By Joe Crowley
ROSSBURG, Ohio (May 26, 2016) – Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu return to Eldora Speedway Sunday night for the long standing Johnny Appleseed Classic by Miller Lite.
Bell won last year’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora and now drives full time for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Abreu, who is the two-time Chili Bowl champion and a past Eldora winner, drives for Sandusky, Ohio-based ThorSport in the Camping World Truck Series.
Both drivers will step away from the Trucks to compete in the NRA Sprint Invaders Series, which makes its first appearance of 2016 at Eldora on Sunday.
Tickets are just $15 and kids under 12 are free. They can be purchased by calling (937) 338-3815 or going to www.eldoraspeedway.com.
This Sunday there will be four divisions of racing with each competing in a full slate of preliminary Heat races, B-Features as necessary and A-Features. Joining the NRA Sprint Invaders will be the Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS), the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Modifieds and Eldora Stock Car divisions.
The Late Models return for the first time since the season opener on April 16 which was won by “Insane” Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Indiana. This is a big race for the Late Model division as it’s the final tune up before the $100,000-to-win Dirt Late Model Dream presented by Ferris Mowers on June 9-10-11.
The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds have had three races with Nathon Loney, from Danville, Ohio winning the latest race held on May 21. David Mielke, of Gladwin, Michigan won the season opener while Brian Ruhlman, from Clarklake, Michigan scored a victory in the Saturday Night Speedfest.
Jeff Koz, from Lima, Ohio, leads the standings by three points over Brian Post.
The Eldora Stock cars return for their sixth race of the season after the 63rd season opener and double-features during Saturday Night Speedfest and Family Fireworks Night.
Paul Pardo, from New Paris, Ohio, has won two races, while Rob Trent, Jordan Conover and Earnie Woodard have each scored a victory. Trent is tied with 2014 champion Frank Paladino for first place in the point standings.
This race has a bit of history to it as well. As a tribute to American nurseryman legend Johnny Appleseed, the event was first promoted in 1970 at Mansfield, Ohio by Eldora founder, Earl Baltes. In 1988, Baltes moved the event to Eldora, where it has remained a fixture.
Originally the races were run during the fall season to honor Appleseed’s (John Chapman) September birth date, but the Classic was moved to its current Memorial weekend time slot in 2008.
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. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Celebrating its 63rd season in 2016, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 22nd annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 33rd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race; and the 46thannual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora’s 63rd 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.