Previews

[tab name=”USAC Preview”]Four of Top Five Point Drivers Hope to End Eldora Winless Streak

ROSSBURG, OH (April 14) – With 185 completed events and 71 different winners, Eldora Speedway and the United States Auto Club (USAC) enters its 53rd consecutive year of association on the venerable .500-mile clay oval this Saturday evening (April 19), with the annual Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic for ‘traditional’ non-winged Sprint Cars and some interesting statistics.

Of the 71 different winners, 39 have repeated their Eldora wins at least one-time, and four of them remain active in USAC racing. Ironically those four account for 12 wins out of the past 16 USAC National Sprint Car Series events at Eldora; to shut out drivers aspiring to either increase their presence on the win list or etch their name into the Eldora archives.

Veteran Tracy Hines sits second on the all-time win list and has been the most prolific of the quartet by capturing five of his nine Eldora wins during this time span, a period in which Robert Ballou has scored his three USAC wins. Jerry Coons, Jr. picked up two of his three wins during this interval with current USAC point leader Dave Darland notching one win to increase his total to four.

Now retired from active racing, Levi Jones was in that 16-race mix that includes Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson and most recently Chris Windom as first-time USAC winners at Eldora.

Darland, Hines, Coons Jr., Ballou and Windom are expected to be competing Saturday in anticipation of increasing their win count and extending the momentum of repeat winners. Their opposition will be a bevy of drivers seeking their first USAC checkered flag at the historic Rossburg, OH speed plant.

Atop that list are the four drivers that follow Darland in the current USAC point ranking, including two-time defending champion Bryan Clauson. Clauson’s resume shows two USAC Silver Crown victories at Eldora but none in the division that he has dominated in over the past two years. That fact, plus, by his standards, a disappointing fourth-place ranking will be the fuel behind his drive Saturday.

Justin Grant (2nd), Chase Stockon (3rd) and Brady Bacon (5th) also continue their chase towards the USAC National championship Saturday winless in Eldora competition; a fact they hope to change. Hines enters the fray seventh in the point chase, while Ballou is ninth and Coons, Jr. sixteenth.

Completing the tripleheader program Saturday evening will be the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and Eldora Stock Cars, with a 7:30 p.m. race starting time. Tickets for Saturday night or any of the other events on Eldora’s exciting menu may be purchased by going to the track’s website www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by calling the track office during normal business hours (937) 338-3815. Additionally, race fans and race teams can get behind-the-scenes access by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at Facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and view video highlights at YouTube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc. Mobile device users can access the Eldora Speedway app for the iPhone, iPad and Android which is available for download via iTunes and Google Play.

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“Dream Come True” for Second Generation Broadcaster

ROSSBURG, OH (April 17) – Already comfortable on the race track as an accomplished and respected driver, Dillon Welch will be transferring that excitement and adrenalin into a new role Saturday night at Eldora Speedway. The 20-year old Ball State University Telecommunications Major student recently accepted an internship with the United States Auto Club (USAC) and his first assignment is a coveted one.

Welch has been tabbed to join Eldora announcer Dustin Jarrett in covering the Don Branson/Jud Larson USAC National Sprint Car Classic Saturday night. “I’m very grateful and excited for this opportunity to come on board with USAC. Being able to announce racing has long been a personal goal, and to make my announcing debut at one of the world’s premier short track facilities, covering my favorite type of racing, at a young age, is a dream come true,” stated Welch, who will become a second-generation broadcaster with Saturday’s stint.

Dillon’s father, Vince Welch is a recognized ESPN IndyCar/NASCAR commentator. “My dad has played a big part in getting me interested in broadcasting. I have always wanted to be a driver, and have had some great years behind the wheel of a Midget and Quarter-Midget, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen the value of broadcasting to the racing industry and the entertainment it provides. I’m looking forward to hopefully catching up to my dad one day, but I know he’ll help me whenever he can along the way,” continued the excitable Carmel, IN native.

His on-track experience behind the wheel, knowledge of race car characteristics and comfort zone with fellow drivers will be assets as he settles into his new role of translating what is going on to the Eldora fans Saturday and those watching the event via Eldora’s live online streaming pay-for-view broadcast.

“Ultimately, it comes down to wanting to make a living in motorsports. I’d prefer to be driving, something that I have been doing since I was 7, but if I can use my broadcasting skills to be involved in the sport, that is just as great. My primary focus this year is the USAC internship, but if time permits and the opportunity is there, I’d never turn down a chance to jump back in the seat.”

Saturday’s tripleheader finds the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and Eldora Stock Cars joining the Indianapolis, IN based USAC organization as it enters its 53rd consecutive year. With the heritage of USAC racing at Eldora nearly tripling Welch’s 20 years, comes the passion to excel. “You can always count on the racing at Eldora to be exciting and the Big E has always been one of my favorite tracks; Saturday can’t get here soon enough for me.”

Pay-per-view, event details and ticket purchasing information can be found on Eldora’s website www.EldoraSpeedway.com or can be obtained by calling the speedway office (937) 338-3815 during normal business hours. Additionally, race fans and race teams can get behind-the-scenes access by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at Facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and view video highlights at YouTube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc. Mobile device users can access the Eldora Speedway app for the iPhone, iPad and Android which is available for download via iTunes and Google Play.

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