Rickie Thornton, Jr., Tim Ward

Chris Economaki Memorial EMPA Newsmaker of the Year. One winner: CARS Tour, FLO Racing, High Limit Sprint Series, Tony Stewart, Vores Compact Touring Series

EMPA Promotional Effort of the Year. One winner: Lyle Devour, Indoor Racing Series, Monaco Modified Tri Track Series, Joe Skotnicki/RoC Series/RPM, Josh Vanada

Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport. One winner: Boom Briggs, Red Farmer, Joe Renfro, Wiscasset Motor Speedway

Jim Hunter Memorial EMPA Writer of the Year Award. One winner: Dan Anderson, Bruce Bennett, Thomas Pope, Ted Schmidt, Scott Walsh

Ace Lane, Sr., Memorial EMPA Photographer of the Year. One winner: Evan Canfield, Rich Corbett, Debbie Gastelu, Michael Jaworecki, Sr., Walt Smith

EMPA PR

Racers and fans are about to be treated to a newly paved surface at California’s busiest racing facility.

Sonoma Raceway announced today a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to providing the best racing experience for fans and drivers alike. The world-renowned road course will undergo a comprehensive repaving project in preparation for the June 7-9, 2024 NASCAR race weekend.

“Our racing surface is in use more than 300 days per year,” said Brian Flynn, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “While our headline event is the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, our raceway is used by car clubs, automotive enthusiasts, corporate clients and manufacturers on a daily basis. It’s important that we continue to upgrade this first-class facility for everyone who comes to Sonoma Raceway.”

Local area business Bay Cities Paving & Grading of Concord, CA has been awarded the contract for the project.

“We’re thrilled to have our repaving project managed by a bay area company,” Flynn said  “This is part of our continuing effort to work within our community while producing world-class events that bring in guests from around the country and the world.” 

Milling is slated to start at the conclusion of the final event of the season, Winter Jam Dec. 16-17, 2023. Work is scheduled through the first two months of the year with events returning in early Spring. 

This extensive repaving initiative signifies a robust investment by Speedway Motorsports in the future of racing at historic Sonoma Raceway and is the first full repave in 23 years. Just two years after the construction of the ultra-modern Turn 11 Club, this upgraded track surface will enhance driver performance, ensure a smoother and more competitive racing experience, and continue to solidify Sonoma Raceway’s status as a premier destination for motorsports enthusiasts. 

“The materials being used allow us to offer a track with a seasoned feel for the drivers,” said Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations and development, Speedway Motorsports. “This means competition should be exciting right off the bat in 2024.”

Since the first race in December of 1968, Sonoma Raceway has been known for its heritage as an iconic track hosting top racing series and drivers. Currently, it is a West Coast gem on the calendars of both NASCAR and NHRA while continuing to host world-class events such as Velocity Invitational, GT World Challenge and Ferrari Challenge. 

Stay tuned for updates and additional details by following Sonoma Raceway on social media (@RaceSonoma) on Facebook, X, Instagram, downloading our app or by checking our website at SonomaRaceway.com.

Sonoma Raceway PR

In a move that expands its global motorsports presence, Trackhouse Entertainment Group owner Justin Marks announced today his organization will field a MotoGP World Championship team beginning in the 2024 season.  The newly formed team will be managed by Trackhouse Entertainment Group from Nashville, Tennessee but operate in Noale, Italy in an alliance with motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia and the Piaggio Group.  A team presentation unveiling riders, corporate partners and livery will be held at a later date.

“This is a monumental moment for Trackhouse Entertainment Group,” said the 42-year-old Marks. “It has been in the ethos of Trackhouse since the very first day to put in the work, have the vision, and deploy the enthusiasm and passion necessary to build one of the most valuable motorsports entertainment companies in the world. Our entry into the MotoGP World Championship is another step in the execution of that vision."

The 75-year-old FIM MotoGP World Championship is the premier motorcycle racing series in the world with eleven teams each fielding two riders. The 2024 schedule includes 22 races in 19 countries across five continents, The season begins on March 10 in Qatar with an American race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on April 14.  Trackhouse Entertainment Group is the owner of Trackhouse Racing’s NASCAR team, which operates out of Concord, North Carolina. After a full-time driving career in sports cars and NASCAR, Marks founded Trackhouse Racing in 2020 and started fielding Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021.

The new team has enjoyed success on track. Daniel Suárez became the first Mexican driver to win a Cup Series race when he visited victory lane in 2022, New Zealander and three-time Supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen won at Chicago in his debut Cup race on July 2 and American Ross Chastain finished second in the standings in 2022 and posted four victories including the 2023 Cup Series season finale on Nov. 5.

Marks brought 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen to NASCAR and Trackhouse Racing in 2022 and 2023 as part of the team's PROJECT91 program created to give international stars a chance to compete in the sport. It was the same program that led to van Gisbergen’s win in Chicago. Off the track, Trackhouse Racing as a brand has proven itself as a progressive, marketing-minded team, reimagining how the sport is presented to its fans, media partners and sponsors. It brought in international entertainment superstar Pitbull as a team partner, created a new style of team clothing, increased digital presence to fans and created live entertainment at racetracks throughout the season.

“We feel that MotoGP is perfectly positioned for massive growth in the coming years not only in the United States, but internationally,” Marks said. “It has all the ingredients necessary to continue its rise to global prominence: a thrilling on-track product, aspirational stars, unmatched fan and partner experience, and an environment that’s fan-friendly and welcoming.”

Trackhouse Racing will be the only American team in the MotoGP class, but the USA boasts a long list of successful riders including Eddie Lawson, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr, Freddie Spencer, Randy Mamola, Colin Edwards and the late Nicky Hayden.

The arrival of the Trackhouse Racing Team into MotoGP in 2024 brings American motorcycle racing back to the pinnacle of the sport. With its close partnership with Aprilia, as its official factory supported team, Trackhouse Racing is determined to be a competitive force for the future.

Trackhouse Racing PR

The 2023 EuroNASCAR PRO champion Gianmarco Ercoli received a once-in-a-lifetime chance when he was invited to NASCAR Champion’s Week in Nashville, USA. The Italian was one of the seven key NWES figures honored by NASCAR and took part in special activities together with all other NASCAR champions, including Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney. Taking advantage of this unique opportunity, Ercoli experienced many moments in “Music City” that he will cherish forever, being a champion among champions.

Ercoli took center stage in the special banquet for NASCAR Roots and International Series champions that was held on 28 November. Accompanied by Luca Canneori, the owner of his #54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet Camaro, the Italian was given the red carpet treatment and received the special ring only NASCAR champions can wear.

“We are coming back from an amazing week in the USA!” said Ercoli on his experience. “The red carpet on the 28th with the award ceremony and ring presentation was a celebration of a fantastic season that was full of emotions with many twists and turns. Being awarded on that stage after climbing the sport’s mountain is a great pride that will always push me to do better. Speaking to the many people in the hall really moved me.”

His activities continued on the following day with an invitation to NASCAR House and NASCAR Champions Parade. At the NASCAR House, located in the middle of the crowded Fifth + Broadway complex, Ercoli took part in a Q&A panel that saw plenty of NASCAR drivers alternate on stage. Later in the afternoon, Ercoli and all of the other champions took part in a spectacular parade through the city center where he signed autographs and gave away exclusive merchandise to the fans that lined up the streets of Nashville.

“The 29th started early with the ritual photos at the auditorium,” continued Ercoli, who won his first EuroNASCAR PRO title this year. “It is a splendid location in full American spirit. We did interviews and it was very nice to be able to tell people about my path to victory before continuing with the parade in the city together with drivers and champions of all the other NASCAR series.”

“I really breathed the passion Americans have for this discipline. The fans were sensational and it was nice to be able to repay them by giving them autographed caps and t-shirts. We concluded the activities on the 29th with an exclusive dinner between the champions of the International Series and several NASCAR executives and we then shared a beer in the clubs of Broadway. They played country music at every hour and the streets were all lit up with lights from the various clubs. Everyone had so much fun!”

The final activity that Ercoli took part in was the NASCAR Awards, held on the final day of NASCAR Champion’s Week. The Italian was introduced to the sport’s most important figures at the banquet, stood on stage in front of all the sport’s personalities and received the opportunity to listen to the speeches made by drivers such as Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney and NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Chase Elliott.

“On the 30th we attended a huge banquet to celebrate the Cup Series champion and the other National Series champions. We received a round of applause on stage before the speech of the champion Ryan Blaney. It was just incredible, something I will never forget for the rest of my life. It is amazing how the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series has become a great part of NASCAR over the years. Not everyone can be at such an important ceremony, and it’s even more rewarding if we think about where we started.”

“To be there and listen to the speeches of Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney is something that practically never happens to mere mortals. I go home with an experience that I never thought of having before. I’m happy to have shared these days with the Galpin family, with the Canneori family and all my NWES peers. Having the chance to meet the top people of NASCAR is a very important enrichment on a personal level for the continuation of my career.”

With the conclusion of NASCAR Champion’s Week, the off-season period will truly begin before the 2024 season starts on 13-14 April with the NASCAR GP Spain at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. EuroNASCAR promises an exciting season that features 28 races across seven rounds, including the return of NASCAR oval racing to Europe

NWES PR

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) and Daniel Dye are pleased to announce a partnership extension with Champion Container for the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) season. The Champion Container brand will be featured as the primary partner on Dye’s No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado RST for a minimum of 12 NCTS races in 2024, establishing a significant presence in his second season. Champion Container will also be an associate partner on the No. 43 Chevrolet for the balance of the NCTS calendar.

Dye will debut Champion Container’s colors on board MHR’s No. 43 entry at the NCTS season opener on Friday, February 16th at Daytona International Speedway. Now entering its third consecutive year, this collaboration showcases a strong relationship between Champion Container, Dye, and other partners including Race to Stop Suicide.

Dye is eager to seize the new opportunity of joining MHR after it broke through with a series-high four NCTS wins in 2023 with driver Christian Eckes.

"Champion Container has been an incredible partner, and I'm thrilled to continue our journey together in 2024,” Dye said. "Their support has been instrumental in our success, and I look forward to representing the red and yellow No. 43 Champion Container Chevy on the track. They have become family for us, and I can't really explain how much it means to have their support continue to grow. Joining the MHR team is a great opportunity for me, especially with the team’s success last season, and I hope to be able to build on that in 2024."

Champion Container, established in 1968, is a leading distributor of packaging containers in the Northeast, serving industries like chemical, paint, and pharmaceuticals. Their extensive product range includes bulk containers, drums, cans, pails, boxes, and more. Known for their "just in time" delivery and vast inventory, Champion caters to a diverse clientele, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in their strategic acquisitions, expanding their services and products to meet evolving market needs.

"We are pleased to expand our presence in NASCAR to its fan base with sponsorship on Daniel's No. 43 in several 2024 events," remarked Champion Container CEO Tom Miskewitz. "Daniel is a quality young man who serves as a great ambassador for our company. Beyond the track, the work that is done year-round through Race to Stop Suicide is so important, and we're proud to be advocates and supporters of both programs."

MHR fans can gear up with Dye’s latest merchandise, including the official 2024 Champion Container Truck t-shirt, available at ShopDanielDye.com. This exclusive collection offers fans an opportunity to show their support and be part of the thrilling journey in the upcoming season. Fans can follow Dye on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, @danieldye43, and visit danieldyeracing.com. 

MHR PR

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ today announced the Club will join forces with AdventHealth in 2024 to field the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for driver Erik Jones in six NASCAR Cup Series races including the season-opening 2024 DAYTONA 500. Additionally, AdventHealth will compete in three events with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel of the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE at Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway in 2024. 

“We are thrilled to partner with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and drivers Erik Jones and Jimmie Johnson and are looking forward to a winning 2024 race season. AdventHealth has been a sponsor in the sport since 2015 and we appreciate the opportunity to provide care for this team and the passionate NASCAR fan base. Together we can make a tremendous impact in our communities and ensure more people have the opportunity to access whole-person care,” said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth. 

The announcement came as Jones and the No. 43 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team participated in a NASCAR test session at Phoenix Raceway on Dec. 5 and 6. This day marks the inaugural on-track outing for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB since its manufacturer switched from Chevrolet to Toyota. 

With more than 50 hospitals in nine states, racetracks like Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, and Atlanta Motor Speedway are all located within an AdventHealth market and near an AdventHealth facility.

“This is a great partnership for me on the professional and personal level,” said Jones. “Healthcare is one of my key pillars in the Erik Jones Foundation and when I met with the leadership of AdventHealth our values aligned instantly. I hope we can forge a great path together in this new relationship and do many things to positively impact the community both around the tracks and across the U.S.”

“This is a wonderful day for LEGACY M.C.,” said co-owner Johnson. “AdventHealth believes health should be measured in terms of the whole person — body, mind and spirit. This partnership is a natural fit for our Club and I know we will do great things together. I can’t wait for this season to get started.”

In addition to the race team sponsorship, AdventHealth has enjoyed a relationship with the Daytona track since 2015. As the Official Healthcare Partner of Daytona International Speedway, AdventHealth cares for more than 6,000 patients each year on-site. In addition, the faith-based not-for-profit healthcare system serves as the Official Health Care Provider for Kansas Speedway and the inaugural Chicago Street Course, which took place in July of this year. 

The AdventHealth injector – or gate entrance – at the Daytona Beach, Florida track is a 20,000-plus-square-foot oasis within a concrete jungle. The hospital system’s injector features messages of health, well-being, and wholeness, as well as interactive games that naturally tie the sport of racing to health and wellness, testing race fans’ hand-eye coordination – a vital skill on the racetrack. 

The 2024 NASCAR season kicks off on Feb. 4, 2024, at the L.A. Coliseum with the “Clash” exhibition event, followed two weeks later with 2024 Daytona Speedweeks presented by AdventHealth on Feb. 14 with DAYTONA 500 qualifying.

LMC PR

As Chris Buescher hits the track for two days of testing at Phoenix Raceway this week, RFK and Fastenal unveils its new and improved Fastenal scheme for Buescher’s 2024 No. 17 Ford, the first unveil of its kind among the Ford Performance teams.

“First off, we’re thankful to Fastenal’s continued years of dedication to our race team and our continued success,” said Buescher, who has four wins in the last two NASCAR Cup Series seasons. “Fans across the country have grown to recognize and appreciate the iconic Fastenal blue scheme, and we’re excited to roll out a new look on that car this week in Phoenix. 2024 is already off and running, and we can’t wait to officially hit the track next February.”

Ford will have a familiar yet fresh look in 2024 as the Mustang Dark Horse heads to the top level of NASCAR. The street model of the Dark Horse was unveiled as a street car in late 2022, marking the seventh generation of the Mustang nameplate. Now, the improved look features a sleek new nose on the front end, coupled with character lines that stretch from the fenders to the door. RFK is the first known team in the NCS to unveil a 2024 scheme on the new Ford body.

Fastenal enters its 14^th season as a partner of RFK in 2024 with Buescher behind the wheel for his ninth Cup season. He advanced to the Round of 8 in this season’s NASCAR Playoffs, and ultimately finished seventh in the final points standings, setting career highs in every statistical category.

The two-day Phoenix test gets underway Tuesday morning with six cars on track, and Buescher joining 2023 NASCAR Cup Champion Ryan Blaney as the two Ford participants. Stay tuned to @RFKRacing on social for coverage from Phoenix.

RFK Racing PR

Building on last year’s competition between longtime rivals USC and UCLA, NASCAR and SAE SoCal announced today that multiple Formula and Baja SAE teams from across California will compete with the ultimate goal of racing on the temporary, quarter-mile racetrack built inside the world-famous Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

This year’s event will consist of up to 17 schools competing within three different vehicle categories: Internal Combustion, Electric, and Baja. Two organizations from each category will be selected to compete against each other based on the number of tickets they sell to the 2024 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum before January 19, 2024. One of these organizations, USC’s Formula SAE Internal Combustion team, has already been awarded one of the Internal Combustion spots as last year’s reigning champion.

The list of potential competing schools includes the following:

• University of California, Irvine (UCI)
• California Baptist University (CBU)
• California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA)
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (CPSLO)
• San Diego State University (SDSU)
• California Polytechnic University, Pomona (CPP)
• California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
• University of California, Riverside (UCR)
• University of Southern California (USC)
• California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
• University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
• University of San Diego (USD)
• University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
• California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)

Opportunity for teams to compete will be contingent on each vehicle passing SAE technical inspection in the weeks prior to the event. Competition format will be single car on track, time-trial style with further details to be announced at a later date. The event will be closed to the public, but each participating organization will be allowed to invite a select number of guests to observe.

“It’s exciting to bring SAE teams back to the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on an even bigger scale,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “Our future racers and engineers span far and wide, so it’s wonderful to have students from all across California show off their talent and mastery at crafting best-in-class racecars.”

Formula SAE is an intercollegiate engineering competition where students across the globe design, build, test, and race prototype open-wheel racecars. Similarly, Baja SAE is a competition where engineering students design, build, test ,and race off-road vehicles. During these competitions, participating teams are scored in multiple categories evaluated by industry professionals, including design, cost effectiveness and performance in dynamic events. These competitions are important for students of all majors to apply technical skills cultivated within classes and campus maker spaces. In addition, they provide resume-building experiences for students seeking internship and career opportunities.

This year’s Formula and Baja SAE competition will set the stage for another historic weekend of NASCAR racing that culminates in a power-packed doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 4 at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The day will begin with the NASCAR Mexico Series competing in California for the first time, followed by the third-annual Busch Light Clash, the NASCAR Cup Series’ season-opening exhibition. NASCAR on FOX will once again carry the broadcast for the Busch Light Clash while the NASCAR Mexico Series race will be on Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.

A single ticket purchased is good for both races, and fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com.

NASCAR PR

Offering one of the most diverse and lucrative schedules of any dirt track, including some of the biggest short-track events in the world, Eldora Speedway will host 23 nights of action-packed racing for the upcoming 2024 season.

Highlighting the schedule will be traditional major events, including the 30th running of the Dirt Late Model Dream; the 41st running of the World of Outlaws-sanctioned Kings Royal; the 54th edition of the World 100, and the 44th annual Dirt Track World Championship. In addition, High Limit Racing will sanction the Double Down Duels and Joker’s Jackpot as a new lead-in to the Kings Royal weekend.

The season-opener April 7-8 will be a “first” for the World’s Greatest Dirt Track as the half-mile dirt oval will present a special super stocks racing program on Sunday, April 7 and serve as a host viewing venue for the April 8 Great American Eclipse. The path of totality will pass directly over Eldora as part of the solar eclipse. Camping for the solar eclipse is now on sale.

With a revised posted purse increased to more than $40,000 and a winner’s share of $10,000, Saturday, April 27 will feature the richest Eldora purse ever for UMP modifieds during the completion of the Dirt Track World Championship for modifieds and super stocks. The super stocks will race for $1,500 to win from a purse exceeding $10,000.

World of Outlaws winged sprint cars and United States Auto Club (USAC) non-wing sprint cars will run two nights on May 3-4 with #LetsRaceTwo, featuring full racing programs each night for each division.

The first of two $10 Family Fireworks Nights is set for Saturday, May 18 with USAC SpeeD2 Midwest Thunder midgets, UMP modifieds, super stocks, and the area’s largest fireworks and pyrotechnics display. The night will carry a Disney theme. Round two is set for Saturday, Aug. 3 with Great Lakes 360 winged sprint cars, UMP modifieds, super stocks, and another grand fireworks spectacular.

In a new twist to Eldora’s FloRacing Night in America date, the 2024 version will unofficially kick off the Dirt Late Model Dream Week on Wednesday night, June 5 with late models competing for $19,999 to win.

A shake-up to the Dirt Late Model Dream preliminary programs on Thursday and Friday, June 6-7 is also in store. The full roster will be split into two separate fields prior to the event, with one half racing on Thursday and the other half racing on Friday. Each day will carry a total purse in excess of $120,000, highlighted by a 40-lap feature paying $25,000 to win and $2,000 to start.

When speaking about the changes, Eldora General Manager Jerry Gappens explains, “The Thursday and Friday format tweak addresses a number of talking points that we’ve been considering here the past couple of years. We feel the time is right to try it out. For racers, they will have the opportunity to race for more money in just one night than what they could collectively earn in two nights last year. There will also be some cost savings as well when thinking about tires, fuel and general wear and tear on engines and components. For the fans, they will be treated to action-packed events with great competition throughout the entire field that concludes in a timely fashion. Our team will work on injecting some additional off-track entertainment and activity including some fan interaction with drivers not competing on a given night.”

For the 30th running of the Dirt Late Model Dream on Saturday night, June 8, the winner will earn $100,030 from a restructured and increased event purse that will total more than $600,000 for the first time. Positions 2nd through 26th will all see increased prize money, with every starter earning at minimum of $6,000. Non-qualifier prize money will also see bumps in pay throughout.

Eldora Speedway will welcome the High Limit Racing Series for the first time on Wednesday, July 17 with the Double Down Duels, featuring a full program that includes two $12,000-to-win 25-lap features. The unique format will offer 48 drivers the opportunity to earn A-Feature starting pay.

High Limit Racing returns on Thursday, July 18 for the Joker’s Jackpot, featuring a $100,000 to win payday. Starting positions for Thursday’s heat races will be determined in part by the results from Wedneseday’s Double Down Duels.

To finish out four of the richest nights in sprint car racing is the 41st running of the Kings Royal on Saturday, July 20, which offers a winner’s payout of $175,000 for the World of Outlaws sanctioned event. On Friday night, July 19, the Knight Before the Kings Royal winner will now earn $25,000.

Eldora Speedway founder, the late Earl Baltes, and his family will be honored at the 16th running of the Baltes Classic on Sunday night, Sept. 1. The program includes the American Ironman Late Model Series ($5,000 to win), UMP modifieds, and super stocks.

The Biggest Dirt Race in the World™, the 54th running of the World 100, is set for Saturday night, Sept. 7. Preliminary action is set for Thursday and Friday, Sept. 5-6 with current plans calling for the traditional Twin 25 main events each night. Wednesday, Sept. 4 will offer an early pit load-in and tech inspection option for race teams plus the World 100 pre-race party. While details are not yet available, officials have hinted at some additional purse monies being posted for the weekend.

A new sanctioning body and increased purses highlight the 42nd edition of the 4-Crown Nationals, an open-wheel classic, which is set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21. Friday’s program is highlighted by High Limit Racing winged sprint cars and a complete program for USAC national midgets and qualifying for the USAC Silver Crown division. Saturday’s finale features complete programs for USAC Silver Crown, USAC sprint cars, USAC midgets, and the High Limit Racing winged sprint cars. Each division will pay $15,000 to win, up from $10,000 each in 2023. “The 4-Crown weekend has been on an upward trajectory for a few years now and this is another step in the continued elevation of a fantastic fall classic,” commented Gappens.

And finally, the 44th Dirt Track World Championship (DTWC) is back at Eldora in 2024. The event is not only the Eldora season finale, but also the season finale for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. It will again carry a $100,000 first-place prize on Saturday night, Oct. 19. UMP modifieds and super stocks will compete on Thursday, Oct. 17 while Friday night, Oct. 18 offers qualifying events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Series, the steel-block late models, and features for the modifieds.

TICKET INFORMATION:

In an effort to simplify Eldora’s ticket renewal process, all 2024 events will now take place in the same renewal period. Ticket and camping renewals for the entire 2024 schedule will begin on December 12 and run through February 12, 2024. Eldora’s popular Add & Exchange period for renewing customers will be the week of February 19, 2024. The public sale for all events will begin on Friday, March 1, at 10 a.m. Eastern.

All tickets and camping purchases can be made via EldoraSpeedway.com/tickets or by contacting the box office at (937) 338-3815.

Eldora Speedway PR