Top drivers to compete in Eldora dirt race

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- The old-school dirt upon which professional stock-car racing was built will play host to today's racing stars when the third annual Nextel Prelude to the Dream presented by Old Spice takes place June 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

And for those not lucky enough to grab a seat for the dirt late-model race featuring 25 world renowned drivers as they battle for dirt supremacy, HBO Pay-Per-View will present the event live to the entire nation. Proceeds from this ground-breaking telecast will support the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Tony Stewart Foundation.

The all-star race will feature such racing icons as Tony Stewart, Juan Montoya, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte and more. All will pilot 2,300-pound dirt late-model stock cars capable of putting out more than 800 horsepower.

The live broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. ET, with an immediate replay and subsequent replays throughout the week and the following weekend. HBO Pay-Per-View's first racing telecast has a suggested retail price $24.95 and available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry. Ordering information and up-to-the minute racing information is available at www.hbo.com.

"This is going to be a fun, but unbelievably competitive race," said Stewart, a multi-time racing champion and proud owner of Eldora Speedway. "Eldora has always tried to go above and beyond for its fans, and that's something we plan to continue with this event being offered live on HBO Pay-Per-View to racing fans across the country.

"Nextel continues to back the event as title sponsor, and Old Spice has stepped up to present the live broadcast of this year's race to ensure substantial charitable support toward the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Corporate involvement, along with the commitment of the best racecar drivers in the world, has allowed us to create an event that is as exciting as it is charitable. Experience is everything when it comes to dirt-track racing, and there won't be a better way to spend a Wednesday night in June."

In addition to the aforementioned drivers, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Clint Bowyer, Dave Blaney, Kyle Petty, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Ron Capps, Ray Evernham, Red Farmer, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace and J.J. Yeley have also committed to the Nextel Prelude to the Dream presented by Old Spice.

Drivers from all types of disciplines, some with lots of dirt-track experience and others with hardly any, will participate in hot laps, qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature on the half-mile clay oval, all of which will be presented by HBO Pay-Per-View. (Continued)