NASCAR Truck Series: Who are the favorites to win the 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby?

The 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby is scheduled to take place this evening. Which NASCAR Truck Series drivers are the favorites to win at Eldora Speedway?

Rossburg, Ohio is set to host the NASCAR Truck Series for the annual race at the half-mile dirt track, Eldora Speedway. The 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby is the seventh installment of this classic race.

The Eldora Dirt Derby is becoming a crown jewel race for the Truck Series. It is unique because it is the only dirt race in any of the three major NASCAR series. Due to the its uniqueness, the 2019 version boasts another interesting entry list.

Only 32 drivers are entered for the race, so everyone will make the feature, although the last chance race still will take place. Instead of sending anyone home early, it will merely determine starting positions.

In addition to the series regulars who are vying for the three remaining playoff berths, there are several drivers either debuting in the Truck Series or returning simply for the Eldora Dirt Derby.

Part-time ARCA Menards Series driver Carson Hocevar is set to make his Truck Series debut driving the #3 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet. With Hocevar being a member of Drivers Edge Development, the Eldora Dirt Derby will likely be the first of many Truck Series races for the promising 16-year-old from Portage, Michigan.

Returning to the Truck Series for the first time since the 2016 Eldora Dirt Derby is Jake Griffin. He is set to drive the #03 Mike Affarano Motorsports Chevrolet. The team have not competed in the Truck Series since they failed to qualify for the Eldora Dirt Derby last season.

Of all the dirt ringers, Kyle Strickler likely has the best shot to win. He is set to drive the #54 DGR-Crosley Toyota. He competed in the 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby. Driving the #63 MB Motorsports Chevrolet, he finished his heat race in fifth place and therefore started in 23rd.

In the feature, he finished in 31st place after a crash on lap 145 of 153. This season, he is set to drive a better team, one which earned their first Truck Series victory at Kentucky Speedway a few weeks ago. Strickler’s dirt track experience and his team will definitely make him one to pay attention to.

However, Strickler and the other dirt ringers are faced with the same issue. None of them compete regularly in the Truck Series. A dirt ringer has not won the Eldora Dirt Derby before. Bobby Pierce came close, but the Eldora Dirt Derby winner has always competed in at least one Truck Series race before.

So who are the favorites to win the 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway?