NASCAR Sprint Cup star Clint Bowyer cut his teeth racing on dirt, first on two wheels, then on four, and Wednesday night he recorded his first victory in the Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway. Bowyer started from the pole and led every lap to score the victory. J.J. Yeley, a six-time winner at Eldora in a variety of divisions, finished second by inches over Aric Almirola. Kyle Busch and Justin Allgaier rounded out the top-five.
There were a number of caution flags for spins. Ron Hornaday spun twice, once with Ray Evernham and the other with Bobby Labonte. Tony Kanaan lost his entire right-front assembly after making contact with the wall and drew a yellow with his right front tire bouncing down the backstretch in front of Bowyer and Yeley as they came off the last turn.
Defending Prelude champion Jimmie Johnson started from the rear and finished 18th. Track owner and three-time Prelude winner Tony Stewart likewise started from the rear and finished 20th.
St. Louis Children's Hospital won the team competition. Bowyer was representing Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, but was one of only three drivers supporting the Atlanta hospital to record top-10 finishes.