While NASCAR is beginning to rebuild some of its lost fan base, a growing attendance in grass roots racing just gets bigger and better. No one has done more for dirt racing than three-time NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart.

His race promotions and huge payouts attract racers and fans alike. On June 10, he has the Late Model Dream, a race that pays $129,000 to the winner at his Eldora Speedway in Rossburg.

July 13 will be the largest paying Sprint car race in the nation with The Eldora Million paying $1,002,023 to the winner. Then, the 40th annual Kings Royal for Sprint cars paying $175,00 to win will be held on July 15.

Lernerville Speedway just south of Butler Pa. will play host to the Lucas Oil Late Models for the Firecracker 100 paying $50,000 to the victor. Joining them will be the RUSH Late Models with a cool $20,000 to the winner.

There are several more examples across the country. At one point, races with a $10,000 payout to the winner were considered big payouts. Now, it is pretty common on a weekly basis. NASCAR champion Kyle Larson who has won in every type of race car he has driven stated “I hate when they say I step down to race on dirt. It’s not a step down it’s so hard to win against so many talented drivers”

Ohio Speed week returns to the Buckeye state as the All-Star Circuit of Champions’ grueling schedule crisscrosses the state for seven nights of racing. Attica Raceway Park starts things off on June 9. After visiting Freemont and Wayne County for two nights, Sharon Speedway will have the action on June 13. The series then goes to Atomic Speedway before ending at Eldora on the 16.

While dirt track racing is an American sport it all started in 33 A.D. and it has come a long way. The biggest sporting event was the Thundering Chariots in Rome. Teams raced on 3/10 to ½ mile flat dirt ovals. Heat races had four teams in each race. It’s amazing that there are some of the same-size tracks as now and with a similar format.

In 532 A.D., after a disputed heat race, fighting spilled out of the stadium and moved uptown. When things were finally over, 30,000 citizens were dead. And you thought there were fans and drivers who got worked up at your favorite track.

Even back then the idea was to build the lightest chariots. Lead going into the first turn and go for the bottom. There was a large market for ceramic figures for top drivers. Races were started by a celebrity dropping a huge hanky, now it’s the green flag.

Crowds of 150,000 showed up in Rome to see the brave and highly trained teams of slaves and prisoners, who if they won enough became a celebrity. When the race was over the winner took a victory lap in a clean white robe, now it’s the carrying of the checkered flag.

Injury and death were part of the routine back then. That my friends is where it all started. Amazing how some of the earliest traditions evolved into what we see today.