The 2010 Prelude to the Dream will consist of 25 drivers and each will be divided amongst four teams and each will represent one of the four following children’s hospitals:
Each individual driver’s finishing position in the feature race will contribute to each team’s total score. Check back often for updated participating drivers!
Team Cincinnati Children's Hospital |
Elliott, Bill Car Owner: Ray Cook Sponsor: VP Racing Fuels Car # 21 Elliott has been become a dirt track fixture since retiring from NASCAR fulltime. The 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion currently drives the #21 car for Wood Brothers Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott returns to the 2010 Prelude after missing last year’s event due to injury.
|
|
 |
Kahne, Kasey (Team Captain) Car Owner: Eric Jacobsen Sponsor: Budweiser    Car # 9 Kahne cut his teeth on the dirt in USAC competition and maintains his dirt track ties by owning a World of Outlaws team. Kahne arrives for his fourth Prelude event as a candidate to win. Kahne currently drives the #9 car for Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
|
|
 |
Labonte, Bobby Car Owner: Bobby Labonte Sponsors: Lucas Oil, Red Buck Filtered Cigars, Sunoco Car # 44 Labonte returns to Eldora in 2010 after missing the 2009 event. The former Cup champion looks to improve upon his Prelude finishes in 2007 and 2008, which were both cut short due to accidents. Similar to Clint Bowyer, Labonte owns his own dirt late model and expectations for a top 5 finish will be high.
|
|
 |
Logano, Joey Car Owner: Chris Wall Sponsor: Home Depot Car # 20 The youngest driver in the field returns for his sophomore stint at Eldora after struggling to a 20th place finish as a rookie. Logano has won in every type of car on his quick trip to the Sprint Cup Series. Expect Logano to make a vast improvement in 2010, aligning with his fast start in the 2010 Sprint Cup Series.
|
|
 |
Pedregon, Cruz Car Owner: Cruz Pedregon Sponsors: Snap-on, Toyota, Herzog, Sioux City Truck and Trailer  Car # 75 The NHRA star enjoyed running in his first three Prelude events so much that he decided to buy his own dirt late model car and team. Cruz is getting quite familiar with turning left at Eldora and crossed the finish line 6th in 2009. When he isn’t drag racing at speeds exceeding 300 MPH in the NHRA, Pedregon is turning laps in his dirt late model in preparation for the Prelude event.
|
|
 |
Stewart, Tony Car Owner: Mark Richards Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Office Depot, Old Spice, Gillette Car # 14 Stewart enjoyed racing so much at Eldora Speedway he decided to buy the track in 2004. In his first full season of ownership (2005) Stewart unveiled the Prelude and has since won the event three times. The 2010 field of participants will be the most competitive yet; expectations are high for a fellow competitor to knock Stewart from his throne.
|
 |
Ambrose, Marcos Car Owner: J.W. Kinzer Sponsors: Kingsford, Bush's Baked Beans, Little Debbie, Will Kinzer Foundation Car # 47 The two time Australian Supercar champion is now making a name for himself in the United States thanks to back to back Nationwide Series wins at the Watkins Glen road course in 2008 and 2009. Ambrose drives the #47 car for JTG Daugherty Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Ambrose returns for his second Prelude after finishing a respectable 14th as a rookie in 2009.
|
|
 |
Blaney, Dave Car Owner: Tracy Seymour Sponsors: T & R Logging, Southern Ohio Wood, Shain Custom Decals and Graphics Car # 66 Blaney is perhaps the most decorated dirt racer in the field winning championships in both the United State Auto Club (USAC) and the World of Outlaws Series’ before pursuing pavement racing at the NASCAR level. Blaney currently fields the #66 car for Prism Motorsports at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level. Blaney returns to Eldora for the Prelude after missing the 2009 event due to death in the family.
|
|
 |
Busch, Kyle (Team Captain) Car Owner: Scott Bloomquist Sponsor: NOS Energy Car # 51 Busch comes back to Eldora for his fourth consecutive Prelude event after a third place finish in 2009. Busch has won races in nearly every Series that he has driven. The one exception – the Prelude to the Dream. Busch nearly won in 2007 when he finished 2nd to Carl Edwards and crossed the line third last year.
|
|
 |
Johnson, Jimmie Car Owner: Clint Bowyer Sponsor: Lowe's Home Improvement Car # 48 The four time defending Sprint Cup Champion visits Eldora for the third time after posting two top ten finishes in 2008 and 2009. Johnson will look for his first win on a dirt surface since he won running off-road and stadium trucks early in his career. Johnson’s car owner for the Prelude is Clint Bowyer.
|
|
 |
Kenseth, Matt Car Owner: Ernie Davis Sponsors: Blain's Farm & Fleet, Crown Royal, Valvoline Car # 17 The 2003 Spring Cup and 2009 Daytona 500 champion continues to develop as a dirt track driver by running non-asphalt races when his schedule permits. Kenseth is the only Prelude driver to participant in all five Prelude events and finish in the top 10 in every one.
|
|
 |
Pastrana, Travis Car Owner: Jon Henry Sponsor: Red Bull  Car # 199 The most successful competitor in the history of X Games freestyle motocross, a five-time United States amateur motocross champion, and winner of four consecutive championships in the Rally America Series makes his debut at Eldora Speedway. Pastrana has never been in a dirt late model before, but he has proven to be a quick study in a vehicle.
|
|
 |
Reutimann, David Car Owner: Mastersbilt Chassis Sponsors: Aaron's, Beringer Car # 00 The third generation driver began racing dirt Modifieds throughout his home state of Florida before breaking into the NASCAR Slim Jim All-Pro Series in 1997. Reutimann broke through in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2009 with his first career victory at the 50th Coca-Cola 600. Reutimann looks for a similar breakout performance in the 2010 Prelude after posting respective finishes of 9th, 11th and 7th the past three years at the Prelude.
|
 |
ALLGAIER, JUSTIN Car Owner: Dewaine Hottinger Sponsor: Verizon Wireless Car # 12 The 2008 ARCA Series champion is now making a name for himself in NASCAR driving for Roger Penske. He won the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie of the year award. Allgaier is far from a rookie on dirt as he grew up racing midgets and late models in the Midwest. He is the youngest driver to ever advance to the A-Main in the famed Chili Bowl midget event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
|
|
 |
ALLMENDINGER, A.J. Car Owner: Jeff Smith Sponsors: Best Buy, actiVwater Car # 43 Driving the famed 43 car, Allmendinger begins his second year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Richard Petty Motorsports. The 2003 Toyota Atlantic champion and five-time Champ Car race winner will visit Eldora for the second straight year, looking to improve upon his 22nd place finish in his rookie campaign at the Prelude in 2009.
|
|
 |
Bowyer, Clint (Team Captain) Car Owner: Clint Bowyer Sponsors: Cheerios, Dollar General, Cometic Gaskets, Schek Industries Car # 33 Bowyer returns to Eldora as one of the most consistent Prelude participants after posting finishes of fifth, third and second from 2007 to 2009. Bowyer currently drives the #33 car for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Bowyer grew up racing on the dirt and currently owns his own dirt teams and also provides a dirt late model car for Jimmie Johnson for the Prelude event.
|
|
 |
Capps, Ron Car Owners: Chuck Sanning & Bill Dues Sponsor: NAPA Auto Parts, Miller Light, St. Henry Nite Club, Sanning Service Station Car # 28 Capps is one of five drivers who have participated in every Prelude event since 2005. The NHRA star is looks to continue to improve upon his recent finishes of 13th and 17th over the past two years.
|
|
 |
Gordon, Jeff Car Owner: Clint Smith Sponsor: Pepsi Refresh Project Car # 24 The four time Sprint Cup Champion raced at Eldora for the first time since 1991 in the 2007 Prelude and finished 3rd. Gordon will return for his third Prelude event after missing the 2009 Prelude. Expect Gordon to be in the front of the pack at the end of the night. Gordon continues to pilot the #24 car for Hendrick Motorsports at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level.
|
|
 |
Newman, Ryan Car Owner: Steve Francis Sponsors: U.S. Army, Tornados Car # 39 Newman grew up racing on dirt won the USAC Silver Crown championship in 1999 setting the stage for his transition to NASCAR. The pilot of the #39 for Stewart-Haas Racing comes back to the Prelude for his fifth consecutive year and looks to build upon his personal best finish of 4th in last year’s event.
|
|
 |
Vickers, Brian (No Longer Participating due to Injury) Car Owner: Barry Wright Sponsors: Red Bull Car # 83 Vickers descends upon Eldora Speedway for his second Prelude after finishing a reputable 12th in his 2009 rookie campaign. The Red Bull driver and former NASCAR Nationwide Series champion has limited experience on dirt, but the expectations for 2010 are lofty.
|
|
 |
Wallace, Kenny Car Owner: Terry Phillips Sponsor: Federated Auto Parts Car # 36 Wallace won the inaugural Prelude event in 2005 and has posted top 5 finishes in three of the five Prelude events. In 2009 Wallace was challenging for the lead when his tire was cut by Clint Bowyer delegating Wallace to a 17th place finish. Dirt late model racing is a staple of Wallace’s routine and expect Wallace to contend for his second Prelude title in 2010.
|
 |
Almirola, Aric Car Owner: Mike Hubbard Sponsor: Graceway Pharmaceuticals Car # 51 Almirola is a promising young driver who currently pilots the #51 for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series. Almirola returns for his fifth Prelude after a career best finish of 8th in 2009.
|
|
.jpg) |
Carmichael, Ricky Car Owner: Mike Dillon Sponsor: Oakley Car # 4 Ricky Carmichael is making his debut at Eldora Speedway, but he’s hardly a neophyte on the dirt. Carmichael is well known for his success on two wheels on the dirt, but recently made the transition to NASCAR and currently drives the #4 truck for Turner Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series.
|
|
 |
Edwards, Carl Car Owner: Stacy Holmes Sponsors: Aflac Car # 99 Edwards returns for his third Prelude event after missing last year’s event due to a broken foot. Carl grew up racing on dirt and quickly found success at Eldora as he won as a rookie at the 2007 Prelude after battling Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon on the waning laps of the feature.
|
|
 |
Evernham, Ray Car Owners: Darin Burco, Travis Smock & Brian Lillie Sponsors: WIX Filters & Bubba Burger Car # 98 Evernham returns to Eldora for the fourth consecutive year. The former NASCAR Modified Tour driver, turned crew chief, turned car owner, turned track owner seeks to improve upon his career best finish of 16th in 2008.
|
|
 |
Hamlin, Denny (Team Captain) Car Owner: Billy Moyer Sponsors: FedEx, The Denny Hamlin Foundation Car # 11 Hamlin has limited dirt experience, but plenty of late model knowledge running asphalt bullrings in his home state of Virginia. Hamlin had one of the fastest cars in the 2009 Prelude event before a mechanical malfunction delegated him to a 23rd place finish. Hamlin continues to drive the #11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and is expected to contend for the 2010 Championship.
|
|
 |
Kanaan, Tony Car Owner: GRT Race Cars Sponsor: 7-Eleven Car # 11 Kanaan started last in 2010 Indy 500 and climbed to second by lap 120 of 200-lap race, and was still there with four laps to go before pitting for fuel and finishing 11th. The 2004 IndyCar Series champion is affable and fearless – good traits to have with no dirt experience.
|
|
 |
Schrader, Ken Car Owner: Ken Schrader Sponsor: Federated Auto Parts, Petroff Towing, Hawkeye Truck Sales Car # 9 Schrader is one of only five drivers that will be participating in his sixth Prelude event. After retiring as a fulltime NASCAR driver, Schrader continues to turn laps in just about any vehicle with four wheels. Schrader has posted three top 10s at the Prelude and could be the favorite in 2010.
|
