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I have not been to Sharon Speedway in awhile and was looking forward to seeing this race, especially with the $10,000 to win.
There were people directing traffic and organized the parking very nicely. Upon entering the grandstand, I noticed the nice concession area and overall, a very nicely kept walkway under the grandstands that had souveniers and beer vendors and bathrooms. The bathroom was very clean and had hot air dryers, pretty modern for a race track. There were stairs that led to another level above, kind of like at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. This upper level was behind the main grandstand and had tables for eating and there were more bathrooms.....and ice cream! You could get shakes and sundays...There were also some plaques and pictures on the walls upstairs honoring Lou and Dave and Dale, pretty cool.
We entered the grandstand area and picked out some seats near the top. The main granstand is covered and is like many fairgrounds grandstands. The bleachers are in good shape and the view is great. However, being aloof as I sometimes am, I never thought about the noise under there. This grandstand has a metal roof and metal siding. When the cars motored by, it sounded like the exhaust pipes were right next to my ears! Gosh it was loud! Take earplugs next time! I also want to mention that there are no coolers allowed. I am glad I called ahead of time to find out.
Steve Kinser and Sheldon Haudenschield were signing autographs behind the stands at their t-shirt trailers. As we walked over to the pit gate, I noticed the Rudeen Racing trailer, which was a surprise, since I thought that was a California car. I don't even know who the driver was...Marmam or...who, what??? Anyway, it was cool to see Steve and Dave Blaney competing. Jac was also there in the 73 Armbruster car again.
There were 35 cars and if you would have asked me ahead of time, I thought there would have been at least 40 or so. The place was packed and the backstretch grandstands were full as well. I mean, they were filled top to bottom. Getting to the racing, Jack Sodeman Jr. had quick time. The track was watered plenty but became dusty very quickly. The dirt seemed to just get powdery and spray up the track. Many tried to go higher in the turns but because of the dust, there was no traction there...and no cushion to lean on either. Kinser and Ryan Smith 1-2 in heat 1. Sheldon timed just right to start on the front of his heat. Heat 2 finished Sheldon Haud and Paulker. Shaffer and Dale Blaney in heat 3. Shaffer makes a nice aggressive move around the top on the first lap to steal the lead. Jacobs and Helms in heat 4. The night was going Sheldon's way as he was drawn a 2 in the dash. Dale Blaney got a 7 and moved up 1 place in the dash to finish 6th. Paulker and Sheldon on the front row to start the feature. Ryan Smith and Lee Jacobs in second row. Parker Price Miller scratches for the B main and the hauler was seen leaving the track before the B main started.
After the Big Block modified B main the sprint A Main was up next. The modifieds reminded me of going to East Bay for the Winternationals back in 1983. They had the WoO sprints there but also these big block modifieds. The announcer for the modifieds at East Bay was pretty unforgettable. When each modified race started, this guy would bellow out across the loudspeakers, in a sing songy tone, "THERE THEY GOOOOOOO!" So wierd, but i will never forget it! Ha.
So, the feature starts and it's hard to pass. Sheldon gets out to a big lead and Kemenah tangles with Spithaler on lap 3. On the restart, Haud gets going again with Paulker behind, and then Philo turns over in turn 2 on lap 8 or so. After that green until the end. Sheldon got out pretty far but lapped traffic was hard to get around. After Ryan Smith got around Paulker, he started catching Haud. Helms passed Paulker as did Dale Blaney. Last lap Ryan had caught Sheldon and pulled even in turn one. Then Sheldon got away alittle in two and Ryan did a diamond off of four but just came up a front nerf bar short at the checkers, a photo finish! Sheldon's on a roll right now, good for him! Dale better step it up because some others are!
This track is very nice, a very modern facility. We were leaving at around 10:00 so that was cool. I hope to come back again. Thank you Sharon Speedway and also the All Stars.
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