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Every year, the Dream has a way of differentiating contenders from pretenders. The sport's biggest stars all converge at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, chasing Dirt Late Model racing's original six-figure payday, knowing a single night at the legendary half-mile can make a season — or even a legacy.
This year's field is as deep as any other, with 80-plus drivers and 11 former Eldora crown jewel victors making up the roster. From proven Eldora winners to drivers looking to break through on the sport's grandest stage, here are the 10 favorites entering Dream XXXII week, which begins Wednesday with FloRacing Night in America before Thursday’s and Friday’s 50-lap, $30,000-to-win prelims.
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The reigning three-time Dream winner remains the standard at Eldora. Davenport enters Dream week with 10 victories in 2026, three wins in May and a profile that looks all-too similar to several of his previous Dream-winning seasons. Until someone proves otherwise, the path to another Big E payday still runs through Davenport.
No driver may have more momentum entering Eldora. Hoffman arrives fresh off a career-defining $100,057 victory at Mansfield, already owns seven victories this season and finished the podium at the Dream and World 100 last year. His biggest question was whether he could deliver when six-figure money was on the line. He answered that emphatically Saturday.
Although he's yet to win the biggie, few drivers have been more consistent in Eldora's crown jewels. Madden owns six podium finishes, including five runner-ups and three straight Dream runner-ups from 2021-23, in 39 crown jewel feature starts at the Big E. He added another runner-up in last year's Dirt Track World Championship, a reminder he's still a threat.
The 2018 World 100 winner may only have two victories this season, but few drivers are better at elevating their game during Eldora crown jewels. Finishing fourth in last year's Dream and seventh in October's Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora, he has a trusty notebook — and ample experience — to draw from.
The 2014 Dream winner doesn't race as much as he once did, with just 15 starts and one victory this season, but he's still a legitimate threat at Eldora. McDowell led the first 39 laps of last year's Dream before finishing sixth and backed it up with a runner-up finish from 19th in September's World 100 after sweeping his prelim nights.
Moran enters Dream week with five victories but without a win in May and 13 races removed from his last triumph. Still, few drivers have shown the raw speed necessary to contend at Eldora over the last several seasons, and the reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion is more than capable of breaking through a mini slump this week.
No driver enters Dream week with a stronger statistical résumé than O’Neal as his13 victories and 30 podium finishes in 50 feature starts both lead all drivers this season. The one concern: he hasn't won in seven races, and since 2017, only one Dream winner has gone more than five races between victories entering Dream week — Brandon Overton, who snapped a 10-race drought before winning the postponed 2022 Dream.
The reigning World 100 winner is still searching for his first Dream triumph, but arrives at Eldora fresh off a lucrative week that included victories in the Show-Me 100 and World of Outlaws competition at Marion Center worth a combined $105,000. With 11 victories already this season, he once again enters Dream week among the surefire favorites to finally add the globe trophy to his résumé.
The 2019 Dream winner looks more like vintage Rocket Shepp than he has in several years. Eight victories, three wins in May and sustainable improvement throughout the spring have put him firmly back among the top-five contenders at Eldora this week. If he can qualify, another Dream victory is well within reach.
Thornton enters Dream week with four victories, and no driver has won the Dream with fewer than five entering the event since Dennis Erb Jr. did so with one in 2016. But the reigning World 100 winner has won twice in May, including last week's World of Outlaws triumph at Wayne County, and already knows what it takes to conquer Eldora's biggest stage, having won the World 100 last September.
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This year's field is as deep as any other, with 80-plus drivers and 11 former Eldora crown jewel victors making up the roster. From proven Eldora winners to drivers looking to break through on the sport's grandest stage, here are the 10 favorites entering Dream XXXII week, which begins Wednesday with FloRacing Night in America before Thursday’s and Friday’s 50-lap, $30,000-to-win prelims.
Watch Live
2026 Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
The reigning three-time Dream winner remains the standard at Eldora. Davenport enters Dream week with 10 victories in 2026, three wins in May and a profile that looks all-too similar to several of his previous Dream-winning seasons. Until someone proves otherwise, the path to another Big E payday still runs through Davenport.
Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, N.C.
No driver may have more momentum entering Eldora. Hoffman arrives fresh off a career-defining $100,057 victory at Mansfield, already owns seven victories this season and finished the podium at the Dream and World 100 last year. His biggest question was whether he could deliver when six-figure money was on the line. He answered that emphatically Saturday.
Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C.
Although he's yet to win the biggie, few drivers have been more consistent in Eldora's crown jewels. Madden owns six podium finishes, including five runner-ups and three straight Dream runner-ups from 2021-23, in 39 crown jewel feature starts at the Big E. He added another runner-up in last year's Dirt Track World Championship, a reminder he's still a threat.
Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
The 2018 World 100 winner may only have two victories this season, but few drivers are better at elevating their game during Eldora crown jewels. Finishing fourth in last year's Dream and seventh in October's Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora, he has a trusty notebook — and ample experience — to draw from.
Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
The 2014 Dream winner doesn't race as much as he once did, with just 15 starts and one victory this season, but he's still a legitimate threat at Eldora. McDowell led the first 39 laps of last year's Dream before finishing sixth and backed it up with a runner-up finish from 19th in September's World 100 after sweeping his prelim nights.
Devin Moran, Dresden, Ohio
Moran enters Dream week with five victories but without a win in May and 13 races removed from his last triumph. Still, few drivers have shown the raw speed necessary to contend at Eldora over the last several seasons, and the reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion is more than capable of breaking through a mini slump this week.
Hudson O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
No driver enters Dream week with a stronger statistical résumé than O’Neal as his13 victories and 30 podium finishes in 50 feature starts both lead all drivers this season. The one concern: he hasn't won in seven races, and since 2017, only one Dream winner has gone more than five races between victories entering Dream week — Brandon Overton, who snapped a 10-race drought before winning the postponed 2022 Dream.
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
The reigning World 100 winner is still searching for his first Dream triumph, but arrives at Eldora fresh off a lucrative week that included victories in the Show-Me 100 and World of Outlaws competition at Marion Center worth a combined $105,000. With 11 victories already this season, he once again enters Dream week among the surefire favorites to finally add the globe trophy to his résumé.
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
The 2019 Dream winner looks more like vintage Rocket Shepp than he has in several years. Eight victories, three wins in May and sustainable improvement throughout the spring have put him firmly back among the top-five contenders at Eldora this week. If he can qualify, another Dream victory is well within reach.
Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
Thornton enters Dream week with four victories, and no driver has won the Dream with fewer than five entering the event since Dennis Erb Jr. did so with one in 2016. But the reigning World 100 winner has won twice in May, including last week's World of Outlaws triumph at Wayne County, and already knows what it takes to conquer Eldora's biggest stage, having won the World 100 last September.
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