Sunday, June 22, 2003
The races are important for drivers contending for titles in four divisions.
HARTFORD -- The on-track intensity at Sharon Speedway will be doubled Saturday as racers battle for double feature points during the Hartford track's mid-season championships.
The mid-season championships during Diamond Steel/Boardman Steel Night could be the most important race of the season for many of the drivers fighting for the title in Sharon's four divisions -- Sunburst Environmental Sprints, Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds, Coy Brothers Trucking E-mods and City Disposal Services Pure Stocks.
Russ Kapalin of Jefferson remains in the top spot in the City Disposal Services Pure Stocks division point standings. He is 74 points ahead of Hubbard's Dan Lewis, who moved back into the second position after last Saturday's events. Raymond Yuran of Sharon stands in third and trails Lewis by just 10 points.
The number of points separating the first and second positions in the Coy Brothers Trucking E-Mods division standings continues to be minimal.
McKinney ahead
Reigning division champion Carl McKinney of Cranberry Township maintains his hold on the lead with a slight five-point edge over Niles' Richard Stiffler. Jeff Johnson of Mineral Ridge is third in the standings, 17 points behind Stiffler.
Apollo's Ed Lynch Jr. is paying close attention to who's behind him in the Sunburst Environmental Sprints division point standings. Rock Creek's Jarod Larson is just 35 points away from closing in on the points lead.
Last year's champion, Mike Kekich of Hermitage, has been mounting a charge the past few weeks and now stands in third place, 39 points short of the second slot.
Rasey in front
The Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds division is certainly not short on close point battles. Southington's Jim Rasey leads the pack, but Del Rougeux of Frenchville is just 15 points behind.
Hartford racing legend Lou Blaney holds onto the third position, but looming in fourth is last year's champion, Ron Smoker, just 14 points shy of Blaney.
Blaney, Smoker, Rougeux, Rasey and the rest of Sharon's Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds division drivers will sign autographs prior to the on-track action Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the billboard wall near Turn 3.
Night for kids
Saturday is also a night for kids, with bicycle races for children ages 2-12 and the second meeting of KIDS CREW. Children in kindergarten through fourth grade can sign up for the KIDS CREW club that meets at the speedway from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. five times during the season for various activities prior to the evening's on-track action.
Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Tickets, available at the gate, are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12-15 and free for children 11 and younger.
Fans can call (330) 772-5481 or visit www.sharonspeedway.com for more information and directions.
Mercer Raceway
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer Raceway Park will host the Max Weiss Law Firm 2003 Special Family Event Saturday.
"Calypso"/Jimmy Buffett Night will be featured along with a full four-division racing program, including the Luxaire Heating & amp; Cooling Sprint Cars, Campbell-Peterson Trail & amp; Turf Big-Block Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds and the Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and heat races will begin at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $10. The Family Pass is $23. Students 6-15 are $5. Children 5 and under are free. Pit passes are $20.