The official entry forms have been submitted, preparations have been made and race fans have less than 24 hours before the kickoff of the second highest paying non-winged open-wheel event in history takes place at the legendary Eldora Speedway in Ohio. The Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals, which will see the best non-winged drivers from around the country go head-to-head in two days of fierce competition, promises to be one of the most action-packed events of the 2006 racing season.

The Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals coincides with the 25th anniversary of the historic 4-Crown Nationals. The event will offer an unprecedented $25,000 winner's paycheck to each of USAC's premier divisions (Midget, Sprint, Silver Crown) and $2,500 to the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Modified victor.

Intensifying the event is a $100,000 bonus, posted by Mopar and payable to any driver able to sweep the three USAC non-winged events. Additionally, a $25,000 "Jack Hewitt Bonus" is being posted for a clean sweep victory in all four legs of the Mopar Thunder, a stunning feat accomplished by Hewitt in 1998.

Also taking place during the two-day event, the Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge will see sixty virtual sprint car drivers clash head-to-head in the event finale at Eldora Speedway on September 23. Tim's Dirt Track Simulators traveled to various events throughout the 2006 racing season, where competitors qualified for the Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge finale. Prizes presented by Mopar for the Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge include $5,000 to the A-main event finale winner and $1,500 to the runner-up.

Tickets for the Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event are now on sale online at eldoraspeedway.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the racetrack daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or by calling 937-338-3815.

For more information regarding Eldora Speedway, Mopar, the Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event or USAC Racing, log on to eldoraspeedway.com, mopar.com, moparspeed.com or usacracing.com.

Race fans will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars of the USAC National Silver Crown, Sprint and Midget Car Series during the Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event at Eldora Speedway, as USAC will host an autograph session this Saturday. The event is scheduled to take place at 4:30 p.m. EST in the trade show building, located between Turns 3 and 4.

As the entries continue to roll in for the second running of the Mopar Thunder Weekend at Eldora, it is expected that up to 50 drivers could attend the autograph session. Josh Wise, Dave Darland, Levi Jones, Jerry Coons Jr., Tracy Hines, Darren Hagen and many more USAC stars will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos.

A few lucky fans will attend the race free of charge, as Mopar is pleased to announce the winners of the Mopar Thunder Weekend ticket contest. Tim Barr of Saegertown, Pa.; Doug Meeks of Eaton, Ohio; James Behney of Dillsburg, Pa.; and Tom Wittmuss of Springfield, Ill., were randomly selected as the winners of ticket packages, which include four tickets for both nights of the Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event at Eldora Speedway. The contest was hosted by tjslideways.com. The Web site features a survey where race fans can vote for the driver they think will claim the USAC National Sprint Car Series portion of the two-day event.

Racing is scheduled to begin at Eldora Speedway with hot laps at 6 p.m. EST this Friday. Racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday. Tickets for the Mopar Thunder @ the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event are now on sale online at eldoraspeedway.com. Race fans can purchase tickets for the marquee event in advance at the official Web site of Eldora Speedway. Tickets can also be purchased at the racetrack daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or by calling 937-338-3815.