Tony Stewart Battles Weather and Time to Bring Back The Eldora Million, to award $1 million prize at Eldora Speedway
Tony Stewart went to bed at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday after pulling an all-nighter at Eldora Speedway, but his exhaustion was a small price to pay for what he’s set to accomplish this week. The racing legend and owner of the famed track in Rossburg, Ohio, is determined to ensure that the return of **The Eldora Million** goes off without a hitch, with a jaw-dropping $1 million on the line
“I’m just thrashing,” Stewart told *The Associated Press* by phone on Wednesday afternoon, his voice punctuated by the sounds of trucks and tractors in the background as he scrambled to prepare the track. “We’ve only had two events this year because of weather, and we’ve got to get the track ready to give this money away.”
The Eldora Million is a 101-lap dirt-track late model race, and this year, it’s more significant than ever. The event promises a purse of over $1 million — the second-largest prize in all of motorsports — only behind the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
The Legacy of The Eldora Million
The stakes are high, but Stewart’s passion for reviving Eldora’s rich history runs deeper than the prize money. The Eldora Million first ran in 2001 under the ownership of Earl Baltes, who founded the track. That inaugural race saw Donnie Moran take home the million-dollar payout — a moment so impactful it earned him the nickname “Million Dollar Man.”
“When I took over Eldora, I said from day one that we wanted to push the limits of race promotion and make Earl proud,” Stewart said. “I can’t think of a better way to honor his legacy than by bringing back The Eldora Million one more time.”
For Stewart, it’s not just about the money; it’s about continuing Baltes’ vision and supporting grassroots dirt racing. Since acquiring the track in 2004, Stewart has consistently pushed for bigger and better events, and the return of The Eldora Million is a testament to his dedication to the sport and to the drivers who have made Eldora a mecca of dirt-track racing.
A Race Against Weather
But Stewart’s ambitious plans haven’t been without their hurdles. Mother Nature has been less than cooperative, with rain soaking the track and threatening to derail the event. As a result, Stewart has been putting in long hours, working with his team and even enlisting help from another track to get the surface in top shape.
“We’ve had to buy two new tractors in the last week, and I’ve asked another track to send workers to help us prep the surface. It’s been a battle, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure we have the best racing possible,” Stewart said.
In spite of the challenges, Stewart’s commitment is unwavering. “I’m living, breathing everything at this racetrack right now. I hope Earl is looking down proud of the job we’re doing to carry on his legacy.”
The Racer’s Dream
The Eldora Million is more than just a big payday; it’s a chance for dirt-track racers to compete at the highest level, and for many, it can change the trajectory of their careers. Donnie Moran, the 2001 winner, fondly remembers the life-changing moment when he won the original Eldora Million. Moran, who self-funded his racing team, recalled how the prize money kept him in the sport for years and paid off many bills. The emotional moment, however, came when he celebrated the win with his wife, who had ignored her doctor’s advice to stay home while pregnant with their fifth child.
“That was a magic moment,” Moran said, remembering the win fondly. “The money helped keep me racing, and it gave us the chance to keep doing what we loved.”
Moran’s daughter, Savannah, who was born just after the race, now works for Tony Stewart at Eldora as one of the trophy girls, creating another link between the past and present of the legendary track.
Looking Forward to the Future
For Stewart, the race is about more than just the top prize. The two nights of The Eldora Million will be followed by the **Dirt Late Model Dream**, another high-stakes event, making for a thrilling four-night stretch of racing that has already amassed more than $1.9 million in prize money. Weather permitting, this will be one of the richest open-competition events in motorsports history.
“We’ve always said we wanted to do The Million again, and we’re fighting everything to make it happen,” Stewart reflected. “We want to keep supporting grassroots racers and make sure that the next generation of drivers has the same opportunities that guys like Donnie Moran had.”
As the final preparations come together, Stewart’s dedication to Eldora and the sport of dirt racing is clear. The Eldora Million isn’t just about money — it’s about honoring a legacy, supporting the racers, and continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in dirt-track racing. When the green flag waves Thursday night, it will mark a new chapter in the history of Eldora Speedway — one that’s certain to make racing fans and competitors alike proud.
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