We’re lucky in the US in the fact that we have literally hundreds of venues to go and watch our favorite gearhead activities. For many of us, that activity is racing in one of its myriad of forms.
Some races are good because of the equipment involved or the people driving, or a combo of both. It’s a rare occasion when the track itself can nearly outshine both of those other vitally important elements.
The historic ½-mile, high-banked dirt oval known as Eldora Speedway is one of those places. Opened in 1954 by legendary racing promoter Earl Baltes in Rossburg, Ohio, the track quickly became known as a hot spot for early Sprint Car racing. Through its history it has been host to several of the highest profile dirt-track races each year, including the Kings Royal, World 100, Prelude to the Dream, and the Dream. It’s crazy to say but these races regularly pack in 20,000-plus spectators. There are dirt tracks across the country that don’t draw that in an entire season.
Tony Stewart has owned the track since 2004. By all accounts he has been a very good steward of the history of the facility, spending money on necessary upgrades and keeping the place as it should be kept.
The turns are banked at 24 degrees, the straights at 8 degrees. What those two numbers mean for fans outside the realm of the dirt world is big speed and lots of sideways action.
Normally we’re talking about awesome races that just happen to be held at certain tracks, this time we’re telling you that you need to see the track. You can skip the big events and take in a weekly show. Sit down close. If you’re not leaving with dirt in your teeth, you haven’t lived!
