Niles man chronicles track's racing history

Sunday, August 20, 2006 The track has attracted some of the most recognized drivers and racing organizations. By TIM YOVICH VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF NILES — Ron Pollock has always been a motorhead — having a passion for cars speeding around a track. The 62-year-old Niles man most recently has spent much time thinking about Sharon Speedway. The Hartford Township track in Trumbull County on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border is a destination for Saturday night racing. Pollock has always been a fan — not a driver who ate dirt. "We were motorheads back then," Pollock said of the late 1960s. "You either went to the stock car races or drag racing. "It was the excitement and sounds of the cars. We didn't go for the wrecks; it's the close competition," he added. He explained that after his retirement in 2001, he "started to slip back in time" and became nostalgic about racing. He began researching the history of the Sharon Speedway about 18 months ago. Most of his research was done at the Sharon Library, but he also used the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Warren Public Library and Greenville (Pa.) Area Public Library. "That was terrible," Pollock said of searching through history, noting the microfilm machines are old and the film not of the best quality. "It was hard on the eyes." His book Pollock now has published "Sharon Speedway, The First 50 Years, 1931 to 1980." There are 249 pages filled with more than 300 photographs and the written history, including feature race results from 1931 to 1980. Sharon Speedway emerged when Homer McCracken and his partner, Lee Poorbaugh, built a half-mile track, opening it in 1931. Through the years, the track played host to some of the most recognized drivers and racing organizations. Local racing legend Mike Klapak began his career at the speedway in 1931. Racing was suspended during World War II and resumed in 1946 with stock car racing. In 1953, a new quarter-mile track was built along with a covered grandstand. Lights were also added for night racing. Pollock said the closer quarter-mile track was designed to increase the excitement by providing more fender-benders with less horsepower. In 1954, the track even featured NASCAR competition. Racing continues every Saturday night on a three-eights mile dirt track. In 2002, NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Dave Blaney along with his father, Lou Blaney, and area businessmen Jim Weller and Bill and Ron Kirila, purchased the speedway. It's operated and maintained by the Blaney family. Pollock said he didn't write the history to make money. "I've been able to preserve some history of the track," Pollock said, noting that the pictures of the old drivers and their stories "won't be thrown away." yovich@vindy.com To receive a copy of the book, call (330) 652-7970. Wertz Auto & Towing Service, 10 E. Main St., Canfield, is distributing it.