HARTFORD, Ohio – Just because six-time All Star Circuit of Champions champion Dale Blaney is a full-time official for the traveling winged sprint car series these days, it doesn’t mean he’s forgotten how to drive.
The 57-year-old proved that Saturday night by visiting victory lane in a local 410 sprint car show at Sharon Speedway, his home track, driving the No. 29 NAPA Auto Parts/Valvoline-sponsored entry for car owner Rich Farmer.
It was Blaney’s 17th career 410 sprint car win at Sharon, but the first for Farmer’s team. Blaney banked $3,000 for the victory.
Blaney, who started sixth, became the sixth different winner in as many Hovis Auto & Truck Supply 410 sprint car races this year at Sharon, joining his brother Dave, who won the May 22 World of Outlaws show at the track.
After May 15 winner, George Hobaugh, led the first five circuits, The Low Rider went to the outside and drove around Hobaugh on lap six. Blaney mastered the top side of the speedway for the remainder of the feature, rim-riding to the victory by 1.325 seconds.
Carl Bowser, who finished runner-up in the Western PA Speedweek show on June 5, turned in another runner-up effort as he continues to chase his first career Sharon win. A.J. Flick went from ninth to third over eighth-starting Sye Lynch. Hobaugh dropped to fifth at the finish after leading the first five laps.
Completing the top 10 were Bob Felmlee, Brandon Matus, Dan Kuriger, Adam Kekich, and Darren Pifer.
Hobaugh set the fastest time in qualifying over the 29-car field with a lap of 15.965 seconds. Hobaugh, Flick, and Felmlee won the heat races, while Davey Jones won the B main.
The finish:
Feature (30 laps): 1. 29-Dale Blaney [4]; 2. 11-Carl Bowser [3]; 3. 2-A.J. Flick [9]; 4. 42-Sye Lynch [8]; 5. 40-George Hobaugh [1]; 6. 6-Bob Felmlee [10]; 7. 13-Brandon Matus [5]; 8. 08-Dan Kuriger [6]; 9. 5K-Adam Kekich [15]; 10. 23-Darren Pifer [12]; 11. 29-Michael Bauer [2]; 12. 33-Brent Matus [7]; 13. 11J-David Kalb, Jr [13]; 14. 80JR-Kyle Colwell [16]; 15. 66-Ken Rossey [20]; 16. 5-Bob McMillin [23]; 17. 21-Bryan Salisbury [24]; 18. 13B-Steve Bright [22]; 19. 29s-Seth Zabo [11]; 20. 20B-Cody Bova [21]; 21. 27K-Dan Shetler [14]; 22. 76-Davey Jones [19]; 23. 35W-Jeremy Weaver [18]; 24. 99-Cameron Nastasi [17].