Eldora Speedway
Statistics of futility (or hope?) for Dream XXXI
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt managing editor
Winners get all the headlines, but sometimes the interesting stories (or statistics) require us to dig a little deeper.
Heading toward June 4-7’s Dream Week at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, we take a look at the success, or lack thereof, among drivers in the six-figure event that has been contested since 1994. | Complete Dream coverage
The statistics show futility, yes, but also hope for drivers who in many cases have shown promise at the legendary half-mile oval even if they haven’t quite broken through.
And now, on to Dream stats that list the top five including ties for various categories:
Top earnings among non-winners
(Best finish in parentheses)
$137,200 - Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C. (2nd)
$98,579 - Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y. (2nd)
$67,000 - Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill. (2nd)
$66,800 - Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa (2nd)
$59,095 - Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. (2nd)
Top lap leaders among non-winners
(Number of races led in parentheses)
98 - Scott James, Bright, Ind. (2)
95 - Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C. (2)
77 - John Gill, Mitchell, Ind. (1)
72 - Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky. (1)
67 - Jackie Boggs, Grayson, Ky. (1)
Most starts among non-winners
(Best finish in parentheses)
20 - Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill. (3rd)
17 - Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky. (4th)
17 - Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C. (2nd)
17 - Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y. (2nd)
13 - Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. (2nd)
Most top-five finishes among non-winners
(Most recent year in parentheses)
7 - Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C. (2024)
4 - Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa (2013)
4 - Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y. (2022)
3 - Ray Cook, Brasstown, N.C. (2010)
3 - Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky. (2012)
3 - Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa. (2007)
3 - Scott James, Bright, Ind. (2007)
3 - Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill. (2024)
Most top-10 finishes among non-winners
(Most recent year in parentheses)
14 - Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C. (2024)
8 - Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y. (2022)
7 - Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky. (2013)
6 - Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa (2013)
5 - Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. (2017)
Most starts without a top-five finish
11 - Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
11 - Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.
9 - Steve Shaver, Vienna, W.Va.
9 - Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
6 - Jackie Boggs, Grayson, Ky.
6 - Bart Hartman, Zanesville, Ohio
6 - Kent Robinson, Bloomington, Ind.
Most starts without a top-10 finish
7 - Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
6 - Jackie Boggs, Grayson, Ky.
4 - Delmas Conley, Wheelersburg, Ohio
4 - Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
4 - Davey Johnson, Greensburg, Pa.
Fewest starts among current national touring drivers
(At least three complete national touring seasons)
1 - Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, N.M. (2015)
1 - Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn. (2018)
2 - Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, N.C. (2023-24)
3 - Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa (2014, ’21, ’23)
5 - Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, N.C. (2018, ’21 twice, ’23-24)
Best finishes in single Dream starts
2nd - Denny Felker, Joplin, Mo. (1994)
2nd - Robbie Starnes, Starkville, Miss. (1999)
4th - Will Vaught, Crane, Mo. (2011)
5th - Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis. (1994)
6th - Jesse Lay, Walton, Ky. (1994)
6th - Tony Stewart, Columbus, Ind. (2009)
Longest stretches between Dream starts
1997-2008 - Rodney Combs, Harrisburg, N.C.
1999-2008 - Audie McWilliams, Walton, Ky.
1997-2005 - Bill Frye, Greenbrier, Ark.
1994-2002 - Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio
1997-2005 - Jerry Rice, Verona, Ky.
