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By Zack Albert
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' annual trip to play in the Western Ohio dirt of Eldora Speedway is bracing for its fourth edition. The previous three races -- the only non-paved NASCAR national series events since 1970 -- have been unpredictable competition-wise but also a celebration of stock-car racing's homegrown roots. Now named the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby (Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the series' lone dirt track race presents the opportunity for good, not-so-clean fun and the potential to throw a curve into the postseason picture.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' annual trip to play in the Western Ohio dirt of Eldora Speedway is bracing for its fourth edition. The previous three races -- the only non-paved NASCAR national series events since 1970 -- have been unpredictable competition-wise but also a celebration of stock-car racing's homegrown roots. Now named the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby (Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the series' lone dirt track race presents the opportunity for good, not-so-clean fun and the potential to throw a curve into the postseason picture.
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Rico Abreu
The 24-year-old Californian has two top-10 finishes thus far in his first full season in the Camping World Truck Series, but given his prowess on dirt, he has the chance at achieving much more this week. Abreu has won there before in sprint-car competition, and just last Saturday night, he battled fiercely with race winner Donny Schatz before settling for second place in the prestigious Kings Royal event for the World of Outlaws Series.
The 24-year-old Californian has two top-10 finishes thus far in his first full season in the Camping World Truck Series, but given his prowess on dirt, he has the chance at achieving much more this week. Abreu has won there before in sprint-car competition, and just last Saturday night, he battled fiercely with race winner Donny Schatz before settling for second place in the prestigious Kings Royal event for the World of Outlaws Series.
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Christopher Bell
The defending race winner was a relative unknown in NASCAR circles before breaking through last season at Eldora in just his third career Camping World Truck Series start. His victory helped his case for sealing a full-time ride with Kyle Busch Motorsports this year.
'It's definitely going to be a little bit more comforting, knowing you're running full-time and knowing my team,' said Bell, who led 106 of 150 laps at Eldora last year. 'It's obviously one of the races that I've been looking forward to for a long time.'
The defending race winner was a relative unknown in NASCAR circles before breaking through last season at Eldora in just his third career Camping World Truck Series start. His victory helped his case for sealing a full-time ride with Kyle Busch Motorsports this year.
'It's definitely going to be a little bit more comforting, knowing you're running full-time and knowing my team,' said Bell, who led 106 of 150 laps at Eldora last year. 'It's obviously one of the races that I've been looking forward to for a long time.'
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Norm Benning
The track's underdog darling clanged his way into the inaugural main event with a memorable finish in the last-chance qualifying heat, winning over hearts in the grandstands and in the garage. Benning, who recently merged operations with Mike Mittler's MB Motorsports team, has only run one race this season.
'We want to make some big news again. That's old news now,' Benning said of his 2013 highlight. 'I really believe I can win that race if the stars line up right. Bodies don't mean anything. Horsepower doesn't mean anything. It's what's between the seat and the steering wheel and that's what matters.'
The track's underdog darling clanged his way into the inaugural main event with a memorable finish in the last-chance qualifying heat, winning over hearts in the grandstands and in the garage. Benning, who recently merged operations with Mike Mittler's MB Motorsports team, has only run one race this season.
'We want to make some big news again. That's old news now,' Benning said of his 2013 highlight. 'I really believe I can win that race if the stars line up right. Bodies don't mean anything. Horsepower doesn't mean anything. It's what's between the seat and the steering wheel and that's what matters.'
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William Byron
With the ridiculously rapid rate at which William Byron is winning in the Camping World Truck Series, a lack of experience on dirt may not matter. The 18-year-old has four victories so far in his first full season, including three wins in the last four events. And Kyle Busch Motorsports has a two-race winning streak on the Eldora clay.
Byron tested a dirt late model last week on the 1/3-mile dirt surface at Boyd's Speedway in northern Georgia to help get some seasoning before taking the Eldora plunge.
With the ridiculously rapid rate at which William Byron is winning in the Camping World Truck Series, a lack of experience on dirt may not matter. The 18-year-old has four victories so far in his first full season, including three wins in the last four events. And Kyle Busch Motorsports has a two-race winning streak on the Eldora clay.
Byron tested a dirt late model last week on the 1/3-mile dirt surface at Boyd's Speedway in northern Georgia to help get some seasoning before taking the Eldora plunge.
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Kyle Larson
Larson took last year off from Eldora, but makes a dirt-track return in this year's Derby with GMS Racing. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star brings an extensive dirt racing pedigree, and he challenged for the win in each of his first two truck starts at Eldora. Expect Larson to be back to familiar ways, running near the outside with his right-rear fender ticking the outside wall.
Larson took last year off from Eldora, but makes a dirt-track return in this year's Derby with GMS Racing. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star brings an extensive dirt racing pedigree, and he challenged for the win in each of his first two truck starts at Eldora. Expect Larson to be back to familiar ways, running near the outside with his right-rear fender ticking the outside wall.
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Bobby Pierce
The Midwestern dirt-track talent made an impressive truck series debut last season, starting from the pole and making a stirring drive to second place in the Eldora classic. He's back with longtime truck series owner Mike Mittler this year, eager to improve upon last year's coming-out party.
The Midwestern dirt-track talent made an impressive truck series debut last season, starting from the pole and making a stirring drive to second place in the Eldora classic. He's back with longtime truck series owner Mike Mittler this year, eager to improve upon last year's coming-out party.
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Tyler Reddick
The 20-year-old driver for Brad Keselowski Racing placed third in last year's race, and has stayed in practice with extracurricular dirt late model racing on the series' off weekends this year. Reddick will lean on his dirt-track background, but acknowledges that Wednesday's show will likely be a wildcard.
'It's anyone's best guess who's going to win there, but I've got a lot of confidence going in there,' Reddick said. 'We had a really good piece the last few years we've been there, so if we do our part, we'll be able to win that race.'
The 20-year-old driver for Brad Keselowski Racing placed third in last year's race, and has stayed in practice with extracurricular dirt late model racing on the series' off weekends this year. Reddick will lean on his dirt-track background, but acknowledges that Wednesday's show will likely be a wildcard.
'It's anyone's best guess who's going to win there, but I've got a lot of confidence going in there,' Reddick said. 'We had a really good piece the last few years we've been there, so if we do our part, we'll be able to win that race.'
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Ken Schrader
Dirt, asphalt -- doesn't matter. If it has four wheels, Ken Schrader -- now 61 years old -- has probably driven it. Noted as a member of the 'Fraternal Order of Go-Fast,' he'll be making his first NASCAR national series start of the season at Eldora, paired with Contreras Motorsports' No. 71 team.
The veteran driver has plenty of favorable Eldora history. Schrader won the pole for the inaugural classic and has two victories in qualifying heats. His best finish in three Eldora truck main events is a fourth place in 2014.
Dirt, asphalt -- doesn't matter. If it has four wheels, Ken Schrader -- now 61 years old -- has probably driven it. Noted as a member of the 'Fraternal Order of Go-Fast,' he'll be making his first NASCAR national series start of the season at Eldora, paired with Contreras Motorsports' No. 71 team.
The veteran driver has plenty of favorable Eldora history. Schrader won the pole for the inaugural classic and has two victories in qualifying heats. His best finish in three Eldora truck main events is a fourth place in 2014.