ROSSBURG, Ohio — Predictions for Saturday’s six Dream XXX heat races at Eldora Speedway, where the 100-lap feature pays $100,030-to-win and a division-record $6,000-to-start. Senior writer Kevin Kovac’s transfer predictions are included (complete Dream coverage):

The first time I see James Essex at most Dirt Late Model events, he’s scurrying through the pits, peeking over his glasses to say hello — and scribbling on an index card with his black uni-ball Roller fine point.

The longtime Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series announcer’s stack of 4-by-6-inch ruled index cards are his rubber-banded bible for each racing season, the holiest of holies for recalling driver hometowns, ages, chassis, engines, sponsors and more.

The decidedly old school method of MORE

There was no master plan. No business model. No publication schedule. There was nothing except a decision, on a whim, to launch an online news source for Dirt Late Model racing.

It was 25 years ago this week that I produced the first emailed report for DirtNews Digest, which began my motorsports journalism career and helped guide me, for better or worse, to where I am now.

And 24 years and 51 weeks ago, I clearly remember thinking: What in the world have I gotten myself into?

Because suddenly, MORE