MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Much like Indianapolis Motor Speedway was when Helio Castroneves became the fourth driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times on May 30, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway was alive with celebration following the grand finale of the four-day Dirt Late Model Dream at the historic half-mile dirt track.
The largest crowd in the history of the Dirt Late Model Dream had just witnessed arguably the most impressive performance in Eldora’s history, putting the cap on four days during which the race track, the racers and their loyal race fans basked in the triumphant return of big-time racing to the western Ohio speedplant.
Georgia late model driver Brandon Overton was the man of the hour — hell, he was the man, of week, the month and possibly the entire year.
Overton had just won the 26th Dirt Late Model Dream, capping a four-day run that saw him win four features on the Eldora high banks and earn $273,000 for his Wells Motorsports team.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eldora Speedway was unable to have fans at any events during the 2020 racing season. As a result, track officials made the decision to run two versions of its three traditional crown-jewel events this year.
With the track getting the green light for full attendance in late May, the Dirt Late Model Dream was first up with the 27th running of the event set for June 10 and last year’s makeup event for the 26th Dream to follow two nights later.
Heading to Eldora, Overton and Jonathan Davenport had been the two hottest drivers on the late model circuit this season and they were each among the favorites, but nobody saw a four-night sweep coming.
The crowds got larger and more exuberant night by night.
It started on Wednesday with Overton and Davenport each topping $10,000-to-win preliminary features. Next up was the $127,000-to-win 27th Dirt Late Model Dream on Thursday.
Overton started fourth and after a lengthy battle with Brandon Sheppard took control of the race on lap 61. He led the remainder of the 100-lap test.
“That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he said in victory lane. But he was far from finished.
Friday brought Overton another $10,000 preliminary night triumph and set him up to make history.
Overton’s dreams appeared dashed, however, when Chris Madden motored from 10th starting spot and took the lead from Overton on lap 75. But Overton wasn’t finished. He battled back to regain the lead on lap 86 and beat Madden to the checkered flag by more than two seconds, earning another $126,000 and bringing his earnings for the week to a whopping $273,000.
Known by his fans as “Big Sexy,” Overton may have earned a new nickname, “Big Money.”
“To grow up as a kid, watching all these guys here at Eldora … this place is so special to the dirt late model world and the racing world, period. To get it done, I don’t know that I’ll ever top this,” Overton said.
Overton became only the second driver to win back-to-back Dreams as Scott Bloomquist turned the trick in 2017 and ’18. Overton did it twice during a three-night span.
It was a magical moment, one the throngs of fans that filled Eldora Speedway will remember for a long time to come.
While Overton’s feat seems unlikely to be duplicated, they’ll try again two more times this year. Twin Kings Royal are on the bill July 14-17, with a double dose of World 100s scheduled Sept. 8-11. The Kings Royal will feature a pair of $175,000 winner’s checks with the World 100 offering $54,000 to win on Sept. 9 and $53,000 on Sept. 11.
Here’s hoping for record crowds for those events, too.