June 18, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…The “410” Sprint Cars will be making their first of four appearances of the 2013 season at Sharon Speedway coming up Tuesday, June 25 when the All Star Circuit of Champions come to town for the 31st annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek.  The HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks will also be on the card.  Qualifying for Sprints will get underway at 6:30 p.m. followed by racing.

This year’s version of Ohio Sprint Speedweek will feature eight nights of racing over nine days at seven different speedways beginning at Attica Raceway Park on Friday night (June 21) with the Sharon event being stop #5 of the popular summer tradition.  Sharon’s race will pay $5,000 to-win.

After a five-year absence, Ohio Speedweek returned to Sharon in 2010 as Tim Shaffer topped a 42-car field for the victory.  In 2011 it was hometown favorite Dale Blaney winning the Sharon leg of Speedweek over a 45-car field for his 13th career win at the track.  Last year, in a stunning turn of events, local Brandon Matus came out victorious for his first career win with both the All Stars and at Sharon.  Another strong field of 43 cars was on hand.

“Sharon has always played in an important part in Ohio Speedweek history,” explained fourth year GM Dave Willoughby. “Sharon was there at the beginning, and we’re happy once again to be part of this long-running tradition.  We hope the fans and racers come out and support this great event so we can continue to host this event for years to come.”

Ohio Speedweek always draws in the best talent from the Midwest, western Pennsylvania, along the All Star regulars, usually a few central Pa. cars, and always some surprises.  Last year, Tony Stewart appeared to have the race in hand until a flat tire in the late stages of the event.  NASCAR’s Kasey Kahne, Dave Blaney, phenom Kyle Larson, and Brad Sweet also have all competed in recent years, and you never know when they may show up.

Dale Blaney is quickly closing in on a major milestone with the All Stars.  Blaney’s two wins this year have upped his win total to a remarkable 95 for his career.  While of course he’s five wins shy of the century mark, Blaney needs three more to tie Kenny Jacob’s all-time leading 98-win mark.  Aliquippa’s Tim Shaffer has climbed the All Star win ladder as he sits with 51 career victories.  Shaffer, a four-time Sharon winner, has been shutout of victory lane this season.

Danny Holtgraver is one of the up and coming rising stars of Sprint Car racing.  The Pittsburgh racer has three career wins at Sharon and has really stepped up his game the last two seasons with several major wins.  Already this year, Holtgraver has an All Star win at West Virginia’s I-77 Raceway Park giving him four for his career over the past two seasons, was the $10,000 “King of the 360s” winner at East Bay in Florida, was a recent winner at Attica Raceway Park, and has three wins at nearby Mercer Raceway Park.

Other full-time All Star regulars include South Dakota’s Justin Henderson in Rick Ferkel’s famous #0, Cap Henry, Caleb Helms, and Trey Gustin; however, the All Star talent for Ohio shows always runs deep especially for Ohio Speedweek events as evidenced by over 42 cars at Sharon for each of the last three years.

Atop the all-time Sharon Speedway Sprint Car win list is Ed Lynch, Jr.  The Apollo, Pa. driver has scaled back his operations the past three seasons running predominately special events only; however, is a perfect two-for-two in local starts at Lernerville Speedway.  Lynch is expected to be in the field looking to add to his 50-win mark.

The HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks will also be on the card in full point events.  The Econo Mods will race for $350 to-win, while the Mini Stocks will battle for $200 to-win.

Gates open at 4 p.m. A drivers meeting will be held at 5:45 p.m.  Sprint hot laps at 6:10, qualifying for the Sprints at approximately 6:30 and racing to follow.  Adult admission is $22.  Kids 13 and under are always free.  Pit passes are $35.

The 410 Sprint Cars will return next to Sharon on Saturday, July 6, but this time without the wing as the BOSS Series makes their first of two appearances.  BOSS will be back at it on Saturday, August 17 for another non-wing affair.

The final Sprint Car show of 2013 will be the fifth annual Lou Blaney Memorial on Tuesday, August 20 for a another $5,000 to-win feature.  The Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds will also be on the card for $2,000 to-win BRP Tour event.  The Alzheimer’s Association Benefit event will feature NASCAR’s Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and Dave Blaney racing Sprint Cars.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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June 15, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…After a beautiful start, clouds increased by Saturday evening and showers rolled in from the west, but only sprinkles fell at Sharon Speedway allowing for the 11^th straight racing program to be completed.  Varis Vein Institute with locations in Howland and Brookfield, Ohio was the night’s presenting sponsor.  It was also Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night.  Sharon celebrated Father’s Day as all fathers were admitted for just $7.  102 race cars filled the pit area.

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Rex King.-Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Dennis Lunger, Jr.-Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Mike Kinney-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Rod Laskey-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Jacob Eucker-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Travis Creech-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks.  A pair of bikes were given away to two lucky children thanks to King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

In what looked like nearly a carbon copy of one week ago, Rex King held off a hard charging Jeremiah Shingledecker for the second straight week to capture his third DIRTcar Big-Block Modified win of the season in the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency feature.  “I had Johnny and Ken on the backstretch having a fit telling me to go low,” explained the veteran Bristolville, Ohio standout.  “I figured I better go low and it worked out.  I have to thank all of my sponsors, everyone at Sharon Speedway, and the fans- they’re great.”

It was a mad scramble on the opening lap with everyone trying to make an early move for track position.  Tom Glenn took command at the start with fifth starting Ricky Richner finding his way past several competitors for second.  King, who started sixth and was still sixth after lap one, made a hard charge to pass Eric Gabany, Shingledecker, and Bob Warren for third on lap two.

Lap three saw Richner power into the lead with King following as they dropped Glenn back to third.  One lap later, Shingledecker made the pass for third.  King wasted little time charging by Richner on lap four for the lead.  Shingledecker then went at it with Richner.  The duo raced side-by-side for three laps until Shingledecker slid under and past the New Yorker in turn two on lap seven

King had opened up a half-straightaway lead by the time Shingledecker got to second.  A pair of cautions slowed action with eight and nine laps completed.  In between, Rex King, Jr. and Jim Weller, Jr. were able to advance to fourth and fifth respectively past Gabany.

The last 11 laps went green-to-checkered.  After King got away on the start, Shingledecker reeled the leader in on lap 13 and was right on King’s bumper on lap 15.  Like one week ago, Shingledecker tried every move possible, but he had to settle for second.  King’s margin of victory was 1.616 seconds for his 45^th career win in the KMB Inc.-owned, GS Engine Power/Midway Garage Door/University Hospital-sponsored #65.

Shingledecker has now finished second or third in each of his last three starts.  Richner’s third was his best of the season.  King, Jr. and Weller traded fourth and fifth back and forth several times with King, Jr. winning out.  Sixth through 10^th were Gabany, Dave Murdick, Glenn, Jimmy Weller III and Rob Kristyak.  Murdick and Weller, Jr. won the heat races.

After ending 2012 in victory lane and starting 2013 off with a bang winning two of the first three features, Dennis Lunger, Jr. hit somewhat of a slump, but Lunger was back at it Saturday night and returned to glory for his third 20-lap Barris Supply RUSH Late Model win.

“This is the other car that I won with early in the year and we haven’t raced it since,” revealed the 45-year-old Albion, Pa. driver.  “We blew the other one up last week as I’m sure most people saw.  We thought we’d give this one a shot and this one is good!  I think I’m going to stay with this one for awhile.  I was hoping for a couple wins here this year, but this is three now so I’m hoping for six and pass Will (Thomas).  He’s a good buddy of mine and I just saw he took over second on the all-time win list here.  My goal is to pass him so us two old guys can sit down there and joke about it.”

After a strong sophomore season, Matt Latta has really struggled to date this season.  Following a sixth place effort Friday night in the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Touring Series event at McKean County Raceway, Latta bolted to the early lead.  Latta set the pace for the first five circuits before a caution for a spin by Brian Booher after contact from Clay Ruffo.

Lunger started third and passed Josh Double on lap one for second.  The caution was just what Lunger needed as on the ensuing restart, Lunger took command.  Lunger would survive two more cautions as he took the checkered flag first by 1.902 seconds in the Schwartz Construction-owned, Schwartz Trucking/Choices Restaurant/English Tire/State Farm Insurance Chris Brecht-sponsored #71L.  Lunger now has a commanding 49-point lead over defending champion Will Thomas III.

Latta’s second was clearly his best finish of the season as his prior best was a pair of fifth place finishes.  The third position saw four different racers in Double, Rocky Kugel, Eric Wilson, and Thomas at one point lay claim to the spot, but in the end it was “Futures Cup” teenager Wilson getting the nod over Thomas, Double, and Kugel.  Seventh through 10^th were Jamie Wrightsman, Ruffo, Mike Anderson, and Booher.  Heats were captured by Lunger and Thomas.

Mike Kinney has never been a big winner in the Modified division throughout the circuit, but Kinney could certainly be considered one of the most consistent racers that’s always near the front when the checkered flag waves.  Kinney would like to change that and become more of a winner on a consistent basis and he’s well on his way.  Kinney won last Saturday for his first win of the season, finished fourth in Wednesday’s UEMS event, and did it again on Saturday night winning the 15-lap Summit Racing Equipment feature.

“I want to thank Dave (Willoughby) and the crew here at Sharon,” expressed the 39-year-old Ashtabula, Ohio racer.  “This is one the greatest tracks I’ve raced on.  It’s always smooth.  Thank God we always beat the weather so that’s great.  My crew and I worked real hard the last couple days to make sure we got here and everything was right.  They make this all happen and I can’t thank those guys enough.”

Jeff Hassay used his pole position start to take the early lead over newcomer Jackson Humanic.  A five-car accident on lap two took out the third place car of Dwayne Clay.  When racing resumed, seventh starting Jeff Johnson and sixth starting Kinney both disposed of Humanic for second and third respectively.  Kinney drove under and past Johnson in turn four on lap four for second.

A caution for a spin by Bob Diver bunched up the field with three laps scored.  On the ensuing restart, Kinney powered around Hassay in turns one and two for the lead.  It was a lead that Kinney would never relinquish as the final 12 laps went non-stop.  Kinney’s Racecar Fabricating/TJ Racing Transmission/Close Racing Supply/Arp’s Automotive/Flinbiu Graphics/Hoosier Tire-sponsored #3 won by 2.910 seconds over Johnson for his fourth career win.

Johnson, who finished second, trails by Kinney by 16 in the standings.  Hassay’s third improved on his prior best finish of fifth back on opening night.  Joe Gabrielson, who started eighth, passed Humanic on lap five to finish fourth.  Rocky Kugel had a great run in fifth after starting 14^th in just his second start in Randy Beck’s #357.  Sixth through 10^th were Humanic, Alan Dellinger, Mike Monreal, Ed Wilson, and Trevor Herr.  Heat winners were Gabrielson and Johnson.

After competing for the Stock Car Championship last year for Bob Sloss, Rod Laskey has only made four starts this season- one for Sloss and three in his own car.  Laskey though has made them count as he won his second of the season on Saturday night in the 15-lap Gibson Insurance to go along with a runner-up and a fourth place finish.

“The car wasn’t right in the heat race,” acknowledged the 37-year-old Oil City, Pa. driver.  “It kept laying down in the middle of the turn.  We tried to adjust the floats after the heat race.  It’s better, but it’s still not right.  It has a lot more in it.  This is a 358 motor on pump gas.  It has 10:1 compression.  I’m trying to get away from the high dollar fuel.  I love this place and this is the surface I love.  I have to thank my mom and dad.  It’s Father’s Day Weekend and this one is for dad.”

After two multi-car melees without a lap being scored, action settled down and 12 laps were run caution-free.  Laskey moved to the front row after Jamie Scharba and Ron Yarab, Jr. were in involved in the second tangle.  Laskey took charge immediately and only the caution with two laps to go slowed his dominating performance over Brian Carothers.

Laskey still pulled away in the two-lap shootout to win by 1.490 seconds Randy’s Auto Sales/Anderson Physical Therapy/The Works/Les Frickshun #1R.  Carothers struggled after the caution as defending champion Tim Burns, 10^th starting Bob McCann, and point leader Mike Clark all got by to finish second through fourth respectively.  Carothers faded to fifth.  Clark and Burns copped the heat races over the regular season high of 18 cars.

Twelve-year-old Jacob Eucker out-dueled teenager Jeremy Double to win a caution-filled 15-lap Econo Mod feature.  The two youngsters went at it as they have several times this year with Eucker getting by on a late restart to capture his third HTMA/Precise Racing Products feature!  “I know Jeremy likes the bottom and I just tried to hold him off described,” the Hartford, Ohio winner.  “The cautions really didn’t bother me.  I’d like to thank all of my sponsors.

Eucker charged ahead of Kevin Robinson on the start for the early lead.  Eucker held the top spot for the first five laps before sixth starting Double went under and past Eucker in turn four for the lead on the sixth circuit.  Numerous cautions slowed action between laps seven through 13.  Double continued to keep Eucker at bay until lap 12 when Eucker retook the lead.

The two went at it over the final laps, but Eucker had just enough to hold on over Double by just 0.134 of a second in the Matt Eucker-owned, Tom’s Sewer & Drain/Ohio Commerce Center/Dr. John Eucker/Damon Race Engines/Altitude Adjustment/Danski Dyno & Performance/Close Racing Supply-sponsored #64.  Jace Ferringer was a season best third.  Jodi Woodworth, Sr. came from 11^th to place third for his best finish as well.  Rookie Ty Rhoades continues to be consistent finishing fifth for his fifth straight top five!  Heat winners were Burns, point leader Ryan Fraley, and Rhoades.

Rookie Travis Creech came out on top of a wild Mini Stock feature for his third win of the year in the 12-lap Deforest Used Parts main.  “I didn’t know what was going on behind me,” expressed the 25-yeard-old Niles, Ohio resident.  “The car stated missing after lap three.  I figured the 77-car was going to get me because I was done, but then it cleared up and started running again.  I just tried to hold down the outside.  Once it gets on the outside it’s hard to beat.”

Creech started fifth and was up to third after one lap.  Creech passed Steve Walker II for runner-up on lap two then went after leader Dylan Goodman.  The newcomer Goodman led the first four laps until Creech made the winning pass on a restart on lap five.  Creech went unchallenged in his May’s Towing/Elite Coleman Sales-sponsored #75T to the win.

Tim McAninch inherited second on lap seven when Scott Gilliland got into Goodman.  McAninch held down the second spot to the finish for his best finish.  Point leader Gilliland came from the tail to finish third over newcomer Dale Fraschetti and 12^th starting Jim Haefke, Jr.  Bill Fuchs got upside down, but he was okay. Heat wins were collected by Gilliland and McAninch over the season-high 17-car field.

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. REX KING (65)  2. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD)  3. Ricky Richner (26)  4. Rex King, Jr. (165)  5. Jim Weller, Jr. (31)  6. Eric Gabany (3E)  7. Dave Murdick (61)  8. Tom Glenn (83T)  9. Jimmy Weller III (23)  10. Rob Kristyak (00)  11. Carl Murdick (6)  12. Don Brown (71B)  13. Rusty Johns (03)  14. Bob Warren (96B)  15. Dave Reges (27R)  16. Rick Ryder (Snider 189)  17. Brian Bailes (11B)-DNS.

Barris Supply RUSH Late Models (20 laps): 1. DENNIS LUNGER, JR. (Schwartz 71L)  2. Matt Latta (21)  3. Eric Wilson (27W)  4. Will Thomas III (9)  5. Josh Double (38)  6. Rocky Kugel (21KRT)  7. Jamie Wrightsman (21J)  8. Clay Ruffo (14R)  9. Mike Anderson (72)  10. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H)  11. Ben Black (27B).

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (15 laps): 1. MIKE KINNEY (3)  2. Jeff Johnson (27)  3. Jeff Hassay (10)  4. Joe Gabrielson (58)  5. Rocky Kugel (Beck 357)  6. Jackson Humanic (17)  7. Alan Dellinger (White 53)  8. Mike Monreal (71M)  9. Ed Wilson (33)  10. Trevor Herr (32)  11. Bob Williamson (93)  12. Wayne Brugmann (79)  13. Bob Diver (23)  14. Brock Moskey (3M)  15. Dwayne Clay.

Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. ROD LASKEY (1R)  2. Tim Burns (66)  3. Bob McCann (Fornataro USA1)  4. Mike Clark (7)  5. Brian Carothers (02c)  6. Paul Davis (3)  7. Jeff Buccella (Davis 915)  8. Jamie Scharba (00s)  9. Charlie Jasinski (5J)  10. Bob Sloss (44s)  11. Jason Stanke (44)  12. Brent Coleman (01)  13. Ron Yarab, Jr. (Burns 70B)  14. Bruce Redman (27)  15. Tony Bruno (97)  16. Jamie Duncan (67J)  17. Bob Pollock (70X)  18. Jesse Brock (22B).

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps): 1. JACOB EUCKER (64)  2. Jeremy Double (83)  3. Jace Ferringer (02)  4. Jodi Woodworth, Sr. (6)  5. Ty Rhoades (12R)  6. Tony Hyde (12)  7. Ryan Fraley (12)  8. Casey Bowers (20)  9. Kevin Robinson (24R)  10. Alan Atkinson (30Too)  11. Larry Root (22x)  12. Junior Mechling (89)  13. Jason Stanke (44)  14. Steve Samuelson (80JR)  15. Adam Babcock (67)  16. Keith Felicetty (98)  17. George Vestal IV (4)  18. Jodi Woodworth, Jr. (07)  19. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B)  20. Gina Thompson (Webber 25)  21. Mike Hillman (29)  22. Derek Dellinger (19)  23. Kevin Sergeff (17s)  24. Brian Hathaway (93)-DNS.

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. TRAVIS CREECH (75T)  2. Tim McAninch (43)  3. Scott Gilliland (27)  4. Dale Fraschetti (23)  5. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421)  6. Ray Gregory (82R)  7. Jim Clay, Jr. (84J)  8. Jake Monreal (32M)  9. Patrick Drennan (24)  10. Logan Keney (17L)  11. Dylan Goodman (77)  12. Steve Walker II (4M)  13. Christi Brugmann (19)  14. Bill Fuchs (10)  15. Brian Shay (3J)  16. Jeff Little (42)  17. Cale Sousa (10).

It’ll be a busy stretch for Sharon Speedway as on Wednesday there will be an open practice from 4:30 p.m. to dark.  Next Saturday, June 22 is another “Steel Valley Thunder” program featuring the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, RUSH Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Econo Mods, and Mini Stocks.  Race time is 7 p.m.  Then coming up on Tuesday, June 25 is Ohio Sprint Speedweek for the All Stars with $5,000 on the line along with the Econo Mods and Mini Stocks.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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June 12, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…Despite thunderstorms in the forecast all day on Wednesday, only a few sprinkles fell in the late afternoon and early evening at Sharon Speedway and the entire Pay It Forward Foundation “Summer Bash” was run off in less than two hours. It was the 10th straight program to be completed this year at Sharon! Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Mike Knight-NDRL’s ULMS Super Late Models, Dave Hess, Jr.-NDRL’S UEMS Modifieds, and Jeremy Double-Econo Mods. NASCAR racers Ken Schrader and third generation driver Ryan Blaney were scheduled to compete. Schrader finished eighth in the Modified feature, while Blaney’s ride was a no show and unfortunately a ride couldn’t be secured at the last minute.

Mike Knight finally nailed down his first career Sharon Speedway win. Knight led all 25 laps of the NDRL’s ULMS Super Late Model feature without a challenge for the $3,000 prize. It was also his first ULMS victory of 2013.

“We didn’t think this was going to happen,” acknowledged the Ripley, New York driver. “You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t in your perspective. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, but I’m glad you decided to run! We have some of the best drivers and competition and fans in the country right here in this area. We’re on a good streak right now and doing well. I’ve been good here before, but I’m glad to get a win. I have one of the best crews out there. I’ve had some really good guys that have been with me for 10+ years.”

After a false start and a flat tire for Russell King, Knight surged into the lead over Adam Gordon and Dave Hess, Jr. The race was slowed again when Matt Urban spun with one lap scored. When racing resumed, Knight quickly distanced himself from the field and had a comfortable lead by lap four, while the battle was on for second as Gordon was trying to hold off Hess and King.

Knight continued to stretch his lead as the margin grew to a straightaway by lap seven. King and Hess battled side-by-side on laps 9 and 10. King nosed ahead of Hess for third racing off the bottom of turn two on lap 10. Two laps later, Hess slowed and exited the event, which moved Urban to fourth.

Knight was gaining about four tenths of second every lap on Gordon as he opened up a near half-lap lead at the halfway point of the event. King closed in on Gordon on lap 14 and the battle picked for second. After a good battle for several laps, King made the pass for second on lap 18. Gordon’s fine run ended when he blew a tire and slapped the backstretch fence with 21 laps scored.

The last four-lap dash to the finish went green-to-checkered as Knight faced no challenges taking the checkered flag first by a margin of 2.023 seconds in his Jay’s Auto Wrecking/Craiger Race Engines/Malone Tool & Mold/Keystone Alliance Insurance/Jim’s Automotive Parts-sponsored #9K. Knight became the 106th different driver to win a Super Late Model race at Sharon in the 406 races run all-time.

King was second over Urban, Jim Rasey, and Gordon, who returned to the track for the finish. Hess was credited with sixth. Engines issues forced John Garvin, Jr. to scratch from the feature. King set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 15.659 to earn the $50 from Zimmer’s Service Center. Knight also won the lone heat race. A disappointing seven cars showed for the second of four scheduled ULMS events in 2013.

As has been the case seemingly night in and night out, the Modifieds continue to put on the best racing of the night. Wednesday night was no different as Dave Hess, Jr. captured the 25-lap UEMS feature for his first win of the season at Sharon. Hess became the eighth different winner in 10 races this season!

“We’re still trying to figure this car out and Mike (Knight) gave us a whopping in that Late Model race so I had to come back and get some dignity back,” joked the Waterford, Pa. standout. “That was a great battle with (Jeff) Johnson up front and all of those guys. The track was fast with Mother Nature, but at least it held up long enough to get it in. We kept working in the shop and looking at the radar thinking it was going to be a washout. Then we figured at the last minute we better get going because it was looking alright and I made it work out. I have to thank my crew, the fans for coming out, and the track prep guys for getting it ready”

Two-time 2013 Sharon winner, Jeff Johnson, took charge of the event as the green flag was displayed. Steve Dixon, Mike Kinney, Vic Vena, and Ken Schrader filled out the top five after the completion of lap one. Dixon slipped high in turn four on lap two allowing Kinney to sneak by for second. Hess, who started fifth and slipped back to sixth after one lap, passed Schrader and Vena on lap two for fourth then got under and past Dixon in turn two on lap three for third.

A spin by Bruce Powell slowed action with three laps recorded. On the ensuing restart, Hess got a got bite off the bottom to pass Kinney in turn two for second. Hess quickly caught Johnson and went to work on the leader. The duo ran side-by-side on lap five, but Johnson slipped high in turn four allowing Hess to nose ahead to lead the lap. Johnson didn’t give up as his momentum around the topside of the speedway carried him back into the lead on lap six.

Dixon and Kinney battled for the win on Saturday night with Kinney scoring his first of 2013. They resumed their battle on Wednesday night, but this time for the third spot. Dixon passed Kinney for the position on lap five. Meanwhile back up front, Hess regained the lead for good on lap nine as his pass stuck on the bottom of turn three. Kinney retook third from Dixon on lap 13. Kirk Bradley, who made his first start, spun with 18 laps completed.

Back under green flag conditions, Dixon got under Kinney to take third on lap 19. Johnson’s solid run ended in a puff of smoke bringing out the third and final caution with 21 laps recorded. This moved Dixon to second followed by Kinney, and Watson. In the last four laps, Hess was able to hold on in his Hess’ Garage/Beacon Lubricants-sponsored #44 to win by just 1.063 of a second for his third career Sharon win.

Dixon was second for the second time in five days! Ninth starting Watson passed good friend Kinney on the final lap to claim third. Kinney dropped to fourth. Jonathan Taylor, who arrived late and missed time trials, charged from 17th to a fine fifth place effort. Completing the top 10 were 16th starting Mike Potosky, Vena, Schrader, Andy Buckley, and Randy Hall. Johnson set fast time in qualifying by just 0.002 of a second over Hess to earn the $50 from Zimmer’s Service Center! Johnson, Dixon, and Vena won the heats over the 24-car field.

After a disappointing finish on Saturday, Jeremy Double bounced back to win his division leading fourth of the season in the Econo Mods. The 15-lap HTMA/Precise Racing Products victory was worth $350. “We were a little low on power, but there was brown down low and it slicked off up top,” explained the 17-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer. “It pushed every time I went up there. I overreacted in the crash Saturday and luckily it wasn’t as bad as I thought when it happened. It was good to go and it handles just as good as before! I have to thank my dad and Uncle Skip for fixing the nose and getting everything welded back up.”

Double started third, but when pole-sitter Larry Root moved up a groove on the start, it left a hole wide open and Double seized the opportunity. Double got a great bite off the bottom and had the lead at the flag stand. It was a lead he’d never relinquish. Two cautions were all that slowed his run to his sixth career victory in his Cortland Auto Repair/Wedge Motorsports/Thomas Heating & Cooling/King Bros./Russ King Racing-sponsored #83. The final caution with nine laps completed erased a straightaway advantage.

Twelve-year-old Jacob Eucker started fifth and was up to third after one lap. Eucker took over second on lap two when Root slipped high. Eucker, who has two wins this season, was no match for Double as he came up 2.518 seconds shy. Point leader Ryan Fraley worked his way from 15th to finish third. Ty Rhoades continues his strong runs as the rookie placed fourth after starting eighth. Steve Burns, Jr. also made progress through the field recording a fifth after starting 12th. Brian Hathaway and Eucker collected heat race wins.

Julian Bennett and Taylin Gentry were the winners of the kids bike giveaways courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

NDRL’s ULMS Super Late Models (25 laps, $3,000 to-win): 1. MIKE KNIGHT (9) 2. Russell King (56) 3. Matt Urban (1U) 4. Jim Rasey (32) 5. Adam Gordon (18G) 6. Dave Hess, Jr. (44) 7. John Garvin, Jr. (J4)-DNS.

NDRL’S UEMS Modifieds (25 laps, $2,000 to-win): 1. DAVE HESS, JR. (44) 2. Steve Dixon (Engles 68) 3. Joel Watson (92) 4. Mike Kinney (3) 5. Jonathan Taylor (5) 6. Mike Potosky (M20) 7. Vic Vena (01) 8. Ken Schrader (9) 9. Andy Buckley (965) 10. Randy Hall (Vena 10) 11. Howard Fraley (217) 12. Ken Zimmer (62) 13. Richard Michael, Jr. (17x) 14. Jeff Johnson (27) 15. Shawn Shingledecker (54s) 16. Kirk Bradley (5B) 17. Carl McKinney (Hendrickson 6M) 18. Jack Young (Hamilton 67) 19. Brian Douglas (214) 20. Larry Kugel (Petsko 00) 21. Bruce Powell (35) 22. Joe Gabrielson (58)-DNS 23. Dustin Fraley (127)-DNS 24. Gary Sullivan (47s)-DNS.

HTMA Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps, $350 to-win): 1. JEREMY DOUBLE (83) 2. Jacob Eucker (64) 3. Ryan Fraley (12) 4. Ty Rhoades (12R) 5. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B) 6. Brian Hathaway (93) 7. Jason Stanke (44) 8. Larry Root (22x) 9. Alan Atkinson (30Too) 10. Junior Mechling (89) 11. Keith Felicetty (98) 12. Gina Thompson (Webber 25) 13. Jace Ferringer (02) 14. Mike Hillman (29) 15. Adam Babcock (67)-DNS.

Coming up on Saturday, June 15 is “Steel Valley Thunder” featuring the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and the Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks. It’s a Father’s Day Celebration with just $7 grandstand admission for all dads! It’s also Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night with free grandstand admission for all card-carrying members. Race time is at 7 p.m.

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 Twitter at @SharonSpdwy.

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June 8, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway was able to complete the ninth straight race event on Saturday night.  Another cool and overcast day following rainy weather led to fast track conditions.  A season high 108 race cars filled the pit area on Lincoln Electric Night.

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Rex King.-Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Will Thomas III-Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Mike Kinney-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Mike Clark-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Ryan Fraley-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Jim Haefke, Jr.-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks.

Rex King matched his son “Cooter” and point leader Jim Weller, Jr. with his second victory for tops in the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds.  The elder King led all 20 laps of the Governor Insurance Agency feature holding off a valiant charge by Jeremiah Shingledecker.

“Finally,” stated the veteran standout from Bristolville, Ohio.  “I haven’t liked my race car the last few weeks.  It looked like you had to enter high and drive down and diamond across the bottom.  That’s where it worked.  You have (Jeremiah) Shingledecker, (Jim) Weller, (Dave) Murdick, Cooter- there’s a lot of good guys here so it’s no walk in the park by any means.  I have a lot of great sponsors I have to thank them and the fans at Sharon Speedway.”

King out-motored the “358” small-block of Eric Gabany to blast into the lead.  Gabany, Shingledecker, Jimmy Weller III and Dave Murdick filled the remainder of the top five after the conclusion of lap one.  Sixth starting Weller, Jr. went around both Murdick and his son for fourth on lap three with Murdick following in fifth.  Shingledecker caught Gabany on lap three making it a three-car race for the lead.  Three laps later, Weller, Jr. caught the front-pack as it was now a four-car battle for the lead!

Shingledecker finally made the move for second on lap eight driving under and past Gabany in turns one and two.  Shingledecker then closed in on King at the halfway point as he was running faster laps than the leader.  In the end, a caution probably wasn’t what Shingledecker wanted as the pace was slowed with 11 laps completed due to a spin by Bob Warren.

Back and under green, the last nine laps would go green-to-checkered.  Shingledecker tried every move possible, but King ran the preferred line and would hold on by just 0.830 of a second in the KMB Inc.-owned, GS Engine Power/Midway Garage Door/University Hospital-sponsored #65.  It was King’s first win since the second night of racing back on April 27, but 44^th of his career at the Speedway!

Shingledecker’s runner-up matched his season best effort.  Weller’s third allowed him to continue to maintain a fairly comfortable point lead of 18 over King.  Murdick was fourth over Gabany, who turned in his second straight fifth place finish.  Sixth through 10^th were Weller III, Chris Haines, King, Jr., Ricky Richner, and Tom Glenn.  Weller, Jr. and Shingledecker won the heat races.  In Weller’s heat race, he broke the track record for the first four consecutive laps and established a new track record of 15.443!  Weller totally shattered the previous record of 15.859 set by Kevin Bolland last season!

After somewhat of a slow start, defending champion Will Thomas III has become the driver to beat in the RUSH Late Models in recent weeks.  Thomas now has two victories and a runner-up in the last three regular events, and despite missing opening night has soared to runner-up in points!  Thomas’ victory came in the 20-lap Barris Supply feature.

“It was a real neat race track,” said the 37-year-old Sharpsville, Pa. racer.  “A lot of times when you get to weather this time of the year it’s different like it was last year being hot.  I usually like it when it’s slick as it takes more of a driver, but it was cool tonight.  Dennis (Lunger) is a good racer.  He’s an old guy like me.  We’ve been around awhile.  We race well together and he’s a hard racer.  I like coming to Sharon.  There are a lot of fans here.  It’s good to see people support their local race tracks.”

Dennis Lunger, Jr., who shot out of the gates winning two of the season’s first three features in addition to the last race of 2012, raced to the early lead over Brian Booher.  Thomas started fifth and passed teenagers Jorden Peters and Clay Ruffo on the first lap for third.  Seventh starting Josh Double was able to advance three positions after the first lap for fourth.

Thomas caught Booher and the two ran side-by-side on laps two and three.  Thomas made the pass stick coming off the bottom of turn four on lap three for second.  Thomas quickly closed on Lunger on lap four and one lap later was right on the #71L.  In fact, coming down for lap five they were side-by-side off turn four.  Thomas was on the bottom and Lunger up one groove on the top.  The two put on a nice race running side-by-side for the next two laps.  Finally on lap seven, Thomas got enough grip off the bottom to make the pass stick.

While Thomas and Lunger distanced themselves from the field, Double caught Booher in the battle for third.  As the laps ticked off caution-free, Lunger began to close in on Thomas as he was running faster laps; however, that was short lived as his car went up in smoke and briefly caught fire necessitating the red with 15 laps scored.

When racing resumed, Double passed Booher for runner-up.  Double though wouldn’t have anything for Thomas, who raced on to win by 1.738 seconds in his Colonial Metal Products/Barris Supply/All Star Motorstate/Sweet Mfg. Quarter Master/King Sanitary-sponsored #9.  The victory was Thomas’ sixth of his career and moves him into second on the division’s all-time win list.

Booher’s third place was easily his best performance since a runner-up in last year’s season finale.  In fact, Booher’s best finish of the season was ninth last week.  Ruffo edged out 10^th starting Eric Wilson and Butch Lambert in a good battle for the fourth position.  Until last week’s season best fifth, Ruffo’s prior season best was a ninth and now bettered that with a fourth place finish.  Ben Black, Rocky Kugel, Bobby Pifer III and Matt Latta completed the top 10.  Jamie Wrightsman won his first career Late Model heat, while Ruffo captured the other.

As part of Lincoln Electric Night and being a Major Contingency Sponsor of the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Series, a Lincoln Electric Power Mig 140C Machine and Utility Cart valued at $750 was given away.  By the luck of the draw, Canadian Jorden Peters was the lucky recipient.

In a great race, Mike Kinney withstood the heavy challenges by Steve Dixon to win his first of the season in the 15-lap Summit Racing Equipment Modified feature.  Kinney became the season’s seventh different winner in nine races!  It was also a big night for Kinney, who overtook Alan Dellinger for the point lead!

“I’m very tired,” revealed the soon to be 39-year-old Ashtabula, Ohio resident.  “There were a lot of cautions and a lot of pressure there.  My RACEceiver went out halfway and I couldn’t hear anyone talking so I was hoping I wasn’t messing up.  I seen Steve (Dixon) down there and I was just waiting for him to push up, but I knew he’d hold his line.  He’s a great driver.  I have a lot of respect for him- that was fun and an awesome race!  I have to thank all of my crew.  They help me so much and I just can’t thank them enough.”

Kinney took off in the lead, while good friend Joel Watson passed Dixon, Scott Stiffler, and Jeff Hassay all on the opening lap for second.  Stiffler regained third when he passed Hassay on lap two.  Watson’s run would come to an end on lap three when he uncharacteristically spun on his own in turn two and collected three other racers.

Dixon had a great restart when racing resumed as he passed both Hassay and Stiffler for runner-up.  Seventh starting Jeff Johnson was on the move as he raced by Stiffler for third on lap five.  Though several cautions slowed action, the battle for the lead was intense.  Dixon was alongside Kinney on just about every lap, but just couldn’t quite make the pass.

Dixon got a great run off turn four on the final lap, but came up just 0.156 of a second shy as Kinney’s Racecar Fabricating/TJ Racing Transmission/Close Racing Supply/Arp’s Automotive/Flinbiu Graphics/Hoosier Tire-sponsored #3 held on for his third career win.  Dixon was making just his second start of the season and first since the April 20 UEMS event.

Johnson and Stiffler traded the third spot several times with Johnson getting the nod.  Shawn Shingledecker was fifth after starting 10^th.  Rounding out the top 10 were newcomer D.J. Cline, Andy Buckley, Howard Fraley, Brock Moskey, and Hassay.  Heat victories went to Watson, Dixon, and Stiffler.  The 25-car field matched a season high from the UEMS event.

It’s hard to believe that two years ago Mike Clark had never won a feature after 15 years of racing.  Clark got that first career win on June 11, 2011.  Since then Clark has added five victories in the Stock Car division and Saturday night’s latest victory kept him atop the Gibson Insurance Agency standings as he seeks his first career track championship.

“I loved the race track- that’s my kind of track,” acknowledged the 47-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer.  “It was good to start up front and it was hammer down.  I wasn’t worried about the restart being able to start on the outside.  I’d like to thank the Lord, the class sponsor, my son, dad, Pat Adams for helping me, all the fans, and of course Sharon Speedway for having us.”

After two false starts by pole-sitter Brian Carothers, Bob McCann was moved to the pole position for try #3.  Clark used the outside to power into the lead.  McCann, Carothers, Brent Coleman, and Dan McEwen were second through fifth after the first lap.  McEwen lost the handle in turns one and two on lap and collected Jamie Scharba.

The next seven laps ran off caution-free as the only change up front was seventh starting Bryan Wagner passing Coleman for fourth on lap six.  Third place Carothers and Jamie Duncan slowed simultaneously bringing out the event’s final caution with eight laps scored.   Wagner and eighth starting Tim Burns found themselves up to third and fourth for the restart.  When green replaced yellow, Burns passed Wagner for the third spot.

Up front, McCann was no challenge for Clark, who won by two seconds flat in his Sons of Italy/King’s Sanitary Service/NAPA Auto Parts Champion Heights/Martuccio Eye Care-sponsored #7.  Burns edged out Wagner in a good battle for the third position.  Coleman was a season best fifth.  Heat winners were Carothers and Clark over the 16-car field, which was the highest for a regular show this season.

Ryan Fraley came out on top of a record 25-car field in the Econo Mods for his third win of the season tying Jeremy Double for tops in the HTMA/Precise Racing Products-sponsored division.  The victory coupled with troubles for Double and Jacob Eucker propelled him into the point lead.    “I thought I was running out of gas as it started sputtering there, but it held out,” expressed the 24-year-old Wheatland, Pa. racer.  “We only put in enough and I think we went a little low.  I have to thank all of my sponsors. We’re going to go after the title!”

Fraley started third and passed Butch Lambert on lap one for second.  After trailing the fellow #12 of rookie Ty Rhoades for less than a lap, Fraley made the winning move racing off of turn four on lap two.  Fifth starting Brian Hathaway took over third from Steve Burns, Jr. on lap four.  After several cautions kept the field close including the final one for a spin by Casey Bowers with 13 laps scored, Hathaway was able to get by Rhoades on the restart for second.

Hathaway would run out of time to mount any challenge as Fraley took the win by 1.565 seconds in his Sunset Lanes/Eagle Soft Tees/Tri-State Trailer Sales/Blackshear Racing Engines-sponsored #12.  Hathaway’s runner-up matched his season best finish since April 27.  Rhoades has been impressive all season and especially in recent weeks as he now has a pair of thirds and a fourth in his last three races.  Lambert debuted the Mike Hendrickson-owned #19 and was fourth over Jace Ferringer.  Topping the heat races were Burns, Hathaway, and Bowers.  The prior car count record was 23, which was set both nights at last year’s “Apple Festival Nationals” held in September.

After dominating Mini Stock action for much of 2012 winning the first eight features of his career in the season’s first 15 races, Jim Haefke, Jr. hit a major slump.  Haefke could only muster a fourth in the season’s final five races, but held on to win the championship.  Though he had three runner-up finishes early in the season, Haefke had struggled to find speed, but that all ended Saturday night as he led all 12 laps of the Deforest Used Parts feature holding off hard charging Travis Creech.

“After coming from track champion last year this has been a hell of a year so far,” acknowledged the 31-year-old Austintown, Ohio driver.  “We’ve got a lot of good drivers and cars out there.  It’s good to be here again.  I came today with a different offset and setup.  Starting up front just gave me the advantage.  It was a good track tonight.  I have to thank my wife, my dad, my crew, and all of my sponsors.  If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here.”

Haefke passed newcomer Greg Schmied on the start and took off opening up a big lead while the fast cars were starting mid-pack.  Creech and Bill Fuchs passed Jim Clay, Jr. for third and fourth respectively on lap two.  The battle was hot and heavy for second on lap four as Tim McAninch was trying to fend off Creech and Fuchs.  Creech made the pass for driving around McAninch off turn four on lap four.

Haefke had a half-straightaway lead by the time Creech got to second.  As the laps were ticking off caution-free, Creech began to close in on lap eight just before the race’s only caution was displayed when point leader and the Speedway’s top winner Scott Gilliland got into the fence.  Back under green, Fuchs made the pass of McAninch for third.  Creech pulled even with Haefke on lap 11 and they race side-by-side.  Creech threw everything at Haefke and even though it appeared he had the fastest car, Haefke was able to hold on for the victory.

Haefke’s ninth career win came in his Diver Steel City Auto Crushing/AAMCO Transmission/Killer Racing Decals-sponsored #421 and moved him into a tie with Gilliland for third spot on the division’s all-time win list.  Fuchs and McAninch were third and fourth respectively.  Pat Drennan came from 11^th to finish fifth.  Gilliland and Ray Gregory won the heat races.

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. REX KING (65)  2. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD)  3. Jim Weller, Jr. (31)  4. Dave Murdick (61)  5. Eric Gabany (3E)  6. Jimmy Weller III (23)  7. Chris Haines (35H)  8. Rex King, Jr. (165)  9. Ricky Richner (26)  10. Tom Glenn (83T)  11. Rob Kristyak (00)  12. Kevin Green (74)  13. Bob Warren (96B)  14. Don Brown (71B).

Barris Supply RUSH Late Models (20 laps): 1. WILL THOMAS III (9)  2. Josh Double (38)  3. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H)  4. Clay Ruffo (14R)  5. Eric Wilson (27W)  6. Butch Lambert (27)  7. Ben Black (27B)  8. Rocky Kugel (21KRT)  9. Bobby Pifer III (6P)  10. Matt Latta (21)  11. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 71L)  12. Jorden Peters (11P)  13. Lon Emerick (3)  14. Jamie Wrightsman (21J).

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (15 laps): 1. Mike Kinney (3)  2. Steve Dixon (Engles 68)  3. Jeff Johnson (27)  4. Scott Stiffler (14)  5. Shawn Shingledecker (54s)  6. D.J. Cline (4)  7. Andy Buckley (965)  8. Howard Fraley (217)  9. Brock Moskey (3M)  10. Jeff Hassay (10)  11. Joe Gabrielson (58)  12. Eric Singhaus (45)  13. Trevor Herr (32)  14. Amanda Stiffler (14)  15. Alan Dellinger (White 53)  16. Larry Kugel (Petsko 00)  17. Bob Williamson (93)  18. Wayne Brugmann (79)  19. Chuck Recker, Jr. (17R)  20. Hilton Eppley (51o)  21. Joel Watson (92)  22. Brian Douglas (214)  23. Mike Monreal (71M)  24. Gary Sullivan (47s)  25. Steve Haefke (41)-DNS.

Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. MIKE CLARK (7)  2. Bob McCann (Fornataro USA1)  3. Tim Burns (66)  4. Bryan Wagner (56)  5. Brent Coleman (01)  6. Charlie Jasinski (5J)  7. Ron Yarab, Jr. (Burns 70B)  8. Jesse Brock (22B)  9. Bob Pollock (70X)  10. Paul Davis (3)  11. Jeff Buccella (Davis 915)  12. Brian Carothers (02c)  13. Jamie Duncan (67J)  14. Dan McEwen (95)  15. Jamie Scharba (00s)  16. Mike Lesky (5L).

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps): 1. RYAN FRALEY (12)  2. Brian Hathaway (93)  3. Ty Rhoades (12R)  4. Butch Lambert (Hendrickson 19)  5. Jace Ferringer (02)  6. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B)  7. Bob Williams (8)  8. Alan Atkinson (30Too)  9. Mike Hillman (29)  10. Junior Mechling (89)  11. Brian Foley, Jr. (16JSR)  12. Larry Root (22x)  13. Casey Bowers (20)  14. Keith Felicetty (98)  15. Jeremy Double (83)  16. Kevin Sergeff (17)  17. Jason Stanke (44)  18. George Vestal IV (4)  19. Josh Ferry (33)  20. Jacob Eucker (64)  21. Jodi Woodworth, Jr. (07)  22. Jodi Woodworth, Sr. (6)  23. Kevin Robinson (24R)  24. Brad Westover (13)  25. Gina Thompson (Webber 25).

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. JIM HAEFKE, JR. (421)  2. Travis Creech (75T)  3. Bill Fuchs (10)  4. Tim McAninch (43)  5. Pat Drennan (24)  6. Jim Clay, Jr. (84J)  7. Christi Brugmann (19)  8. Scott Gilliland (27)  9. Greg Schmied (97)  10. Steve Walker II (4M)  11. Ray Gregory (82R)  12. Brian Shay (3J)  13. Geof Pinch (36)  14. Jacob Monreal (32M)-DNS.

Coming up this Wednesday, June 12 is the Pay It Forward Foundation “Summer Bash” featuring NDRL’s ULMS Super Late Models ($3,000 to-win), UEMS Mods ($2,000 to-win), and the HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods ($350 to-win).  Racing begins at 7 p.m.

Then next Saturday, June 15 is another “Steel Valley Thunder” program featuring the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, RUSH Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Econo Mods, and Mini Stocks.  Race time is 7 p.m.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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June 1, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…Despite thunderstorms being in the forecast all week for Saturday, sunshine was present for much of the day and the storms held off until well after the completion of the eighth straight racing event at Sharon Speedway.  It was a good night to be #27 as the first three feature winners of the night carried the number!  And all six winners resides in Trumbull County, Ohio!

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Jim Weller, Jr.-Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Eric Wilson-Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Joe Gabrielson-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Bruce Redman-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Jacob Eucker-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Scott Gilliland-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks.  Malory Harper of Hubbard, OH and Jeremy Weaver of Sandy Lake, PA were the bike giveaway winners courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

There’s little doubt Jim Weller, Jr. isn’t questioning his move to Troyer Chassis this year.  On May 4, Weller won his first feature at Sharon since 2010.  After letting one slip by last Sunday night, Weller still entered the night as the point leader and he’ll stay that way after leading all 20 laps of the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature for his second win of the season!

“Starting position means a lot that’s for sure,” stated the Hubbard, Ohio veteran.  “The track is excellent.  It’s not because (Dave) Willoughby is standing there, but there’s no track that’s as good as Sharon Speedway.  I was a little loose getting in the corner and that’s why the top worked better.  I have to thank John Corbin of course, my son John, the guys from Troyer, and Carlon Hine and his guys.”

A heads-up start put Weller on the pole and he quickly took the advantage over Eric Gabany’s “358” small-block.  Dave Murdick and Rex King were able to get by Gabany on the opening lap for second and third respectively.  Sunday’s winner, Rex King, Jr., started back in seventh and he was on the move as he cracked the top five on the opening lap then passed Gabany for fourth on lap two.

King slipped high in turn two on lap five allowing his son “Cooter” to slip past for third.  By lap seven, Weller opened up a straightaway lead on Murdick, while King, Jr. closed in.  Unlike last week when he saw the win slip away, Weller maintained his advantage throughout and took the checkered flag first by 3.799 seconds in the Zip Motorsports-owned, Liberty Steel Products #31.  The victory was his milestone 25th of his long career at Sharon.

The battle for second ensued as King, Jr. got alongside Murdick on several occasions, but couldn’t make the pass stick.  Murdick came home second by just two tenths of a second.  King, Jr. was third to maintain runner-up in points beating his father, who came home fourth.  Gabany held on to fifth.  New Yorker Ricky Richner continued his perfect streak of all finishes this season between fourth and sixth position with a sixth place effort after getting caught up in an opening lap accident.  Seventh through 10th were Bob Warren, rookie Rick Regalski, Jr. from 13th, Kevin Green, and Carl Murdick.  Heat winners were Weller and Gabany.

Two weeks ago Eric Wilson was overcome by defending champion Will Thomas III.  On Saturday night, Wilson was able to hold off Thomas for his first win of the season in the Barris Supply RUSH Late Models.  The 16-year-old Wilson has now won one a feature in each of his first three seasons of Late Model racing at Sharon!  Wilson became the sixth different winner of the season in eight races.  The non-stop event was timed in 5:47.445.

“We had the car for it,” stated the Cortland, Ohio teen when asked about the non-stop event.  “I looked up and saw Tyler Barris jumping up and down like a monkey and I assumed that Will (Thomas) was close so I went down to the bottom and threw a block.  I’ll do whatever it takes to win.  It was fast-paced.  I’m a young guy and can keep up with it.  Some of those old geezers are back there breathing hard.  I have to thank my dad, my grandpa, Mike Ingram with the motor.”

Clay Ruffo raced to the early lead, while Wilson took second from Shaun Hooks on the initial lap.  Dennis Lunger, Jr. started fifth and was able to pass Lauren Longbrake and Hooks for third on lap one.  Wilson would make what would turn out to be the winning move on lap two when he ducked under and past Ruffo in turn two on lap two.

Thomas, who started sixth and was racing with an injured wrist after a nasty accident last Saturday, entered the top five on lap two when he passed Longbrake.  Lap three saw Lunger and Ruffo race side-by-side for second and Thomas and Hooks right behind in a side-by-side battle for fourth.  Thomas made the pass on lap three and Lunger on lap four.

The battle then heated up for second as Thomas caught Lunger on lap six.  After a two-lap battle, Thomas drove under and by Lunger in turn four for runner-up.  Wilson had a half-straightaway lead, but by the halfway point of the 20-lap affair, Thomas closed in.  On lap 16 he was right on the “Futures Cup” contender and on lap 18 and pulled alongside.  Wilson though kept the door shut to impede Thomas’ strong runs on the bottom of the speedway as he held on to win by 0.429 of a second in his Brother’s Pizza of Cortland/Champion Vehicle Wraps/Speed Bear Fasteners/FK Rod Ends-sponsored #27W.

Point leader Lunger was third as he’s yet to finish outside the top four in a regular event this season.  Josh Double came from ninth to place fourth over Ruffo, who recorded his best finish of the season.  Sixth through 10th were Longbrake, Matt Latta, Jamie Wrightsman, Brian Booher, and Hooks.  Ruffo and Thomas were heat race winners.

Joe Gabrielson scored an emotional victory as he won his first Modified feature since his father and mentor Bill Gabrielson passed away over the offseason.  Gabrielson led all 15 laps holding off a stout field of competitors in the Summit Racing Equipment feature, and celebrated with a “Polish Victory Lap”.  Gabrielson became the sixth different winner of the season in the competitive division.

“The first thing I’ve always done is thank my mom and dad,” acknowledged the 25-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer.  “They got me started in this and it was a dream come true to start with and I’m very happy we’re still able to do it.  I really didn’t know what we were going to do when he passed away, but I just knew he’d be so pissed if this race car was sitting on jack stands and there was racing going on!  That’s what everyone said and Smitty and Fred stuck with me.  That’s who was with him in all of his racing and that’s who is with me now.”

Gabrielson used the outside to power around Kinney on the cushion for the lead.  Evan Taylor and Alan Dellinger swapped third and fourth back and forth.  Sixth starting Jeff Johnson then entered the battle for third as he passed Dellinger for fourth on lap three.  Up front, Gabrielson pulled away on lap four from Kinney.  A caution for Steve Haefke and Wayne Tessean bunched up the field with eight laps scored.

On the ensuing restart, Johnson was able to overtake Taylor for third.  Three more laps were run before the final caution of the event slowed action and it was a big one that collected Clayton Kennedy, Shawn Shingledecker, Tessean, Jonathan Taylor, and Jeff Hassay.  After a lengthy clean-up, the last four laps went caution-free and Gabrielson went unchallenged until Kinney closed on the final lap, but came up 0.427 of second shy.

Gabrielson’s victory was the fifth of his career and came in his Awesome Signs & Shirts/Integra Racing Shocks/Reese Services/X-10 Pavement Sealing/Wedge Motorsports/Willy’s Carb & Dyno Shop-sponsored #58.  Johnson was third over Dellinger and Mike Potosky, who recorded his best finish of the season in just his third start.  Completing the top 10 were Haefke, Gary Sullivan, newcomer Ed Wilson, Larry Kugel, and Hassay.  Heat races were won by Kinney and Gabrielson.

While several regulars were off competing in a big race at Pittsburgh, Saturday’s Stock Car event was a non-point affair and left things wide open.  Bruce Redman made his season debut a successful one as he captured his first win since April 9, 2011.  And like Thomas and Gabrielson, became the season’s sixth different winner of the division.

“It’s been too long,” said the 44-year-old Cortland, Ohio driver.  “This one was ready to go and I didn’t have time to keep them both going (Econo Mod).  I had no idea it would run this good the first time out.  I have to thank my mom and dad, girlfriend Debbie, daughters Ashley and Allison, and everyone that helps out on this car.”

Lap one was an exciting one as it was three-wide for the lead between Shaun Hooks, Jason Stanke, and Bruce Redman.  Stanke came out on top to lead over Hooks and Redman.  Lap two saw Stanke get sideways and it was a side-by-side battle between Hooks and Redman with Redman getting the nod for the lead over Hooks.  Mike Clark started back in eighth and was halfway to the front after one lap then got by the sideways Stanke for third on lap two.

Clark then ran down Hooks on lap six in the battle for second, while Redman pulled away.  Redman’s big lead though shrank in a hurry as he caught lapped traffic on lap 12.  Hooks was right on Redman on lap 13, but spun in turn three ending his bid for the victory in the Greg Fornataro-owned #USA1 and necessitated the event’s only caution.

Redman held off Clark over the final three laps by a margin of 0.555 of a second for his 10th career win his Hovis Tire/GNC Well Service/Debbie’s Pet Salon & Pet Parlor-sponsored #27.  Charlie Jasinski, Rod Laskey, and ninth starting Brian Carothers were third through fifth.  Heat winners were Hooks and Stanke.

Two weeks ago, Jacob Eucker shocked the racing community as he became the youngest winner in the 84-year history of Sharon Speedway at age 12.  On Saturday night, Eucker proved it was no fluke as he passed last year’s Western PA Rookie-of-the-Year, Casey Bowers, and held off division standout Jeremy Double for his second win in the 15-lap HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mod feature.  Eucker’s win came on his great grandfather and former standout racer Dale Johnson’s 90th birthday!

“He’s pretty fast and he’s a good clean racer,” stated the Hartford, Ohio winner about runner-up Double.  “I’d like to wish my great grandfather a happy 90th birthday.  I have to thank my new sponsor Tom’s Sewer & Drain and all of my other sponsors.  I could have never imagined this.”

Bowers, who swept last year’s “Apple Festival Nationals”, jumped into the lead from the pole as Eucker passed Larry Root for runner-up.  Eucker was all over Bowers on lap two with Bowers holding on until the event’s first caution was displayed.  On the ensuing restart, Eucker used the outside to drive by Bowers in turns one and two on the outside for the lead with fifth starting Ryan Fraley following in second.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Double started back in 12th and was on the move.  Double passed Root for third on lap five before a pair of cautions on laps six and seven.  Back under green flag conditions, Double got by Fraley for second on lap nine.  Two laps later, Double was pressuring the pre-teen for the lead and that continued until the final caution of the race with 12 laps scored.

The last three laps featured a side-by-side battle for the lead between the two minors.  The duo put on clean battle for the win right down to the checkered flag that had the fans on the edge of their seats.  At the finish, Eucker held on by just 0.123 of a second!  Eucker’s popular win came in the Matt Eucker-owned, Tom’s Sewer & Drain/Ohio Commerce Center/Dr. John Eucker/Damon Race Engines/Altitude Adjustment/Danski Dyno & Performance/Close Racing Supply-sponsored #64.

Double leads the points by just one over Fraley, who finished third, and Eucker has closed to within six in third spot!  Ty Rhoades finished fourth with Root dropping to fifth.  Heat races were claimed by Rhoades and Fraley over the 19-car field.

Scott Gilliland became the third #27 to win on the night as his dominance of the Mini Stocks continued.  Gilliland won for a track leading fifth time of the season in the 12-lap Deforest Used Parts feature.  “The 75 and 82 were going at it,” said the 45-year-old Warren, Ohio.  “I just kind of picked my spot and went around it.  I heard Travis (Creech) behind me a couple times.  He’s running really strong so I didn’t know if I was going to hold him off or not.  That’s #5!  We’ve never raced for points before.  We started out so well and we’re leading the points so I’ll show up every week until we’re not.  We’re going to win the championship this year!”

Ray Gregory jumped to the early lead in search of his first career win.  Rookie Travis Creech, who had been hot winning two of the last three features, moved to second on lap four past Gilliland and Tim McAninch.  Creech ran side-by-side with Gregory on laps five and six.  Contact was made between the leaders on lap six, which allowed Gilliland to fly by into the lead.

With the last nine laps going caution-free, Gilliland went on for his second straight win and ninth of his career in his Lawn Wizard/NRC Management/VP&R/Inventive Sign & Design-sponsored #27.  Gilliland has now moved into sole possession of third place on the division’s all-time win list after more than doubling his career win total this season.  Creech held off fifth starting Bill Fuchs for runner-up as Haefke and McAninch completed the first five.  Fuchs won the lone heat race.

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. JIM WELLER, JR. (31)  2. Dave Murdick (61)  3. Rex King, Jr. (165)  4. Rex King (65)  5. Eric Gabany (3E)  6. Ricky Richner (26)  7. Bob Warren (96B)  8. Rick Regalski, Jr.  9. Kevin Green (74)  10. Carl Murdick (6)  11. Tom Glenn (83T)  12. Chris Haines (35H)  13. Rob Kristyak.

Barris Supply RUSH Late Models (20 laps): 1. ERIC WILSON (27W)  2. Will Thomas III (9)  3. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 71L)  4. Josh Double (38)  5. Clay Ruffo (14R)  6. Lauren Longbrake (27)  7. Matt Latta (21)  8. Jamie Wrightsman (21J)  9. Brian Booher (00H)  10. Shaun Hooks (65)  11. Lon Emerick (3)-DNS.

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (15 laps): 1. JOE GABRIELSON (58)  2. Mike Kinney (3)  3. Jeff Johnson (27)  4. Alan Dellinger (White 53)  5. Mike Potosky (M20)  6. Steve Haefke (41)  7. Gary Sullivan (47s)  8. Ed Wilson (33)  9. Rocky Kugel (Petsko 00)  10. Jeff Hassay (10)  11. Chuck Recker, Jr. (17R)  12. Dustin Fraley (127)  13. Evan Taylor (7)  14. Shawn Shingledecker (54s)  15. Jonathan Taylor (5)  16. Wayne Tessean (10)  17. Brian Douglas (214)  18. Clayton Kennedy (9)-DSQ (unsportsmanlike conduct).

Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. BRUCE REDMAN (27)  2. Mike Clark (7)  3. Charlie Jasinski (5J)  4. Rod Laskey (1R)  5. Brian Carothers (02c)  6. Dan McEwen (95)  7. Shaun Hooks (Fornataro USA1)  8. Jamie Scharba (00s)  9. Ron Yarab, Jr. (Burns 70B)  10. Jason Stanke (44)  11. Jesse Brock (22B)  12. Tony Bruno (97).

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps): 1. JACOB EUCKER (64)  2. Jeremy Double (83)  3. Ryan Fraley (12)  4. Ty Rhoades (12R)  5. Larry Root (22x)  6. Alan Atkinson (30Too)  7. Steve Burns, Jr. (Redman 27)  8. Casey Bowers (20)  9. Brian Hathaway (93)  10. Josh Ferry (33)  11. Mike Hillman (29)  12. George Vestal IV (4)  13. Keith Felicetty (98)  14. Brian Foley, Jr. (16JSR)  15. Junior Mechling (89)  16. Gina Thompson (Webber 25)  17. Kevin Robinson (24R)  18. Bob Williamson (8)  19. Jeff Mundell (11).

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. SCOTT GILLILAND (27)  2. Travis Creech (75T)  3. Bill Fuchs (10)  4. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421)  5. Tim McAninch (43)  6. Pat Drennan (24)  7. Geof Pinch (36)  8. Jeff Little (42)  9. Ray Gregory (82R)  10. Ken Koby II (11).

Sharon Speedway will be back in action next Saturday, June 9 with another “Steel Valley Thunder” program featuring the above six divisions.  Race time is 7 p.m.  Coming up on Wednesday, June 12 is the Pay It Forward Foundation “Summer Bash” featuring NDRL’s ULMS Super Late Models ($3,000 to-win), UEMS Mods ($2,000 to-win), and the HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods ($350 to-win).

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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May 26, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway wrapped up the two night Bill Emig Memorial on Sunday night. Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Ryan Montgomery-Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series, Rex King, Jr.-Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Rod Laskey-Gibson Insurance Agency Open Stock Cars, Scott Gilliland-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks, and Max Wilkerson-H.P.M. 3/4 Late Models. Dennis Coleman from Masury, Ohio and Denne Crystal were the bike race winners courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

After trashing a car in an accident that looked more like a superspeedway crash at Talladega on Saturday night, Ryan Montgomery turned it around with an impressive win in at thrilling 25-lap feature on Sunday night to cap off the Bill Emig Memorial “Wild Card Weekend”. Montgomery came from fifth to pass Glenn Elliott then held off Joe Martin and Elliott for his first Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Tour win. The victory was worth $1,500 and also a $100 bonus for ending up fifth in the “Wild Card Weekend” points.

“This is a great comeback from yesterday,” acknowledged the 16-year-old Fairmont, WV racer. “We were running up front yesterday then that whole deal happened. We’ve had that car out twice and it pretty much looked like that both times so we’re going to park that car. We’ve had this car out six times and this is my third win! It’s great to a turnaround. It’s insane to know you can wreck yesterday and come back with whatever confidence you have and then win.”

By virtue of winning the John Buzzard Memorial K&N “Cold Air Induction” Dash, Elliott raced into the lead over “Futures Cup” racer Clay Ruffo with Bobby Pifer III followed by Montgomery and eighth starting Rick Singleton. On lap two, Pifer got high in turn three allowing Montgomery, Singleton, and seventh starting Martin to advance to positions three through five respectively.

Montgomery and Singleton then went after Ruffo. Montgomery and Ruffo raced side-by-side on lap five with Montgomery nosing ahead. Montgomery faced a straightaway deficit as Elliott had checked out. The battle was now on for third as Ruffo tried to fend off Singleton and Martin. Hard side-by-side racing was taking place on lap nine and ten before the event’s first and only caution was displayed for Michael Lake, who went up in smoke with nine laps scored.

On the ensuing restart, Montgomery kept pace with Elliott. The duo ran side-by-side with Montgomery having the momentum off the top of turn four to lead lap 10. Elliott though wasn’t going away as he raced back by Montgomery on the bottom of turn four to reclaim the lead on lap 11. The race for the lead continued side-by-side with Montgomery battling back to lead lap 12.

Meanwhile, Singleton and Martin had passed Ruffo for third and fourth respectively on the restart. Martin continued his march to the front getting by Singleton on lap 12 for third. The race for the lead never died as they continued to race side-by-side on laps 15 and 16 with Montgomery still maintaining his advantage with the momentum on the topside of the speedway. Their battle allowed Martin to close in on lap 17 making it a three-car race for the lead.

Traffic loomed ahead with five laps to go. Montgomery caught the back-markers on lap 21 as Martin seized the opportunity taking second from Elliott. The closing laps through lapped traffic were intense. Martin tried everything, but Montgomery made the right moves through lapped traffic to secure his second career Sharon Speedway win in the Jeff Montgomery-owned, T.J. Contracting/High Gear Speed Shop/Mountain State Plumbing/Central Supply/Frankland Rearends/Genesis Racing Shocks-sponsored #12.

Martin’s runner-up was his best run of the season moving him into fourth in the standings and also was second in the weekend’s “Wild Card” points to earn an extra $400. Though he may have been a little disappointed in his third place effort; what a weekend it was for Elliott. Coupled with his third place effort on Saturday and card draws both nights, Elliott garnered 207 points good enough to win the $500 Bill Emig Memorial “Wild Card Weekend” crown and take over the Tour point lead!

Singleton’s fourth place finish gave him fourth place in the “Wild Card” points to earn an extra $200. Delaware racer Matt Glanden was an impressive fifth for his best career RUSH-sanctioned finish. Josh Holtgraver came from 10th to finish sixth over Lauren Longbrake, Shaun Hooks, 19th starting Mike Pegher, Jr., who ended up third in the “Wild Card” points for a $300 bonus, and 16th starting Josh Double.

Mike Anderson made his first ever Sharon Late Model start on Sunday and he ended the night winning the six-lap non-qualifier. The 54-year-old Harmony, Pa. driver led all six laps to earn the $150 in his Marshall’s Hair Salon/Bilo’s Gas & Go-sponsored #72. Paul Jablonski and W.L Stile battled hard for runner-up swapping the spot back and forth with Jablonski getting the nod.

Montgomery, Elliott and Glanden captured the heat races over the 28-car field, while Pegher won the B main. Elliott also earned $100 for winning the K&N “Cold Air Induction” Dash for the John Buzzard Memorial.

After yielding the lead early on, opening night winner Rex King, Jr. charged back around Jim Weller, Jr. in the closing laps to become the first repeat winner in the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. King’s $1,500 victory came in the 25-lap feature in what was probably the most competitive field to date this season as his father failed to crack the top 10.

“I don’t know if Mr. Weller was having tire issues and they were going away or what,” said the 22-year-old Bristolville, Ohio driver. “There was some rubber laying down and I think the rest of the field was running up top and he was running the bottom. I just went up there and had a good run and we had enough to catch him and sneak around him.”

Though he started from the pole position, the victory was far from easy for “Cooter”. On lap three, third starting Jim Weller, Jr. dove under and past King, Jr. entering turn three. Brian Swartzlander, who started fourth, pressured King for second as Weller pulled away on lap five. Fifth starting Jeremiah Shingledecker entered the picture on lap six taking fourth from outside pole-sitter Eric Gabany. The event’s only caution was displayed when Chris Haines slowed with 11 laps scored.

On the ensuing restart, Shingledecker powered past Swartzlander into third. The next several laps ran off without any changes. King started chewing into Weller’s lead on lap 18 and was right on the leader with five laps to go. Much to Weller’s surprise, King went to the top in turn four and snuck past Weller down the frontstretch to lead lap 22.

King then quickly pulled away to win by 1.574 seconds in the KMB, Inc.-owned, Jim Brown Seed Sales/Bristol Disposal/Cedar Steel/Professional Heating & Cooling/Reese Services/King Sanitary Service-sponsored #165. It was “Cooter’s” fifth career Sharon victory.

Weller was able to fend off Shingledecker for runner-up as he leads the points by eight over King, Jr. Swartzlander was fourth. Ricky Richner battled from eighth to finish fifth and maintain his string of all six finishes between fourth and sixth place. Completing the top 10 were Gabany, Dave Murdick, newcomer Brad Rapp, Rob Kristyak, and Steve Feder. King and Gabany captured the heat races over the 18-car field.

Making just his second start of the season and first in his own car at Sharon in a couple years, Rod Laskey captured the 20-lap Gibson Insurance Agency feature for the Open Stock Cars. After battling Steve Burns, Jr. in the first half of the event, Laskey made the pass and pulled away for the $750 victory.

“We just pulled this car out of the garage Sunday,” revealed the 37-year-old Oil City, Pa. racer. “This car was tailored for me over the winter. My crew guys and I built it and I love it. Opening night at Mercer (Raceway Park) we rolled it in the feature and kind of tore it up pretty bad. Tonight is really my shakedown night. This car is brand new so I wanted to pace myself, but I saw Steve (Burns) was having a little trouble. I have to thank Sharon Speedway- I love these open Stock Car shows!”

After a caution in turn one on the opening lap, the race went caution-free. Subbing for Ron Yarab, Jr., Burns raced to the lead at the start, while Laskey passed newcomers Mike Miller and Leigh Wheeler for runner-up. Rusty Wheeler had started sixth and was halfway to the front after one lap. By lap two, Burns and Laskey distanced themselves from the field. On lap five, Laskey began pressuring Burns, but it wasn’t until lap 13 when Laskey finally made the pass in turn four after a mistake by Burns.

Once in front, Laskey pulled away to win comfortably by 2.929 seconds over Burns in his Randy’s Auto Sales/Anderson Physical Therapy/The Works/Les Frickshun #1R for his third career win. The driver that turned a lot of heads was Brian Carothers. Carothers started 17th and worked his way to the top five by lap 12. He passed Jamie Duncan for fourth on lap 14 and then Rusty Wheeler for third on lap 15. Carothers ran down Burns at the finish, but had to settle for third doing it all with only the first lap restart. Chris Schneider also had a good run forward placing fourth after starting 15th. Rusty Wheeler dropped to fifth. Heat winners over the 22-car season high field were newcomers Bob McCann, Bob Schwartzmiller, and Brandon Gardner.

After rookie Travis Creech cooled off Scott Gilliland with two straight wins, Gilliland bounced back on Sunday night and became the Speedway’s top winner with his fourth victory of the season in the Mini Stocks. The 12-lap Deforest Used Parts win was worth $200 for the point leader.

Gilliland passed Tim McAninch and Pete Blazczak on the opening circuit. The event’s only caution with four laps completed bunched up the field. Gilliland would have to deal with heavy lapped traffic on the final lap, but was able to somehow make the right moves and hold off Bill Fuchs and 12th starting Creech. Gilliland’s eighth career win came in his Lawn Wizard/NRC Management/VP&R/Inventive Sign & Design-sponsored #27 and moved him into a tie for third place with Jim Haefke, Jr. on the division’s all-time win list.

“I was counting the laps down and seeing how far away I was,” described the 47-year-old Warren, Ohio racer. “They (lapped cars) were banging off each coming through here. I could hear Bill (Fuchs) underneath me and I knew he was coming. Luckily there was just a little bit of a hole for me to get through or Bill would have probably gotten me. Travis (Creech) has really stepped up his game and Bill is a class act. We’re good friends and if you can beat him you’ve really done something. We’ve been getting beat by Travis so we changed some things in the suspension and it must have worked- we’re in victory lane!”

Fourth and fifth went to Blazczak and Ken Koby II, who was running his back-up car after a bad crash the week prior. Heats were won by Fuchs and Creech over the 14-car field, which matched a season high.

The H.P.M. ¾ Late Models were on the card for the second straight night. Just two of the six cars took the green for the eight-lap shortened feature. Max Wilkerson changed cars and the 17-year-old Gibsonia, Pa. driver picked up the victory in the #18 over Carl Kohan.

Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series (25 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. RYAN MONTGOMERY (12) 2. Joe Martin (55) 3. Glenn Elliott (5E) 4. Rick Singleton (Enyeart 99*) 5. Matt Glanden (01) 6. Josh Holtgraver (00) 7. Lauren Longbrake (27) 8. Shaun Hooks (65) 9. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1c) 10. Josh Double (38) 11. Andrew Wylie (84) 12. Clay Ruffo (14R) 13. John Over (K2) 14. Jorden Peters (11P) 15. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 71L) 16. Matt Latta (21) 17. Nico Dabecco (Karalagas 1FR) 18. Shane Weaver (Ruffner 325x) 19. Rocky Kugel (21KRT) 20. Butch Lambert (27) 21. Bobby Pifer III (6P) 22. Chad Ruhlman (Suppa 4s) 23. Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 24. Russell Baird, Jr. (17) 25. Michael Lake (27).

Non-Qualifier (6 laps, $150 to-win): 1. Mike Anderson (72) 2. Paul Jablonski (3J) 3. W.L. Stile (1W).

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (25 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. REX KING, JR. (165) 2. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 3. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD) 4. Brian Swartzlander (83) 5. Ricky Richner (26) 6. Eric Gabany (3E) 7. Dave Murdick (61) 8. Brad Rapp (11R) 9. Rob Kristyak (00) 10. Steve Feder (45) 11. Rex King (65) 12. Tom Mattocks (69) 13. Tom Glenn (83T) 14. Shawn Fleeger (88) 15. Bob Warren (96B) 16. Rick Regalski, Jr. (13) 17. Chris Haines (35H) 18. Rodney Beltz (64)-DNS.

Gibson Insurance Agency Open Stock Cars (20 laps, $750 to-win): 1. ROD LASKEY (1R) 2. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B) 3. Brian Carothers (02c) 4. Chris Schneider (55) 5. Rusty Wheeler (44) 6. Jamie Duncan (67J) 7. Dan McEwen (95) 8. Jamie Scharba (00S) 9. Bob McCann (USA1) 10. Bob Sloss (44s) 11. Jeff Broniszewski (08) 12. Brandon Gardner (G27) 13. Leigh Wheeler (2W) 14. Pat Fielding (23) 15. Bob Schwartzmiller (28s) 16. Mike Miller (666) 17. Mark Hopkins (69H) 18. Gary McGregor (79) 19. Troy DeZarn (21D) 20. Tim Burns (66) 21. Brent Johnson (92x) 22. Brent Coleman (01)-DNS.

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps, $200 to-win): 1. SCOTT GILLILAND (27) 2. Bill Fuchs (10) 3. Travis Creech (75T) 4. Pete Blazczak (77) 5. Ken Koby II (11) 6. Ray Gregory (82R) 7. Nick Groves (65) 8. Tim McAninch (43) 9. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421) 10. Jim Clay, Jr. (421) 11. Geof Pinch (36) 12. Brian Shay (3J) 13. Evan Kornbau (62) 14. Tyler Fulton (09).

H.P.M. ¾ Late Models (12 laps): 1. MAX WILKERSON (18) 2. Carl Kohan (19) 3. Jim Thompson (21)-DNS 4. Colton Flinner (75)-DNS 5. Tim Gould (4J)-DNS 6. Kelvin Kohan (11)-DNS.

Sharon Speedway will be back in action this Saturday, June 1 with “Steel Valley Thunder” featuring the weekly the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and the Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks. Pits open at 4 p.m. with grandstands at 5 and racing at 7. Grandstand admission is $13 for those 14 and up. Children 13 and under are always free. Pit passes are $25. Parking is always free.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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May 25, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway kicked off night 1 of 2 of the Bill Emig Memorial on Saturday night on what felt like March weather conditions. Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Mike Pegher, Jr.-Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series, Jeff Johnson-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Jeremy Double-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, Travis Creech-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks, and Kelvin Kohna-H.P.M. 3/4 Late Models. Kenny Fauvie of Niles, Ohio and Lindsay Fritzsh were the bike giveaway winners courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

Mike Pegher, Jr. charged from the ninth starting spot, while coming out unscathed in a big accident that took out several of the frontrunners. Pegher then would pass Chad Ruhlman on the ensuing restart and go on for the 25-lap Barris Supply feature win, which was worth $1,500 and was his first in the new Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series.

“I saw it at the last second,” explained the 27-year-old Wexford, Pa. standout when asked about the accident. “I was hoping there wasn’t going to be anyone below me because I cut the wheel hard to the left. The first couple laps I looked up and we were fifth or sixth. I knew we had a good car. I didn’t know what was going to happen on that restart with Chad (Ruhlman). I figured he was going to take the outside and my only chance to get him was going to be to drive as hard as I could in turn one. I have to thank all of my sponsors and I just have one crew guy now, and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here.”

By virtue of his John Buzzard Memorial K&N Dash victory, Chad Ruhlman earned the pole for the feature and was able to out-drag Josh Holtgraver into turn one for the early lead with Holtgraver, Ryan Montgomery, Chad Wright, and seventh starting Rick Singleton in tow. Holtgraver pulled even with Ruhlman on lap two, but Ruhlman was able to maintain the lead.

Pegher was on the move as he cracked the top five on lap three getting by Singleton then drove by Wright for fourth on lap five. Twelfth starting Will Thomas III was another racer making his way forward. Thomas went toe-to-toe with Wright for the fourth position on laps eight and nine and made the pass stick on the ninth circuit.

As the laps ticked off without a caution, the top five of Ruhlman, Holtgraver, Montgomery, Pegher, and Thomas pulled away. Action began to heat up as lapped traffic loomed ahead. Holtgraver ducked under Ruhlman in turn four on lap 16 using traffic to his advantage to lead the lap. The duo continued to race side-by-side as did Pegher and Montgomery right behind them for third.

Ruhlman was able to keep the momentum going on the top side to grab the lead back on lap 17. Holtgraver didn’t go away as they kept their side-by-side battle going on lap 18. Holtgraver appeared to have the advantage to retake the lead off the bottom of turn four on lap 18, but Ruhlman and Michael Lake made contact, which sent Lake’s car hard into Holtgraver’s right rear.

From then on cars scattered everywhere. Montgomery was sideways and Wright and Thomas made hard contact. Wright, Montgomery, and Thomas all received heavy damage and were shaken, but okay. Holtgraver, who nearly missed the accident, suffered a flat tire from the contact with Lake.
When racing resumed, Pegher got a great restart to take charge of the event and lead lap 18. Glenn Elliott, who started 13th, lined up fourth for the restart and passed Singleton. Only two more laps would be completed when the final caution would be displayed for Shane Weaver and Rocky Kugel.

The last six laps went caution-free. Pegher chose the bottom for the restart and never looked back as he drove off for a convincing win by 4.238 seconds in the Lynn Geisler-owned, #1 Cochran/Alternative Power Sources/Pegher Painting/Triple-S Auto Outlet/Zero Wraps-sponsored #1c. The victory for Pegher was his second of the season at Sharon and division leading eighth of his career.

Ruhlman rode home second for his best finish of the season. “Congratulations to Mike,” stated the runner-up. “I always like to see him win- he’s a good clean driver. I got aero tight after that accident. We lost six inches of our nose piece and at that point Mike just left us. I was trying to bend the car too much just to keep it down on the bottom. The race track was awesome tonight.”

Elliott, who finished runner-up to Singleton in the opening event at Hagerstown, was able to beat him across the line Saturday night. Dan Angelicchio, who made his first Tour start, had a solid fifth place effort after starting 14th. Completing the top 10 were Shaun Hooks, Dennis Lunger, Jr., Bobby Whitling, Joe Martin, and John Over.

Just two cars reported for the Non-Qualifier as Russell Baird, Jr. led all four laps over rookie Jamie Wrightsman to score the $150 victory for the 20-year-old Uniontown, Pa. driver in his Blout Paving/Civit Collision/Ford Business Machines/A&I Fire Extinguisher/Special T Metals-sponsored #17. Heat winners were Singleton, Whitling, Longbrake, and Wright. Ruhlman’s victory in the K&N “Cold Air Induction” Dash was worth an extra $100 as part of the John Buzzard Memorial Dash. Jorden Peters captured the last chance B main.

Opening night winner, Jeff Johnson, returned to glory leading all 20 laps of the Summit Racing Equipment Modified feature holding off Carl McKinney for the $750 victory. “I thought the outside was where it was going to be at, but he showed me the bottom,” revealed the 36-year-old Mineral Ridge, Ohio racer. “The top was starting to go away and once I got down on the bottom there was moisture there and it was a lot better. We could have been better on the chassis setup tonight, but starting on the pole sure helped.”

McKinney had poked his nose under Johnson on lap 10, but the event’s only caution one lap later was a break for Johnson. The last nine laps went caution-free as Johnson went on to win by 1.391 seconds over McKinney in his Klaben Ford Lincoln/Warren Harley Davidson/Body Shop of Niles/Tom’s Sewer & Drain/ Close Racing Supply-sponsored #27. Johnson’s victory was the 17th of his career moving him into sole possession of second place on the division’s all-time win list at Sharon.

Joe Gabrielson came from ninth to finish third over Shawn Shingledecker, and Wayne Tessean in his best finish of the season for the veteran. Completing the top 10 were Bruce Powell, point leader Alan Dellinger, Jeff Hassay, Clayton Kennedy, and Larry Kugel. Heat winners over the 19-car field were Bob Diver and Mike Kinney.

Jeremy Double has quickly established himself as the driver to beat in the Econo Mods this year. Double led all 15 laps of the $350 to-win HTMA/Precise Racing Products feature and was never challenged for his season’s third victory tying him tops at the Speedway with Mini Stock racer Scott Gilliland. “I knew we could get a good run on the bottom, especially the starts,” acknowledged the 17-year-old Bristolville, Ohio winner. “I didn’t think there was anything left up top as it was slicked off from the races before. I have to thank everyone who comes to work on the car.”

Two cautions were all that slowed Double’s run to his fifth career victory, which came in his Cortland Auto Repair/Wedge Motorsports/Thomas Heating & Cooling/King Bros./Russ King Racing-sponsored #83. Last Saturday, 12-year-old Jacob Eucker became the youngest winner in the Speedway’s history. Saturday night, Eucker had another solid effort coming from sixth to finish runner-up after passing Ty Rhoades on lap 11. Pole-sitter Rhoades dropped to third over Alan Atkinson and ninth starting Ryan Fraley, who was the only non-teenage driver in the top five at 23 years of age. Rhoades and Double captured the heat race victories over the 20-car field.

Travis Creech had been close to victory on several occasions this year. Last Saturday, the rookie finally put it all together for his first career win and then on Saturday repeated the feat in just his seventh race! Creech came from sixth to score the 12-lap $200 Deforest Used Parts win.

“I knew I wasn’t going to get (Bill) Fuchs on the top so I just drove in as hard as I could on the bottom,” explained the 25-year-old Niles, Ohio driver. “I don’t know if I slid up on him too much, but I drove it in hard. Fuchs gave me the thumbs up every time coming into turn four so it was a lot of fun racing him. The hard work is paying off. I told the boss four wins so I need two more to get!”

Bill Fuchs set the pace for the first five laps before Creech made a bold move in turns three and four to take charge. Two cautions on laps 8 and 11 slowed Creech’s run to the checkered flag in his May’s Towing/Elite Coleman Sales-sponsored #75T. Point leader Scott Gilliland passed Fuchs on the last lap to secure runner-up. Fuchs dropped to third over rookie Tim McAninch. Jim Clay, Jr. was fifth. Heat winners were McAninch and Fuchs.

The H.P.M. ¾ Late Models were added to the weekend’s program. Kelvin Kohan was clearly the class of the field sweeping the night winning the six-lap heat race then leading all 12 laps of the feature for his first career Sharon win. The victory for the 30-year-old Gibsonia, Pa. resident came in the #11 over George Kowatic, Jim Thompson, Carl Kohan, and Max Wilkerson.

Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series Race #2 (25 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. MIKE PEGHER, JR. (1c) 2. Chad Ruhlman (Suppa 4s) 3. Glenn Elliott (5E) 4. Rick Singleton (Enyeart 99*) 5. Dan Angelicchio (14) 6. Shaun Hooks (65) 7. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 71L) 8. Bobby Whitling (7W) 9. Joe Martin (55) 10. John Over (K2) 11. Lauren Longbrake (27) 12. Butch Lambert (27) 13. Jorden Peters (11P) 14. Matt Latta (21) 15. Shane Weaver (Ruffner 325x) 16. Rocky Kugel (21KRT) 17. Josh Holtgraver (00) 18. Clay Ruffo (14R) 19. Bill Cunningham (59) 20. Ryan Montgomery (12) 21. Will Thomas III (9) 22. Chad Wright (6) 23. Mickey Wright (M6) 24. Josh Double (38) 25. Michael Lake (27) 26. Matt Glanden (01). (Note: Michael Lake took a Series provisional & Matt Latta took a Track provisional).

RUSH Non-Qualifier (4 laps, $150 to-win): 1. Russell Baird, Jr. (17) 2. Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 3. Scott Tessman (19S)-DNS 4. Paul McGinley (97)-DNS 5. Cody Dawson (36)-DNS.

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (20 laps, $750 to-win): 1. JEFF JOHNSON (27) 2. Carl McKinney (Hendrickson 6M) 3. Joe Gabrielson (58) 4. Shawn Shingledecker (54s) 5. Wayne Tessean (10) 6. Bruce Powell (35) 7. Alan Dellinger (White 53) 8. Jeff Hassay (10) 9. Clayton Kennedy (9) 10. Larry Kugel (Petsko 00) 11. Andy Buckley (965) 12. Bob Diver (230 13. Brock Moskey (3M) 14. Steve Reckard, Jr. (17R) 15. Gary Sullivan (47s) 16. Trevor Herr (32) 17. Rocky Kugel (Beck 357) 18. Mike Kinney (3) 19. Bob Williamson (93).

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps, $350 to-win): 1. JEREMY DOUBLE (83) 2. Jacob Eucker (64) 3. Ty Rhoades (12R) 4. Alan Atkinson (30Too) 5. Ryan Fraley (12) 6. Jace Ferringer (02) 7. Steve Burns, Jr. (Redman 27) 8. Casey Bowers (20) 9. Jason Stanke (44) 10. Junior Mechling (89) 11. Keith Felicetty (98) 12. Gina Thompson (Webber 25) 13. Kevin Robinson (24R) 14. Mike Hillman (29) 15. Larry Root (22x) 16. Bob Williams (8) 17. Jeff Mundell (11) 18. Brian Foley, Jr. (16JSR)-DNS 19. Cole Ruffo (12R)-DNS 20. Mike Smith (81)-DNS.

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps, $200 to-win): 1. TRAVIS CREECH (75T) 2. Scott Gilliland (27) 3. Bill Fuchs (10) 4. Tim McAninch (43) 5. Jim Clay, Jr. (84J) 6. Evan Kornbau (62) 7. Ray Gregory (82R) 8. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421) 9. Patrick Drennan (24) 10. Brian Shay (3J) 11. Steve Walker II (4M) 12. Geof Pinch (36).

H.P.M. ¾ Late Models (12 laps): 1. KELVIN KOHAN 2. George Kowatic (18) 3. Jim Thompson (21) 4. Carl Kohan (19) 5. Max Wilkerson (4J) 6. Colton Flinner (75)-DNS.

Sharon Speedway will complete the Bill Emig Memorial on Sunday (May 26) with the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series for $1,500 to-win, Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Mods for $1,500 to-win, Open Stock Cars for $750 to-win and Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks for $200 to-win. Racing begins at 7.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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May 18, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway was able to complete their fifth straight night of racing and sixth of the season on a beautiful, sunny Saturday evening. Trumbull Business College presented the “Steel Valley Thunder” program on a night that saw six new feature winners, of which three were their first ever wins at the speedway! The age of the winners ranged from 12 to 59!

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Dave Murdick-Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Will Thomas III-Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Bob Diver-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Bob Sloss-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Jacob Eucker-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Travis Creech-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks. Christie Unrue and Alan were the bike giveaway winners courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

Fresh off his second career track championship, the 2013 season hasn’t gone as planned for Dave Murdick with a series of mechanical failures and some issues while battling for the lead. Saturday night, Murdick turned it around with a wire-to-wire dominating victory in the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds.

“We’ve been struggling everywhere,” acknowledged the 50-year-old Butler, Pa. native. “The car hasn’t been perfect. We changed a ton of stuff today. I guess it worked out, but we could be better. I thought the motor was going away. I have to thank Steve’s Auto Body, Donnie Graham, Dale Stevenson- he’s my chassis guys, and Jim Hyman, who helps me out at the garage. Without those guys I surely couldn’t do it.”

The race got off to an ugly start when pole-sitter Erik Martin appeared to lose power with everyone getting stacked up behind him as Carl Murdick and Tom Glenn received heavy damage in the melee. The second start proved costly for Jimmy Weller III, who would have to be towed off. The third try was a charm as Murdick blasted into the lead with Bob Warren, Jim Weller, Jr., and Skip Moore in tow.

Last week’s winner and sixth starter, Weller, Jr., looked strong again as he passed Warren for second on lap two. On lap three, both Rex King, Jr. and Sr. passed Skip Moore for fourth and fifth respectively. King, Jr. made contact with Warren on lap six sending Warren spinning with both cars going to the rear.

The last 15 laps settled down and went caution-free. Ricky Richner started 13th and was on the move. The New York racer drove around Skip Moore for fourth on lap seven. Murdick pulled away at the halfway point, while the battle was on for second. Weller had his hands full with King and the fast closing Richner by lap 11. Finally on lap 17, King was able to power around Weller in turns one and two for second.

By now, Murdick had more than a straightaway lead and went to win by 3.204 seconds for his seventh career win in his Steve’s Auto Body-sponsored, Dunk’s Competition Engines-powered #61. King was second to maintain his point lead by two over Weller. In a photo finish for third, the transponders had Weller edging out Richner by 0.007 of a second! Richner has now finished fourth, fifth or sixth in all five shows to date this season! Moore was fifth holding off King, Jr., who came back to grab sixth. Seventh through 10th were Rob Kristyak, Warren, rookie Rick Regalski, Jr., and Eric Gabany. Heat winners were Weller, Jr. and King, Jr.

Like Murdick, defending champion Will Thomas III hadn’t gotten off to the start he’d have like this season. While it looked like early on Thomas was going to be shutout of victory lane again, a caution proved critical and changed the complexion of the event. Thomas would pass Eric Wilson for the lead then hold off hard-charging Mike Pegher, Jr. for the victory in the 20-lap Barris Supply RUSH Late Model feature.

“I was trying not to look at the scoreboard,” said the 37-year-old Sharpsville, Pa. resident. “Mike (Pegher) was here and he’s a good runner. I don’t know how close he got, but my lead shrunk as the race went on.  We’ve had a real good car here, but for whatever reason we haven’t been able to win. I have to thank Sharon Speedway for having us, Barris Supply, my wife, and everybody that helps us.”

Seventeen and sixteen year-old “Futures Cup” racers Jorden Peters and Eric Wilson led the feature field to green with Wilson taking the advantage. Mike Pegher, Jr., who started sixth, passed both Rocky Kugel and Bill Cunningham for fourth on lap two. Pegher then closed on the second and third place cars of Peters and Thomas. Pegher pulled alongside of Thomas on laps five and six, but couldn’t make the pass stick, while two-time winner Dennis Lunger, Jr. moved into the top five on lap five getting by Cunningham.

Finally on lap seven, Pegher worked his way by Thomas for third with an inside move in turns three and four. At this point it didn’t appear Thomas would be in contention for the victory as he appeared to be a fourth or fifth place car, but a caution for a spin by Jamie Wrightsman with seven laps scored quite possibly totally changed the outcome of the event.

Back under green flag conditions, Thomas got a great restart off the top powering past both Pegher and Peters into second. Thomas caught Wilson and the duo ran side-by-side on lap 11 with both racers hungry for their season’s first win. Thomas made his winning pass on lap 13 as the two made contact. Pegher had gotten by Peters for third then was able to also get past Wilson for runner-up on lap 13 as well.

Pegher hounded Thomas, but Thomas had just enough to hold on by 0.517 of a second for his fifth career win at the track moving him into a tie for second on the division’s all-time win list. Thomas became the fourth different winner in five races this season in his Colonial Metal Products/Barris Supply/All Star Motorstate/Sweet Mfg. Quarter Master/King Sanitary-sponsored #9.

Last week’s winner and 2011 champion, Josh Double, started ninth and worked his way by Wilson on lap 17 to finish third. Lunger was credited with fourth and 10th starting Matt Latta fifth. Completing the top 10 were Peters, Cunningham, Kugel, Shaun Hooks, and Ben Black. Heat victors were Latta and Double.

The Modifieds continue to put on some of the best racing night in and night out. Saturday night was no different and it was new face in victory lane as Bob Diver pulled off the upset for his just second career win at the track. Diver had his hands full holding off a bevy of competitors in the 15-lap Summit Racing Equipment event to become the fifth different winner in six races!

“This is a brand new car we got last year and just the second night out with it,” explained the 43-year-old Canfield, Ohio racer. “The first night we didn’t know what the car would like so we did a bunch of changes to it, and tonight we found it. I have to thank Brad from Race 1, mom and dad, all of my fans, my daughter who is with me every night, and Close Racing for putting me in a good car. We’ll be doing double duty soon as we have a Late Model too.”

Diver got the jump on point leader Alan Dellinger for the early lead. Dellinger put the pressure on Diver on lap two, but on the following lap slipped high in turn high in turn two allowing fourth starting Jonathan Taylor to get by for second. While the battle was on for second and on back, Diver opened up some breathing room on lap five.

After 11 non-stop laps, the caution was displayed for Shawn Shingledecker, who lost power. When racing resumed, Joe Gabrielson was able to nose by Dellinger at the line for third. Taylor was working hard on Diver. Taylor was able to get alongside the leader on lap 13, but Diver had the momentum to continue to lead. Diver got back out in front and held on to win by 0.792 of a second in his Diver Steel City/Sweeney Chevrolet/Race 1-sponsored #23.

A torrid battle took place for second as it was three-wide down the backstretch for the position. Contact was made entering turn three with Gabrielson unable to race to the finish. Dellinger came out on top to claim second with Taylor third. Eighth starting Clayton Kennedy was fourth over Carl McKinney. Jeff Johnson, Joel Watson, Mike Kinney, Gary Sullivan, and Bruce Powell were sixth through 10th. Heat winners were Evan Taylor and Shingledecker.

After not racing for a couple seasons, Bob Sloss decided to get back behind the wheel this weekend. On Friday night, Sloss finished runner-up at Raceway 7 and then on Saturday did one better. After arriving late and missing pill draw for his heat race, Sloss came up to fourth at the finish and made the eight inversion putting him on the pole of the 15-lap Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Car feature. Sloss would go to win his first ever at the speedway to become the fourth different winner in five races this season!

“I impressed myself- I’m giddy,” exclaimed the 59-year-old Franklin, Pa. driver. “I broke my arm and haven’t run a race since 2011. I had Rod Laskey in the car and he did a great job for me. We took last weekend off. Last night I decided to go to Raceway 7 and we finished second in my first night out and second night out I win! I have to praise the Lord for giving me the opportunity to do this and enjoy my life. I’m retired now and this is just great. I have to thank my sponsors and all of my friends who have helped me through the years. This doesn’t happen overnight- it takes a lot of years.”

Sloss took off in the lead from the outside pole past Ron Yarab, Jr. Sloss led the first five laps before slipping high on lap six allowing Jamie Duncan to take over with Brian Carothers following in second. Duncan led the next four laps, but sheet metal rubbing on his tire gave him a flat tire under a caution for debris with nine laps completed.

When racing resumed, Sloss overtook Carothers for the lead. Fifth starting Mike Clark entered the picture for the final six laps. Clark was all over Carothers racing side-by-side for second on laps 12, 13, and 14. Clark made the pass of Carothers on the inside of turn two on lap 14 and went after Sloss. Sloss though was barely able to hold off Clark’s big last lap challenge to win by a mere 0.165 of a second in his Joy Mining/Les Frickshun Supply/RK Virgile Scrap Metals/Pennewell Sandblasting/Stan Hepler Roofing-sponsored #44s.

Clark’s runner-up allowed him to maintain his point lead in search of his first championship. Carothers was third over Jamie Scharba and 10th starting Tim Burns. Heat winners were Charlie Jasinski and Carothers.

After leading laps in four of the first five HTMA/Precise Racing Products features this season, Jacob Eucker put in 15 good laps to capture a popular Econo Mod victory to become the youngest winner at 12 years of age in the 84-year history of Sharon Speedway! After dominating competition last season at 11 years of age at Deerfield Raceway, the great grandson of the great Dale Johnson was making just his sixth career Sharon start Saturday!

“I was nervous on the last couple laps with last lap jitters,” revealed the nearby Fowler, Ohio driver. “I tried to stay on the bottom as it rubbered up and the top was all slippery. I’d like to thank all of the other drivers for stopping and congratulating me, and all of my sponsors.”

Two-time winner Jeremy Double looked like a sure bet to win his third after starting from the pole and taking the lead over Ty Rhoades and Eucker. Eucker moved into second on lap two after a spin by Rhoades. Following a caution with eight laps scored, Eucker used the outside to pass Double on the restart. By lap 10, Eucker and Double pulled away. The duo ran side-by-side on laps 12 and 13 with Eucker still holding on before three cautions slowed actions on laps 13 and 14.

In the one-lap shootout to the finish, Eucker edged out Double by 0.414 of a second in the Matt Eucker-owned, Ohio Commerce Center/Dr. John Eucker/Damon Race Engines/Altitude Adjustment/Danski Dyno & Performance/Close Racing Supply-sponsored #64 to become the 20th different winner in the division’s short history. Ninth starting Larry Root turned in his best run of the season in third over point leader and two-time winner Ryan Fraley, and rookie Alan Atkinson. Jace Ferringer and Eucker picked up heat race wins.

Like Eucker, after coming close on several occasions Travis Creech was able to pick up his first win in the Mini Stocks. The 12-lap Deforest Used Parts victory was the first career win for the rookie racer. “I didn’t know how big of a lead I had- I was just running the shit out of it,” exclaimed the 25-year-old Niles, Ohio driver. “This is awesome! I have to thank everyone from May’s, Dow and Darrell Coleman, Dave Bass, my girlfriend for helping me buy this car, Tim, Jim- there’s just so many people that I can’t thank everybody.”

Creech started third, but passed both Tim McAninch and Jim Haefke, Jr. on the opening lap for the lead. A caution for Evan Kornbau at the halfway point was the only thing that slowed Creech’s run to the victory in his May’s Towing/Elite Coleman Sales-sponsored #75T. Creech became the 19th different winner in the history of the division.

Bill Fuchs, who was in sixth after one lap, moved to fourth on lap two, passed Ray Gregory and McAninch for runner-up on lap two, but didn’t have anything for Creech. Point leader and heat winner Scott Gilliland was third over Gregory and Haefke.

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. DAVE MURDICK (61) 2. Rex King (65) 3. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 4. Ricky Richner (26) 5. Skip Moore (17M) 6. Rex King, Jr. (165) 7. Rob Kristyak (00) 8. Bob Warren (96B) 9. Rick Regalski, Jr. (13) 10. Eric Gabany (3E) 11. Erik Martin (29E) 12. Jimmy Weller III (23) 13. Tom Glenn (83T) 14. Carl Murdick (6) 15. Dean Pearson (8J)-DNS.

Barris Supply RUSH Late Models (20 laps): 1. WILL THOMAS III (9) 2. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1c) 3. Josh Double (38) 4. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 71L) 5. Matt Latta (21) 6. Jorden Peters (11P) 7. Bill Cunningham (59) 8. Rocky Kugel (21KRT) 9. Shaun Hooks (65) 10. Ben Black (27B) 11. Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 12. Eric Wilson (27W)-DSQ (unsportsmanlike conduct).

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (15 laps): 1. BOB DIVER (23) 2. Alan Dellinger (White 53) 3. Jonathan Taylor (5) 4. Clayton Kennedy (9) 5. Carl McKinney (Hendrickson 6M) 6. Jeff Johnson (27) 7. Joel Watson (92) 8. Mike Kinney (3) 9. Gary Sullivan (47s) 10. Bruce Powell (35) 11. Wayne Tessean (10) 12. Larry Kugel (Petsko 00) 13. Jeff Hassay (10) 14. Trevor Herr (32) 15. Joe Gabrielson (58) 16. Shawn Shingledecker (54s) 17. Steve Haefke (41) 18. Evan Taylor (7).

Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. BOB SLOSS (44s) 2. Mike Clark (7) 3. Brian Carothers (02c) 4. Jamie Scharba (00s) 5. Tim Burns (66) 6. Brent Coleman (01) 7. Dan McEwen (95) 8. Paul Davis (3) 9. Charlie Jasinski (5J) 10. Ron Yarab, Jr. (Burns 70B) 11. Bob Pollock (70x) 12. Jason Stanke (44) 13. Jamie Duncan (67J) 14. Bryan Wagner (56) 15. Mark Hopkins (69H).

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps): 1. JACOB EUCKER (64) 2. Jeremy Double (83) 3. Larry Root (22x) 4. Ryan Fraley (12) 5. Alan Atkinson (30Too) 6. Jace Ferringer (02) 7. Brian Foley, Jr. (16JSR) 8. Brian Lacey (51) 9. Gina Thompson (Webber 25) 10. George Vestal IV (4) 11. Cole Ruffo (12R) 12. Kevin Robinson (24R) 13. Brian Hathaway (93) 14. Bob Williams (8) 15. Ty Rhoades (12R) 16. Derek Dellinger (19) 17. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B)-DNS 18. Brad Westover (13)-DNS 19. Bruce Redman (27)-DNS.

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. TRAVIS CREECH (75T) 2. Bill Fuchs (10) 3. Scott Gilliland (27) 4. Ray Gregory (82R) 5. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421) 6. Tim McAninch (43) 7. Jim Edison (01) 8. Evan Kornbau (62) 9. Ken Koby II (22)-DNS 10. Brian Shay (3J)-DNS.

Sharon Speedway will host the two-day Bill Emig Memorial this Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26 featuring two complete shows for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series paying $1,500 to-win each plus the $1,500 “Wild Card Weekend” point fund. The Modifieds, Econo Mods and Mini Stocks will be on the card Saturday with DIRTcar Big-Block Mods for $1,500 to-win, Open Stock Cars for $750 to-win and Mini Stocks for $200 to-win on Sunday.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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May 11, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…While just about every race track in the region cancelled due to the inclement weather on Saturday, Sharon forged on with the “Steel Valley Thunder” program on Speed Energy Drink Night. Heavy rains Friday night and overcast, cool conditions led to a fast track and the show was completed just before the rains came again.

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Brian Swartzlander-Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Josh Double-Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Joel Watson-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Paul Davis-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Ryan Fraley-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Scott Gilliland-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks. Hunter Zilhauer and Emily Clemens were the two winners of the bike giveaways courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

Making just his second appearance of the season, Brian Swartzlander led all 25 laps of the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature to become the fourth different winner in as many events this season! Swartzlander drove a great race through lapped traffic in the closing stages of the event to hold off Rex King, Jr. for the headlining win.

“I’m a little tired,” acknowledged the 53-year-old Leechburg, Pa. great. “We were planning on running here tonight. I saw all of the other tracks cancelling this morning and I’m glad we made the trip! He’s (King, Jr.) doing a really good job and getting better and better. We were fortunate to start up front. I don’t know if we could have come from the back. It was sure nice seeing open track, but lapped cars made it a little tough at the end.”

King, Jr. and Swartzlander led the field to green with Swartzlander riding the cushion into the lead. Fourth and sixth starting Ricky Richner and Dave Murdick, used the cushion as well to move into third and fourth respectively after one lap. The event’s only caution occurred when Dave Reges did a 360-spin in turn four on the first lap. While Reges kept going, Kevin Green, Erik Martin, and Steve Feder got tangled up and all received heavy damage.

Back under green conditions, Swartzlander continued to set the pace over King, Jr. After starting third and falling to fifth on the opening lap, Dave Murdick was able to get around Jimmy Weller III for fourth on lap three. Weller III, who was making his season debut, then had his hands full trying to hold off Rex King in a torrid battle for the fifth spot. Swartzlander caught lapped traffic on lap 13 and his lead began to shrink as both King, Jr. and Richner closed in.

Not far behind the lead trio was Murdick, who began to get closer to the leaders on lap 14. With Richner boxed in by lapped cars, Murdick went to the cushion and drove around Richner in turns one and two for third on lap 16. It was now a four-car race for third on lap 18 with Murdick trying to catch the lead duo, while having his hands full with Richner, Weller III, and King in hot pursuit.

Back up front, Swartzlander made all of the right moves as King, Jr. shadowed him for the duration, but couldn’t find a way by coming up 0.887 of a second shy. Swartzlander’s 12th career Sharon win came in his McCutcheon Enterprises, Inc.-sponsored #83. Murdick was third. Weller III and point leader King were able to drive around Richner on the final lap in traffic to secure the fourth and fifth spots respectively.

It was a tough break for New Yorker Richner, who ran a close third for 15 laps, only to finish sixth. Richner though has been able to finish in the top six all four starts this season as he sits fourth in points. Seventh through 10th were Skip Moore, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Eric Gabany, and Bob Warren. Heat winners were Murdick, Swartzlander, and King, Jr. over the season-high 21-car field.

2011 track champion, Josh Double, returned to form leading all 20 laps of the Barris Supply RUSH Late Model feature for his first win of the season. Double had a bevy of competitors hot on his heels, but was able to get the job done as he joined his younger brother Jeremy as 2013 feature winners at Sharon.

“I sure didn’t want to see those caution,” expressed the 20-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer. “I knew whoever got out front, it was going to be hard for someone to pass them back. Restarts were definitely not what we wanted to see. I saw (Dennis) Lunger coming up on the scoreboard, but it’s hard when you start back when the track is this fast. I have to thank all of my friends, family- mom and dad, girlfriend, and everyone that sponsors the car.”

Double took off in the lead as Eric Wilson was able to pass Shaun Hooks for second on lap one. Hooks, who was making his Late Model debut, had his car pushing in the early laps as Will Thomas III made the pass for third on lap two and then Bill Cunningham and Dennis Lunger, Jr. did the same for fourth and fifth respectively on lap three.

By lap four, the top three of Double, Wilson, and Thomas distanced themselves from the field. On lap seven, Wilson and Thomas caught Double making it a three-car race for the lead. Thomas pulled alongside Wilson on lap 10 and as those two battled for second, Double opened up some ground. Matt Latta went up in smoke with 14 laps scored necessitating the first caution of the race.

After falling back to fifth at one point, Cunningham used the outside on the restart to power past Thomas and Wilson racing off turn two. While Wilson and Thomas nearly got together, two-time winner Dennis Lunger, Jr. was able to make the pass of Thomas for fourth. Rocky Kugel brought out the second and final caution of the event with 17 laps scored.

After making a winning pass with two laps to go last week, Lunger was on the charge again getting by Wilson for third on the restart. Double would hold off the hard charging Cunningham and Lunger to win by a mere 0.646 of a second. The victory was Double’s fourth of his career matching his brother’s win total in the Econo Mods, and came in his Cortland Auto Repair/Wedge Motorsports/King Bros. Ready Mix/Thomas Heating & AC/Glunt Industries-sponsored #38.

In his third start of the season, Cunningham recorded his third top six finish. Lunger’s third place finish maintained his point lead and gave him valuable points toward the $5,000 to-win Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Weekly Series Championship! Wilson continues to have a strong third season finishing fourth as he contends for the “Futures Cup” championship. Thomas was fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Hooks, Canadian Jorden Peters, Ben Black, Rich Howell, and Kugel. Heat winners were Wilson and Hooks.

After missing the first two nights of competition, last year’s co-champion, Joel Watson, is quickly making up for lost ground. Watson flew from the sixth starting spot to win the Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds for the second consecutive week and has moved into sixth place in the standings.

“This car was tough to hang onto,” said the Conneaut, Ohio standout, who turns 34 on Wednesday. “The track was really patchy with traction. If you slid into the traction, the car would turn anyway it wanted to, and you could just barely hold onto the wheel. I couldn’t drive it hard enough to keep up with the traction in the track.”

Jack Young, who was the co-champion last year with Watson, raced to the early lead in search of his first win with opening night winner, Jeff Johnson, in tow. Watson wasted little time moving forward as passed veteran Larry Kugel for fourth on lap two. Johnson began pressuring Young for the lead before the first caution was displayed with six laps completed for a spin by Gary Sullivan.

When green replaced yellow, Watson’s preferred outside line allowed him to power past Joe Gabrielson for third. It was a three-car race for the lead on lap nine with Young trying to fend off Johnson and Watson. Johnson ducked under Young for the lead in turn four on lap 10 just as Young’s #67 went up in smoke bringing out the second caution.

Watson would make his winning move on the restart as he got great forward bite off the bottom of turn two to drive by Johnson for the lead. Seventh starting newcomer Evan Taylor was quietly moving forward. Taylor passed another newcomer in Greg Johnson for third on lap 11. A pair of cautions slowed action with 13 laps scored setting up a two-lap shootout to the finish.

Taylor was able to pass Jeff Johnson for runner-up on the restart. Watson though was too much as he went to win by just 0.947 of a second over Taylor in his Northwest Restoration/Zimmer’s Service Center/Racecar Fabrication/Hoosier Tire-sponsored #92. Like Swartzlander, Watson’s victory was the 12th of his career at Sharon.

Jeff Johnson dropped to third over Greg Johnson and Shawn Shingledecker. Kugel, Clayton Kennedy, Mike Kinney, Andy Buckley, and Sullivan completed the top 10. After four top five finishes to start the season, Alan Dellinger dropped from the event and was scored in 18th, but still was able to maintain his point lead. Kinney and Taylor picked up heat race victories over the 20-car field.

When Paul Davis starts up front he’s pretty tough to beat. Davis though would have his hands full for the duration of the 15-lap Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Car feature as he had to fend off defending track champion Tim Burns for his season’s second victory.

“I like these types of tracks too,” said the 52-year-old Fowler, Ohio veteran, who normally excels on dry, slick tracks. “I learned how to run this type of track back in my younger days at Raceway 7. I like the cushion and the slick tracks. I was really surprised to see him (Burns) there and figured I better step it up a little bit!”

After a caution on the opening lap, Davis led Burns, Charlie Jasinski, last week’s winner Bryan Wagner and point leader Mike Clark. Burns began to turn up the wick on lap four as he was all over the leader. The race would be slowed for the second and final time when Jason Stanke, Ron Yarab, Jr., and Jesse Brock tangled with five laps scored.

The last 10 laps went green-to-checkered. Clark passed Wagner for fourth on lap seven. Burns again put the heat on Davis on lap eight as he looked under the leader, but couldn’t make the pass stick. Clark grabbed another spot when he moved to third on lap 11 as he drove around Jasinski in turns one and two.

Burns would try everything and got a great run off turn four on the final lap, but came up just 0.253 of a second shy of Davis. For Davis, it was his ninth career win in his Advance Auto Parts/Hover Racing/Don Williams Excavating/GSM Enterprises-sponsored #3. Clark’s third was important as he was able to maintain his point lead by just two over Burns and three over Davis. Jasinski and Wagner were fourth and fifth. Heat winners were Jamie Scharba and Burns.

The 2013 season has been a major improvement for Ryan Fraley. So much so that he already has the first two wins of his career in the first five weeks of competition and is just two points out of the lead! Saturday’s win came in the 15-lap HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mod feature.

“Brandon Blackshear has really helped me out to get this car running,” revealed the 24-year-old Wheatland, Pa. racer. “Don (Blackshear) sat down with us this week and told us different things we needed to look at and it’s been helping out. I have to thank my family, the Blackshears, Joel from Close Racing Supply, and everyone else that gives me a hand on this race car.”

Fraley survived five cautions and a lengthy delay of nearly 25 minutes when the cars of Dennis Dellinger, Jr. and Alan Atkinson got tangled up and hooked together on the opening lap. Fraley started from the pole and held off outside pole-sitter and point leader Steve Burns, Jr. for the duration to win by just 0.313 of a second in his Sunset Lanes/Eagle Soft Tees/Tri-State Trailer Sales/Blackshear Racing Engines-sponsored #12. Third through fifth were Derek Dellinger, Jeremy Double, and Junior Mechling. Heat winners over the 20-car field were Fraley and Burns.

Scott Gilliland has clearly shown he’s the driver to beat this season in the Mini Stocks. While Bill Fuchs dominated 2011 to win the points and Jim Haefke, Jr. did the same last season, Gilliland has come out the gates swinging as he became the track’s leading feature winner with his third win in five weeks! Gilliland’s latest win came in the 12-lap Deforest Used Parts feature just before the rains came.

“We were luck again,” stated the 46-year-old Warren, Ohio racer in a wet victory lane. “We probably have only been the fastest car in one of our three wins, but you have to finish and run all 12 laps. I have to thank my mother. She’s one of the greatest mothers that put up with me and I survived childhood. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms!”

Fuchs raced to the early lead from the outside pole with rookie Travis Creech, Gilliland, and Ray Gregory in pursuit. Fuch’s night came to an end early when he lost a wheel with five laps scored. This moved Creech into the lead on the restart. Creech’s lead didn’t last long as Gilliland and Gregory raced by for the top two spots. The last seven laps went green-to-checkered as Gilliland would win by a straightaway in the night’s only feature that wasn’t decided by less than one second.

Gilliland’s seventh career win came in his Lawn Wizard/NRC Management/VP&R/Inventive Sign & Design-sponsored #27 and moved him into sole possession of fourth place on the division’s all-time win list. Gilliland has opened up a big 36-point lead over Gregory, who finished second. Creech cut down a tire on lap eight, which allowed Haefke to take the third position. Jim Clay, Jr. was also able to get by Creech to finish fourth, while Creech limped home in fifth. Creech and Gilliland were the heat race winners.

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. BRIAN SWARTZLANDER (83) 2. Rex King, Jr. (165) 3. Dave Murdick (61) 4. Jimmy Weller III (23) 5. Rex King (65) 6. Ricky Richner (26) 7. Skip Moore (17M) 8. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD) 9. Eric Gabany (3E) 10. Bob Warren (96B) 11. Carl Murdick (6) 12. Tom Glenn (83T) 13. Rick Regalski, Jr. (13) 14. Rob Kristyak (00) 15. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 16. Dave Reges (27R) 17. Steve Feder (45) 18. Erik Martin (29E) 19. Kevin Green (74) 20. Kevin Hoffman (17H)-DNS 21. Ronnie Kahler (7R)-DNS.

Barris Supply RUSH Late Models (20 laps): 1. JOSH DOUBLE (38) 2. Bill Cunningham (59) 3. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 71L) 4. Eric Wilson (27W) 5. Will Thomas III (9) 6. Shaun Hooks (65) 7. Jorden Peters (11P) 8. Ben Black (27B) 9.Rich Howell (Cunningham 04) 10. Rock Kugel (21KRT) 11. Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 12. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 13. Matt Latta (21) 14. Bobby Pifer III (6P).

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (15 laps): 1. JOEL WATSON (92) 2. Even Taylor (7) 3. Jeff Johnson (27) 4. Greg Johnson (05) 5. Shawn Shingledecker (54s) 6. Larry Kugel (Petsko 00) 7. Clayton Kennedy (9) 8. Mike Kinney (3) 9. Andy Buckley (965) 10. Gary Sullivan (47s) 11. Jim Plance (4J) 12. Jim Dellinger (1) 13. Jim Turley (117) 14. Jonathan Taylor (5) 15. Joe Gabrielson (58) 16. Jeff Hassay (10) 17. Jack Young (Hamilton 67) 18. Alan Dellinger (White 53) 19. Bob Williamson (93) 20. Trevor Herr (32).

Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. PAUL DAVIS (3) 2. Tim Burns (66) 3. Mike Clark (7) 4. Charlie Jasinski (5J) 5. Bryan Wagner (56) 6. Jamie Duncan (67J) 7. Brent Coleman (01) 8. Mark Hopkins (69H) 9. Jason Stanke (44) 10. Ron Yarab, Jr. (Burns 70B) 11. Jesse Brock (22B) 12. Jamie Scharba (00s) 13. Dan McEwen (95)-DNS 14. Brian Carothers (02c)-DNS.

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps): 1. RYAN FRALEY (12) 2. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B) 3. Derek Dellinger (19) 4. Jeremy Double (83) 5. Junior Mechling (89) 6. Casey Bowers (20) 7. Jacob Eucker (64) 8. Dennis Dellinger, Jr. (17) 9. Keith Felicetty (98) 10. Alan Atkinson (30Too) 11. Brian Foley, Jr. (16JSR) 12. Larry Root (22x) 13. Joshua Ferry (33) 14. Kevin Robinson (24R) 15. Tyler Rhoades (12R) 16. Gina Thompson (Webber 25) 17. Bob Williams (8) 18. Brian Hathaway (93) 19. Bruce Redman (27) 20. Mike Hillman (29)-DNS.

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. SCOTT GILLILAND (27) 2. Ray Gregory (82R) 3. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421) 4. Jim Clay, Jr. (84) 5. Travis Creech (75T) 6. Brian Shay (3J) 7. Bill Fuchs (10) 8. Ken Koby II (22) 9. Steve Walker II (4M) 10. Jim Edison (Coleman 01) 11. Evan Kornbau (62)-DNS.

Sharon Speedway will be back in action this Saturday, May 18 with another “Steel Valley Thunder” program featuring the weekly six divisions. Pits open at 4 p.m. with grandstands at 5 and racing at 7. Grandstand admission is $13 for those 14 and up. Children 13 and under are always free. Pit passes are $25. Parking is always free.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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May 4, 2013

(Hartford, OH)…For the second straight week, Sharon Speedway was blessed with a beautiful sunny, 70-degree spring day. Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane on Saturday night were Jim Weller, Jr.-Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Dennis Lunger, Jr.-Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Joel Watson-Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Bryan Wagner-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Jeremy Double-HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Ken Koby II-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks. Sam Kavala of Titusville, Pa. and Paige Skelton of Niles, Ohio were the two winners of the bike giveaways courtesy of King Bros. and Sharon Speedway.

Despite two track championships, sitting fourth on the division’s all-time win list and being a front-runner week in and week out, Jim Weller, Jr. hadn’t won a feature at Sharon Speedway since the 2010 season. Fresh off a near win and runner-up finish the night before at Lernerville Speedway, Weller passed Dave Murdick and held off Jeremiah Shingledecker for the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modified victory.

“We had to switch cars, switch motors,” explained the Hubbard, Ohio veteran about his absence from victory lane. “We bought a new Troyer car this year. Billy Colton was here tonight and he has been wonderful and has really helped us out a lot. I gave last night away. I have to thank all of my crew.”

Murdick took off in the lead hoping to get his 2013 season going with Skip Moore, Weller, and Shingledecker in tow. Following a caution for opening night winner Rex King, Jr., Weller made the pass of Moore for second before the event’s second and final caution slowed action for a spin by Jeff Monoskey with two laps scored.

When racing resumed, Weller and Murdick made contact in turn two with Weller taking command as Shingledecker, Moore, Ricky Richner, and Eric Gabany were all able to get by Murdick before he gathered his #61 up. Weller and Shingledecker began to distance themselves from the field while the battle was on for third with Moore trying to fend off Richner, Gabany, and Murdick.

Gabany passed Richner for fourth on lap eight using the outside. Gabany then went to work on Moore. The two racers ran side-by-side from laps 9-11 with Moore holding on; meanwhile, Murdick worked his way by Richner on lap 12 for fifth and joined Gabany trying to get by Moore. Finally on lap 14, Gabany had enough momentum off the bottom in turn four to pass Moore for third.

By now Gabany had more than a straightaway deficit to make-up behind the leaders. Weller continued to keep a few car-length lead on Shingledecker as they caught traffic on lap 16. Weller did a great job through lapped traffic as Shingledecker was unable to mount a serious challenge for the lead. Weller’s victory in the Zip Motorsports-owned, Liberty Steel Products #31 was the 24th of his career at Sharon and gave him the point lead.

Shingledecker was 1.015 seconds behind in runner-up. Gabany had a great run in his “358” small-block to take third over Murdick. Richner was fifth for his third top six finish in as many starts. The Niagara Falls, New York racer had quite the experience coming down and just made it in time to draw a pill as turkey came through their windshield. Sixth through 10th were Moore, Rex King, Rob Kristyak, Bob Warren, and rookie Rick Regalski, Jr. Heat victors over the 18-car field were Shingledecker and Weller.

After winning his first ever Sharon race in the 2012 season finale, Dennis Lunger, Jr. kept the momentum right through the offseason as he won for the second time in three races this season in the RUSH Late Models. Lunger, who also won the night before at Raceway 7, got past race-long leader Will Thomas III in the closing laps in the 20-lap Barris Supply feature as he extended his point lead as well.

“I thought it’s all or nothing- checkers or wreckers,” exclaimed the 45-year-old Albion, Pa. driver. “I figure I work on it all week so what’s the difference! I timed the last one (restart) better than the previous one. I did jump the one restart and he (flagman) was right for calling it back then Will jumped the next one. The last one was a nice, clean start. This is a totally different car than what we’ve been running here. We won with it last night and I figured I’d try it tonight.”

Thomas, the defending track champ champion, bolted into the lead with Lunger following. Fifth starting 2011 champion, Josh Double, passed Matt Latta on the opening lap for fourth then took over third the following lap from Eric Wilson. Double looked strong as he ran down Lunger on lap five and was all over him in a good battle for second.

Double was unable to make the pass before the event’s first caution when Canadian newcomer Jorden Peters spun with 12 laps scored. On the restart, Wilson got back by Double for third. Lunger, Wilson, and Double really went at it for second over the next several laps with Double regaining the third spot on lap 16. Thomas appeared headed for his first win of the season, but a spin by Jamie Wrightsman with 18 laps scored slowed action.

Things certainly got interesting from here on out. On the ensuing restart, Lunger was called for a jump. The second try was then called back as Thomas fired too early. Finally the third go-around was a clean restart, which Lunger timed perfectly. Lunger was strong down the frontstretch and had the advantage going into turn one. Lunger came out ahead coming off turn two and then was able to nose ahead entering turn three and kept the lead to the finish. Lunger’s victory came in the Schwartz Construction-owned, Schwartz Trucking/Choices Restaurant/English Tire/State Farm Insurance Chris Brecht-sponsored #71L and gave him important points toward the $5,000 to-win Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Weekly Series Championship.

Thomas was just 0.631 seconds behind in runner-up. Wilson edged out Double for third as he maintained runner-up in points as he also contends for the “Futures Cup” title. Latta was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Bill Cunningham, Bobby Whitling, Butch Lambert, Clay Ruffo, and Brian Booher. Latta and Wilson were heat winners.

Joel Watson came from seventh to become the season’s fourth different winner in as many races picking up the Modified victory in another great 15-lap Summit Racing Equipment feature. “We built a brand new car from scratch,” explained the 33-year-old Conneaut, Ohio standout. “This car is 100% homemade. It’s taken me a few weeks to work the bugs out and figure out what’s good and what’s bad with it. I think we have it working good now and I like it! I could tell how the car was pulling other cars it was going to the front with no problem. I can’t thank my wife, crew and sponsors enough.”

Opening night victor, Joe Gabrielson, raced to the early lead with Shawn Shingledecker and Mike Kinney in pursuit. Watson was up to fourth after one lap then joined a great battle for second. Shingledecker, Kinney, and Watson ran three-wide on laps three and four as Watson moved ahead of Kinney for third on lap three.

Following a restart on lap four for a three-car tangle, Watson took over second from Shingledecker. Watson went after Gabrielson and didn’t waste any time driving under and past the leader racing off turn four on lap five. Kinney and last week’s winner, Alan Dellinger, passed Shingledecker for third and fourth on laps five and six respectively. Kinney and Dellinger continued to move forward overtaking Gabrielson for second and third respectively with five laps to go.

Watson though was too strong as he powered on to his 12th career by a 1.243 second advantage in his Northwest Restoration/Zimmer’s Service Center/Racecar Fabrication/Hoosier Tire-sponsored #92. Watson’s good friend Kinney was second over point leader Dellinger, Jonathan Taylor, and 17th starting Clayton Kennedy. Rounding out the top 10 were Gabrielson, Bob Diver, Wayne Tessean, Larry Kugel, and Andy Buckley. Dellinger and Gabrielson topped the heat races over the 19-car field.

Bryan Wagner led wire-to-wire to become the third different Stock Car winner in as many 15-lap Gibson Insurance Agency feature events this season. The victory was the second of Wagner’s career at Sharon, but first since winning the 2010 “Apple Festival Nationals” in an “open” competition event.

“This feels good,” stated the 25-year-old New Castle, Pa. racer. “There was a lot of work and time in this car. Everything on this car is brand-spanking new. I want to thank Greg Cizmar for putting this car together for us. I’ll tell you what- it’s quick! I really like it here- it seems to fit my driving style. Hopefully you’ll see us more here. You could put at least six cars over a blanket and see who would come out the winner here. I also have to thank my wife and my parents.”

Wagner was never seriously challenged throughout the affair, but did have four cautions that set-up double file restarts. Wagner though was golden on every one as Charlie Jasinski could only follow the Whitling Family Foods/Michael Dorr Lawn Service/Schwartzmiller Ground Maintenance/Wilson Lumber/Cizmar Racing-sponsored #56.

The last 10 laps went green-to-checkered as Jasinski came home in a season best runner-up 2.708 seconds behind Wagner. Fifth starting opening night winner, Mike Clark, passed Tim Burns on lap five to finish third and maintain the point lead by one over Wagner. Last week’s winner, Paul Davis, was fourth after starting 14th. Jamie Duncan was fifth. Duncan and Clark won the heat races over the season-high 15-car field.

For the fourth straight event, 12-year-old Jacob Eucker has led feature laps, but once again just couldn’t close the deal in the HTMA/Precise Racing Products. This time Jeremy Double passed Eucker with two to go to capture his second Econo Mod win of the season.

“I went through this with Brandon (Blackshear) last year trying to get our first win,” explained the 17-year-old Bristolville, Ohio driver. “I noticed the topside going away. Every time I went up there the frontend started sliding off. I found that brown down low and I could get a good drive off. He (Eucker) kept pushing up the track. I think if he would have found that he would have been hard to pass. I have to thank all of my family and sponsors.”

Ryan Fraley overtook Brian Hathaway for the early lead. Eucker drove under and past Hathaway in turn four for second on lap two. Eucker caught Fraley and made the pass for the lead entering turn three with an inside move on lap three. Double started fifth and got by Fraley for second on lap four. The top three of Eucker, Double and Fraley distanced themselves from the field before three cautions slowed action with five laps scored.

When racing resumed, Double pressured Eucker. The two ran side-by-side just about every lap until a caution for a spin by Gina Thompson with 11 laps recorded. Back under green flag conditions, Eucker continued to narrowly lead every lap. It wasn’t until turn four on lap 13 that Double finally eeked his way by on the inside. Double held on for his fourth career win by 1.302 seconds in his Cortland Auto Repair/Wedge Motorsports/Thomas Heating & Cooling/King Bros./Russ King Racing-sponsored #83.

After leading all four of his first career races at Sharon, Eucker now has two runner-ups, broke in the lead, and spun while leading, but nonetheless is fourth in points. Last week’s winner, Steve Burns, Jr., was third over Fraley and rookie Tyler Rhoades. Burns and Eucker captured the heat races over the 17-car field.

It was a heartbreaker for one racer and a lucky break for another. Ray Gregory appeared headed for his first career Sharon Speedway victory in the Mini Stocks, but he missed a shift on a late race restart, which allowed Ken Koby II to celebrate his first career win in the 12-lap Deforest Used Parts feature.

“Thank you God I finally made it,” expressed the 47-year-old Austintown, Ohio driver. “Three years I’ve been trying for this! I have to thank my wife, and mom who is battling cancer- this win is for her. I want to thank Dave Willoughby for a hell of a track and all of my sponsors. This has been a hell of a night- I’m fired up!

Gregory passed Jim Edison on the start and pulled away to a big lead before the first caution when Travis Creech slowed with four laps scored. When racing resumed, fifth and sixth starting Bill Fuchs and Koby swapped runner-up back and forth. Three more cautions slowed action between laps six and seven. Fuchs began smoking mid-race and started slowing down. Jim Haefke, Jr. was able to get by for third on lap 10 before Fuchs when up in a big plume of smoke, which necessitated the event’s final caution with 10 laps recorded.

On the ensuing restart, Gregory missed a shift and was slow allowing Koby, Haefke, and Tim McAninch by. Koby would go on to become the 18th different winner since the division’s inception in his Presidential Lawncare/93.3 The Wolf/Harley Davidson Biketown/Quaker Steak & Lube/Island Tropic Tanning-sponsored #22. Haefke held on to second over McAninch, Gregory, and point leader Scott Gilliland. Heat races were won by Gilliland and Creech.

Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. JIM WELLER, JR. (31) 2. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD) 3. Eric Gabany (3E) 4. Dave Murdick (61) 5. Ricky Richner (26) 6. Skip Moore (17M) 7. Rex King (65) 8. Rob Kristyak (00) 9. Bob Warren (96B) 10. Rick Regalski, Jr. (13) 11. Carl Murdick (6) 12. Dave Reges (27R) 13. Kevin Green (74) 14. Tom Glenn (83T) 15. Erik Martin (29E) 16. Ronnie Kahler (7R) 17. Jeff Monoskey (22) 18. Rex King, Jr. (165).

Barris Supply RUSH Late Models (20 laps): 1. DENNIS LUNGER, JR. (Schwartz 71L) 2. Will Thomas III (9) 3. Eric Wilson (27W) 4. Josh Double (38) 5. Matt Latta (21) 6. Bill Cunningham (59) 7. Bobby Whitling (7W) 8. Butch Lambert (27) 9. Clay Ruffo (14R) 10. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 11. Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 12. Jorden Peters (11P) 13. Rusty Cade (47).

Summit Racing Equipment (E) Modifieds (15 laps): 1. JOEL WATSON (92) 2. Mike Kinney (3) 3. Alan Dellinger (White 53) 4. Jonathan Taylor (5) 5. Clayton Kennedy (9) 6. Joe Gabrielson (58) 7. Bob Diver (23) 8. Wayne Tessean (10) 9. Larry Kugel (Petsko 00) 10. Andy Buckley (965) 11. Jim Dellinger (Turley 1) 12. Trevor Herr (32) 13. Bob Williamson (93) 14. Gary Sullivan (47s) 15. Jeff Hassay (10) 16. Shawn Shingledecker (54s) 17. Bruce Powell (35) 18. Jim Turley (117) 19. Steve Haefke (41).

Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. BRYAN WAGNER (56) 2. Charlie Jasinski (5J) 3. Mike Clark (7) 4. Paul Davis (3) 5. Jamie Duncan (67J) 6. Tim Burns (66) 7. Jesse Brock (22B) 8. Brian Carothers (02c) 9. Jamie Scharba (00s) 10. Dan McEwen (95) 11. Ron Yarab, Jr. (Burns 70B) 12. Jason Stanke (44) 13. Michael Lesky (5L) 14. Mark Hopkins (69H) 15. Troy DeZarn (22D)-DSQ.

HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods (15 laps): 1. JEREMY DOUBLE (83) 2. Jacob Eucker (64) 3. Steve Burns, Jr. (70B) 4. Ryan Fraley (12) 5. Tyler Rhoades (12R) 6. Alan Atkinson (30Too) 7. Larry Root (22x) 8. Bob Williams (8) 9. Gina Thompson (Webber 25) 10. Junior Mechling (89) 11. Dennis Dellinger, Jr. (17) 12. Keith Felicetty (98) 13. Bob Williamson (93) 14. Derek Dellinger (19) 15. Casey Bowers (20) 16. George Vestal IV (4)-DNS 17. Craig Scherrbaum (07c)-DNS.

Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. KEN KOBY II (22) 2. Jim Haefke, Jr. (421) 3. Tim McAninch (43) 4. Ray Gregory (82R) 5. Scott Gilliland (27) 6. Bill Fuchs (10) 7. Jim Clay, Jr. (84J) 8. Travis Creech (75T) 9. Jim Edison (01) 10. Larry Ingram (14) 11. Geof Pinch (36) 12. Steve Walker II (4M)-DNS.

Sharon Speedway will be back in action this Saturday, May 11 with another “Steel Valley Thunder” program featuring the weekly six divisions. Pits open at 4 p.m. with grandstands at 5 and racing at 7. Grandstand admission is $13 for those 14 and up. Children 13 and under are always free. Pit passes are $25. Parking is always free.

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 Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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