NASCAR, NHRA Drivers Compete In Prelude to the Dream All-Star Race UPDATED

(Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for Eldora Speedway)

One event every year brings together the best drivers to race for bragging rights and a big purse.  Fans flock to get their seats to see their drivers go door-to-door for the checkered flag.

However, this all-star race will not be held at Lowe's Motor Speedway. There's no million-dollar purse for the winner. It's not a race that is actually hosted by NASCAR.

Tonight, some of the greatest drivers in NASCAR, NHRA, and a few special drivers will compete at Eldora Speedway in the fifth annual Prelude to the Dream late model race.

I truly enjoy this race because you don't see these drivers race on dirt very often. Being from a small town, dirt track racing is extremely competitive and exciting.

The drivers who are competing in this race are doing it because it takes them back to their early days of racing, and let's them get out of their element and race just for the thrill of the competition.  They are at Eldora because they want to be at Eldora.

Since Tony Stewart took over the Eldora Speedway in 2004, this event has become a very popular and very exciting event for everyone involved.  Even the old owner of the track, Earl Baltes, is happy how Stewart has maintained the track.

"Tony has a passion to make Eldora strong for many years to come. With events like the Prelude and, of course, our traditional crown jewel races, the tradition of the track is sure to live on," Baltes said.  "I'm just glad that I'm still around to be able to witness some of the exciting things he's been doing."

What Stewart has been doing is creating an event that is one of the premier dirt races every year in the country.

What's really cool this year is that Stewart, along with the other drivers and promoters, decided that all proceeds raised at this year's Prelude will benefit four different charities that focus on the injured soldiers in the United States armed forces.

"When the U.S. Army came on board Ryan Newman's Cup car with Stewart-Haas Racing, it was a partner that you didn't look at as a sponsor, but you looked at as a partner. To realize how many fans we gained because the U.S. Army is on one of our cars, it was like, how can we do something to give back and do something to support our military," Stewart said.

"It just made a lot of sense. We've been in a run here where our military has been really active and very busy. I don't think people really realize how much support, not necessarily our friends in the military, but their families, also need. It made it very worthwhile and made it make sense to us."

So, who are the favorites heading into the race?  

Starting off, we have to look at the past winners of the first four events. Stewart himself won this race in both 2006 and last year, and considering he's the owner of the track, he has an inside look at how the track will be come race time.

Then you have Carl Edwards, who won this race in 2007 by holding off Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. Having not been on dirt for many years, he looked like a natural behind the wheel and wants to get another win.

The winner of the inaugural Prelude was Kenny Wallace, and he's looking for a second win.

Many other drivers come to mind as contenders. Guys like Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Robby Gordon, Ken Schrader, Ryan Newman, and Clint Bowyer have all been here for the last couple years and are eager to win.

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