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Sharon raises $7500 for Alzheimer's Association during 2016 "Lou Blaney Memorial"

By Mike Leone

August 16, 2016

(Hartford, OH)…The eighth annual “Lou Blaney Memorial� presented by Ollie's Bargain Outlet held on July 9 at Sharon Speedway was another rousing success, both on and off the speedway. While Danny Holtgraver (All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars) and Jim Rasey (Big-Block Mod Tour) captured big wins, it was also a winning night for the Alzheimer’s Association as $7,500 was raised.

Blaney was a long-time competitor at Sharon Speedway winning a documented 121 Big-Block Modified features and another 11 in a Sprint Car. His racing career spanned five decades with over 600 feature wins!  In 2009, Blaney lost his battle with Alzheimer’s.  Since then, Sharon has remembered the great by hosting the “Lou Blaney Memorial� and featuring the two divisions he enjoyed so much success in, Sprint Cars and Big-Block Modifieds.

Each year, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association through various means such as auctions, games, a dinner, the benefit raffle, and more. This year, $6,000 was sent to the Greater East Ohio Chapter for Alzheimer’s with an additional $1,500 going to the Longest Day Event by way of the $100 donation that included an event ticket, shirt, and dinner.

“We want to thank everyone for their support of this wonderful event that remembers Lou,� stated Kate Blaney, widow of Lou Blaney. “The support means so much to our family, and I know the Alzheimer’s Association is greatly appreciative as well.  Lou would be so proud.  I’ll be doing a walk to end Alzheimer’s in September, and remember you can always purchase a brick at the speedway to support the cause.  Contact the office for more details.�

Sharon Speedway hosts racing action on Saturday nights mid-April through mid-September, and 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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