ROSSBURG, Ohio – Eldora Speedway officials announced Saturday The Historical Big 1 – the original $100,000-to-win sprint car race – will return in 2022 after a 19-year absence.
First held in 1993, Eldora Speedway founder Earl Baltes chose an early August weekend to promote The Historical Big One on 11 occasions through 2003.
The modern-day iteration will continue the tradition of paying $100,000-to-win. However, the purse will be expanded, pay deeper throughout the field, and the event will take place on the Thursday night of the 39th Kings Royal Week, which will officially expand to four days in 2022.
As part of Kings Royal Week, The Historical Big 1 expands on the multiple-year agreement announced in November 2020 between Eldora Speedway and World Racing Group. The event will be sanctioned by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and livestreamed exclusively on DIRTVision.
Past winners of the event include Jac Haudenschild, who won the inaugural event; followed by fellow Holmes County, Ohio-native Kenny Jacobs in 1994; and Steve Kinser in 1995 and 2000. They were followed by: Mark Kinser (1996); Dave Blaney (1997); Dale Blaney (1998); Kevin Gobrecht (1999); P.J. Chesson (2001); Donny Schatz (2002); and Daryn Pittman (2003).