Stewart repeats as Prelude winner at Eldora

NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader continues his success on track this year with Eldora triumph.

NASCAR star Tony Stewart races around Eldora Speedway Wednesday afternoon. Later in the evening, Stewart, the track’s owner. won his second straight Prelude to the Dream in front of a crowd of 23,000.

Staff photo by Jim Noelker NASCAR star Tony Stewart races around Eldora Speedway Wednesday afternoon. Later in the evening, Stewart, the track’s owner. won his second straight Prelude to the Dream in front of a crowd of 23,000.

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 6:44 AM Thursday, September 10, 2009

ROSSBURG — The NASCAR Sprint Cup field has been chasing Tony Stewart much of the season.

The Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, Sept. 9, wasn’t much different.

Stewart, the Sprint Cup points leader, used a slide job to get past leader Kenny Wallace and ran off the next 17 laps unchallenged to win the 30-lap feature.

It was Stewart’s second straight Prelude victory. After his Victory Lane celebration — and with the crowd chanting “Climb the fence!” — the Eldora owner hopped off the stage and did just that in front of a grandstand crowd making up most of 23,000 spectators.

Wallace, the 2005 Prelude champ, jumped past Clint Bowyer on the first lap and held the lead until Stewart caught up.

Stewart smokes ’em

They don’t call him “Smoke” for nothing. Stewart, perhaps relying on his home-track advantage, ripped off a lap in 15.405 seconds (116 mph) during qualifying to set a Prelude track record. Stewart topped the mark of 15.436 set by Dave Blaney in 2008.

“I’ve got first-hand knowledge. I’ve seen every inch of this race track from either a race car or tractor,” Stewart said during the prerace media session. “I probably know this place better than anybody.”

Denny Hamlin (15.664), Ryan Newman (15.688), Kyle Busch (15.762) and Wallace (15.771) rounded out the top five.

Close shave

As the Prelude sponsor, Gillette also chipped in a trophy designed like its Fusion Power shaver. As a Young Gun sponsored by Gillette, Busch was hoping to be razor sharp and win.

“It’s another race. You try to take home the trophy and kiss the girls after every one of them,” Busch said. “Fortunately tonight I have a cool trophy I can take home, kiss the girlfriend and head on down to Richmond.”

Hot laps

Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola all won heats.

Jacob Hawkins won the UMP DirtCar Modified feature and Mike Dirksen the stock car feature. The top 24 drivers in Eldora points qualified to race in the feature-only events.

NASCAR announcer Darrell Waltrip has driven a push truck, a water truck and a late model at the Prelude. On Thursday he drove the U.S. Army’s Ripsaw, an off-road assault vehicle.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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