Clint Bowyer wins Prelude to the Dream

The stars of NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA united together all in the name of raising money for four different children hospitals at the 7th annual Prelude to the Dream. The race, held at Eldora Speedway, is a dirt track feature race that Tony Stewart does every year to raise money for several charities. 

This year the drivers were divided into four teams and each represent an individual charity. Teams were as follows:

Team Atlanta benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: Clint Bowyer, Ron Capps, Carl Edwards, David Gilliland, Jason Leffler, Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader.

Team Dallas benefitting the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas: Aric Almirola, Marcos Ambrose, J.J. Yeley, Tony Kanaan Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Brian Vickers.

Team Levine benefitting Levine Children’s Hospital: Austin Dillion, Bill Elliott, Ray Evernham, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Cruz Pedgregon and David Reutimann.

Team St. Louis benefitting the St. Louis Children’s Hospital: Justin Allgaier, Kyle Busch, Ricky Carmichael, Ron Hornaday, Kasey Kahne, Bobby Labonte and Kenny Wallace.

There is an individual race winner, but more important is the charities – this is the breakdown as far as prizes awarded to the four designated charities:

• The winning team’s charity will receive 30% of the net money raised by Eldora Speedway through television subscriptions
• The 2nd place team’s charity will receive 25% of the net money raised by Eldora Speedway through television subscriptions
• The 3rd place team’s charity will receive 20% of the net money raised by Eldora Speedway through television subscriptions
• The 4th place team’s charity will receive 20% of the net money raised by Eldora Speedway through television subscriptions

Qualifying:
Many scrapes and “Eldora stripes” occurred but Ryan Newman escaped unscathed and claimed the pole award, followed by Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer.

Heat races:
After qualifying drivers were broken down into four separate heat races based on where they qualified. Each heat race was only 8 laps.

Heat winners: 1- Clint Bowyer 2-Justin Allgaier 3-Marcos Ambrose 4-Jason Leffler

Feature race: 30-lap main event
Prior to the start of the race, the team captains (Johnson, Wallace, Stewart and Edwards) were given the option to drop to the back of the field and if they win from the rear, earn an extra $50,000 for their designated charity. Wallace, Johnson and Stewart accepted and Edwards declined, opting to keep his 10th place starting spot but offering up the money to his charity.

Clint Bowyer started on pole for the feature and was joined by Aric Almirola, Marcos Ambrose, JJ Yeley and Justin Allgaier rounding out the top five.

Race Highlights:

• Tony Stewart pits due to a flat tire.
• Ray Evernham and Ron Hornaday Jr. spin to bring out a caution.
• Tony Kanaan looses a wheel due to a broken piece and brings out the caution flag. Marcos Ambrose choose to pit as well after having damage from hitting the wall.
• Ron Hornaday Jr. and Bobby Labonte get together and bring out another caution.
• Clint Bowyer wins the Prelude to the Dream after leading all 30 laps.

Team St. Louis had the winning score with 4 team members in the top 10 positions.

For information on the charities, please visit:

• Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C.: www.LevineChildrensHospital.org
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: www.choa.org
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital: www.StLouisChildrens.org 
• Children’s Medical Center Dallas: www.childrens.com