Tony Stewart to race at Sharon Speedway

HARTFORD — NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Tony Stewart will be at Sharon Speedway on July 7 to participate in the inaugural Boardman/Diamond Steel Lou Blaney Memorial Classic.

A two-time NASCAR champion, Stewart, who leads rival Jeff Gordon by 47 points in this year’s Championship Chase, will make a rare start in the Warren Harley-Davidson 410 sprint car class.

“Stewart behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car is big news,” Speedway general manager Larry Mattingly said. “While he competes in several short-track late model and midget races during the season, Tony doesn’t participate in many sprint shows, particularly 410 winged races.”

Joining Stewart in the Sharon sprint car action will be fellow NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and track owner Dave Blaney.

Kahne, 15th in NASCAR points and just three slots out of the coveted Chase, will be bringing one his Budweiser-sponsored sprinters to Sharon.

“I’ve been able to race in a few sprint shows this season,” Kahne said, “I grew up racing open-wheel cars, and I’m looking forward to coming back to Sharon.”

For Blaney, a former stalwart in Outlaw sprint car racing, the opportunity to actually race again will be a rare opportunity. The veteran driver, who was born and raised in Hartford, has been relegated to driving a “start and park” car on the NASCAR tour for Prism Motorsports.

“It has been a frustrating year. The current economic climate only permits us to qualify, and run the car until the first pit stop of the race. We don’t even have a full pit crew,” Blaney said. “Getting to compete again will be fun, and coming home to race with my friends is always a special time.

“It has been awhile since I’ve driven a 410, but I feel we will be competitive against the folks who do it on a weekly basis.”

Joining the sprint cars in competition will be the Gibson Governor big-block modified class. Both divisions will be highlighted in 30-lap feature event attractions.

Stewart, Dave Blaney, Kahne, along with All Star Circuit of Champion sprint car kingpin Dale Blaney, will appearing in a special Alzheimer’s Awareness Autograph Alley from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Autograph distribution will be determined through a lottery system, with proceeds going to benefit the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

A VARC vintage race car display and exhibition will be presented, and the evening will be capped by fireworks.

Tickets may be ordered on-line (www.sharonspeedway.com), or by calling (330) 772-5481. Prices are $18 for adults and $8 for students ages 9-13. Children are free.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m., with the first race set for 7 p.m. Raindate is July 8.