PHENIX CITY, Ala. -- Just days before the opening gates at EAST ALABAMA MOTOR SPEEDWAY in Phenix City for the 35th edition of one of the oldest/storied dirt events, a history lesson is served up, to remind fans of what once was and possibly take a glimpse of what may be, as a WHO’s WHO for the National 100 chase to the checkers. Opened in March of 1973, the Thomas family began hosting a Fall event at the conclusion of its third season, which brought to the area the best dirt racers from the South. National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer (class of 2003) Bud Lunsford of Gainesville, GA took the checkered flag that day and would be followed in the early years by the likes of: Charlie Hughes, Buck Simmons, track owner/promoter Billy Thomas and Don Hester. In 1980 Tom Helfrich of Haubstadt, IN was the first non-Southerner to win the race, he would later race to victory in the $250,000 N.D.R.A. Super-Nationals event up North.

Ushering in the Camaro High Top Spoiler era, Jeff Purvis went on a tear of National 100 victories (3) in the early 80’s that is second only to Scott Bloomquist. With the Wedge era vastly approaching Billy Moyer, the late BLACK Jack Boggs and the SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN Freddy Smith all collected big November wins. 1988 marked the first appearance of the California transplanted Tennesseeian, as BLACK SUNSHINE finished third behind two-time winner Smith. Sandwiched between a pair of Bobby Thomas wins, Bloomquist would take the top prize for the first time (of 8) at EAMS in 1990, before returning for back to back National 100 crowns in 1993/94. In 1995 Jody Summerville a local Northwest Georgia racer held off second generation racer Randle Chupp for a large payday. The next season THE SHOW STOPPA would get his first of two National 100 victories, holding off Wendell Wallace and Summerville. Thus began the Bloomquist STRANGLE-HOLD as the Mooresburg, TN resident would score; a win, a second, a win, a second, a win, a win, a win, and a second spanning 1997 – 2004.

Pennsylvania’s Rick Eckert won back to back National 100 crowns in 2004/05, with Southern Favorite racer Dale McDowell thrilling his McDADDY fans taking the $30,000 prize back home to Northern Georgia. South Carolina’s Chris SMOKEY Madden won the 2007 edition of the 100 lapper, while Wisconsin’s Jimmy Mars comes into this years race as the Defending Champion. Some drivers coming CLOSE BUT NO CIGARS in the races storied past include; Brian Birkhofer (2nd in 2008), Dennis RAMBO Franklin (2nd in 2007), Clint Smith (2nd in 2005), Dan Schlieper (2nd in 2003), Earl Pearson Jr. (2nd in 1999), Bill Frye (2nd in 1997/93), THE CHATTANOOGA FLASH Ronnie Johnson (2nd in 1992), Steve Francis (2nd in 1990) and THE MILLION DOLLAR MAN Donnie Moran (2nd in 1988). As for a DARK HORSE in Vegas (cause everybody knows; What happens there…) for the 2009 event, peg Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentarsville, IL, who has been Mr. Consistency since coming to the EAMS track back in 2002.