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DOUBLEHEADER WEEKEND WITH “FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER� KICKOFF & $1500 OPEN STOCK SHOOTOUT SATURDAY

By Mike Leone

March 30, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hartford, OH)…Snowmobile races, an Enduro, and open practice have all been part of the early season activities at Sharon Speedway thus far in 2011. Now it’s time to officially begin the 82nd anniversary racing season, and it all gets underway this weekend! The doubleheader weekend action will feature the kickoff to the “Friday Night Thunder� program on Friday night (April 1) at 7:30 p.m. and the Open Stock Car Shootout along with STAR’s Mod Lite Series and Mini Stocks on Saturday (April 2) at 7 p.m. Saturday’s show carries a Sunday 5:30 p.m. rain date.

Last year, it was Sharon Speedway’s goal to create a program for the smaller-size/support divisions and young racers, who have aspirations of becoming the next stars of area racing. The bi-weekly Friday night program began in May on a trial basis. If successful, the program would be continued throughout the balance of the season. That it did as car counts grew throughout the season and the program is back, bigger and better for 2011!

The “Friday Night Thunder� program returns with 13 shows planned and it all starts this Friday night. New in 2011 to headline the program will be the PA/OH Outlaw Sprint Warriors. This Ti22 Performance presented division encompasses the former Green Flag/Limited Sprint Cars with area “305� and Racesaver Sprints.

The two-barrel Econo Mod division started last year with only a few cars and steadily increased throughout the season; at year’s end a total of 16 different drivers competed. The Summit Racing Equipment sponsored division is expected to have a major rise in car counts in 2011 as several of the new competitors made it out to practice last Saturday.

The Unitech Frame Straightening & Joe’s Radiator Mod Lites and Sportsman Dwarf Cars along with the Micro Sprints are back for 2011. “Friday Night Thunder� gives those racers from Deerfield Raceway a second racetrack to compete at close to home. Newly added for a trial basis are the Mini Late Models.

“I’m real excited about the second year for our Friday night program,� stated second year GM Dave Willoughby. “We’ve added some additional events for the racers, and made some changes to the division lineup, which should offer some more appeal to the fans while keeping the ticket price at just $10. We’ve had a good response already from our drivers.�

Pits open at 4:30 p.m. Friday with the grandstands at 5:30 and race time is set for 7:30 this year to allow for more time for racers to travel to Sharon Speedway. Friday night is Twin-State Auto Racing Club Night with free general admission for all card-carrying members. For all others, adults are $10, students 9-13 are $5, and children eight and under are free. Pit passes are $25. The rain date for Friday is next Friday night, April 8.

Then on Saturday, it’s the fourth annual Open Stock Car Shootout with $1,500 on the line for the 40-lap feature winner in addition to over $1,500 in lap money and the $100 fast qualifier by Bud’s Towing Service.

“The Stock Cars are such an important part of our weekly program,� acknowledged Willoughby. “This is a way to give back to them. It’s a show for them- they’re in the spotlight racing for their biggest prize of the season. We’ve had great success with this event in the past from both the competitors and the fans and look forward to continuing the tradition this season. I’ve been getting a lot of calls from drivers from outside of the immediate area inquiring about the event.�

Last year, a huge field of 62 cars was on hand for one of the region’s richest paying events, which was won by Alan Dellinger. The Niles, Ohio native also captured the inaugural event in 2008 in the Steve Burns entry. Rusty Wheeler, who is now the head tech inspector at the track, was the 2009 winner driving for Rich Howell.

Rounding out the program will be special races for the Unitech Frame Straightening & Joe’s Radiator Mod Lites and the Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks. The Mod Lites, who will also be running on Friday night, will compete in a STAR’s Series event on Saturday for $400 to-win, $100 to-start, while the Mini Stocks will battle for $300 to-win!

Pits open at 4 p.m. with the grandstands at 5, hot laps at 6:40, and qualifying for Stock Cars at 7 followed by racing. Adult admission is just $7, while students 9-13 are $5, and children eight and under are free. Pit passes are $25. The rain date is Sunday with racing at 5:30 p.m.

April 2 Open Stock Car Shootout $20 Lap Sponsors
1 Hilltop Pizza AND Happy Days Diner (Brookfield, OH) – $40
2 FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series AND Brookfield Stoves – $40
3 Wedge Motorsports AND Andy’s Auto Sales – $40
4 Ed Miller Signs AND Underwood Towing – $40
5 Designing Women Hairstyling AND Blackshear Automotive – $40
6 Carpenters Towing Service AND Hanson’s Freezer Meats – $40
7 Hittle Auto Supplies AND Sullivans Tax Service – $40
8 CARQUEST Auto Parts (Hermitage, PA) AND D’Apolito Christmas Tree Farm – $40
9 Lori Rollinson Hair Boutique AND Fishermen’s Cove – $40
10 Quality Auto Body AND Pat Boyd – $40
11 Intense Fabrication AND Andy’s Carpet Company – $40
12 Stahl Printing & Trophies AND Top Notch Diner – $40
13 Maria’s Hair Styling Salon AND Western & Southern Life – $40
14 John Litman-PL Gibson Insurance Agency AND In Memory of Debra J. McClearn (Tim Burns Racing) – $40
15 Joe Secka-JMSProPhoto AND Brockett’s Auto Service – $40
16 Deb & Dan and Gotcha Motorsports/Ghost Rider #10 Mini Stock
17 John Litman-PL Gibson Insurance Agency AND PJ’s Corner Cafe – $40
18 Deb & Dan and Gotcha Motorsports/Ghost Rider #10 Mini Stock AND Top Notch Diner – $40
19 Intense Fabrication AND Myers Towing – $40
20 Quality Auto Body AND Central PA Speedway – $40
21 Intense Fabrication AND Bill Hanna Racing – $40
22 CARQUEST Auto Parts (Hermitage, PA) AND In Memory of Dave Rodgers from Bud’s Towing – $40
23 Wil-ha-beeb Camel Ranch AND Alissa’s Nanny Service – $40
24 Burns Motorsports Misfits AND Past & Presentz Gift Shop – $40
25 In Memory of Chuck Cozad AND Hermitage Hot Dog Hut – $40
26 Sun City Tanning AND Happy 50th Anniversary Jim & Mary from Mark - $40
27 Pet Parlor/Cortland Ohio
28 Jen & Levi
29 Hittle Auto Supplies
30 In Memory of Allan Hudzik #30H Stock Car
31 Hermitage Agway AND Happy 50th Anniversary Jim & Mary from Mark - $40
32 Carpenters Towing Service AND In Memory of Debra J. McClearn (Tim Burns Racing) – $40
33 Designing Women Hairstyling AND Blackshear Engines – $40
34 Joe Secka-JMSProPhoto AND Brockett’s Auto Service – $40
35 Wedge Motorsports AND Top Notch Diner – $40
36 Jones Processing AND Andy’s Carpet Company – $40
37 John Hinely Photo/Image Arts AND Sharon Speedway Fire Crew – $40
38 Frank Emery Construction AND Sullivans Tax Service – $40
39 FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series AND Myers Towing – $40
40 Quality Auto Body AND Central PA Speedway – $40

Robinson Automotive Bonuses: $20 to 10th place car on lap 24, $20 to 15th place car on lap 34 & $20 to first non-qualifier.

One week from Saturday night, the new “Steel Valley Thunder� program will debut with the Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Gibson Agency Stock Cars, and the Presidential Lawn Care 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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