Sharon Speedway PR

"410" SPRINT CARS TO BE FEATURED ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AT SHARON IN 2025

By Mike Leone

October 8, 2024                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

(Hartford, OH)...While Mother Nature put a damper on the 2024 Sharon Speedway season finale on September 28 that was to feature the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, management is already looking ahead to 2025.  For the first time since 2010, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "410" Sprint Cars presented by Bala Management will be featured on a consistent basis on Saturday nights in 2025!

The "410" Sprint Cars were scheduled nine times in 2024 with five of them being completed as David Gravel, Ryan Smith, Danny Dietrich, Dale Blaney, and Dave Blaney were victorious.  That number will greatly increase in 2025 as the division is showcased on a regular basis including the return of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars for a pair of appearances once again.          

"We're looking forward to having the '410' Sprint Cars on a much more frequent basis in 2025," expressed GM Dave Willoughby.  "We've increased the payoffs three times in recent years, and in turn, the racers and fans have certainly supported us well with large car counts and crowds.  Having DIRTVision stream our races the last two years has brought more awareness to the quality of racing that takes place."

Stay tuned for more details on the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "410" Sprint Cars presented by Bala Management in 2025 along with more information on the 96th anniversary season.

Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305.  For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @sharonspdwy.

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WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CARS TO CAP OFF 95TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON AT SHARON ON SATURDAY; ECONO MODS ALSO IN ACTION

By Mike Leone

September 25, 2024               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

(Hartford, OH)... Sharon Speedway will close out the 2024 racing season this Saturday night (September 28) with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in the Federated Auto Parts Showdown!  Also in competition are the Whelen Econo Mods presented by Alcon Mechanical as they bring down the curtain on the 95th anniversary season.  Warmups will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by qualifying and racing on Hovis Auto & Truck Supply night.

Saturday's appearance by the World of Outlaws will be their second visit of 2024 at Sharon.  The "Greatest Show on Dirt" was the season opener at Sharon back on May 18 as David Gravel pocketed the $12,000 payday for his first career Sharon win.  Once again, $12,000 to-win/$1,200 to-start will be on the line on Saturday night.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars completed both events in 2023 as the May show was won by 10-time Series Champion, Donny Schatz, for his first Sharon "410" feature win!  Brad Sweet topped the September show for the second straight year in route to his fifth Series championship.  In 2021, Dave Blaney won in spectacular fashion over Sheldon Haudenschild for his 95th career WoO win, but first since 1997! 

Prior to 2021, the World of Outlaws last appeared at Sharon on June 1, 2007 when the "King of the Outlaws", Steve Kinser, scored the victory.  Kinser leads the way at Sharon with four WoO wins, while Danny Lasoski is the only other repeat winner besides Sweet with victories in 2002 and 2004.  Besides Schatz and Blaney, other single WoO winners at Sharon include Jac Haudenschild (2006), Jason Meyers (2005), and Joey Saldana (2002). 

Entering this weekend, David Gravel sits atop the World of Outlaws points in search of his first Series championship.  Gravel, who has a Series best 14 victories, maintains a 90-point lead on Carson Macedo.  Macedo is also second best with the Series in wins with nine.  Schatz, the 10-time Series Champion, is third in points with four wins.  Buddy Kofoid has had an excellent rookie season with five victories and is fourth in points ahead of 2023 rookie-of-the-year, Gio Scezli, who has three wins.

Though he's sixth in points, fan favorite Sheldon Haudenschild has the third most wins on the season with eight.  Federated Auto Parts backed central Pennsylvania racer, Logan Schuchart, is seventh with one win.  Completing the top 10 in points are rookie Bill Balog, central Pa. racer Brock Zearfoss, and rookie Landon Crawley aboard the Jason Sides-owned #7s.  Just outside the top 10 in points are Kraig Kinser and the Bill Rose-owned #6 entry.  Though not a Platinum Series racer, Missouri's Garet Williamson, is 13th in points and will be making his Sharon debut on Saturday.      

Sharon has completed five "410" Sprint Car events thus far in 2024 with five different winners and big car counts at each one!  Gravel topped a 45-car field on May 18 with the WoO.  On June 1, central PA invader Ryan Smith won the $4,000 Western PA Speedweek event for the second time in four years as 46 cars were hand.  Danny Dietrich, another member of the PA Posse, won the $5,000 FAST-sanctioned Ohio Sprint Speedweek event on June 12 with 53 cars on hand!  Dale Blaney was victorious for the 21st time of his career at Sharon on July 27 winning the $4,000 event.  And most recently, Dave Blaney won the $12,000 "Lou Blaney Memorial" last Saturday night over a 38-car field in what was his 38th and final career win at Sharon as he announced his retirement in victory lane.

Completing the two-division program will be the Whelen Econo Mods presented by Alcon Mechanical in an $800 to-win/$160 to-start event.  It'll be the second appearance by Economod Mania Tour event in their season finale.  At the last event on August 24, Jeremy Double topped a season high 34-car field for his all-time division leading 23rd career Sharon win.  Joe Gabrielson and Dennis Lunger, Jr. both have a pair of Sharon victories this season.  Lunger leads the Economod Mania Tour points over Jacob Eucker, Jarrett Young, Garrett Calvert, and Double.

Summit Racing Equipment will present the hard charger award on Saturday night to the Econo Mods.  The driver that passes the most cars in the feature will receive a $100 Summit gift card.  In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker will be the driver that finishes highest in the feature.

The Performance Bodies "Nosed Out" program will award a $100 Performance Bodies gift card redeemable only at Wedge Motorsports to a driver in the Econo Mods.  The recipient will be the driver that most closely beat out another competitor for any finishing position on the lead lap. Tiebreaker will be the driver with the best finishing position.

There is no Sharon registration fee for the Econo Mods.  One-way driver radios are mandatory; channel 454.000.  AMB/MyLaps transponders are required; rentals available for $25.  If you have yet to register for the 2024 season, please bring the registration form with you completed https://www.sharonspeedway.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=899241

Fans can not only experience viewing from the frontstretch and backstretch grandstands, but also from the infield fan zone, which includes concessions and restrooms.  Sharon is the only track in the area to have viewing from the unique infield perspective.  There will be times throughout the night when fans can cross on the frontstretch back and forth.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m.  Grandstand gates will open at 4 p.m.  Warmups will get underway at 6:30 p.m. followed by Sprint Car qualifying with heat races scheduled for 7:30. 

General admission for those 13 and over is $35 in advance and $40 on Saturday, while reserve tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on Saturday for all ages.  Students 6-12 are $10 for general admission.  Kids five and under are free.  Pit passes are $45.  Advance and reserved tickets can be purchased at the following link: https://mpv.tickets....&eventId=104123

Reserved seats are the top five rows of all frontstretch grandstands.  Patio and VIP fan suite seats are sold out.  As a reminder, stadium seats, coolers nor outside food or beverages are not permitted.   Camping permits are $25 and can be reserved at the following link: https://www.simpleti...-tickets-153713

Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305.  For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @sharonspdwy.

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DAVE BLANEY CALLS IT A CAREER AFTER WINNING THE "LOU BLANEY MEMORIAL" FOR THE 3RD TIME WITH THE "410" SPRINTS AT SHARON; ERICK RUDOLPH CAPS OFF CHAMPIONSHIP BRP TOUR SEASON WITH 3RD MOD WIN

By Mike Leone

September 21, 2024               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hartford, OH)…After some early morning rain, the skies cleared and turned into a beautiful day at Sharon Speedway for the rescheduled 16th annual "Lou Blaney Memorial" on Saturday night.  The event got underway on August 17 until rain overspread the area after Sprint Car qualifying.  On that night, Ryan Blaney was on hand to remember his grandfather, raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association and celebrate his 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.  While Ryan was unable to return on Saturday, the fans packed the grandstands for the largest crowd of the season outside of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car event.  Sixty-nine race cars were on hand for the two-division show as Dave Blaney (Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "410" Sprint Cars presented by Bala Management) and Erick Rudolph (BRP Big-Block Modified Tour) celebrated in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane.   

There's no better way to go out in sports than doing it on top and on Saturday night Dave Blaney decided the time was right.  The National Sprint Car Hall of Famer regained the lead back from Ryan Smith on lap eight then held off a last lap charge by central Pennsylvania standout Danny Dietrich to win the 30-lap "Lou Blaney Memorial" for the third time.  In the 16-year history, Blaney is the only Sprint Car driver to win the event more than once and Saturday night's sendoff in memory of his father was worth $12,000 for the 95-time World of Outlaws winner and 1995 champion, who began his career in 1981.  Blaney also won the event in 2014 and became the first repeat winner in 2018.   

"This is big," expressed the emotional 61-year-old Hartford, Ohio native.  "This is a race Dale (Blaney) and I try to win every year.  To beat that guy (Danny Dietrich) in my last race...because I'm officially done right now- there's no better way to retire than to win this one." 

"It was a great race," added Blaney.  "I don't think I was the fastest car by any means.  The 6 (Smith) had trouble and the 48 (Dietrich) was all over me, but we hung on.  I tried to protect and saw where Danny was getting his runs from.  You don't think too much and run as hard as you can and hope you don't give him a lane to drive up in front of you.  I can't believe we did it- this is awesome.  Thank you to everyone for coming out."

Blaney drew the pole for the feature and took off in the lead over Smith and fellow National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Tim Shaffer.  Brandon Spithaler had the top working going sixth to fourth on the opening lap then drove around Shaffer for third.  Smith found the topside to his liking as he made the pass of Blaney off turn two to lead lap three.  By lap four, the lead trio of Smith, Blaney, and Spithaler pulled away from the pack until a caution for Greg Wilson with four laps scored.  Wilson had charged from 20th to 12th before clipping an infield tire and knocking the front end out.

Back under green, eyes shifted to northern Ohio standout Cap Henry.  Henry started seventh and moved into the top five on lap five then drove under Shaffer for fourth on lap six.  Back up front, Smith was setting a good pace.  Smith, who won the $4,000 Western PA Speedweek event on June 1 at Sharon, was trying for a payoff of three times that for the central Pa. based BJD Motorsports team.  Smith though got into the turn four fence on lap eight allowing Blaney to regain the lead.  Spithaler then passed Smith for second on lap 10 before a caution for Logan McCandless.  Under caution Smith had to pit with a flat tire.

Henry and Dietrich were swapping fourth place back and forth with Dietrich getting the spot before the caution then inherited third when Smith exited.  When racing resumed on lap 11, Henry regained third.  By the halfway point, the top three of Blaney, Spithaler, and Henry opened up ground on the rest of the field.  Henry snuck under and past Spithaler for second on lap 18 with Dietrich following in third one lap later.  Spithaler got into the fence and slowed with a flat tire to bring out the event's final caution with 19 laps scored. 

The caution wasn't what Henry wanted to see as it appeared as if he had the fastest car and a great opportunity to overtake Blaney for the lead.  Henry was fresh off a $30,000 victory one week ago at Fremont Speedway and had his sights set on a fourth career Sharon win.  When green replaced yellow on lap 20, Dietrich passed Henry once again- this time for second, and two laps later lost third to Cale Thomas. 

With five laps to go, Dietrich closed in on Blaney.  The two raced side-by-side in turns three and four for several laps.  On the final lap, Blaney ducked low in lapped traffic opening up the top lane for Dietrich.  It appeared Dietrich may have had enough momentum to sweep around Blaney in turn two, but Blaney got to the top just in time to shunt his run.  Then Dietrich tried to get under Blaney in turn three, but Blaney shut the door just in time.  Blaney took his Ryan Blaney Family Foundation/DRE Custom Trailers-sponsored #10 to his 38th career Sharon victory by 0.519 seconds.  Blaney also became the season's fifth different winner in five "410" Sprint Car races.

Dietrich, who won the $5,000 Ohio Speedweek show on June 12, settled for the $4,000 runner-up after making the last minute decision to bring the Gary Kauffman-owned #48 west after the morning rainout at BAPS Motor Speedway.  "I raced my ass off and it's a tough one to swallow with a four and a half four drive back home but I have a lot of respect for that guy (Dave Blaney)," stated the 36-year-old Gettysburg, Pa. driver.  "We come here to win and don't make any friends on the race track, but you have to race him with respect for one of the most respectful people on the race track.  It's fun to race with him.  He's fast here so to run second- we'll take it, but wish we were one spot better." 

"I feel like we were a tick better than him at the end there," continued Dietrich.  "He doesn't make any mistakes.  I knew he could see me and had to have heard me for awhile.  I thought if I could rattle his cage and maybe get in front of him, but I didn't want to crash him or myself.  I know how special this race is to the Blaney Family and it's a race he should ultimately win.  It's pretty cool to be able to run this race.  Thanks to everyone for coming out- it's a packed house and I love to see it.  I love Sharon and love coming out here when we can.  If the situation is the same next week maybe we'll back for the Outlaws.  We have a pretty damn good car for this place." 

Fifth starting Thomas came on late to finish third in Jay Kiser's #23.  After winning the Attica Raceway Park track championship on Friday night with a runner-up finish, Henry, the 2024 AFCS Champion, settled for fourth in Jeff Ward's #33w.  Shaffer was fifth in the Demyan/Rudzik #49x.  Dale Blaney, who won the 2019 "Lou Blaney Memorial", took the Tiger Barris #32B from the 14th starting spot to a 6th place finish.  Cole Duncan was 7th after starting 12th.  Completing the top 10 were A.J. Flick, Carl Bowser, and Ricky Peterson.

Spithaler set fast time overall against the 38-car field in qualifying with a lap of 13.769 to earn $250 from Knox Bakery.  Heat winners were Lee Jacobs, Henry, Shaffer, and Dave Blaney, while Michael Bauer won the last chance B main.  Eight drivers were unable to return from the August 17 rainout meaning a total of 46 different Sprints were on hand between the two nights.

Erick Rudolph joined Dave Blaney as a three-time winner of the "Lou Blaney Memorial" on the Big-Block Modified side.  The New York standout capped off his third straight BRP Tour championship and fifth of his career by passing Mike Kinney on lap 15 to capture the victory in the 35-lap Hovis Auto & Truck Supply feature worth $2,500.  It was also Rudolph's third Sharon win of the season as he won in all three appearances worth a total of $6,500.   

"This is the first time we've come here this year when the track was slick from top to bottom," acknowledged the 32-year-old Ransomville, NY racer.  "It took us a handful of laps to get going but then the car came alive and I was along for the ride.  I was able to do what my car wanted to do as it was dialed in.  It's been a great season and this locked us in for the championship.  I have to thank my family for all the support at home, and all the guys that come with me each and every race to make sure the car is in tip top shape which makes it easy for me.   I also have to thank all of my sponsors to make sure we have exactly what we need to go up and down the road."

Rex King, Jr. drew the pole and took off in the early lead over Kinney and Garrett Krummert.  King, who won the 2014 and 2019 events, was also looking for his third event win as he pulled away on lap three.  The battle was on for second as Kinney was trying to fend off Krummert and Rudolph before a caution for Steve Slater with 10 laps completed. 

When racing resumed on lap 11, fifth starting Rudolph took third from Krummert.  Kinney surprised everyone as he went to the top and drove around King in turn four to lead lap 12.  Rudolph would get by King for second on lap 14 before a four-car accident in turn three.  Back under green on lap 15, Kinney got too high and hit the fence allowing Rudolph to make the winning pass.  King regained second on lap 17 getting by Kinney.  A caution for Rodney Beltz slowed action for the final time of the event with 19 laps completed.

In the final 16 laps, King stayed within striking distance and closed late in lapped traffic, but Rudolph held on to win by 0.797 seconds.  Rudolph's seventh career Sharon win came in the Briggs Motorsports-owned, Stirling Lubricants/Highmark/Nationals Maintenance Contracting/Snyder Industries/United Steelworkers-sponsored #25.  Rudolph has now won three of the last five "Lou Blaney Memorial" events for the Modifieds and has given outside invaders five straight wins against the locals.

After finishing fifth in his first ever Sharon appearance on August 10, Canadian Dalton Slack returned and did two spots better after starting eighth.  Krummert was fourth.  Kinney dropped to fifth, but still a great effort for the former UMP Modified racer.  Ninth starting Jeremiah Shingledecker was sixth.  Tyler Willard, another Canadian, was seventh over Jordan Ehrenberg and Dave Murdick.  Brad Rapp raced from 18th to 10th.  Jeff Miller went 22nd to 12th and earned the $100 Summit Racing Equipment hard charger gift card.

Heat winners were Rudolph, Krummert, Murdick, and Willard, while third generation racer, Hayden Holden, won the last chance B main in his second visit.  There were 31 cars on hand, and like the Sprint Cars, eight drivers were unable to return from August 17 bringing the count to 39 different cars. 

The next and final event of the 2024 season will be next Saturday ( September 28) for the return of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series for $12,000 to-win.  The Economod Mania Tour will also be on hand for $800 to-win presented by Alcon Mechanical.  Reserved seats and advance general admission tickets are available through the WoO at https://mpv.tickets....&eventId=104123.  Tickets will be available at the gates.  The event will not sell out. 

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "410 Sprint Cars presented by Bala Management "Lou Blaney Memorial" (30 laps, $12,000 to-win): 1. 10-DAVE BLANEY[1]; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich[4]; 3. 23-Cale Thomas[5]; 4. 33W-Cap Henry[7]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer[3]; 6. 32B-Dale Blaney[14]; 7. 22D-Cole Duncan[12]; 8. 2-AJ Flick[11]; 9. 11-Carl Bowser[13]; 10. 98-Ricky Peterson[9]; 11. 81-Lee Jacobs[8]; 12. 20B-Cody Bova[15]; 13. 40-George Hobaugh Jr[22]; 14. 46-Michael Bauer[21]; 15. 08-Dan Kuriger[16]; 16. 5K-Adam Kekich[24]; 17. 11N-Kasey Jedrzejek[17]; 18. 1-Nate Dussel[10]; 19. 22-Brandon Spithaler[6]; 20. 5-Jeremy Weaver[23]; 21. 6B-Ryan Smith[2]; 22. 29M-Logan McCandless[18]; 23. 13-Brandon Matus[19]; 24. W20-Greg Wilson[20].

DNQ for the feature: 3-John Jerich, 29-Dan Shetler, 27K-Jeremy Kornbau, 7NY-Matt Farnham, 6-Bob Felmlee, 3V-Chris Verda, 33-Brent Matus, 90-Jordan Givler, 5-Jordan Harble, 47-Brett Brunkenhoefer, 47L-Dusty Larson, 15-Mitch Harble, 31C-Chase Metheney, 21N-Andy Priest.

BRP Tour for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds "Lou Blaney Memorial" (35 laps, $2,500 to-win): 1. 25-ERICK RUDOLPH[5]; 2. 165-Rex King Jr[1]; 3. 3RS-Dalton Slack[8]; 4. 29-Garrett Krummert[3]; 5. 20P-Mike Kinney[2]; 6. 37MD-Jeremiah Shingledecker[9]; 7. 777-Tyler Willard[10]; 8. JD57-Jordan Ehrenberg[4]; 9. 61-Dave Murdick[7]; 10. 11R-Brad Rapp[18]; 11. 32-Jim Rasey[11]; 12. 75-Jeff Miller[22]; 13. 5C-Ayden Cipriano[19]; 14. 18-Colton Walters[15]; 15. 27H-Hayden Holden[21]; 16. 18W-Jeff Walters[23]; 17. 3K-Shawn Kozar[20]; 18. 25B-Steve Barr[24]; 19. 13-Rick Regalski Jr[17]; 20. 64-Rodney Beltz[6]; 21. 9-Will Thomas[14]; 22. 26-Kyle Richner[16]; 23. 73MD-Travis Shingledecker[13]; 24. 35-Steve Slater[12].

DNQ for the feature: 29*-Eric Beggs, 63-Jessica Kriegisch, 12-JC Boyer, 60-Tom Holden, 2-Kole Holden, 74-Kevin Green, 1X-Ryan Riffe.

Complete timing and scoring results: https://speedhive.my.../events/2812879

Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305. For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. Become a fan of Sharon Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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RESCHEDULED 16TH ANNUAL "LOU BLANEY MEMORIAL" SATURDAY AT SHARON; $12,000 TO-WIN/$1,200 TO-START FOR "410" SPRINTS PLUS BRP MOD TOUR

By Mike Leone                      

September 18, 2024               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hartford, OH)...Sharon Speedway will try again to complete one its biggest races of the 95th anniversary season this Saturday night (September 21)!  The 16th annual "Lou Blaney Memorial" will feature the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "410" Sprint Cars presented by Bala Management and the BRP Tour for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds.  The event was originally scheduled for August 17, but was rained out before racing got underway meaning Saturday will be a complete new show.  Warmups will begin at 6:30 with p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow. 

Every adult in attendance will receive a FREE ticket for a 2025 "Steel Valley Thunder" event of your choice ($15 value)!  This includes those with rain checks from August 17, newly purchased advance tickets, and those who purchase tickets at the gate.  Pit passes are not included in this promotion.  Also, the first 500 kids on Saturday will receive a FREE bag of Skittles or Starburst!
 

The "Lou Blaney Memorial" will celebrate the life and accomplishments of the Hall of Fame driver, who won more than 600 feature victories during a five-decade career.  The legend has at least 121 Modified wins and another 11 documented in a Sprint Car at Sharon alone.  Blaney passed away in 2009 after battling Alzheimer’s.  Not only does the event focus on remembering the late Lou Blaney, but also honors him by raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s Association, which took place prior to the event being rained out on August 17.  "Lou Blaney Memorial" t-shirts will be available in the souvenir stand. 

This year's "Lou Blaney Memorial" event for the Sprint Cars boasts a feature payoff of $45,750 with $12,000 going to the winner and a whopping $1,200 to-start!  Also, thanks to Knox Bakery, the driver that sets fast time overall in qualifying will receive $250.    

It took 10 years, but there was finally a repeat winner for the Sprint Car portion of the event in 2018, and it was none other than track owner, Dave Blaney.  In 2019, Dave's younger brother Dale captured his first event, while in 2020 year it was Dave's son-in-law, Cale Conley, winning his first!  Both Dave and Dale will be in competition on Saturday looking to add another "Lou Blaney Memorial" victory.

Tony Stewart, won the inaugural event in 2009.  Mike Lutz was the first local winner taking the 2010 version.  Texan Sam Hafertepe, Jr. won in 2011, while five-time World of Outlaws Champion, Brad Sweet, was victorious in 2012.  Jack Sodeman, Jr. became the second local driver to win the prestigious event in 2013, while Dave Blaney won his father’s memorial for the first time in 2014.  Another WoO racer in Sheldon Haudenschild won the 2015 event.  Pittsburgh’s Danny Holtgraver won the biggest race of his career in 2016.  Christopher Bell, who has went on to NASCAR glory, won his first race at the track in 2017.  Spencer Bayston became a new winner in 2021 before becoming a national touring driver.  Ohio standout Cap Henry etched his name in the history books by winning in 2022.  Last season saw two-time All Star Champion, Tyler Courtney, become the 14th different winner in 15 years!

Sharon has completed four "410" Sprint Car events thus far in 2024 with big car counts at each one.  David Gravel topped a 45-car field for his first career Sharon win on May 18 in the first of two visits by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.  On June 1, central PA invader Ryan Smith won the Western PA Speedweek event for the second time in four years as 46 cars were hand.  Danny Dietrich, another member of the PA Posse, won the FAST-sanctioned Ohio Sprint Speedweek event on June 12 with 53 cars on hand!  And most recently, Dale Blaney was victorious for the 21st time of his career at Sharon on July 27 winning the $4,000 event.

The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds will make their fourth appearance of the 2024 season on Saturday night in a $2,500 to-win BRP Tour event.  It'll not only be the final Big-Block Modified show of the season at Sharon, but will also be the season finale for the BRP Tour.  There have been 12 different winners in 15 “Lou Blaney Memorial” Modified events; however, it has been five years since a local was victorious.

New York legend Jack Johnson captured the inaugural 2009 race, while local Ohio drivers Jim Rasey and Rob Kristyak stole the thunder in 2010 and 2011.  Kevin Bolland won the prestigious event in 2012 and fellow western Pa. racer Dave Murdick joined him in 2013.  In 2014, Rex King, Jr. won the event part of his dream season, while in 2015 Jim Weller, Jr. added his name to the win list.  Rasey became the first repeat winner in 2016.  Jeremiah Shingledecker got his first event win in 2017, while New York’s Mike Maresca ended the locals’ run of eight straight event wins thanks to his victory in 2019.  Five years after his first win, King, Jr. added his second event win in 2019.  Erick Rudolph and Chad Brachmann became the third and fourth Empire State racer to be victorious in the event in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Rudolph became the event's third repeat winner by capturing the 2022 event.  Last year saw another invader win as Mat Williamson of Ontario, Canada captured his first career Sharon Speedway victory.

The BRP Tour has completed eight events this season with Rudolph winning five of them, while Williamson and King have also scored Series wins.  Rudolph leads Garrett Krummert, King, Tyler Willard, and Will Thomas III in the points.

Thus far this season at Sharon, Rudolph has won in both of his visits for $4,000 total, while Cipriano captured his first career big-block win on June 1 worth $2,000.  The driver that passes the most cars in the feature on Saturday night will receive a $100 Summit Racing Equipment gift card.  In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker will be the driver that finishes highest in the feature.

"410" Sprint Car Payoff: 1. $12,000  2. $4,000  3. $2,500  4. $1,800  5. $1,500  6. $1,450  7. $1,400  8. $1,375  9. $1,350  10. $1,325  11. $1,300  12. $1,275  13. $1,250  14. $1,225  15-24. $1,200.  First 4 non-transfers in B main $200, all other starters $150. 

There is no Sprint Car registration or entry fee.  Sprint Car drivers that have not competed in 2024 at Sharon are urged to complete the registration form in advance and bring it completed to save time at registration/pill draw. The form is available at https://www.sharonsp...t.aspx?i=899241

Fans can not only experience viewing from the frontstretch and backstretch grandstands, but also from the infield fan zone.  The fan zone, which includes a concession and restrooms, debuted in 2020. Sharon is the only track in the area to have viewing from the unique infield perspective.  There will be times throughout the night when fans can cross on the frontstretch back and forth.

The pits will be open throughout the afternoon with passes going on sale at 4 p.m.  General admission will open early at 4 p.m.  A drivers meeting will be held at 6 p.m. with Sprint Car motor heat at 6:15.  Warm-ups are slated for approximately 6:30 followed by Sprint Car qualifying and Modified warm-ups with heat race action to follow.

Rain checks from August 17 can be utilized.  Grandstand/fan zone admission for those 14 and over is $30.  Children under 14 and parking are FREE.  Advanced general admission tickets are on sale by visiting https://sharonspeedway.simpletix.com/. Tickets will also be available at the gate beginning at 4 p.m.  The event will NOT sell out.  Pit passes are $40.  Camping is $25 for anyone that did not reserve a spot for the August 17 event; permits must be obtained through the above ticket link.  As a reminder, stadium seats, coolers nor outside food or beverages are not permitted. 

The next and final event of the 2024 season at Sharon Speedway will be on Saturday, September 28 for the return of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series for $12,000 to-win.  The Economod Mania Tour will also be on hand for $800 to-win presented by Alcon Mechanical.  Reserved seats and advance general admission tickets are available through the WoO at https://mpv.tickets....&eventId=104123.  Tickets will be available at the gates.  The event will not sell out. 

Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305. For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @sharonspdwy.

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RAIN WASHES OUT “APPLE FESTIVAL NATIONALS” FRIDAY & SATURDAY AT SHARON

By Mike Leone

September 6, 2024                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

(Hartford, OH)...With one round of rain this morning, a high likelihood of rain and potential severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and continuing throughout the night along with a continued chance of lake effect showers and unseasonably cool conditions on Saturday, the entire “Apple Festival Nationals” weekend has been cancelled.  Those that purchased tickets and camping will automatically be refunded.

There will be no racing next weekend.  Up next will be the rescheduled “Lou Blaney Memorial” on Saturday, September 21 featuring the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars presented by Bala Management racing for $12,000 to-win/$1,200 to-start along with the BRP Modified Tour for big blocks paying $2,500 to-win.  This will be a complete new program.  Rain checks from August 17 will be accepted.  For ticking and camping visit https://sharonspeedway.simpletix.com/

Coming up Saturday, September 28 will be the second appearance of the season by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series also in a $12,000 to-win/$1,200 to-start event.  The Whelen Econo Mods presented by Alcon Mechanical will also be on the card.  For tickets visit https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=WRG_SNG_MPV&orgid=52711&eventId=104123

Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305.  For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @sharonspdwy.

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