Key notes: The Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series unofficially kicks off World 100 week at Eldora Speedway with Sunday’s twin 25-lap, $5,000-to-win split-field semifeatures as part of the 18th annual Baltes Classic presented by Coors Light. … The event pays tribute to Eldora founders Earl and Berneice Baltes. … It was originally slated as an Iron-Man Labor Day weekend tripleheader before Friday and Saturday’s events rained out. … Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., winner of last year’s 55th annual World 100 and Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., each split last year’s Baltes Classic split-field races, worth $5,000. … Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., topped June’s FloRacing Night in America for a $20,000 payday. … Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., earned a $30,000 Dream XXXI prelim last June. … Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, topped a Dream prelim in 2024, worth $25,000. … Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, won 2022’s Johnny Appleseed feature and $5,000. … The night’s fast qualifier will receive $500 courtesy of C&W Sales. … The Eldora Ballroom is open from 2-8 p.m. featuring food, drinks merch and outdoor games. … Modifieds and super stocks are on the undercard. … Pits open at 1 p.m. and grandstands open at 4:30 with hot laps at 6. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., seeks his second straight Baltes Classic victory to kickoff World 100 week at Eldora.

Points chase: Before Eldora: 1. Colten Burdette (1,052); 2. Rod Conley (954); 3. Miles Cook II (834); 4. Seth Daniels (823); 5. Travis Carr (699).

Expected entrants: Ricky Thornton Jr., Brandon Overton, Nick Hoffman, Josh Rice, Devin Moran, Tyler Erb, Mike Marlar, Trey Mills, Kyle Bronson, Rusty Schlenk, Frank Heckenast Jr., R.J. Conley, Kyle Strickler, Michael Chilton, Tristan Chamberlain, Colten Burdette, Seth Daniels, Rod Conley, Casey Noonan, Jerry Bowersock, Steven Roberts, Miles Cook II, Travis Carr and others.

Next series race: September 19, Muskingum County Speedway (Zanesville, OH) $10,000