Racing world mourns the loss of Lou Blaney
The driver’s career began in 1958.
HARTFORD — Auto racing fans are mourning the death of racing legend Lou Blaney, 69, who passed away on Sunday.
He suffered from undisclosed medical problems for some time, and the cause of death was not released by his family.
As news of Blaney’s death spread it left many people in shock and sadness.
“I doubt there is anyone in Penn-Ohio racing history that has been more respected than Lou Blaney,” said racing historian and Tri-City Speedway track announcer Walt Wimer. “I don’t know of hardly anyone anywhere that was such a big winner and still had so much respect from those who raced with him and those who sat in the grandstand and watched. Richard Petty would be about the only one in Lou’s league.”
Blaney started racing in 1958. During his first 20 years behind the wheel, Blaney earned instant acclaim as a Super Modified and Super Sprint driver. He captured over 200 wins in the division from 1961 to 1980. His biggest win came in the 1966 National Open at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
In 1978, Blaney started racing DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, scoring over 200 wins in this class from 1978 to 2002. He also finished second to Merv Treichler in the 1981 Syracuse 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds, and that still stands as the best finish in the race for a local driver.
Over the years, Blaney scored wins and track championships at many regional speedways, including his hometown Sharon Speedway, Tri-City Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park, Lernerville Speedway, Jennerstown Speedway, Sportsman’s Speedway, Expo Speedway, Raceway 7, and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. He won Wimer’s Cavalcade of Champions Big Block Modified regional point title 16 times and the Super Sprint regional point title four times.
“Lou Blaney was one of the few big winners that the fans have continued to cheer over the years,” said radio personality Don Gamble. “Big winners usually have had their share of boos from the crowd, which goes with long term success. Lou was always a quiet, reserved person, who won his races with his head and right foot, and not with his mouth.”
Blaney’s legacy includes his sons, Dave and Dale Blaney, who also achieved racing success. Dave is a former World of Outlaws Sprint Series champion and raced the last several years on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Dale is a three-time All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series champion.
Blaney is a member of the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame, the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Hall of Fame. In 2008, he was inducted into the Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame.
Blaney is survived by his wife, Kate, his sons and five grandchildren.
Viewing hours will be today from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Hartford United Methodist Presbyterian Church, located on Ohio route 305 in Hartford. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Cards may be sent to the Blaney family at P.O. Box 159, Hartford 44424.