Prelude to the Dream Fast Facts

WHAT: Seventh Annual Prelude to the Dream

WHERE: Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio (Half-mile dirt oval)

WHEN: 8 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. PDT) on Wednesday, June 8, 2011

DISTANCE: Feature consists of 30 laps (preceded by qualifying and heat races)

CARS: Dirt Late Model stock cars

PASTWINNERS:
· 2010: Jimmie Johnson
· 2009: Tony Stewart
· 2008: Tony Stewart
· 2007: Carl Edwards
· 2006: Tony Stewart
· 2005: KennyWallace

THE TRACK: Half-mile dirt oval
· Banking: 24 degrees in the corners; 8 degrees on the straightaways
· Capacity: Reserved seating + suites + hillside seating = more than 20,000.
· Eldora Speedway is a half-mile dirt racing facility located in western Ohio. The “Big E” is owned by two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. The Indiana native purchased Eldora from legendary promoter Earl Baltes in 2004. Baltes built Eldora in 1954 and had been the sole owner of the facility for 50 years. Eldora plays host to some of the largest dirt racing events in the country, including the Prelude to the Dream, The Dream, Kings Royal and World 100 – all of which attract more than 20,000 spectators on an annual basis.

PRELUDE TO THE DREAM RECORDS:
· Most Victories:
Ø 3 – Tony Stewart (2006, 2008, 2009)
· Highest Percentage of Laps Led:
Ø 100 percent (Stewart led 30 of 30 laps in 2008 and Johnson led 30 of 30 laps in 2010)
· One-lap Qualifying Record:
Ø 15.405 seconds at 116.845 mph (Tony Stewart – 2009)
· Attendance:
Ø Approximately 23,000 (2009)

TV: Pay-Per-View, 8 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. PDT), Wednesday, June 8, 2011
· Booth: Marty Reid, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds
· Host: Matt Yocum
· Pit Reporters: Dick Berggren and Steve Letarte (crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series)
· Director: Artie Kempner
· Producer: Pam Miller

HOW TO ORDER:
· The live, commercial-free broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. PDT).
· All that is necessary to order the event is a digital cable box or satellite service. You do not need HBO to order.
· The suggested retail price is $24.95. Ordering information and up-to-the minute racing information is available at either
www.PreludeToTheDream.org or www.HBO.com.
· Updates can also be found on Twitter at @PreludetoDream and follow the hashtag #RideWithUs, or become a fan on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/PreludetoDream.
· If you have Cable, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse, DIRECTV or DISH, ordering the Prelude to the Dream begins June 6.
· The following are step-by-step instructions to help place an order for the Prelude to the Dream on Pay-Per-View:
Ø Cable, AT&T U-verse TV and Verizon FiOS Customers: All that is necessary to order the event is a digital cable box on your TV. If you are not sure about the kind of box you have, contact your cable company and ask if you have a digital cable box that gets Pay-Per-View (PPV). Once you know you have a digital cable box, scroll through the Pay-Per-View channels on your electronic program guide for Wednesday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, and look for “Auto Racing: Prelude to the Dream.” Once you see the entry, click it and follow the on-screen instructions to order. If your cable system does not accept orders from your remote control, contact a customer service representative either the day before or the day of the race. Make sure you tell the representative that you are looking to order “Auto Racing: Prelude to the Dream.” Some cable systems have a short window available to order Pay-Per-View events. The more specific you are with the customer service representative, the easier it will be to place your order.
Ø DIRECTV Customers: All DIRECTV customers can order. You can find the event on Channel 121. Go to the programming guide for those channels for Wednesday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, and look for “Prelude to the Dream.” Once you see the entry, click the event and follow the on-screen instructions to order.
Ø DISH Network Customers: All DISH Network customers can order. You can find the event on Channel 455/472. Scroll through the programming guide for those channels for Wednesday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, and look for “Prelude to the Dream.”
Once you see the entry, click the event and follow the on-screen instructions to order.
· If any problems are encountered during ordering, contact a customer service representative anytime on Wednesday, June 8, to make sure the order is processed and the race can be viewed. Once it is ordered, sit back and enjoy the ride.

SCHEDULE (All times local – EDT; subject to change):
7:30 a.m.: Ticket office opens
8:00 a.m.: General admission markings may begin (chairs/blankets ONLY)
8:00 a.m.: All admission gates open
12:00 p.m. Pit gates open for teams
4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.: Media availability session for ALL drivers (media tent)
5:25 p.m.: Qualifying draw (stage)
5:40 p.m. Driver’s meeting (media tent)
6:30 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.: Hot lap session No. 1
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: SPEED’s “RaceHub” airs with live interviews from Eldora
7:30 p.m.: Prelude driver introductions (stage)
7:45 p.m.: Prelude driver parade
8:00 p.m.: HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast begins
8:08 p.m.: Invocation and National Anthem
8:10 p.m.: Prelude qualifying (2 laps)
9:05 p.m.: Prelude to the Dream racing program begins (Heats / Feature)
11:00 p.m.: Post -race winner’s circle and introduction of charities

Driver: No. Car Owner: Notes:

Justin Allgaier 31 Raymond Childress The 2008 ARCA Series champion is now making a name for himself in NASCAR. He was the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie of the year and comes to the Prelude fresh off a Nationwide Series victory at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. Allgaier grew up racing Midgets and Late Models in the Midwest. He is the youngest driver ever to advance to the AMain in the famed Chili Bowl Midget event in Tulsa, Okla.

Aric Almirola 88 Clint Smith NASCAR Nationwide Series championship contender whose only dirt experience has come in the last four Preludes.

Marcos Ambrose 9 J.W. Kinzer Two-time Australian V8 Supercar champion is making a name for himself in the United States thanks to back-to-back-to-back Nationwide Series wins at Watkins Glen in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Prelude will be his third race on dirt, with his dirt debut coming in the 2009 Prelude.

Clint Bowyer 33 Clint Bowyer Grew up on dirt and won the 2002 track title on dirt at Kansas’ Lakeside Speedway. Finished second in 2009 and 2010 Preludes. Car that won 2010 Prelude with Jimmie Johnson was built by Bowyer.

Kyle Busch 18 Scott Bloomquist Dominates on asphalt in the NASCAR world, and has adapted quickly to dirt, as he finished second in 2007 Prelude, third in 2009 Prelude and fourth in 2010 Prelude.

Ron Capps 28 John Kennedy NHRA star will have to get used to turning left – and doing it on dirt, but experience from past Prelude events should pay dividends.

Ricky Carmichael 4 Mike Dillon The GOAT, as in Greatest Of All Time, thanks to 15 AMA (American Motorcycle Association) championships. Now, transitioning to stock cars by running a full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule and select ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide Series events. Not a stranger to dirt, at least on two wheels.

Austin Dillon 3 Mike Dillon 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year is well-versed on dirt. The 21-year-old races 25-50 times a year on dirt, all while balancing his schoolwork as a sophomore at High Point (N.C.) University.

Carl Edwards 99 Stacy Holmes Began racing career on dirt tracks and showcased his dirt track lineage by winning 2007 Prelude. Had to sit out 2009 race due to injury and roared back in 2010 with a strong third-place finish.

Bill Elliott 9 Ray Cook Plenty of dirt experience for the 1988 Sprint Cup champion. Since retiring from running NASCAR full-time, is a dirt track fixture. Had to sit out 2009 race due to injury.

Ray Evernham 98 Brian Lillie Former NASCAR Modified Tour driver, turned crew chief, turned car owner, turned track owner, turned ESPN analyst returns to Eldora for another Prelude.

David Gilliland 34 Tim Logan Making Prelude debut, this California native cut his teeth on dirt at Perris Auto Speedway before moving to NASCAR.

Denny Hamlin 11 Billy Moyer Not a lot of dirt experience, but plenty of Late Model experience from running asphalt bullrings in home state of Virginia.

Ron Hornaday 33 Terry Pannell Four-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has limited dirt track experience, and none in a dirt Late Model.

Jimmie Johnson 48 Clint Bowyer Comes into Eldora as the defending winner of the Prelude. It was the five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion’s first win on a dirt surface since he won in off-road and stadium trucks early in his career.

Kasey Kahne 4 Chris Madden Cut his teeth on dirt in USAC competition and maintains his dirt track ties by owning a World of Outlaws team with drivers Joey Saldana, Paul McMahan, Cody Darrah and Brad Sweet.

Tony Kanaan 11 GRT Race Cars Started last in 2010 Indy 500 and climbed to second by lap 120 of 200-lap race, and was still there with four laps to go before pitting for fuel and finishing 11th. And it was déjà vu in this year’s Indy 500, as Kanaan started 22nd and twice rallied his way to the front before finishing fourth. The 2004 IZOD IndyCar Series champion is affable and fearless – good traits to have with his only dirt experience coming in last year’s Prelude.

Matt Kenseth 17 Wayne Reese 2003 Sprint Cup and 2009 Daytona 500 champ continues to develop as a dirt track driver by running non-asphalt races when his schedule permits.

Bobby Labonte 47 Bobby Labonte Owns a dirt Late Model team with drivers Earl Pearson Jr., and Brad Neat, and occasionally gets behind the wheel for some dirt driving fun of his own.

Jason Leffler 38 Chris Wall A three-time USAC Midget champion who will be making his Prelude debut, Leffler is well-versed on dirt.

Ryan Newman 39 Ernie Davis Like his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teammate Stewart, cut his teeth on dirt in USAC competition and has become a threat when competing in dirt Late Models.

Cruz Pedregon 75 Cruz Pedregon Like Capps, this NHRA star will have to get used to turning left – and doing it on dirt, but he also has experience from past Preludes.

David Reutimann 00 Brad Neat Third-generation driver began racing dirt Modifieds throughout home state of Florida before breaking into NASCAR Slim Jim All-Pro Series in 1997.

Ken Schrader 9 Ken Schrader Could be the favorite as he will race anywhere, anytime – especially on dirt, and has proven victorious at Eldora in USAC competition.

Tony Stewart 14 Mark Richards Liked Eldora so much he bought it in 2004. In first full season of ownership, debuted the Prelude in 2005, which he has won three times.

Brian Vickers 83 Donald Bradsher 2003 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion whose only dirt experience came in 2009 Prelude. Had to sit out last year’s Prelude due to illness.

Kenny Wallace 36 Brian Shirley 2005 Prelude winner grew up on dirt, and after two decades in NASCAR, has again made dirt Late Model racing a staple of his routine.

J.J. Yeley 1G Sanford Goddard Like Kahne and Stewart, cut his teeth on dirt in USAC competition and won multiple USAC races at Eldora.

RACE NOTES:
· Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions representing a total of 10 Sprint Cup titles are scheduled to participate in the Prelude to the Dream: Elliott (1988), Labonte (2000), Stewart (2002, 2005), Kenseth (2003) and Johnson (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010).
· Four Daytona 500 winners representing a total of five Daytona 500 victories are scheduled to participate in the Prelude to the Dream: Elliott (1985, 1987), Johnson (2006), Newman (2008) and Kenseth (2009).
· Two IZOD IndyCar Series champions are scheduled to participate in the Prelude to the Dream: Stewart (1997) and Kanaan (2004).
· Drag racing standouts Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon will compete in the Prelude to the Dream. Capps has 31 career NHRA victories and has finished second in Funny Car points three times (1998, 2000 & 2005). Pedregon won the 1992 and 2008 NHRA Funny Car titles and has 32 career NHRA victories.
· The elite group of drivers in the Prelude to the Dream has combined for a staggering 731 victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East-West, IndyCar/Champ Car, Indy Lights, NHRA, ARCA, IROC, CASCAR and Australian V8 Supercar: (Sprint Cup – 271; Nationwide Series – 189; Camping World Truck – 98; K&N Pro Series East-West – 29; IndyCar/Champ Car – 18; Indy Lights – 4; NHRA –63; ARCA – 29; IROC – 14; CASCAR – 1; Australian V8 Supercar – 15.
· More Than 60 Racing Titles Represented at the Prelude to the Dream: Sprint Cup [10] – Elliott (1988), Labonte (2000), Stewart (2002, 2005), Kenseth (2003), Johnson (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010); Nationwide Series [5] – Labonte (1991), Vickers (2003), Edwards (2007), Bowyer (2008), Busch (2009); Camping World Truck [4] – Hornaday (1996, 1998, 2007, 2009); IROC [3] – Labonte (2001), Kenseth (2004), Stewart (2006); ARCA [1] – Allgaier (2008); IndyCar Series [2] – Stewart (1997), Kanaan (2004); Indy Lights [1] – Kanaan (1997); NHRA Funny Car [2] – Pedregon (1992, 2008); Camping World Series East [1] –Logano (2007); Australian V8 Supercar [2] –Ambrose (2003, 2004); USAC Silver Crown [3] – Stewart (1995), Yeley (2002, 2003); USAC Sprint Car [3] – Stewart (1995), Yeley (2001, 2003); USACMidget [3] –Stewart (1994, 1995) Yeley (2003); AMA 125 National [3] – Carmichael (1997, 1998, 1999) AMA 125 East Coast SX [1] – Carmichael (1998); AMA 250 National [7] – Carmichael (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006); AMA 250 Supercross [5] – Carmichael (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005,
2006); U.S. Open of Supercross [3] – Carmichael (2000, 2001, 2005); WSXGP 250 Supercross [1] – Carmichael (2005); MXdN [4] – Carmichael (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007).

PHILANTHROPIC ELEMENT:
· The net proceeds from the Pay-Per-View telecast is in support of four of the nation’s top children’s hospitals:
Ø Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C.: www.LevineChildrensHospital.org
Ø Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: www.choa.org
Ø St. Louis Children’s Hospital: www.StLouisChildrens.org
Ø Children’s Medical Center Dallas: www.childrens.com
· This year’s Prelude to the Dream is a team event. There will still be an individual race winner, but there is also a race within the race, with the field broken up into four teams, each representing a children’s hospital:
Ø Team Levine: Johnson, Hamlin, Elliott, Reutimann, Dillon, Evernham and Pedregon.
Ø Team Atlanta: Newman, Edwards, Bowyer, Schrader, Leffler, Gilliland and Capps.
Ø Team St. Louis: Busch, Kahne, Labonte, Allgaier, Wallace, Hornaday and Carmichael.
Ø Team Dallas: Stewart, Kanaan, Kenseth, Vickers, Ambrose, Almirola and Yeley.
· Each hospital will receive a donation, with the payout breakdown as follows:
Ø Winning team receives 30 percent of net proceeds raised from the pay-per-view telecast.
Ø Second-place team receives 25 percent of net proceeds raised from the pay-per-view telecast.
Ø Third- and fourth-place teams each receive 20 percent of net proceeds raised from the pay-per-view telecast.
· The lowest team score wins, and only the top-five drivers from each team will be scored. For example, if Team Levine has finishes of first, fourth, seventh, 11th and 18th, respectively, from its top-five drivers, its score will be 41. In the event of a tie, the sixth driver will be scored.

PRESS RELEASE: Justin Allgaier to Compete in the 2010 Prelude to the Dream

From Penske Racing

Justin Allgaier, driver of the Penske Racing No. 12 Verizon Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will return to his dirt racing roots this Wednesday night, June 9, when he will compete in the sixth-annual Prelude to the Dream at the legendary Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. 

Allgaier, who began his racing career on dirt at the age of five, will join stars from NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, Rally Car and motocross as they battle not only for bragging rights, but also for charity. Allgaier will team with A.J. Allmendinger, Ron Capps, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Kenny Wallace and team captain Clint Bowyer to raise money for the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 2010 event format will be team-driven. Four teams will each represent one of four children’s hospitals - Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Levine Children’s Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Each individual driver’s finishing position in the feature event will contribute to each team’s total score. An individual champion will also be crowned.  

“I’m really looking forward to participating in The Prelude to the Dream this year,” said Allgaier. “It’s an incredible event that raises a lot of money for great causes. I’ve always hoped that I’d be able to participate in The Prelude someday, so when I got the call I didn’t hesitate to jump at the opportunity. I raced dirt late models for about eight years, so I’ve always wanted a chance to race with those guys and get back to our roots. Tony Stewart and everyone at Eldora Speedway does such a great job with this event, and I can’t wait for Wednesday night.”

Allgaier will partner with car owner Dewaine Hottinger, who has owned and driven cars for some 16 years in and around Arkansas. His No. 65 Rocket Chassis will be wrapped with Allgaier’s familiar No. 12 Verizon scheme for the event.

The sixth-annual Prelude to the Dream will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View from Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, June 9 (7 PM EDT/ 4PM PDT) while The Prelude to the Dream Countdown Show will be televised live on SPEED at 6 PM EDT.

TRANSCRIPT: Justin Allgaier Press Conference at Nashville Superspeedway

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Justin Allgaier, a native of Riverton, Ill., and birthday boy (turns 24 Sunday), is racing at Nashville Superspeedway this weekend with the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He finished fourth here in April and spoke with the media earlier today before Nationwide practice, where he topped the speed charts in session no. 1.

JUSTIN ALLGAIER (No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger) YOU’RE FIFTH IN POINTS, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE TRANSITION OVER THE LAST YEAR AND RETURNING TO NASHVILLE?

“I think coming off of last year, we had a great season.  Being able to come out of the year sixth in points and Rookie of the Year was a great season for us.  Bringing Verizon in the sport as a full-time sponsor is really cool.  Coming into this season, we felt like we knew some of our problems from last year.  Over the winter, we sat down and tried to figure out how we could fix them.  Adding a second car definitely has helped not only on our program, but Brad’s as well.  Last year here, we had a really good car both times that we came.  Unfortunately, we had mechanical failures and stupidity on my part took us out of good finishes.  We came back earlier this year and had a really good run.  The difference is day (this race) versus night (last race).  I feel like I’m a better night racer, but so does everybody else.  Hopefully we can come out of here with another good run.  Unfortunately, we’ve had really good finishes here lately, but we’ve still lost points to the guys in front of us.  We need to work on that and we have great a opportunity being here as a stand-alone race.  It’s going to be a lot of fun and hopefully we can gain some points on the guys we’re racing against.”

WITH SO FEW CUP DRIVERS IN THE RACE TOMORROW NIGHT, DOES THIS FEEL LIKE THE FIRST STAND-ALONE RACE?

“The stand-alone races are fun, but there’s still (Cup) guys that come in and run them.  As we have stand-alone races, the guys that are normally here feel like we step up our game and make it even tougher on the others.  There seems like there’s just as much competition at these races as anywhere.  It’s all a matter of how comfortable you can get you car.  With Brad and Carl here, it’s going to be tough.  They’re going to be just as strong as ever.  With Kyle and Kevin not being here, that definitely opens some doors.  This is probably one of the races that we all want to win as a stand-alone.  I’m not sure why that is; I think the trophy is the best part.  That Sam Bass guitar is pretty awesome.  I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.  I think that it’s going to be competitive no matter if the Cup guys are here or not.”

WITH BRAD POSSIBLY NOT BEING HERE FOR PRACTICE, WILL YOU GUYS SHARE INFORMATION?

“I think that’s one of the coolest parts about Penske Racing, how well information flows back and forth between all the teams.  Not only on the Nationwide side, but Cup teams as well.  We’re definitely going to work together.  They’re going to have Parker (Kligerman) in the car today until Brad gets here.  I’m sure they’ll (Keselowski) be OK.  Coming off a good race here in the spring, I don’t think that they’ll stray too far from their setup that they had.”

THERE HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THE FLOOD VICTIMS IN NASHVILLE BY THE NATIONWIDE SERIES AND NASCAR?

“It’s unbelievable to look at where everybody is and all the flood victims and everybody that’s lost things.  It’s easy for us to get so wrapped up with what we do on a day-to-day basis.  If we have a bad day, blown an engine or crash, you really don’t sit back and think about how devastating it to lost stuff like that.   We’re not out there re-building a house, but as racers, if there’s something that we can do, we will.  We all feel for them.  We want to help them any way that we can.  More than anything, for them to know that we care will hopefully mean something.  It doesn’t fix anything or get their valuable back, but hopefully it means something.”

BRAD SAYS HE PLANS ON WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP.  DO YOU STILL FEEL LIKE YOU’RE A CONTENDER?

“Brad’s definitely done a great job this year and obviously they’re doing well in the points.  I think we’re 256 points back which is doable.  It’s going to take some bad races for them (for us to catch-up).  I’m not going to wish bad luck on anybody because the minute you do, it turns around on yourself.  We kind of had our bad luck a few races.  Some stupid stuff happened and it seems like everybody has to go through it at some point in the year.  Hopefully, if they do have that bad luck, we can capitalize and gain some of those points back.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SAM BASS GUITAR AS A TROPHY? 

“It’s custom done by Sam Bass.  All of us respect Sam’s work.  We see it a lot.  To see how much stuff (Bass) does, whether it’s for a cover of the program or for the guitar.  When you look at trophies, there are some really significant ones that we get in our sport, especially in the Nationwide Series.  When you get one that’s different, it is really cool to embrace that and to enjoy it.  This is a stand-alone race and if the statistics are right, this is the best for first-time winners.  That gives a lot of people more hope to win a race and I think the trophy is tied into that for sure.”

Inside Motorsports Preview: Memorial Day Weekend Edition

Memorial Day Weekend is one of the biggest in motorsports and Inside Motorsports has you covered. This week's column focuses on Don Miller, a former St. Louis resident who discovered Rusty Wallace and was the right-hand man for Roger Penske for decades. He has also written a new book called Miller's Time and I would highly recommend you get it.

I will also be traveling this weekend to as diverse a selection of races as possible. Friday I start off at Gateway International Raceway for the Muscle Car Reunion and Nostalgia Drags and then head over to Tri-City Speedway for their regular Friday night show. On Saturday, I journey to O'Reilly Raceway Park for the USAC Night Before the 500 midget series race. Sunday, I plant myself firmly in front of the tube for 1,100 miles of great racing and finally, on Monday, I head to Macon (Ill.) Speedway for their NASCAR Day featuring area favorites Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, and Justin Allgaier.

Be sure to check here frequently for updates, photos, and whatnot. Enjoy the racing this weekend and be safe!

Inside Motorsports Preview

This week's Inside Motorsports will feature St. Louis native Jesse Smith, a talented ARCA racer making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Serie debut at Kansas Speedway May 2. Jesse grew up racing against former ARCA champ and Riverton, Ill., native Justin Allgaier and is following Justin's blueprint to success.

Also this weekend at Globe-Democrat.com, I sit down with 14-time NHRA Full Throttle Series Funny Car champ John Force on the heels of his 129th win in that class last weekend in Las Vegas. John and the rest of the NHRA return to Gateway International Raceway next week for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. For all the info, visit GatewayRaceway.com, Facebook.com/GatewayRaceway, and Twitter.com/GatewayRaceway.

Speaking of Twitter, fans will definitely want to follow Gateway on their Twitter account for an opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in NHRA next weekend.

Be sure to check out Globe-Democrat.com all next week for full coverage of the NHRA's return to the St. Louis area.

Allgaier Wins First NNS Race

(Photo by Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images)

Congratulations to Riverton, Ill.-native and former MB Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier on his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory. I believed his first win would be Phoenix, but Bristol isn't a bad place to get your first. Allgaier and his family are some of the nicest people in the business and it's great to see him in Victory Lane for the first of many race wins.