Fifth Prelude to the Dream to benefit military charities

The fifth annual Prelude to the Dream is scheduled for June 3 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburgn Ohio, with proceeds from the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast going to support four military-themed charities.

The all-star, late-model dirt race at Tony Stewart's "Field of Dreams" features 25 renowned drivers representing more than 20 titles, from all types of disciplines, some with lots of dirt-track experience and others with hardly any. All will drive 2,300-pound dirt late-model stock cars capable of putting out more than 800 horsepower.

HBO and ticket info

HBO Pay-Per-View's racing telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95 and is available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. Ordering information and up-to-the minute racing information is available at www.hbo.com.

The live, commercial-free broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. ET with an immediate replay and subsequent replays throughout the week and the following weekend.

For those who want to see the Prelude to the Dream in person, tickets are available online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by calling the track office (937) 338-3815. Act fast -- the race has sold out in each of its four previous years.

"The Prelude to the Dream just keeps getting bigger every year," Stewar said. "Since HBO Pay-Per-View began televising the Prelude in 2007, we've been able to help a lot of deserving charities, specifically Victory Junction Gang Camp.

"But in light of what's going on in our world today -- with our troops engaged in combat in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places around the world -- we felt it was time to do something for those who came back from serving their country with severe injuries, and for those families whose loved ones never made it back."

The four charities all cater to severely injured military personnel or fallen heroes and their families:

• Wounded Warrior Project: www.WoundedWarriorProject.org
• Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund: www.FallenHeroesFund.org
• Operation Homefront: www.OperationHomefront.net
• Fisher House: www.FisherHouse.org

The four previous Prelude to the Dreams have collectively raised more than $2 million. With each year's event gaining significant stature and mainstream interest, Stewart's goal is to have the fifth annual Prelude to the Dream raise $1 million, with the proceeds impacting the four charities.

"It's an ambitious goal, especially in this economy" Stewart said. "But if we don't shoot for a number that is a true difference-maker, we're not ever going to reach it. That's our goal, and me and everybody else associated with this event is going to do everything we can to meet that goal. Now, we just need everyone out there to purchase the event, enjoy all the action going on at Eldora, and support our heroes who are protecting our freedom."

Drivers expected to compete are: Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer.

Brian Vickers, Robby Gordon, David Reutimann, Bill Elliott, Dave Blaney, Aric Almirola, Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, Ray Evernham, Joey Logano, Jeremy Mayfield and David Stremme also have committed.

They will participate in hot laps, qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature on the half-mile clay oval, all of which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

"We are always thrilled to bring this unique and compelling race at Eldora to fans across the country," said Tammy Ross, vice president of HBO Pay-Per-View & Sports. "Seeing the top drivers in the world going all-out to benefit our courageous armed services men and women who have been injured delivers a sense of privilege and inspiration to everyone involved in presenting the event."

With no points and no pressure, the Prelude to the Dream is a throwback race, allowing drivers to step back in time and compete for the reasons they all went racing in the first place -- pride and a trophy. And they'll do it on the same surface that racing legends A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti competed on nearly 50 years ago.