by Mike Leone
Hartford, OH May 8, 2019 After losing the first two events and an open practice to wet weather, Sharon Speedway will attempt once again to open the 90th anniversary season this Saturday night (May 11). The FAST “410” Sprint Car Series will run a complete program in the first Menards “Super Series” show of the season and will be joined by the Penn-Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series, RUSH Sportsman Modified Touring Series, and the Econo Mods as they conclude night two of the rained out 2018 “Apple Festival Nationals”. It’s Mark Thomas Ford Night. Race time is 7 p.m.
The FAST “410” Sprints will make their first of two appearances of the 2019 season on Saturday night. Last season, rain won the May FAST program, while the August show boasted a field of 39 cars as Cap Henry captured the inaugural event. There were eight different Sprint Car winners in eight events at Sharon in 2018. The first of 12 scheduled “410” Sprint Car shows was rained out last Saturday night as 45 All Star Sprints were on hand before the cancellation.
This season, FAST has rebranded under Aaron Fry’s umbrella that also includes the non-wing BOSS Sprints. FAST has turned into a touring series in 2019 that offers a $32,500 point fund with $10,000 going to the champion. Justin Peck swept the April 6-7 opening events at Ohio’s Atomic Speedway and Waynesfield Motorsports Park, while rain claimed the events at the Indiana tracks of Twin-Cities and Kokomo. Peck leads the points over Cole Duncan, Lee Jacobs, Joey Saldana, Jake Hesson, Jordan Harble, Cody Bova, Brad Ashford, and Tyler Gunn.
Saturday’s feature will pay $3,000 to-win, $300 to-start. Heat races will pay $40, $30, $20, $10. There will be $50 awards for hard charger, hard luck, and the sweet move of the race. Group qualifying will set the heat race lineups. Mufflers are not required. There are no membership or entry fees. Sharon uses the AMB/MyLaps transponders. For additional information on FAST, check out their website at www.fastondirt.com, their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FASTonDIRT or follow them on Twitter @FASTSeries.
After a successful opening night of the 2018 “Apple Festival Nationals” back on September 7, rain washed out night two. The Penn-Ohio Pro Stock Series, RUSH Sportsman Modified Touring Series, and Econo Mods completed their heats. The Gibson Insurance Agency Stocks had 46 cars with heat wins to Andrew Gordon, Randy Wyant, Rob Shook, Mike Miller, and Chris Schneider. The HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Mods had 29 cars with heat wins to Garrett Krummert, David Kalb, Jr., and Josh Deems. The Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods had a season high 27 cars with heat wins to Jacob Eucker, Eric Wilson, and Kyle Miller.
Saturday’s program will include last chance B mains for all three divisions. Cars that did not compete on September 7 will be permitted to tag the B mains. New cars will draw a pill to determine how they will line-up behind the cars already in the lineup. If cars that were qualified for the feature do not return, additional cars will transfer from the B main(s). Cars that do not return will receive tow money.
The feature events will pay $2,000 to-win for the Stocks, $800 to-win for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, and $750 to-win for the Econo Mods. In lieu of the “Wheelman” Non Winners race for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, a Non-Qualifier race will be run. This race will be open for any drivers that do not qualify for the feature.
The pits will be open throughout the afternoon with pit passes going on sale at 4 p.m. with the main grandstands opening at 5. Warm-ups begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by qualifying for the Sprint Cars then racing action at 7.
Those that purchased a two-day pass back on September 7, can utilize their rain checks for admittance on Saturday; MUST have rain checks for admittance. General admission for those 14 and over on Saturday will be $15, while pit passes will be $35 for everyone. Children 13 and under and parking are FREE! Sharon has a no carry-in cooler policy.
Coming up on Saturday, May 18 will be another Menards “Super Series” event featuring the “410” Sprint Cars racing for $3,000 to-win along with the first night of points for the Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, and the Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods. The Junior Sprints will also be on the card. Race time is 7 p.m.
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. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on Twitter @sharonspdwy.
