(Hartford, OH)…After two straight rainy race nights, Sharon Speedway was able to get back in action last Saturday night with a beautiful day that produced great racing in front of a strong crowd. Sharon hopes to continue that momentum this Saturday night (June 16) as great weather is again predicted.

A full show of “Steel Valley Thunder� featuring the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods, HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and the Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks is on tap. Race time is 7 p.m.

Saturday’s promotions are Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night with free grandstand admission for those card-carrying members, and giveaways for the fathers out there with Father’s Day the following day. Saturday’s kitchen special is a choice of barbeque or hot ranch wings and homemade potato salad for $6.

Finally someone other than Kevin Bolland, Rex King or rain took the checkered flag in the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds as Brian Swartzlander invaded last Saturday for the victory in his season’s first appearance! It was a profitable weekend for the Leechburg, Pa. racer, who also won at Lernerville Speedway on Friday debuting a brand new Troyer race car. It was good to see the Modified car count up with a season high 18 on hand. It’s a tight point race with Bolland leading King by 10 points and Dave Murdick only one more point back.

Will Thomas III continued his winning ways in the FASTRAK Late Models last Saturday with his third victory of the season. The former asphalt standout has gone from no dirt experience to be the driver to beat in FASTRAK competition at his home track. The Sharpsville, Pa. racer has pulled out to a 27-point lead over Matt Latta, who ironically finished runner-up just missing out on his first career win.

Jack Young surprised everyone maybe even himself when he passed Joel Watson in turn four on the final lap to record his second win in the past four races. This after going winless at Sharon since the 1990s! With his win, the Thompson, Ohio veteran overtook Shawn Shingledecker by just two points. Shingledecker has been consistent all season, but has yet to find victory lane.

Tim Burns maintained his 10-point lead once again in the Stock Cars as the Greenville, Pa. driver is in search of his first ever track championship. Steve D’Apolito has other things in mind as the four-time Sharon champion has picked up the pace with back-to-back runner-up finishes. Paul Davis is the division’s only repeat winner, but missing a couple of events has him mired back in seventh.

Brandon Blackshear has had his ups and downs this year in the Econo Mods, but the ups have far outweighed the downs with three victories along with a pair of runner-ups and a 16-point lead over Brian Hathaway entering Saturday night. In their first year of being on the weekly card and third year of existence, the Econo Mods continue to attract strong car counts in the upper teens and low 20s every week.

The competition level in the Mini Stocks has certainly increased this year. Defending champion Bill Fuchs has just two wins and only a four-point lead over two-time winner Scott Gilliland and only more points back is Jim Haefke, Jr. Haefke, who won opening night, has added two more wins in recent weeks as he appears to be set to run for a run at the title.

Pits open at 4 p.m. on Saturday with grandstands at 5 on Saturday. Race time is 7 p.m. Adult admission is $13 and pit passes are $25. Kids 13 and under are always free.

Don’t forget coming on June 23 is the Gary Knollinger Memorial featuring the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series for $2,000 to-win followed by Ohio Speedweek for the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars on Tuesday, June 26. Note: the open practice scheduled for Wednesday, June 27 has been cancelled.

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.