AUTO RACING Jimmy Hawley set to drive Grove's car

Jimmy Hawley of West Middlesex will team with Pete Grove of Massillon for sprint car races.
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Jimmy Hawley announced Tuesday that he will drive Pete Grove's No. 70 sprint car in 2003.
The Western Pennsylvania standout will team with the former Ohio sprint car racer for an assault on races throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio, along with the national touring bodies of the All-Star Circuit of Champions and the World of Outlaws.
"We're still working on sponsorship packages for the new year," said Hawley, a West Middlesex, Pa., resident. "Our plan was to go to Florida for Speedweeks in February, but we may run out of time. Otherwise, we will start the season in central Pennsylvania before the area speedways open around home."
Schedule
Because of work obligations, the duo's schedule will consist of 50 percent all-star races, 25 percent locally including Mercer, Lernerville, Tri-City, and Sharon speedways, and the remaining 25 percent open shows throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, including close-proximity World of Outlaw shows.
The season will be highlighted by Grove's ultimate goal of competing at Knoxville, Iowa.
Grove, of Massillon, will have a nice complement of inventory for Hawley to kick-off the season, including two Eagle and two Maxim Chassis along with three Kriner 410s and two Kriner 360s.
Hawley plans on competing in the 360 events at Mercer, as well.
"I'm tickled to death to be working with Bob Kriner," said Hawley. "We have always had great success with his motors."
Had excellent year
This past season, Hawley teamed with the Shearer Family for an excellent year. Hawley's five wins at Mercer were tops in the division and included the first for Shearer as a car owner. Hawley added a win at Lernerville.
Grove's No. 70 is well-known to many as he raced throughout Ohio and Western Pennsylvania in the 1980s through the mid '90s. A new business venture put his racing on hold until he resurfaced last season.
His two-car effort in 2002 had Jason Dolick, Eric Hysong, along with himself, behind the wheel as the team split its time between 410 and 360 c.i. races.