It’s big boys at play, with really cool toys.
But it also has a soul. The Prelude is a benefit race tonight at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, which helps ill children. Money raised from tonight’s race will go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which soon will be built in Wyandotte County.
Carl Edwards, the winner of last year’s Prelude race, gave voice to both aspects of the event. Edwards was asked if he would give advice on winning to the other American racing superstars who will be on the dirt track with him tonight.
“No, heck no,” said Edwards, a native of Columbia. “(Kansas driver) Clint Bowyer’s dad was talking a little smack the other day. So my first mission is to beat Clint to keep his dad from mouthing me too much.”
And he did get serious when asked about the fact that perhaps $1 million would be raised for the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
“I think that Victory Junction Gang Camp is one of the greatest things that we have in this country for kids,” Edwards said. “The way I understand it is that they provide more health care to children during the times that their kids are there than anyone else. And the idea that they’re putting one of those close to my home, where I live in Columbia … I’m really excited about that.”
Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart, who owns Eldora, invites the drivers and helps them secure rides in 800-horsepower dirt late-model stock cars.
Very few drivers turn down their invitations — this year’s field of 25 or so includes Sprint Cup stars Edwards, Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte. Also in the field are NHRA drivers Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon.
“It’s not only fun,” Bowyer said, “it’s a privilege to be able to participate.”
The all-star race has come a long way since it was started in 2005.
“The first year, we all showed up and we all drove cars and that was it,” Stewart said. “The Prelude has taken on a life of its own … guys are building cars to come run for just one night, and that’s because they’re having so much fun doing it that they want to have their own equipment.”
“To me,” Edwards said, “it is very special that Tony and everyone you know has decided that this race is to help that camp. I hope it’s something I can be a part of a long time, living in this area. I think it is amazing.”
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