Intense Battles Highlight Modified, Late Model and Stock Car Point Battles

ROSSBURG, OH (Sept. 17) – Eldora Speedway officials have confirmed the concluding dates for the Eldora Stock Car, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and UMP DIRTcar Late Model division cumulative point chases on the historic .500-mile clay oval.

For the Modifieds and Late Models, the UMP National Championship weekend (October 5 & 6) will serve as their final point opportunity, while the Stock Cars will see their title chase end October 13, as part of the annual  UNOH (University of Northwestern Ohio) Sprintacular event.

Going into the final stretch of the season, the pursuit towards the coveted Eldora championship is as intense as ever; particularly amongst the Modified contenders.  With this weekend’s Friday night date (September 21) within the Four Crown Nationals joining the UMP Nationals; two opportunities remain to shape the divisional rundown.   Only five points separate the top four drivers.

Joey Kramer goes into Friday’s UMP DIRTcar Modified competition with a two point margin over Rob Williams; who in turn has a two point edge over third-place Matt Westfall.  Only one point behind Westfall is Ryan Sutter.  Interestingly enough, none of the four have an Eldora championship title on their resume.

In the Late Model battle, former champions Matt Miller (2008, 2010) and Jeep VanWormer (2007) hold down the top two spots, while upstart Canadian driver Andrew Reaume has quietly moved into third position, only 14 markers out of the lead.   While his focus is on the championship, Reaume is also keenly aware of Jeff Babcock and Jon Henry, who are only four and seven points behind him, respectively.

One week after those two point races are concluded, the Stock Cars enter the scene with their equally concentrated campaign.  The 30-point spread among the top five drivers includes three former champions in the mix.   Three-time title holder Barney Craig (1992, 1993, 1999) holds a slim six-point margin over the 2006 champion Shawn Phillippi.  Earnie Woodard, in search of his first-ever crown, lays 11-points behind Phillippi, while Rob Trent (1998, 2011) trails Woodard by another 12-points.   Only one point behind Trent, in fifth, is Dean Pitts, as he seeks his first-ever Eldora honor.

Complete information for this weekend’s Four Crown Nationals, the UMP Nationals and the UNOH Sprintacular may be found on the track’s newly redesigned website www.eldoraspeedway.com, where tickets may be purchased 24 hours a day.   The speedway office may be reached at (937) 338-3815 during normal business hours.