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Hartford, OH May 26, 2009 Legendary New York driver 'Jumpin' Jack Johnson has filed an entry for the inaugural Boardman/Diamond Steel Lou Blaney Memorial Classic on Tuesday, July 7.
The race will honor the memory of Hall of Fame short- track driver Lou Blaney, who passed away in January. Additionally, the event will also be used to help raise awareness for Alzheimer's Disease, and will be utilized as a fund-raising activity for the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org/akroncantonyoungstown).
Jack Johnson Johnson, who hails from Duanesburg, NY, will race in the Gibson Governor Insurance big block modified portion of the event, which will feature a 30-lap main event, paying $3,000 to the winner.
With over 423 victories (including two Syracuse DIRT Super Rite Aid wins) and 19 track championships on his resume, Johnson is regarded as a true 'super star' in the modified racing world.
Jack In Action "When NASCAR stars Kasey Kahne, Dave Blaney and Tony Stewart announced they were going to participate in the Warren Harley-Davidson 410 sprint car side of the Blaney classic, the big block modified race has taken a bit of a back seat in the pre-race publicity," said General Manager Larry Mattingly.
Johnson's race entry has changed that picture. "There isn't a bigger name in New York state modified racing," Mattingly said. "Jack (Johnson) said he is looking forward to competing in the Blaney Memorial, particularly since Sharon places no restriction on fuel or tire combinations that may be used."
Modified racing has played a big part in the Blaney racing legacy. Following his retirement from sprint car racing in 1980, Lou Blaney competed in the class for another 24 years, racking up an amazing 350 plus wins in the division. Perhaps the highlight of Blaney's modified career came in 1981, when he finished second to Merv Treichler in the Syracuse 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds.
Dave Blaney also participated in the Syracuse modified event before advancing to the NASCAR ranks, nailing down three second-place finishes in 1989, 1994 and 1995.
Advance tickets for the Blaney Memorial Classic are now on sale at the speedway office during normal business hours, on-line at www.sharonspeedway.com, or by calling the speedway's ticket hot line at 330 772-1186. Adult tickets are $18.00, while student tickets (age 9-13) are $8.00. Kids (age 8 and under) are free.
In addition to the racing action a special VARC vintage race car display and exhibition will be presented, along with a gigantic fireworks show to cap the evening.
Sharon Speedway is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 305 in Hartford, OH and is just a short drive from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Join us Saturday nights in 2009 as Sharon Speedway brings you "So Much Fun, So Close to Home!!"
Entering its 80th year of operation, Sharon Speedway is one of the oldest, continuously running weekly racetracks in the United States. The speedway is owned by NASCAR driver Dave Blaney, Jim Weller, Sr. and Ron Kirila. Racing begins in mid April and continues through September.
Sharon Speedway
Marcie Barlow
Media Relations
email: marcie@sharonspeedway.com
phone: 330-772-5481
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