ROSSBURG, OH (January 23) -- With Eldora Speedway promoter Earl Baltes putting the finishing touches to his soon to be announced 2004 slate of events, he has indicated that among the many sanctioning bodies he has aligned himself with is the Indianapolis, Indiana based United States Auto Club (USAC), and three of their National divisions.

Six race meets, featuring seven nights of racing, have been inked with USAC, according to Baltes, including the return of the Four Crown Nationals, after a one-year hiaturs, in its usual September time slot. Highlighted will be USAC´s National Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown divisions, along with the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Modifieds over the weekend of September 24 and 25. With a rich 22-year tradition, the Four Crown took a leave of absence last year to allow for the running of the successful Mopar Million.

It was the success of the Mopar Million that prompted Baltes to add another prestigious event to his menu - that of the Mopar Thunder, which will replace the Historical Big One the first weekend in August. Prize money in excess of $166,000 will await the non-winged USAC Sprints Saturday, August 7 as Mopar continues to ally with Eldora. The 40-lap main event will reward the winner with $50,000, while all starters are guaranteed a minimum of $2,000.

Other USAC events on the agenda include the third annual running of the Buckeye Nationals on June 19 with the Sprint and Midget divisions, while the Sprints will compete April 3 in their Midwestern opener and again on May 1, which will serve as the final night of Border Wars X. Border Wars begins the night before (April 30) at the Gas City I-69 Speedway.

Baltes hinted that the full schedule, which will include many other sanctioning bodies, will be released with 2 - 3 weeks.




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