Eldora Speedway
August 23, 2011
________________________________________

ADDITIONAL WORLD 100 STARTING SPOTS BODES WELL FOR FIRST-TIMER STATISTICS

ROSSBURG, OH (August 20) – Eldora Speedway’s recent announcement that two additional starting berths would be up for grabs at this year’s 41st annual running of the World 100 bodes well for drivers seeking their initial start in the prestigious event, if statistics are any indication. This year’s event, to be contested over the weekend of September 9 and 10, will start 30 drivers.

Of the many mega-buck events that populates dirt Late Model racing, the prestige and legacy of the World 100 has a history of annually attracting the largest field of entrants. The sheer number of entrants, along with the current parity in Late Model racing, often creates quite a struggle to gain a starting berth; especially for first-timers. However, recent years have seen a good number of drivers entering the starting line-up for the first time, and with favorable results.

The trend towards first-timers and the successful result began in 2007 when six of the 28 World 100 starters were novices. Wayne Chinn turned many a head when he crossed the line fourth in his preliminary stat in the century grind. The following year (2008) found three drivers making their first World 100 appearance, with Brian Shirley besting that group by finishing sixth.

Each of the past two World 100 events have featured six first-time starters, which gives hope and boosts the confidence of those hoping to enter their name into the history of the prestigious event, this year. In 2009, Jared Landers led the rookie field with his fourth place finish. Last year’s crop didn’t fare quite as well; however Casey Roberts and Austin Dillon finished 12th and 13th to lead the first-timers.

Getting into the starting grid is difficult at best.

The ritual begins with the inspection process on Thursday evening and Friday morning, when the entrants draw for their qualifying positions in two rounds of single lap time trial runs on Friday evening.. The quickest of the two runs will place them into one of Saturday’s qualifying heat races, with only the top three finishers advancing into the World 100. Drivers finishing fourth through eleventh will get a second chance to make the grid through one of two B-Mains, where they will then have to finish among the top five to make the final cut. The remaining two positions in the 30-car line-up will go to the quickest two drivers from time trials that did not advance through their respective heat races.

Billy Moyer is the defending World 100 champion and has already submitted his bid for this year’s running.

Complete information regarding Eldora’s premier event, along with ticket ordering policies, can be found on the track’s website www.eldoraspeedway.com.