The Inaugural Boardman/Diamond Steel Lou Blaney Memorial Classic is being held Tuesday (today) at Sharon Speedway to honor the memory of Hall of Fame short-track driver Lou Blaney, who passed away this past January following a lengthy illness.
Two time NASCAR Champion and current Sprint Cup point leader Tony Stewart, along with Kasey Kahne and local favorite Dave Blaney will be racing against the best open-wheel drivers the area has to offer.
“Stewart behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car is big news,” said speedway General Manager Larry Mattingly. “While he competes in several short-track late model and midget races during the season, Tony doesn’t participate in many sprint shows…particularly 410 winged races.”
Kahne, presently 12th in NASCAR points, currently occupying the 12th spot in the coveted ‘Chase’, will be bringing one of his Budweiser-sponsored sprinters to Sharon. “I’ve been able to race in a few sprint shows this season,” Kahne said, “I grew up racing open-wheel cars, and I’m looking forward to coming back to Sharon.”
For Dave Blaney, a former stalwart in Outlaw sprint car racing, the opportunity to actually ‘race’ again will be a rare opportunity. The veteran driver, who was born and raised in Hartford, has been relegated to driving a ‘start and park’ car on the NASCAR tour for Prism Motorsports. “It has been a frustrating year. The current economic climate only permits us to qualify, and run the car until the first pit stop of the race. We don’t even have a full pit crew,” said Blaney. “Getting to compete again will be fun, and coming home to race with my friends is always a special time. “It has been awhile since I’ve driven a 410, but I feel we will be competitive against the folks who do it on a weekly basis.”
“This race is a throw-back to the 1950’s and ‘60’s when it was not unusual to see the sports superstars compete on the nation’s short-tracks,” said Mattingly. “You don’t see much of that happening today, what with heavy schedule demands and high-dollar sponsorship commitments."
Challenging the NASCAR elite will be five drivers – Danny Holtgraver, Kevin Schaeffer, Bob Felmlee, Jack Sodeman Jr. and Dan Shetler – who have already tasted the fruits of victory at the Trumbull County motorsports complex this year.
Other strong competition should come from Hartford’s Dale Blaney, a three-time and defending All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCOC) titleholder, and Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa, PA, the current ASCOC point leader.
The three NASCAR drivers, along with Dale Blaney, will be participating in a special ‘Alzheimer’s Awareness Autograph Alley’ from 5:30 – 6:30pm. Autograph distribution will be through a lottery system using the speedway’s commemorative magazine, which will be devoted to the life and career of Lou Blaney. Proceeds will benefit the NE Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Approximately 30 retired drivers, who competed with Lou Blaney over his 40-year racing career, will also be on hand to sign autographs and meet former fans in the speedway’s FAN-Tastic Zone. The night will be capped by an aerial fireworks display.
Adult admission is $18.00, students (9-13) are $8.00, and Kids (age 8 and under) are free. Entry to the pit area is $30.00. Spectator gates open at 4:00, with racing set to begin at 7:00pm.
The rain date is Wednesday, July 8.
Sharon Speedway is located off I-80… follow Rte. 7 North to Rte. 305 East.
