Prelude to the Dream#Prelude to the Dream Winners

{{Infobox motor race

| Race title = Prelude to the Dream

| Logo =

| Track map = EldoraSpeedway track map.png

| Series long =

| Series short =

| Venue = Eldora Speedway

| Location = Rossburg, Ohio

| Coordinates = {{coord|40|19|6.43|N|84|38|1.79|W|type:landmark|display=title}}

| Sponsor = Nextel (2006–2007)
Old Spice (2007–2008)
Gillette (2009–2010)

| First race = 2005

| First series race =

| Last race = 2012

| Distance =

| Laps = 40 (2012)

| Duration =

| Previous names =

| Most wins driver = Tony Stewart (3)

| Most wins rider =

| Most wins team =

| Most wins manufacturer = Chevrolet (6)

| Surface = Clay

| Length mi = 0.5

| Turns =

| Record time =

| Record driver =

| Record car =

| Record year =

| Record class =

}}

File:PreludeToTheDream2006Feature.jpg

The Prelude to the Dream (also known as Prelude to the World in 2006 and 2009) was a dirt late model race held at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio from 2005 to 2012. The race's title was a reference to the fact it was held on the Wednesday before the Dirt-late model dream (or World 100 in 2006 and 2009) that was later held that weekend at Eldora Speedway. The race was a pay-per-view event on HBO, and frequently attracted drivers from various disciplines such as NASCAR, IndyCar Series, NHRA, and World of Outlaws.

The Prelude was a charity race, with the 2012 race benefiting Feed the Children, in which money gained from the broadcast was donated to the foundation. Feed the Children also sent food trucks to the hometowns of the top ten finishers in the race.{{cite web|url=http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=15182|title=The Prelude to the Dream is 'One Perfect Night'|work=Feed the Children|date=May 21, 2012|accessdate=September 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930064037/http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle|archive-date=September 30, 2006|url-status=dead}} The race has also benefited other charities, such as Victory Junction Gang Camp,{{cite web|url=http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0806_prelude_to_the_dream/|title=2008 Prelude to the Dream Recap|work=Automobile Magazine|accessdate=September 14, 2013}} which was aided by the Prelude from 2005 to 2008. In 2009, military organizations Fisher House Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and the Wounded Warrior Project were funded by the race. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Levine Children's Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Children's Medical Center Dallas and the St. Louis Children's Hospital were the groups benefited from the Prelude.{{cite web|url=http://www.preludetothedream.org/charitable-mission/|title=Charitable Mission|work=Prelude to the Dream|accessdate=September 14, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130915043432/http://www.preludetothedream.org/charitable-mission/|archivedate=September 15, 2013}} From 2005 to 2011, the Prelude donated a total of $3.5 million to charities.

The race starting grid was determined by 4 heat races of 10 laps each.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/6/6/3068420/prelude-to-the-dream-eldora-2012|title=Prelude To The Dream 2012: Kyle Busch Takes All-Star Dirt Race At Eldora|work=SB Nation|date=June 6, 2012|accessdate=September 14, 2013}}

Race history

Kenny Wallace, driving the No. 23 Sheltra & Sons Construction Chevrolet, won the inaugural Prelude in 2005 after leading all 25 laps.{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/race/2005-03/X|title=2005 Prelude to the Dream|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=September 14, 2013}} The 2006 Nextel Prelude to the Dream was postponed from its original date June 7 to September 6 due to rain.{{cite web|url=http://www.jayski.com/pages/charities-prelude.htm|title=The Prelude To The Dream|work=Jayski's Silly Season Site|accessdate=September 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007000944/http://www.jayski.com/pages/charities-prelude.htm|archive-date=October 7, 2015|url-status=dead}} In the race, track owner Tony Stewart won. The following year, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards battled for much of the race, but Edwards managed to win. In 2008, Stewart held off Robby Gordon to win his second Prelude. The 2009 race was postponed due to rain to September 9; it was won by Stewart once again passing Kenny Wallace on lap 13 and dominated for the remainder of the race, winning with a 3.358-second lead over second-place finisher Clint Bowyer.

The 2010 race featured a new team concept, consisting of four teams representing four children's hospitals being benefited by the race. The teams were:

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