Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year contender Dillon McCowan shared that his Eldora Dream turned into a nightmare just 30 miles away from home.

McCowan shared in a post to social media, “We had a Dream, an Eldora Speedway dream, that abruptly turned into a nightmare last night.”

“Nothing like being stranded 30 miles from home in the Walmart parking lot,” he explained. “But on a positive note mom came & took us to lunch today 🤣. Wish us luck that we can still make it 🤞🫣 🏁”

Based on photos shared in the post, it appears something happened to McCowan’s hauler.

McCowan’s shop is in Urbana, Missouri, which is about 8-10 hours from Eldora Speedway. Depending on what the problem is with his hauler and how long it might take to get it fixed or replaced, he should be able to still get to Eldora in time for the FloRacing Night in America race on Wednesday and definitely plenty of time to arrive before Thursday night, where he is scheduled to compete in the first Dirt Late Model Dream preliminary.

This will be McCowan’s first time competing in the Dirt Late Model Dream, which makes him eligible for the race’s Rookie Program that includes “over $10,000 in bonus money to the top 12 rookies at each of the Dirt Late Model Dream and World 100, based on Saturday finishing positions.” The top performing rookie driver in the event will win $3,000. The rookie program is being enhanced this year by Coltman Farms Racing.

We have some exciting initiatives underway as we lead into DLM Dream Week! Eldora and Coltman Farms Racing have partnered to create a new multi-layer program designed to support competitors, recognize rising talent and celebrate elite performance during Eldora’s biggest Dirt Late… pic.twitter.com/MnI4JhpOL3

— ELDORA SPEEDWAY (@EldoraSpeedway) June 2, 2026

The format for the Dirt Late Model Dream sees the field split into two different qualifying nights. The track explains, “Each driver will compete in one preliminary night program – Thursday or Friday. Drivers may request a particular night, but officials cannot guarantee all requests get fulfilled. Ultimately, Thursday and Friday fields will be competitively balanced for the good of both competitors and fans.”

The qualifying order for these nights will be based on a random draw. Drivers will then take on hot laps and qualifying. The heat races are different from your typical standard program in that they will be inverted. After the heats there will be B-Features and then the 50-Lap $30,000 to-win A-Feature.

On Saturday, there will be six heat races that are seeded through the track’s Every Lap Matters points system that is based on the preliminary nights and then inverted based on the spin of the track’s Wheel of Misfortune. There will then be two B-Features and finally the Dirt Late Model Dream.

The Every Lap Matters points system awards drivers points based on how they qualify, where they finish in the heat races, and how they finish in the feature. Points are also awarded to the first 10 cars that do not qualify for the feature. Here’s how the point system breaks down: 

Multi-Car Qualifying: the field will be split into two flights for Multi-Car Qualifying (Flight 1 & 2). Each flight earns points separately for their results – 1st) 100; 2nd) 98; 3rd) 96; 4th) 94; 5th) 92; 6th) 90; 7th) 88; 8th) 86; 9th) 84; 10th) 82; and balance of field decreases by 2 points per position.

Heat Races: 1st) 100; 2nd) 97; 3rd) 94; 4th) 91; 5th) 88; 6th) 85; 7th) 82; 8th) 79; 9th) 76; 10th) 73; 11th) 70; 12th) 67; 13th) 64; 14th) 61; 15th) 58; 16th) 55; 17th) 52; 18th) 49; 19th) 46; 20th) 43

Last Chance Showdowns: first 10 cars not advancing from any LCS) 222; 219; 216; 213; 210; 207; 204; 201; 198; 195 and balance of field decreases by 3 points per position.

A-Features: 1st) 300; 2nd) 297; 3rd) 294; 4th) 291; 5th) 288; 6th) 285; 7th) 282; 8th) 279; 9th) 276; 10th) 273; 11th) 270; 12th) 267; 13th) 264; 14th) 261; 15th) 258; 16th) 255; 17th) 252; 18th) 249; 19th) 246; 20th) 243; 21st) 240; 22nd) 237; 23rd) 234; 24th) 231; 25th)228; and 26th)225

There are 83 drivers and teams registered to compete in the event this year. Gresham will compete on Thursday night while Joiner and Overton will battle each other on Friday night.

NEXT: Hunt The Front, Mario Gresham, And Brandon Overton Reveal Their Dirt Late Model Dream Wraps