by Mike Leone
Hartford, OH August 14, 2018 After two successful events to open the month of August, the “410” Sprint Cars will return this Saturday night (August 18) for the third consecutive week; however this time in a FAST-sanctioned show. The Menards “Super Series” event will also include the first appearance of the season by the E-Mods along with the HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds and Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods on Kams Electric Service Night. Race time is 7 p.m.
After being rained out on May 12, the FAST Series for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars will now make their first ever appearance on Saturday highlighted by a 30-lap $3,000 to-win, $300 to-start feature (see complete payoff below). FAST has completed events this season at Attica Raceway Park, Fremont Speedway, Waynesfield Raceway Park, and most recently at Mansfield Motorsports Park last Saturday night where Cap Henry pocketed $20,000.
FAST has 15 member racers in 2018 with Mintz leading the points over Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Chris Andrews, Tyler Gunn, DJ Foos, Jess Stiger, Kelsey Ivy, Byron Reed, T.J. Michael, Duane Zablocki, Broc Martin, Adam Kekich, Brian Lay, and Max Stambaugh.
Saturday will mark the third straight appearance by the “410” Sprint Cars and final one under the Menards “Super Series” banner until the season finale on Saturday, September 8 as part of the “Apple Festival Nationals”.
For the second straight week, 29 Sprint Cars were on hand last Saturday night as Dale Blaney powered Jimmy Morris’ #4N to its first ever “410” win, while Blaney was able to extend his streak to 29 straight years of winning as least one feature since his rookie season in 1990!
There has still yet to be repeat winner in the seven “410” Sprint Car events contested thus far this season as Aaron Reutzel, Christopher Bell, and Dave Blaney were victorious in the All Star-sanctioned events, while Chad Kemenah, Sye Lynch, George Hobaugh, and Dale Blaney captured the $3,000 non-sanctioned victories. Will there be an eighth different winner on Saturday night!? It’s a good possibility as a strong field of local and regional talent is expected as they take on the FAST regulars.
Saturday will again utilize the hot lap/group qualifying format that has been used on all of the Menards “Super Series” Sprint Car events, which is basically identical to Attica Raceway Park’s weekly format. Two to three cars will qualify at a time only amongst their heat race group. The fastest four in each heat will be inverted with the top three redrawing plus the fastest transferring non-top three finisher if there are three heats or the top two plus the two fastest transferring non-top two finishers if there are four heats. The B main will be lined up heads up on heat race finishes. Heat and B main finish(es) will complete the 24-car starting lineup. Mufflers are not required and there’s no registration or entry fees.
After being rained out earlier in the season, the E-Mods will make their first appearance of 2018 on Saturday night. Saturday’s 20-lap feature will pay $700 to-win, $100 to-start or $1,000 to-win with an increased payoff if there are 24 or more cars. The E-Mods were on the weekly card at Sharon from 1996-2016 and appeared in selected events last season. Alan Dellinger, who now does double duty in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds and Stock Cars, is the track’s all-time winner at 87. Top active winners with victories in parentheses are 2011 champion Joel Watson (27), 2010 champion Jeff Johnson (18), four-time champion Carl McKinney (10), 2016 champion Joe Gabrielson (8), and 2013 champion Mike Kinney (7). Raceway 7 rules will be used with any 8″ tire allowed. There are no registration fees.
Chas Wolbert joined Jacob Eucker in the Econo Mods as the track’s only three-time 2018 winners with his victory last Saturday night in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds. The RUSH Mods have produced strong car counts between 21-31 all season long with 27 each of the past two weeks and an average car count of 25 per night. Wolbert has made out with the higher payoffs earning $1,600 for his three victories this season. Two-time winner, Garrett Krummert, has pretty much controlled the HTMA/Precise Racing Products standings all season long. Krummert has a 31-point lead over one-time winner, Josh Deems, who is having a strong season. Wolbert is third in the standings over defending champion Kole Holden and Jeremy Weaver. Krummert also leads RUSH’s region-wide $3,000 to-win Weekly Series points.
Eric Wilson made a winning debut last Saturday night to become the fifth different winner in seven Econo Mod events this season. Eucker, who has three wins, is the only multiple winner in the Summit Racing Equipment-sanctioned division. Eucker though trails Ty Rhoades, who won his first career Sharon feature this season, by two points in the title run with two events remaining. Steve Haefke is still searching for his season’s first win and currently sits third in points 17 back as he tries for his third straight championship. Consistent Brian Toto and Mark Titus are fourth and fifth in points.
As a reminder on Saturday for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, E-Mods, and Econo Mods, if 24 or more cars are present then the highest purse structure will be offered, and if there are 32 or more cars a non-qualifier will be run.
FAST “410” Sprint Car Payoff: 1. $3,000 2. $1,300 3. $1,000 4. $775 5. $650 6. $550 7. $500 8. $450 9. $425 10. $410 11. $390 12. $375 13. $350 14. $325 15. $325 16. $320 17. $315 18. $310 19-24. $300. Non-Qualifiers/Tow $100.
Pits are open throughout the afternoon on Saturday with pit passes going on sale at 4 p.m., while the main grandstands open at 5. Drivers meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. followed by Sprint engine starts at 6:15 and qualifying at 6:30. Heat races are scheduled for 7.
Grandstand admission for those 14 and over is $15. Patio seating upgrades are just $5 and fan suite seating upgrades are just $20 over the cost of general admission. In order to reserve either of these ahead of time, call the office Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 330-772-5481. As always, children under 14 and parking are always FREE! Pit passes are $30. Pit passes for children 12 and under are $20. As a reminder, coolers nor outside food or beverages are not permitted.
Coming up on Saturday, August 25 will be another Menards “Super Series” event this time featuring the final appearance by The Mod Tour for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds in a $2,000 to-win event. The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds will be running a Touring Series event for $600 to-win part of their rescheduled “Manufacturers Night”. The Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars and Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods return for their final night of points. 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.
