ROSSBURG, Ohio (April 16, 2015) – For the 62nd time in its illustrious history, the world-famous Eldora Speedway opens for business on April 18 with the Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS), DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and the Eldora Stock Cars all racing on the half-mile high banked clay oval.

And there is big money involved.

For the Sunoco American Late Model Series and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, it’s $5,000 to win, while $1,000 will be offered to the winner of the Eldora Stock Car race.

Admission gates will open at 2 pm (EDT), with hot laps at 4:30 pm and a complete racing program beginning at 6 pm. Ticket information can be found at <HERE>

After a long winter, the track is ready for the first of several great racing events in west-central Ohio. And these three classes of race cars will put on a great show Saturday night as the season opens once again.

Matt Miller, the 2014 Eldora Late Model division champion, will take on the Sunoco ALMS title chasers including defending champion Brandon Thirlby and Matt Westfall who is using his 2014 Modified championship to move into Late Model competition in 2015. The Sunoco ALMS made its debut at Eldora 20 years ago on April 22, 1995 with Jerry Rice taking the checkered flag. To date, there have been 73 races won by 34 drivers with Miller winning seven of them.

With a new champion to crown and their richest season ever on tap, the DIRTcar UMP Modified division is now wide open as their title chase begins this Saturday. There have been 267 races completed at Eldora with 67 different winners. Scott Orr has won 35 races and five championships.

Frank Paladino, who won the 2014 Eldora Stock Car championship in dramatic fashion, will defend his title as the division showcases their new look on Saturday night. A new rules package will debut to make the racing even closer and this is the first time they will race for a $1,000 prize.

Saturday’s season opener will also christen a new racing surface at Eldora as nearly 400 truck loads of clay were put down on to the high-banks to invigorate the racing surface.

In addition to the season opener, Eldora will host events through October including the 21st annual Dirt Late Model Dream presented by Ferris Mowers (June 4-5-6), 32nd annual Kings Royal (July 17 and 18), 3rd Annual 1-800-CAR-CASH Mud Summer Classic for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (July 22) and 45th annual World 100 (September 10-11-12) at a record pace.

But in addition, fans will witness the stars of the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, the United States Auto Club’s (USAC) Silver Crown, National Sprint Car Series and National Midget Car Series, the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions and the United States Hot Rod Association’s (US Hot Rod) Monster Jam series. Also, Eldora’s Modified and Stock divisions will be contesting their season championship from April through October.

About Eldora Speedway:
Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Celebrating its 62nd season in 2015, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 21st annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 32nd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 1-800-CAR-CASH Mud Summer Classic; and the 45th annual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora’s 62nd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc. The Eldora Speedway app for the iPhone, iPad and Android is available for free download via iTunes and Google Play.