This s the first NASCAR national series race of any kind to be held on dirt in more than forty years.

NASCAR's last national touring series event held on dirt was on Sept. 30, 1970 in Raleigh, N.C., when Richard Petty won the Home State 200 at the one-mile State Fairgrounds Speedway. Now fast forward to 2013

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,

Chad Little, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director, said in the official news release about the event's format. This will also add an exciting element for the fans and we look forward to putting on a great show at this unique venue ."

To start off, there will be the traditional two-lap qualifying effort for what is expected to be more than 40 entrants for the highly anticipated event. When the final field is set for the main event, there will be 30 trucks and drivers vying for the win.

But it's what's in between that will really make things interesting.

"The race will feature a traditional two-lap qualifying session, five qualifying races, one last-chance race and a champions provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top 20 in owners points entering the race event will have a guaranteed starting position," NASCAR's release said. But isnt this the first race in 40 years? Owners points in what series?

(Pay close attention, this can be a bit confusing at first read.)

this is from the official NASCAR release:

Qualifying

Two-lap qualifying determines starting position for the qualifying races

Qualifying Races

Five qualifying races

Eight laps each; only green flag laps count

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, now you keep that in mind now.

Main Event Format

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. Kinda like the allstar shootout. Plenty of tape will be needed and tearoffs galore

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

So now you know what is supposed to happen,where and when--now we got to wait and see who is the king of dirt-- I really hope this works out because it has great possibilities. Kinda makes me think of building a truck, but just maybe they will concede and let the cars run if not this year then next year. There are to many great half mile tracks just waiting for this excitement . Now Are you ready? Got those Goggles on if you setting in a turn? And O-yeah get the refreshments close at hand so you wont miss anything. O yeah record it too..

I am excited about Wednesday night. From all the hype NASCAR is providing for this race, someone would get the idea that it was totally the concept of NASCAR and involved no input from the fans. But I am pleased, for reasons deep within this old heart and soul, to see a return to the dirt. Let's see how it goes and hope that maybe, just maybe, this won't be a one time event.

well between you and me,I just left Daytona yesterday and everyone I talked to there is as excited about this as you and I. Hopefully these trucks will lead to better racing with the fans involved.

True the wash detergent companies will get a boost washing the dirt away when a fan smiles after a dirt race it really shows. So let the mud fly and memories be retold ... As Bill McPeek says OLD GUYS RULE ---------------------------------------------------- memories

I, too, am looking forward to this event... BUT, I wish NASCAR would get its facts straight.

The NASCAR Grand American Series was a National Touring Series when Buck Baker beat Tiny Lund in the Lincoln 100 at the Springfield Mile DIRT track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on May 16, 1971, the season following the Raleigh GN event.

More revisionist NASCAR history.

That's right Dave and that race is an interesting story in itself. Check out the story posted about that race on the Grand American Series fan page.

In 1973 the Grand National East division was a touring series and they ran back to back events on dirt tracks that were combination races that had GN cars, GA cars which were normal GNE entrants and ARCA cars. Both races were won by Tiny Lund in the #93 Toy Bolton '73 Camaro.

The first was the Selingsgrove 100 on May 30th in Lebanon, Pa.

1. Tiny Lund, 2. N.D. Copley, 3. Ron Hutcherson, 4. Gary Raymond, 5. David Boggs, 6. Bobby Watson, 7. Wayne Andrews, 8. A. Arnold, 9. Neil Castles, 10. Wayne Wattercutter

The second was the Pennsylvania 100 0n June, 2nd in New Oxford, Pa.

1. Tiny Lund, 2. Wayne Wattercutter, 3. Neil Castles, 4. Bobby Watson, 5. A. Arnold, 6. Roy Hallquist, 7. Wayne Andrews, 8. Ed Richardville, 9. Bobby Fleming, 10. David Boggs

This may be the last NASCAR touring division race on dirt. And it was fittingly won by one of the best on dirt.

its still strange why Nascar doesnt recognize any of these old races in their listings.. Many a great name won them and many were in notable places too. Hopefully as long as we can dig the cobwebs away and post great things as you have did Dennis the word will continue to travel.... GREAT INFO

Here's the story Dennis Andrews has posted from the May 16, 1971 national touring series NASCAR Grand American race on DIRT at Springfield, Illinois on the G.A. fans page from the August 1971 Stock Car Racing Magazine.

Thanks, Dennis. Should we send the story to the NASCAR PR office and the television network before Eldora??!!