Auto race held in Rossburg, United States
Motor race
Eldora Dirt Derby Venue Eldora Speedway Location Rossburg, Ohio , United States First race 2013 Last race 2019 Distance 75-mile-long (121 km) Laps Qualifying Races (5): 10 laps (Only green flag laps counted)Last Chance Race: 15 laps (Only green flag laps counted)Feature (Main Event): 150 laps (in segments of 40, 50, and 60 laps)Previous names 1-800 CarCash Mudsummer Classic (2013–2015)Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby (2016)Most wins (team) Kyle Busch Motorsports ThorSport Racing (2)Most wins (manufacturer) Toyota Chevrolet (3)Surface Clay Length 0.5 mi (0.80 km) Turns 4
The Eldora Dirt Derby was a 75-mile-long (121 km) annual race in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race held at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio . During its existence from 2013 to 2019, the race was the only dirt track racing event on any NASCAR national touring series (Cup , Xfinity , or Truck) schedule and the first since 1970. Due to coronavirus concerns in 2020, the race was not run and is not scheduled to be run again in the Truck Series. The standalone dirt event was later moved to Knoxville Raceway for 2021.
History
Austin Dillon 's 2013 Eldora Speedway-winning No. 39 American Ethanol Chevrolet Silverado
On November 28, 2012, NASCAR announced the addition of a race at Eldora Speedway to the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 's schedule.[ 1] The race would be the first on a dirt surface in any of NASCAR's national series since 1970, with the last being at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina .[ 2]
The inaugural running of the event, which completely sold out in January 2013,[ 3] was run on July 24, 2013.[ 2] Austin Dillon won the event after retaining the lead on a green–white–checker finish .[ 4]
The event was originally branded as the Mudsummer Classic , but was renamed for the 2016 edition due to a trademark dispute with Major League Baseball , as the league's All-Star Game is marketed with the trademark "Midsummer Classic".[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] The event was ultimately renamed the Eldora Dirt Derby , with the 2016 edition being sponsored by Aspen Dental .[ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
The 2020 race was canceled due to state restrictions on large gatherings as a safety measure against the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 11] The Derby was removed from the schedule in 2021.[ 12]
There are five qualifying races, consisting of ten laps each, that determine the starting grid.[ 13] However, driver's starting positions in the qualifying races are determined by normal two-lap qualifying sessions.[ 13] Caution laps in the qualifying races are not scored, and five trucks will transfer from each qualifying race.[ 13] After the five races, a total of 25 trucks will have qualified for the feature (the main event).[ 13] Another race, named the 'Last Chance Race', consists of 15 laps, and determines the lineup from position 26 to 29.[ 13] The final position on the grid is awarded to the most recent Camping World Truck Series champion , unless there is no beneficiary to that position. In that case, the fifth-place finisher in the 'Last Chance Race' is awarded the final starting position.[ 13] The main event, or feature, is 150 laps long, with three segments of 40, 50 and 60 laps.[ 13] During each break, drivers are allowed to make pit stops .
In 2014, the format was changed. Instead of lasting eight laps, the heat races will now consist of ten laps, with the top five teams failing to qualify for the Main Feature being awarded owners' points. Additionally, drivers are no longer required to pit.[ 14]
Following the abolition of the "all exempt" tour format in 2015, the last chance format changed. Only the top drivers advance to the feature from the Last Chance race, for a net of 27 cars. The remaining five trucks in the field will be filled by NASCAR's provisional starting regulations; trucks in the top four in owner points standings that have not qualified for the race, and then the most recent Truck Series driver champion not in the field if necessary, or if not, the fifth-place truck in owner points standings of those not qualified.[ 15]
Past winners
Qualifying races
"Last Chance" qualifying race
Feature (Main Event)
Multiple Feature winners (teams)
Manufacturer wins
Tuesday Night Tailgate
The Tuesday Night Tailgate is the supporting event to the Mudsummer Classic featuring pre-race technical inspection for the Truck Series teams. From 2014 to 2015, the event included the Sunoco American Late Model Series. In 2016, the event will feature the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds, which will return to Eldora for the first time since 2006.[ 65]
Past winners
Year
Date
Race Name
Driver
Race Distance
Ref
Laps
Miles (km)
Sunoco American Late Model Series
2014
July 22
Tuesday Night Tailgate
Steve Casebolt
25
12.5 (20.1)
[ 66]
2015
July 21
Tuesday Night Tailgate
Jeep VanWormer
25
12.5 (20.1)
[ 67]
Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds
2016
July 20
Tuesday Night Tailgate
Tim Fuller
[ 68]
2017
July 18
Dirt Derby 75
Billy Decker
75
37.5 (60.375)
[ 69]
References
^ "Tony Stewart's track site of 2013 Truck race" . USA Today . November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on January 8, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013 .
^ a b Al Pearce (April 9, 2013). "NASCAR sets unique heat format for Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora" . Autoweek . Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013 .
^ David Caraviello (January 29, 2013). "GRANDSTAND SELLOUT FOR ELDORA TRUCK RACE" . NASCAR. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013 .
^ "DILLON THRILLS IN EXCITING ELDORA VICTORY" . NASCAR. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "ELDORA TO CHANGE RACE NAME FOR TRUCK SERIES EVENT" . NASCAR . December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on December 6, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015 .
^ McFadin, Daniel (December 3, 2015). "Baseball fans no longer get pleasant surprise of NASCAR, $2 beers at Eldora Speedway" . NBC Sports . Archived from the original on December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015 .
^ Ryan, Nate (January 26, 2016). "Why a hashtag became a NASCAR race name" . NBC Sports . Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016 .
^ Larson, Mark (July 11, 2016). "Eldora NASCAR trucks race gets new name and sponsor" . Autoweek . Archived from the original on July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ Long, Dustin (April 29, 2016). "Aspen Dental to sponsor Camping World Truck race at Eldora" . NBC Sports . Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016 .
^ "5th Annual Eldora Dirt Derby "150" - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - Eldora Speedway - 7/19/2017" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017 .
^ "Eldora Speedway off NASCAR schedule due to coronavirus" . Springfield News-Sun . July 8, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2020 .
^ Orner, Ben (November 18, 2020). "Ohio's famed Eldora Speedway loses NASCAR race, gains event in owner's new series" . WCMH-TV . Retrieved January 2, 2021 .
^ a b c d e f g "FORMAT ANNOUNCED FOR TRUCK RACE AT ELDORA" . NASCAR . April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013 .
^ "NASCAR announces format enhancements for Eldora" . NASCAR . June 3, 2014. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014 .
^ "Learn more about Eldora race format" . NASCAR . July 21, 2015. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017 .
^ "2013 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #1" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "2013 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #2" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "2013 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #3" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "2013 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #4" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "2013 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #5" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "2014 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #1" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "2014 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #2" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "2014 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #3" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "2014 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #4" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "2014 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #5" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "2015 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #1" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^ "2015 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #2" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^ "2015 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #3" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^ "2015 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #4" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^ "2015 Mudsummer Classic Heat Race #5" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^ "Race Results: 4th Annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby 150 - Qualifying Race 1" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Media Ventures. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "Race Results: 4th Annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby 150 - Qualifying Race 2" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Media Ventures. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "Race Results: 4th Annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby 150 - Qualifying Race 3" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Media Ventures. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "Race Results: 4th Annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby 150 - Qualifying Race 4" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Media Ventures. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "Race Results: 4th Annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby 150 - Qualifying Race 5" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Media Ventures. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "Race Results: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #1" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "Race Results: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #2" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "Race Results: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #3" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "Race Results: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #4" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "Race Results: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #5" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "Race Results: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #1" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "Race Results: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #2" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "Race Results: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #3" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "Race Results: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #4" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "Race Results: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #5" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "Race Results: 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #1" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "Race Results: 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #2" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "Race Results: 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #3" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "Race Results: 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #4" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "Race Results: 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby Heat Race #5" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "2013 Mudsummer Classic Last Chance Qualifier" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 24, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013 .
^ "2014 Mudsummer Classic Last Chance Qualifier" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "2015 Mudsummer Classic Last Chance Qualifier" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^ "Race Results: 4th Annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby 150 - Last Chance Race" (PDF) . Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Media Ventures. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "Race Results: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby Last Chance Qualifier" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "Race Results: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Last Chance Qualifier" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "Race Results: 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby Last Chance Qualifier" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "2013 Inaugural Mudsummer Classic" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013 .
^ "2014 1-800-CarCash Mudsummer Classic" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved May 10, 2015 .
^ "2015 1-800-CarCash Mudsummer Classic" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved May 10, 2015 .
^ "2016 Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^ "2017 Eldora Dirt Derby" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved July 20, 2017 .
^ "2018 Eldora Dirt Derby" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .
^ "2019 Eldora Dirt Derby" . USA Today Sports Media Group . Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES BOOKS FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH ELDORA – Eldora Speedway" . www.eldoraspeedway.com . Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2018 .
^ "TUESDAY HIGHLIGHTS: NASCAR LOAD-IN, OPEN GARAGE FOR FANS, DIRT LATE MODEL RACING – Eldora Speedway" . www.eldoraspeedway.com . Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2018 .
^ "JEEP VANWORMER WINS TUESDAY NIGHT TAILGATE AT ELDORA – Eldora Speedway" . www.eldoraspeedway.com . Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018 .
^ "Super DIRTcar:2016-10" . The Third Turn . Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017 .
^ "2017 Dirt Derby 75" . The Third Turn . Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017 .
External links
Current (2025 )
Former Note : The Truck Series has multiple events at the same racing venue.