62ND SEASON OPENER

SCHLENK AND STRICKLER SCORE $5,000 EACH IN ELDORA’S 62ND OPENER

Trent Wins $1,000 Stock Car Feature on Beautiful April Night

ROSSBURG, Ohio (April 18, 2015) – Rusty Schlenk held off Devin Gilpin to the win the $5,000 Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS) in the 62nd season opener Saturday night at Eldora Speedway.

Schlenk, from McClure, Ohio, started seventh and passed Gilpin on a lap 13 restart of the 25-lap feature. He then was untouched as he took the checkered flag.

It was the best race of the night as Gilpin led the first three laps, before being passed by Brian Ruhlman on lap four. Ruhlman held the point for the next nine laps as the leaders sliced their way through traffic before Schlenk took control and the checkered flag.

Kyle Strickler came home victorious in the DIRTcar UMP Modified race defeating teammate Patrick Lyon in the 20-lap feature. Strickler, from Mooresville, N.C., started third, but shot to the front leading every lap in the wild affair. He collected a rich $5,000 check in Eldora’s victory lane.

Rob Trent, 46, from Lima, Ohio, won the $1,000 stock car feature, holding off defending champion and pole sitter Frank Paladino. A new rules package made the racing even closer with three and four-wide action throughout the 15-lap event. Trent passed Paladino in turn four on lap 10 to win the richest stock car regular season purse in Eldora history.

It was a beautiful evening for Eldora’s opener with 75 degree weather greeting the winter-weary crowd who paid tribute to Eldora Speedway founder Earl Baltes who passed away on March 23.

The next event at Eldora is the April 25 Saturday Night Speedfest with the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and Double Features for the Eldora Stocks. The gates open at 4 pm (EDT), with Hot Laps at 5 pm and the racing beginning at 6 pm. Tickets information is available online <HERE> or at (937) 338-3815.

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.