Johnson,Weller,Stiffler,Clay And Hay Win Sharon Opener

By JIM POLLOCK & MARK POSEY

April 27, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hartford(OH)...The weather finally smiled on Ed and the crew and allowed us

to open for our 72nd season with our Friday Night's Mightiest of 410 Sprints,

V-Modifieds, E-Mods, and a special appearance of the Dwarf Cars.

Capturing the Sunburst Environmental 410 Sprint Feature was first time

visitor Jason Johnson of Vermillion Ohio followed closely by Mike Lutz in a

see saw battle for the lead. Starting in the fifth spot Johnson motored by

Lutz on the third lap and holding on until Lutz recaptured the lead on lap 13

when a red flag was displayed lap 14 for Steve Belin. When racing resumed

Johnson regained the lead on lap 15 holding on to the checker. Third place

went to Woodring, forth to Brian Ellenberger, with Brad Ellenberger

completing the top five. Heat winners were Johnson and Brian Ellenberger.

Jim Weller last years track champion in the Gibson-Govenor V-8 Modifieds

showed the way from flag to flag proving that he will be a force to be

reckoned with again this year. The hotly contested battle for second between

Lou Blaney and Rex King had the fans on the feet for most of the feature with

King and Blaney swapping positions until lap 17 when Blaney moved into the

second slot for the duration of the feature with King settling for third.

Coming home in the forth spot was Joe Crawford and Kevin Hoffman topping the

top five. Heats went to Jim Racey and Lou Blaney

Leading the first lap of the Coy-Bros. Trucking E-Mod A-Main was Scott

Jones who surrendered the lead to Scott Stiffler who never looked back,

holding off the remaining challengers to the checker. The see saw battle for

second between Jeff Sharp and Jeff Rudrick lasted until lap seven when

Rudrick slipped by Sharp for second for the final time. Charging from the

17th spot to finish third was Rich Stiffler with Sharp falling to fourth and

Bob Diver rounding out the top five. Heat winners Scott Stiffler and Jeff

Rudrick.

Three wide racing was on the menu for the Burghill Auto Salvage Stock Car

Main event. With Rusty Moore, Gary Robinson and Dwayne Clay sharing the top

spot on different occasions with Clay finally winning the top spot on lap 9

to the finish. With constant pressure from Ron Iorio in second, Rusty Moore

at third, Robinson in forth and Steve D'Apolito finishing fifth. Heat winners

where Bobby Whitling, Moore and Clay.

Our guest division for the evening was the Dwarf Cars with Eric Hay of

Sommerset Pa. Capturing the feature. Their next appearance will be July 13th .

Next Fridays' event for May 4th will be the ALL STAR SPRINTS, Coy-Bros.

E-Mods. and parking lot drags. On the schedule for May 11th will be the BRP

TOUR V-8 MODIFIEDS, Sprints and Stock cars for your viewing pleasure.

Admission prices for the 2001 season remain the same as last season for

the Friday Night's Mightiest shows with the Grandstand Adult ticket of

$10.00, Juniors (13-16) $5.00, Kids 12 and under FREE!, and with FAMILY PASS

consisting of 2 adults and up to 4 children (16 and under) for $25.00. Pit

Gate admission remains at $20.00. Regular shows only.

Sharon Speedway is located 1mile east of route 7 on route 305 then south

on Custer-Orangeville Rd. For additional information you may call the track

office at 330-772-5481 or visit our web site at www.sharonspeedway.com.