History

In 2004, NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart purchased Eldora Speedway from Earl Baltes.  Stewart immediately put the wheels in motion to craft an event to raise awareness and funds for various charitable organizations.  Stewart and his team created an all star late model race and invited NASCAR stars to participate.  The event takes place on the Wednesday before the annual Dirt Late Model Dream Race.  The name "Prelude to the Dream" refers to the Dream race, which takes place the following Friday and Saturday.  The entire week is often referred to as Dream week at Eldora Speedway and thousands of fans arrive early in the week and remain through the weekend.  The inaugural Prelude to the Dream event was June 8, 2005 and is now a signature event each summer at the track.  Kenny Wallace won the 2005 event and in the years to follow Tony Stewart won in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and Carl Edwards won in his rookie campaign in 2007.  Jimmie Johnson claimed his first Prelude title in 2010 and Clint Bowyer claimed the 2011 title for his first Prelude victory.  For complete results and photos from the previous Prelude to the Dream events please click on the  links below.