(Hartford, OH)… via www.sharonspeedway.com - photo by John Hinely Photography - www.hinelyphoto.com

A huge crowd turned out on a beautiful Tuesday evening at Sharon Speedway to remember the legacy of the great Lou Blaney, who amassed more than 600 victories in his five-decade career of racing. The fourth annual “Lou Blaney Memorial” Alzheimer’s Association Benefit presented by Ollie’s Bargain Outlet saw Brad Sweet (410 Sprint Cars) and Kevin Bolland (DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds) win their first features in this prestigious event. Lou’s wife Kate gathered over $10,000 in contingencies for the racers.

Many of Lou’s former racers, family, and friends gathered before the races for a time of fellowship. WFMJ TV21’s Mike Ackelson interviewed NASCAR Sprint Cup racers Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and Dave Blaney on stage at 5:45 p.m. before the trio competed on the speedway in their Sprint Cars.

Though many fans came hoping to see Kasey Kahne pull of his first career Sharon Speedway win, it was instead one of his Kasey Kahne Racing drivers in Brad Sweet capturing the victory. Sweet set a blistering pace around the 3/8-mile speedway and held off Lou’s youngest son, Dale Blaney, to become the fourth different Sprint Car winner in as many events. The 30-lap victory was worth $5,000 plus an additional $100 for earning a spot in the Tom’s Sewer & Drain Dash.

“This is really cool,” expressed the 26-year-old Grass Valley, California native. “This car was fast all night. We did struggle in qualifying, but made some changes and it really took off in the dash. The main event was treacherous. The track was rough on the high side, and the lapped cars made it difficult timing them. I’m just glad I was able to hold off Dale (Blaney)- he was charging, and I know he really wants to win this race bad.”

An invert five from qualifying put Sweet on the pole of the dash, which he led all six laps to earn the feature pole position starting spot. Sweet took off in the lead, while Dale Blaney was trying to fend off Saturday’s Daytona NASCAR Sprint Cup winner Tony Stewart, brother Dave Blaney, and last year’s winner Sam Hafertepe, Jr.

Stewart was all over Dale Blaney looking for a way by. On lap three, Stewart drove hard to the bottom of turns one and two and pulled even down the backstretch with Blaney. The two made contact in the middle of the backstretch with Stewart flipping wildly and collecting Hafertepe. Though both drivers were okay, the accident took out the event’s first and third winners before three laps were even completed. It was another heartbreaking end for Stewart, who led the first 26 laps at last month’s Ohio Speedweek All Star event at Sharon before blowing a right rear tire.

Malta, NY – via http://www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com/  photo courtesy Alex & Helen Bruce Photography

Modified driver Bobby Varin isn’t usually big on patience but Varin was that and more running a torrid 100-lap battle with Brett Hearn to pick up the win in the DIRTcar Series event at Albany Saratoga Speedway. The event, which awarded Varin a $6,000 payday, was promoted by Hearn and presented by Ferris Mowers.

Hearn, who drew the pole position for the title event, took the race lead from Billy Dunn on lap nine. Two laps later Hearn had Varin, who was driving an Andy Romano owned automobile, all over his back bumper.

The duo kept the standing room only crowd’s attention as they weaved in and out of traffic for a good portion of the event. Varin eventually tired of looking at Hearn’s bumper and went by the winningest Albany Saratoga Speedway driver.

The win was Varin’s fifth career DIRTcar Series victory, his last series win coming back in October of 2003 at the Orange County Fair Speedway.

“I think our car was a little bit better,” said an elated Varin. “We could keep it a little bit tighter coming off the corner and he was getting a little bit loose on the longer runs. Slower traffic definitely played a role. It held him [Brett] up a little bit in picking and choosing a line and when to go.”

Hearn was forced to settle for second while Stewart Friesen, Billy Dunn and Vince Vitale rounded out the top five.

Third place finisher, Friesen, started 10th on in the field and had cracked the top five at the halfway point of the event. And shortly after Varin passed Hearn for the race lead, Friesen passed Dunn for third and started to focus on the bumper of Hearn’s Madsen Motorsports car.

Friesen, frequently referred to as ‘Mr. Freeze’ was all over Hearn when time ran out.

According to Friesen someone dropped oil on the bottom of the race track with 15 circuits remaining.

“When oil gets on a dirt track it gets wicked slick and then the rubber sticks to the oil,” explained Friesen. After that we were just about even with Brett and Bobby — before the oil went down we were a little bit better. We’ll take this.”

Billy Dunn and Vince Vitale rounded out the top five.

Brockville Ontario- July 7, 2012

When you are a 10 time track champion a two month drought might seem like ages. Kingston's Danny O Brien served notice that there's still lots of fight in his 17d machine as he motored to his first win since opening night on Saturday at Brockville Ontario Speedway.

O Brien started on the outside pole for the 30 lap 358 Modified event, and led each and every circuit of the event that went 19 laps before the first caution. Things got a little more interesting after that yellow flag as Stephane LaFrance, who had taken a very popular win in the ATC 10 lap dash earlier in the evening, challenged the pocket rocket for the top spot. However, the cagey veteran pulled away on each restart for the win. Points leader Dale Planck started slow but went from fourth to second on the final lap with an outside pass coming off turn 4 for the runner up spot in front of LaFrance, Matt Billings and Pat O Brien.

Dylan Evoy of Brockville picked up his second checkered flag in as many nights in the 25 lap Sportsman main. Evoy flew through early traffic finally getting by a very impressive Kenny Polite with four laps remaining for the win. Chris Herbison, who spun on lap 2 came back through the field nipping Polite, who led the first 21 trips around, in the closing laps for second. Dana Aikins and Steve Barber were fourth and fifth respectively.

The revolving door of winners in the Street Stock wars continues as Brock Cullen went wire to wire in their 15 lap event. John Gifford held off a hornet's nest behind him for second followed by Steve Kearney, Guy Reginbald and Kevin Fetterly Jr. Quincy Roberts returned from a week off to repair extensive damage to his 71 car to take Rookie honours over Dwight Feltham, Ron Day, Corbin Miller and Brandon Henderson. Jason Powers snagged top spot in the Vintage finale over Denzil Billings Jr, Paul Billings, Dave Wilgosh and Brian Comeau

Brockville Ontario Speedway returns to action next Saturday night, July 14th with the first sprint car event of 2012 at the track. The Patriot Sprint cars will join the Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks and Rookies on G. Tackaberry night at the speedway. The green flag drops at 7 pm.

RANSOMVILLE, N. Y. – July 5, 2012 –

Danny Johnson outlasted challengers Pete Bicknell and Chad Brachmann at Tuesday’s “Battle at the Border” to garner his second DIRTcar 358-Modified Series win this season. Johnson’s victory at Ransomville Speedway makes him only driver to win the track’s annual “Battle at the Border,” now in its third year, and solidifies his lead in the 358-Modified Series point standings.

“The Doctor” claimed first early in the race, powering his Waste Management/Page Transportation #27j through a 3-wide field to beat out early leaders Bicknell and Brachmann, and maintaining his position for the remainder of the 75-lap feature.

“Mr. Small Block” Bicknell made a last-ditch effort to overtake Johnson in the final laps, but would have to settle for second, his best finish of the
season.

The 358-Modified Series travels to Cornwall Motor Speedway for its fifth event Sunday, September 2.

Saturday June 30, 2012 By: Rodney Rescott

The Valley of Speed brought the fireworks both on the speedway and above it; as J.R. Heffner took the win in the Modifieds while Frank Harper and Victor Hopkins had to battle their way into victory lane.

In the feature event of the night, the mighty Modifieds took to the high banks for the Berkshire Bank and Armory Garage 30 Lap showdown. At the front of the field were the #101 of Jimmy Burns and the #42P of Matt Pupello as the green flag flew.

Burns powered his way out front early until the caution flew on lap 7 for the #43 of Keith Flach as he made heavy contact with the turn 3 boiler plate, ending his night. Caution flew again on lap 9, this time for the #42S of Kyle Sheldon.

Burns still was in control, but J.R. Heffner powered his #74 to the top spot by lap 10, and began to check out on the field. The race went caution free for the remaining laps, as J.R. Heffner scores his 2nd win of 2012.

Donnie Corellis battled his was to finish 2nd with Brett Hearn having to settle for 3rd. Jimmy Burns held on to finish 4th while Rob Pitcher scored a top 5 finish.

The LV Sportsman took to the speedway for their 20 lap feature event as Chad Pierce and Ryan Darcy battled for the next 14 laps door to door and bumper to bumper. The packed crowd was on their feet watching battle along with 3rd place runner Frank Harper.

A couple of cautions kept the field tight through 14 laps, until the leaders bobbled a bit coming out of turn 2 and that opened the door for Harper’s #25 to capitalize and catapulted from 3rd to first by turn 3.

And that was all she wrote, as Harper scores his first win of the season. Pierce held on for 2nd followed by Darcy. Brett Haas battled his way to the 4th spot followed by Olden Dwyer.

New Egypt, NJ (June 30, 2012) – Couresy www.newegyptspeedway.net

Billy Pauch, Jr. of Frenchtown, NJ won his second feature of the year at New Egypt Speedway Saturday night as he captured the 30 lap main event on Graduation Night sponsored by SpikeNGo and Hopewell Construction, Inc. Pauch Jr., who led from lap two, had to survive one final restart with 5 laps to go and his dad Billy Pauch on his bumper. But the younger Pauch used a move he learned from his dad by pulling up in front of him to take his father’s momentum away as they fired off of turn four and then pulled away fro the victory.

“I went to school on one of my dad’s moves and it worked, it’s a good move!” exclaimed Pauch, Jr. in the winner’s circle, “I knew he was in second, but it doesn’t make me drive any differently. You always want to just hit your marks and keep from making a mistake. I just want to thank this team. This is the best opportunity I have had and I am glad to see it finally coming together and pay off.”

Sammy Piazza charged into the lead on the first lap before fourth starting Pauch, Jr. slid in front of him to lead lap number two. These two drivers were the fastest on the track as Pauch, Jr. pulled away from everyone except Piazza, who matched his speed just 5 car lengths off the lead. During the first half of the event, one of the fastest cars on the track was the winner two weeks ago Dominick Buffalino. Buffalino started the race 16th and was into the top five by lap 10, chased by Pauch Sr. who had started in front of him. Pauch Sr. finally got by him and then began to battle for third with point leader Ryan Godown. Godown held him off for several laps before Pauch wrestled his way by him around the halfway mark. Pauch caught and finally passed runnerup Piazza with just 7 laps to go only to find his son with a sizeable cushion. But this was erased with five laps to go when the yellow came out for Mike McAleer who spun in turn one. The long awaited showdown between father and son went to Pauch Jr. as he used his dad’s move to cruise back out in front into turn one and throughout the final 5 laps, winning by almost a full second (.961 sec.) when the checkered flag fell. Godown settled for third followed by Buffalino and Sam Martz.

Brian Papiez of Belle Mead, NJ earned his first Crate Sportsman win of the year in the 20 lap main event. By virtue of the win Papiez took over sole possession of 3rd place on the all-time win list with six career victories. Frank Dorry drove a strong race finishing a close second and Adam Cox brought his mount across the line third. Jon Haegele and Ryan Simmons completed the top five.

In the Tri-State Race Saver 305 Sprint Series Jeff Schall of Great Meadows, NJ captured his first win at New Egypt in their 20-lap A Main. Bobby Devault grabbed second late in the race but was unable to mount a serious challenge on Schall. Last weeks winner Joe Lord continued to be hot as he posted another top three finish coming home third. Kyle Purks finished fourth and Mark Bitner, picking up a ride in Harris Kohen’s #36 rounded out the top 5.

VERNON, NY-

Another week of racing at Utica-Rome Speedway and another new winner in victory lane in the Modifieds as Todd Burley became the eighth different winner in eight events on Quality Manufacturing and Williams Fence of Central NY, Inc. night. Other winners on the fast paced night of action were Heath Carney in the Sportsman, Shawn Frost in the Pro Stocks, and Bill Mason in the Pure Stocks.

The front row of Shannon Whaley and Jason Rood brought the Modified starting to the green flag to begin their 30 lap feature with Rood jumping to the point with Bill Trexler, Jr., Whaley, Todd Burley, and Steve Hulsizer chasing at the completion of lap one.

While Rood was showing the way up front, Burley continuing his march as he slipped into second by the fifth circuit with Ronnie Johnson moving into the third spot a lap later. With 10 complete, Rood was still leading over Burley, Johnson, Ryan Phelps, and Stewart Friesen.

Lap 11, the first caution flew when the leader Rood broke in turn four which ended his chance at the win and handing the top spot to Burley. When green flag racing resumed then and after a lap 15 caution for Phelps’s flat tire, Burley would rock away. It was a heated battle for position second through fifth, however, and with 20 laps in it was still Burley in front over Johnson, Friesen, Willy Decker, and Mike Mahaney.

In the final 10 laps, it was Mahaney that was on the move as he grabbed fourth from Decker on lap 22 and set off after Friesen and Johnson. A lap 24 caution paused the action for the final time for Trexler’s disabled car, and once again on the restart, it was Burley launching to the point. Friesen slipped by Johnson to grab second on lap 25 but Johnson was able to regain the position momentarily on lap 27. Mahaney took third from Friesen as lap 28 was being scored and was looking for more.

On lap 29, Mahaney took the runner up spot from Johnson and started reeling in Burley. With the checkered flag in the air, it Burley barely beating Mahaney to the stripe with Johnson, Friesen, and Hulsizer trailing. Rounding out the top 10 was Decker, Pat Ward, Jim Davis, Phelps, and Alan Johnson. The win was Burley 30th career win at Utica-Rome Speedway.

By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE (6/16/12) –

Jamie Mills has hit his stride as he captured the 25-lap William J. and Juanita Cathell Memorial Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. It was his third straight week of winning in the division.

Michael White started on the pole after winning the first heat and Dale Hawkins started in second. Mills quickly worked by Hawkins for the second spot just as the yellow flew when Noman Short’s car went up in smoke.

On the restart Mills shot into the lead and would never look back. Beau Wilkins was working his way to the front taking second on lap five. Matt Jester cracked the top five on lap six and two laps later took fourth from Hawkins.

By halfway Mills had almost a two second lead. That lead continued to grow over Wilkins until the leader caught the back of the field with seven laps to go. Mills however, took his time and worked his way through without taking a lot of chances. Wilkins was able to close a little but lapped traffic held up his progress late in the race.

Mills cruised to the victory with Wilkins second. Third went to White with H.J. Bunting coming on strong in the closing laps to take fourth and Jester rounded out the top five.

NAPA Big Block Finish: 1. Jamie Mills; 2. Beau Wilkins; 3. Michael White; 4. HJ Bunting; 5. Matt Jester; 6. Dale Hawkinsl 7. Howard ONeal; 8. Brad Tricel 9, Robert Dutton; 10. Tim Trimble; 11. Kyle Fuller; 12. Don Hallowell; 13. Scott Van Gorder; 14. Norman Short