ROSSBURG, Ohio — Stewart Friesen was the winner of the pole award at Eldora Speedway for the fifth-annual Eldora Dirt Derby.

Friesen turned a lap of 90.000 mph to take the pole position. However, because of the format of the Eldora race, it does not mean he will start on the pole. He will have to win his heat race to maintain that spot.

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ROSSBURG, Ohio — The showcase race for the Camping World Truck Series, the Eldora Dirt Derby, brings with it some unusual rules once a season when the trucks take to the dirt in Ohio.

Here are a few notes from the drivers meeting tonight:

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ROSSBURG, Ohio — Cody Coughlin will lead the trucks out for single-truck qualifying at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Historically drivers who have gone out early have qualified toward the front for the heat races that set the final lineup for the 150-lap main event.

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Austin Cindric leads Johnny Sauter during Camping World Truck Series final practice at Eldora Tuesday.
Eric Young/The SuperSpeedway

Rossburg, Ohio — The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take to the dirt Wednesday night once again as the green flag waves at Eldora Speedway for the fifth-annual Eldora Dirt Derby.

Thirty-four trucks will take the green flag Wednesday night, and the crowd has a good chance to see a first-time winner in the event, as the only returning winner will be the one who took home the jar of dirt from the front stretch in 2015, Christopher Bell. Bell told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio this week that while his ultimate goal is to keep improving on asphalt, he would like to get another win on the famed dirt track.

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ROSSBURG, Ohio — Final practice is over for the Camping World Truck Series for the Eldora Dirt Derby, and a new name was at the top of the board with Caleb Homan leading the pack with the fast time.

Homan ran an average speed of 90.068, which was slower than Stewart Friesen’s fast lap of 92.086 in the first practice.

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While we’re not here covering the Super DirtCar Series, they are running between practice sessions here at Eldora today and between races tomorrow as well. Here are a few photos from the heat races tonight.

Stewart Friesen led the first practice for the Camping World Truck Series’ Eldora Dirt Derby Tuesday night. Friesen ran a lap of 92.066. Ty Dillon was second with an average speed of 91.570, Christopher Bell was third (91.384), Ben Rhodes was fourth (91.042) and Rico Abreu rounded out the top five. Scroll down for full practice results.

Here are a few shots from the first Camping World Truck Series practice for the 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby.

Matt Crafton tries out the low line in turn four during the first practice.

Noah Gragson runs up near the cushion.

Ty Dillon runs through turn two. Dillon was the second fastest in the first practice session.

The only former winner of the Dirt Derby in the field, Christopher Bell, takes his truck down the backstretch early in the first practice.

I will be reporting live from Eldora Speedway Tuesday and Wednesday for the Edora Dirt Derby Camping World Truck Series race. I have arrived at the track and will be posting updates and stories here and on Twitter — Follow me @eric8199.

Truck series practice kicks off tonight with two 55-minute practice sessions at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Below is the “weekend” schedule:

Tuesday, July 18:
7 p.m. — NCWTS First Practice
9 p.m. — NCWTS Final Practice

Wednesday, July 19
1 p.m. — Garage opens
4:30 p.m. — NCWTS Drivers Meeting
5 p.m. — NCWTS Qualifying (Single Vehicle/Two Laps)
7:30 p.m. — NCWTS Qualifying Race 1 (10 laps)
7:39 p.m. — NCWTS Qualifying Race 2 (10 laps)
7:48 p.m. — NCWTS Qualifying Race 3 (10 laps)
7:57 p.m. — NCWTS Qualifying Race 4 (10 laps)
8:06 p.m. — NCWTS Qualifying Race 5 (10 laps)
8:45 p.m. — NCWTS Last Chance Qualifying Race (15 laps)
9:10 p.m. — NCWTS Driver Introductions
9:30 p.m. — NCWTS Race (150 laps / 40-50-60, 75 miles)

There are 34 drivers entered for 34 places.

Recap of the Overton’s 301 from Louden

• Hamlin/JGR finally get to victory lane. 20-race winless streak
• How was the race? Did the VHT help or hurt it?
• Winners and Losers?
• Logano – has to win to get in now?
  • Nascar took a shock from Joey’s car during the race.

Discussion Topics:

• Kyle Larson penalized in Qualifying – Didn’t NASCAR technically take a win away?
  • Claire B. talked Sunday morning about how this part could be adjusted in error
• Kyle Busch says he will retire from the Xfinity series when he gets 100 wins. He’s at 89 now. 38 in Cup. 48 in Trucks. Total of 175 wins across the three top series. Said his goal was 200. How big is this?

Let’s talk Eldora – truck race returns to dirt next Wednesday

• Entries: Bobby Pierce and Rico Abreu will race. Larson will not.
• Ty Dillon is the only Cup driver entered.
• 31 drivers entered in the 32-truck field. No one will go home. Any reason to run a last chance race?
• Is this race still the big deal it once was?
• What are the chances we see one of the other series go to dirt, either here or somewhere else?
• James’ Pick:
• Eric’s Pick:

Preview: Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400

• What to expect.
• James’ Pick:
• Eric’s Pick:  

Shout outs

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Show Notes:

-Recap of the Quaker State 400 from Kentucky

– Truex… Is there anything else? lol

-Winners and losers?

Discussion:

• Larson docked 35 points and CC suspended 3 races. Now 34 being Truex. Non-conforming rear brake cooling assembly.
• Keselowski comments about it being time for a new car worthy of the sport.
• Tire Dragon on the bottom lane issue
• Richmond International Raceway is now Richmond Raceway – will undergo an infield redevelopment project before the fall 2018 race.

Silly Season Stuff:

– Kenseth Out at JGR. What are the next dominos to fall.

– Visser does not expect to have the 77 back yet.

– Kenseth to 88 as a stop gap

– James thought: Kenseth aging out of the sport

Preview: Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire

• NHMS to put down VHT in the top groove.
• What to expect.
• Eric’s Pick: Kevin Harvick
• Eric’s Dark Horse: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
• James’ Pick: Ryan Newman
• Jame’s Dark Horse: Clint Bowyer

Shout outs

• James: Pete Pistone @PPistone
• Eric: Aaron Bearden @AaronBearden93

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