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APPLE FESTIVAL NATIONALS ON SEPT 16-17 TO CLOSE OUT 2011 WITH COMPLETE SHOWS EACH NIGHT

By Mike Leone

September 1, 2011    

(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway will be off over Labor Day Weekend, but will return to action with the “Steel Valley Thunder� finale on Saturday, September 10.  The season will then come to a close with the two-day “Apple Festival� Nationals on Friday and Saturday, September 16-17.  Discounted two-day passes will be available.

Heading into the final night of points on the 10^th, current point leaders are Rex King-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Josh Double-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Carl McKinney-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Steve D’Apolito-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Junior Mechling-Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods, and Bill Fuchs-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks.

The “Apple Festival� Nationals has become an ever growing, popular event to end the season at Sharon Speedway, which runs in conjunction with the traditional festival that takes place right down the road at the intersection of Routes 7 and 305 in Hartford. 

This year’s event will again include two complete days of racing as four of the six participating divisions will be competing both Friday and Saturday.  Friday’s card will include the FASTRAK Late Models, E-Mods, Open Stock Cars, Econo Mods, and Mini Stocks along with a Powder Puff for the E-Mods.  Then on Saturday, the BRP Modified Tour, FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series, Open Stock Cars, Econo Mods, and Mini Stocks will round out the season.

“This is always a fun weekend with great racing,� stated second year GM Dave Willoughby.  “We keep tweaking the line-up and are pretty excited about this season’s Apple Festival Nationals with lots of great racing and strong car counts expected.  It’s hard to believe the season is just about over, but this is a great way to end a successful season!�

The Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models will be one of the divisions participating both days.  Friday night will be a Weekly Series event paying $700 to-win; however, the program will include time trials and a paying dash for the six fastest cars that will determine the starting line-up.  On Saturday, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Northeast Touring Series returns for their fourth and final appearance with $1,200 on the line.  There will also be an Australian Pursuit for the top 10 “Futures Cup� drivers on hand!  This season’s Touring events have been won by Josh Holtgraver, Max Blair, and George Kowatic, and have averaged over 41 cars per event!

Saturday’s show will be headlined by the 26^th annual Russ King Memorial with the BRP Modified Tour for the ground-pounding Governor Insurance Agency big blocks!  Thirteen different drivers have won this prestigious event led by Lou Blaney at five.  Jim Rasey is the top active winning racer with three victories in this event.  Other active drivers with wins include Jim Weller, Jr. (two), Kevin Bolland (two), Rex King (two), Tommy Kristyak (one), Tom Winkle (one), and Lonny Riggs (one).

The popular Open Stock Car rules and format always draws a lot of competitors to Sharon Speedway from outside of the area.  Like FASTRAK, the Gibson Insurance Agency Stockers, will be battling both nights for increased monies.  On Friday night, $500 will be on the line, but the ante will be upped to $1,000 on Saturday night!  Tim Burns won the season opening Open Stock Car event for his first career Sharon win. 

The Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods have brought in strong car counts and competition all season long.  On only one occasion has the car count dipped below 22 cars as 83 different drivers have competed with 10 different winners!  The E-Mods will run on Friday only, but will be racing for $1,000 to-win!

The second year Econo Mod class, which has upped its participation to 23 cars this season, will be in action both nights for their biggest weekend ever.  The Summit Racing Equipment division will run a regular event on Friday night then battle for $350 to-win on Saturday night.

The Mini Stocks will also have two big days of action.  The Presidential Lawn Care guys will run a complete show on Friday night for $200 to-win then on Saturday night the Minis will be able to run twin features paying $200 to-win each!  The rules have been opened up for this show to allow the six cylinders to compete as well. 

For both days, pits open at 4 p.m. with the grandstands at 5 and racing at 7.  Regular grandstand general admission prices will be in effect for both days, which includes $13 for adults, $5 for students 9-13, and $32 for families.  Discounted two-day passes will be available for $20 for adults and $50 for families.  Pit passes are $30 each day with a two-day pass for just $50.    

An additional open practice has been scheduled on Wednesday, September 14.  Practice will be held from 4 p.m. until dark.  Pit passes are $20.  All cars are welcome.  

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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