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Eldora
Speedway...
USAC Sprint
Borders Wars returns Saturday
Three Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion & Eldora Owner Tony Stewart
Was Inaugural Champion
ROSSBURG, OH (April 18) -- Tradition and Eldora Speedway have become
synonymous within the auto racing world, and when the 59th consecutive
season of racing on the famed Eldora high banks takes the green flag
this Saturday night (April 21) another such tradition, Border Wars,
will be renewed after a three-year hiatus.
Started in 1995 by legendary promoters Earl Baltes (Eldora) and the
late Roger Holdeman (Winchester), Border Wars was created to
commemorate the rich history of USAC (United States Auto Club) Sprint
Cars at their two historic speed plants bordering the Ohio/Indiana
state line with back-to-back races on a single weekend.
Ironically, that year found future three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup
Champion, and current Eldora Speedway owner, Tony Stewart taking home
the Border Wars title based upon his weekend’s consistency at Eldora
and Winchester Speedways.
Since then, 28 Border Wars feature events have been contested, with one
constant variable throughout the fourteen years – Eldora
Speedway. The partner track has varied among other
Indiana/Ohio sites, but one leg at Eldora has always been the
determining factor towards crowning a USAC Border Wars champion.
Nineteen drivers have captured Border Wars wins, including eventual
NASCAR drivers Stewart (one), J.J. Yeley (two) and the late Kenny
Irwin, Jr. (one). Tracy Hines, who remains active in USAC
competition, heads up the win list with four victories, including the
most recent Border Wars chase in June of 2008. Dave Steele and
Jay Drake are tied for second with three wins each.
This year’s edition will kick-off at the Gas City (IN) I-69 Speedway on
Friday night (April 20) as the opening leg prior to Saturday’s Eldora
chase.
Saturday’s Border Wars will begin the 51st year of USAC Sprint Car
racing at Eldora Speedway. The late Stan Bowman, winner of the
initial Eldora USAC event on April 22, 1962 in the Beck Construction
Special, will be honored in pre-race ceremonies.
Representing Bowman will be his son Randy, while Diane Beck Lane will
represent her car owner father.
Completing Saturday’s tripleheader program will be the UMP DIRTcar
Modifieds and Eldora Stock Cars as they begin their 2012 points chase
and a potential guaranteed starting position in the June 6 Feed The
Children Prelude to the Dream invitational event.
Reserved seats for the April 21 USAC Sprint Car event, and Eldora’s
other events, are now available through the speedway box office (937)
338-3815 or online 24 hours a day at www.EldoraSpeedway.com. Like
us at www.Facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway. Follow us at
www.twitter.com/EldoraSpeedway.
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