Eldora ALMS preview

You'll find that I don't write about Eldora Speedway much.  I guess part of that is because, being the house announcer there, I don't want anyone reading this blog to get the impression I'm an Eldora "homer" or anything like that.  Of course I love the place, but the other reason is, honestly, I want to make sure I spread the love around as much as possible and not focus too much on one specific track.

With that in mind, though, the Big E does justify a little airtime this week with their season opener just 24 hours away.  Although it's only a $2000 to win Sunoco ALMS race, expect a strong field of Late Models with drivers like Darrell Lanigan, Scott James, Donnie Moran, and Jeep Van Wormer among others battling for the rights to stand on the stage.

However, out of that group, only Van Womer has been in Eldora's victory lane recently (UMP Nationals, 2011).  In addition, Jeep is the all-time leading ALMS feature winner at the half-mile oval with six trips to the stage.  Lanigan hasn't won at Eldora since the UMP Nationals in 2006, while Moran's last win at the Big E came over ten years ago in the form of a one million dollar paycheck.  As for the Shark, his last win at the Big E was some 13 years ago in July of 1999.

If you're looking at Eldora "regulars" to put your money on, Brian Ruhlman may be the best bet with his five ALMS wins and 27 UMP modified victories at the track.  His 2011 track co-champion, Jon Henry, is still searching for his first Eldora Late Model win while Matt Miller will be there, but piloting Rick Delong's #3.

And if you're looking for a darkhorse, what about Devin Moran?  Sure, he only has one Eldora start, but the youngster is two-for-two so far this season and is driving more and more like his dad with each passing race.  Andrew Reaume turned in several strong performance at Eldora last year, only to be snake-bitten while leading the Baltes Classic.  And Kent Robinson certainly deserves a win at the track that sidelined him with a shoulder injury just a few years ago.

Finally, the UMP Modifieds alone should be worth the price of admission with Eldora stalwarts Jeff Babcock, Scott Orr, Jerry Bowersock, and Jesse Bitterling doing battle. Throw Joey Kramer in the mix (winless at Eldora since 2001; but has two wins and a second so far in 2012) and you've got yourself one helluva Modified field too.  PS - look for Kramer to be somewhat of a UMP Modified regular with us through the first half of the season.

If Mother Nature lets us get this one in, it should be an outstanding show.  Now, somebody do an anti-rain dance...