Prelude to the Dream 2011 beneficiaries named

The seventh annual Prelude to the Dream all-star dirt Late Model race at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio is slated for June 8, and just as last year's event benefitted four of the nation's top children's hospitals, the 2011 edition will do the same — with a slight twist.

Applications are now being taken for children's hospitals from across the nation to win one of the coveted four primary beneficiary spots of the Prelude to the Dream. An application can be downloaded at www.TonyStewartFoundation.org. Hospitals have until Jan. 21 to return a completed application.

"We received a tremendous number of e-mails and phone calls from hospitals after the 2010 event asking how they could become a part of the next Prelude to the Dream," said Tony Stewart, the two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and owner of Eldora Speedway, whose Prelude to the Dream has raised more than $3 million for charity. "We felt taking this route was the fairest way to determine which hospitals partnered with us for the 2011 Prelude to the Dream.

"We're looking forward to reviewing these applications. Obviously, some difficult decisions will have to be made, but each and every children's hospital across this country is very deserving of contributions on every level for the amazing medical attention they provide for sick children. We're extremely proud to help out a few of them through the Prelude."

NASCAR superstars Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards are just a few of the drivers, along with Stewart, who have participated in past Preludes. The 2010 event even featured action sports stars Travis Pastrana and Ricky Carmichael, along with IZOD IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan.

Forthcoming details surrounding the seventh annual Prelude to the Dream can be found at www.PreludeToTheDream.org.