On July 24, the trucks will make their dirt début at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Photo – Jeff Wackerlin

Historic Event To Offer Unique Qualifying, Race Procedures

NASCAR announced today the qualifying and race procedures for the inaugural “Mudsummer Classic” – the highly anticipated NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, July 24. Unlike asphalt tracks, dirt tracks have historically used a format much different from typical races and that will be the case for this event, the first NASCAR national series race held on dirt in more than 40 years.

The race will feature a traditional two-lap qualifying session, five qualifying races, one last-chance race and a champion’s provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top-20 in owners’ points entering the race event will have a guaranteed starting position.

Here are additional details for each round of qualifying:

Qualifying

Two-lap qualifying determines starting position for the qualifying races

Qualifying Races

• Five qualifying races

o    Eight laps each; only green flag laps count

o    Five trucks transfer from each qualifying race

• Lineup for the qualifying races will be based on qualifying speeds with four locked-in trucks (trucks in the top 20)
• The top-five trucks in qualifying will start on the pole for their respective qualifying race
• Highest finishing non-locked-in truck will transfer to race from each qualifying race
• At the completion of the qualifying races, 25 trucks will have earned spots into the feature.

Last Chance Race

• 15 laps; only green flag laps count
• The top-four finishers will transfer to the feature and start in positions 26-29
• The lineup will be based on the finish from the qualifying races

Starting position No. 30 will go to the most recent past series’ champion who has not already qualified. If the 30th starting position is not filled by an eligible champion, it will be assigned to the next highest finishing truck in the Last Chance Race.

“NASCAR and Eldora Speedway have collectively worked together to come up with a format that embraces the history of dirt track racing while also ensuring that full-time competitors have an opportunity to be a part of this special event,” said Chad Little, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director. “This will also add an exciting element for the fans and we look forward to putting on a great show at this unique venue.”

The race length and format are also new for the series. The race will be 150 laps divided into three segments. The segments will be 60, 50 and 40 laps.

There will be pit stops between each segment, with teams having the opportunity to change tires and work on their trucks.

More details on the event schedule will be released later this spring.

The “Mudsummer Classic” will be the first NASCAR national touring series event held on dirt since NASCAR’s premiere series competed on September 30, 1970 in Raleigh, N.C. Richard Petty won the Home State 200 at the one-mile State Fairgrounds Speedway.