(January 21, 2006 – Hartford, OH) Jarod Larson, owner and driver of the popular #47 sprint, took home another $4000 Point Championship check from Sharon Speedway last Saturday night. Larson has surely earned the title as “the guy to beat” in the Warren Harley-Davidson sponsored 410 division, compiling an impressive list of statistics during his racing tenure. In the past four years of competition at the Hartford, Ohio oval, Larson has won two season championships and finished second and third in points the other two years. Larson chalked up 3 feature wins, 3 heat race wins and twelve top five finishes in the thirteen point races during the 2005 seasons. His average finish was 3.77 overall and that consistency placed him at the head table again this year.
Accepting his award, Larson stated that after his mother’s passing early in the season, he had “difficulty focusing” and credited his father and crew for their support in helping him to stay on task and clinch the championship . Jarod also expressed sincere gratitude his major sponsor, Mark Thomas Ford of Cortland, OH, for their continued support along with Tom’s Sewer and Drain Services, Clemson Excavating, Larson Trucking, Geneva Truck & Equipment, Lautamen Trucking and Kear’s Speed Shop.
V8 Modified division sponsors, Bob and Dave Thompson of Gibson-Governor Insurance were on-hand to present awards to their drivers. Champion, Alan Dellinger, beat out Rex King by 50 points. Fourth thru seventh place finishers were separated by just 14 points. Dellinger, running his first full season in the yellow Warren-Fab/Ohio Steel #99jr, captured the title having a stellar year in the car. The War-Fab team posted four feature wins, 3 heat race wins and twelve top five finishes of the 13 point events run. Alan’s average finish was 3.46 and he did not relinquish the point lead once he took over on June 2nd. Dellinger was obviously quite pleased with his championship as evidenced by his lengthy acceptance speech. Banquet coordinators may institute the use of a timer-controlled microphone for future awards ceremonies.
Newcomer to Sharon Speedway, Bill Thomas, received the Coy Brothers Emod Championship trophy from Arlan Coy. Thomas won the title by seven point on the last night of competition when Jeff Sharp, who had been leading the division, suffered a flat tire. Thomas had a great year with one feature win, nine top fives and an average finish of 5.39. Thomas stated that they had “raced here (Sharon) a few times last year and really liked the track and decided to come and race the whole year.” Sharp, who has now been the runner-up for two straight years congratulated Thomas on his win, and will be back next year to challenge him for the title.
Steve D’Apolito of Boardman, Ohio, claimed his second straight championship in the Tom’s Sewer and Drain Service sponsored Pure Stock division. D’Apolito’s stats were very comparable to last year, winning six feature events in 2005 (7 features in 2004), 9 feature wins, 11 top fives (10 in 2004) and maintaining an average finish of 2.38 (2.18 in 2004). D’Apolito thanked his sponsors, Utsinger’s Towing, D’Apolito Tree Farm, Race 1 and his wife for their continued support.
Guy Griffin was presented with the champion’s check for snatching the crown in the growing Green Flag Sprint division. Griffin is a huge supporter of the division and his enthusiasm kept him in a heated point battle with Jim Weller, Jr. all season, exchanging the lead numerous times. Weller was leading by 25 going into the last point night but suffered a mechanical problem that put him out of the race and out of contention for the championship. Griffin was definitely ‘in the right place at the right time’ and not only won the feature that night, but also clinched the title. Griffin posted 6 feature wins, 11 top fives and had an average finish of 2.16. He thanked his crew for their hard work and encouraged anyone looking to race and have fun to look into the Green Flag Sprints. Guy also paid tribute to his daughter who passed away 20 years ago to the day from a terminal illness.
The Most Improved Driver award went to Stan Woomer, driver of the #2 Pure Stock out of Niles, OH. Co-Rookies of the Year were 17-year-old Joe Gabrielson, driver of the #58 Emod who finished 8th in points in his division, and Russell King, who finished 8th in the V8 Modifieds in his #56 machine out of Bristolville, OH. The Hard Luck award was presented to Randy Snider, #1S in the Modified division.
The Good Guy Award was given to Garry Frederick of Fowler, OH, in the stock division. This award is presented by Linde Gas/Lincoln Electric and is voted on by the drivers. Frederick was not in attendance, but will be receive a new Lincoln welder.
Drivers received contingency awards from Dave Willoughby of Wedge Motorsports in Niles, OH, Wrisco Aluminum, Precise Racing Products of Grove City, PA, and Garry Frederick who owns Top Notch Diner in Cortland, OH. Door prizes were donated by Hoosier Tire Company, American Racer Tires, Edge Motorsports, Top Notch Diner, Day Motorsports and Sharon Speedway.
Kate Blaney presented plaques to Boardman/Diamond Steel who sponsored this year’s banquet, and to division sponsors, Gibson-Governor Insurance (V8 Modifieds), Coy Brothers Trucking (Emods), Tom’s Sewer and Septic Service (Pure Stocks) and Warren Harley-Davidson (Sprints).
For the past four years, Sharon Speedway has presented “Star Awards” to speedway employees who have shown exemplary work ethic and love for the sport of auto racing. This year’s recipients were Shirley Aiken, pit official, and Mike Hanshaw, flagman. Both Shirley and Mike are well-known, loved and respected in local racing. Additionally, Brenda and Dave Bolger were honored as pit concessionaires by their supervisor, Diane Brest.
Special tributes were paid to remember former track employees, Anthony “Bucky” DeGennaro and Mark Christy who passed away November 5, 2005 and January 5, 2006 respectively. Bucky had worked at numerous tracks most of his life and worked for the Blaneys as a track/pit official at the track entrance on turn two thru the end of the 2004 season. Mark Christy was a member of the track’s exceptional fire/rescue team for 6 years and died unexpectedly of a heart attack on January 5th. The Speedway Fire Crew shared a slide presentation to honor their friend and co-worker.
Dave Blaney was on hand for opening comments and congratulated all of the champions and their teams. He thanked drivers, sponsors, employees and fans for their loyalty and support of Sharon Speedway, and although there are no major changes slated for the 2006 season, he stated that “our goal is to continue to improve on what we’re doing”.
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