SUPER LATE MODELS RETURN TO SHARON SATURDAY FOR 1ST APPEARANCE OF 2018 IN AN ULMS EVENT; BIG-BLOCK MODS & UEMS E-MODS ALSO FEATURED
by Mike Leone
Hartford, OH June 5, 2018 Sharon Speedway finally got a reprieve from Mother Nature last Saturday night as just the second event of the 2018 season was completed. Sharon will now look to complete two consecutive events for the first time this season on Saturday night (June 9) when the ULMS Super Late Models headline the program and will be joined by the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds, UEMS E-Mods, and Junior Sprints for kids. Race time is 7 p.m.
For the first time since May 30, 2015, the ULMS Super Late Models return to Sharon highlighted by a 30-lap, $3,000 to-win feature event. The last time ULMS was at Sharon, Max Blair captured the victory for his first ever with the Series. Blair, who also has seven career RUSH (Crate) Late Model wins at Sharon, is expected to be one the drivers to beat on Saturday night. Mike Maresca, Doug Eck, Greg Oakes, Matt Lux, Mike Wonderling, Jason Dobson, Garrett Mott along with northern invaders from the Eriez-Stateline Circuit like Bobby Rohrer, Matt Urban, John Lobb, Bump Hedman, and Chad Wright are a few others expected to be on hand.
Blair, a two-time 2018 ULMS winner, currently leads Maresca, who won last month at Tri-City, by 11 points heading into Friday’s event at Thunder Mountain Speedway. The Super Late Models will return on Monday, July 2 for the rescheduled “Steel Valley 50” paying $12,000 to-win for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
The UEMS E-Mod Series will be kicking off its season on Saturday night with its first visit to Sharon since 2013 in an $1,000 to-win feature event. UEMS is led by three-time and defending series champion, Joel Watson, who has 27 career wins at Sharon. Randy Hall, another three-time Series champion, has two career Sharon wins as he now pilots the potent Tim Engles-owned #68. Mike McGee, Brent Rhebergen, Carl McKinney, Josh Ferry, Ken Zimmer, Jack Young, Mike Potosky, Dennis Lunger, Jr., Greg Johnson, Dan Sasso, Gary Eicher, Mike Kinney, Troy Johnson, and Al Brewer are some of the expected UEMS entrants.
Brewer is expected have both his ULMS Late Model and his UEMS E-mod on hand, while Maresca is expected to compete with both the ULMS Super Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds. For more information on ULMS and UEMS, check out their website at www.ulmsracing.com.
The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds have still yet to get a program in thus far as only the four heat races were completed at part of The Mod Tour event on May 26. The Big-Block Modifieds were also rained out for the scheduled Menards “Super Series” opener on April 28 along with “Fan Appreciation Night” on May 19. Rex King, Jr. of Bristolville, Ohio has won three of the last four titles and sits at 23 career wins. His father Rex Sr. is a five-time track champion and leads the active drivers with 53 career wins. Jim Weller, Jr. has posted 36 career wins and three track titles. Other active top racers with career wins in parentheses including Kevin Bolland (22), Jim Rasey (19), Brian Swartzlander (14), and Dave Murdick (9).
Pits are open throughout the day on Saturday with pit passes going on sale at 4 p.m., while the main grandstands open at 5. Pill cutoff is 6:20 p.m. and racing at 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, parking, and camping is always FREE! Pit passes are $35. Pit passes for children 12 and under are $25. Sharon has a no carry-in cooler policy.
Coming up on Saturday, June 16 will be the “Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals” featuring the Penn-Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series in a $10,000 to-win event presented by Blue Ox Timber. Some 75 drivers are pre-entered. There will be an open practice on Friday night, June 15.
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.
