Ryan Blaney, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, has officially joined the ownership group of Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, marking a significant homecoming for the celebrated driver. Announced this week, the move sees Blaney, 31, partner alongside his father Dave Blaney and Will Thomas at the historic dirt track, a venue deeply rooted in his family’s story. With the opportunity presented earlier this year, Ryan Blaney quickly agreed, eager to help guide the speedway‘s future and continue the Blaney legacy at a place filled with his most cherished racing memories.
When his father, Dave Blaney, approached him with the proposal, Ryan Blaney’s response was swift and decisive.
Dad came to me and said, ‘Hey, there’s an opportunity here,’ to join him in ownership of it as well as Will Thomas,
he shared.
I think my immediate answer five seconds later was, ‘Yes! I’d love to be a part of it.’
The generational handover brings together both racing heritage and a vision for sustaining grassroots motorsports in the Midwest, as the speedway looks toward its next chapter.
Sharon Speedway is no ordinary local track. Opened in 1929, it is celebrated as one of the oldest, continuously operating speedways in the entire country. Located near the Pennsylvania border, this 3/8-mile clay oval has been the backdrop to countless legendary races, hosting series ranging from the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Through decades of transformation — including configuration changes and even hosting NASCAR events at its peak — Sharon Speedway has remained a cornerstone for regional racing and an anchor for Ohio’s motorsports community.
Dave Blaney, who became an owner in 2002 alongside Jim Weller, Sr. and the Kirila family, described the milestone with palpable excitement.
I feel very fortunate to have Ryan and Will Thomas as partners in Sharon Speedway,
he said.
Looking forward to the next chapter in the speedway’s long history.
The elder Blaney’s ties to Sharon run deep, with forty victories at his home track, helping foster a sense of tradition and continuity that few other venues can match.
The Blaney family’s connection to Hartford and Sharon Speedway stretches back even further. Lou Blaney, Ryan’s grandfather and a Hall of Fame racer, won a remarkable 600 races in his lifetime, including over 130 at Sharon. Long before his passing in 2009, Lou was not only a hands-on owner but also central to the day-to-day operation of the speedway. Ryan Blaney remembers fondly the childhood days spent at the track, soaking in stories, atmosphere, and the sense of community that defined the family business and its surrounding racing scene. Katie, Lou’s widow, still remains involved, working at the ticket office, further solidifying the multigenerational presence at Sharon.
The newest era of ownership comes after the recent loss of key contributors, including Jim Weller, Sr. and Ron Kirila, opening the door for the next generation. Will Thomas, another new partner and the son of the late Bill Thomas, brings his own family legacy to the group. Bill Thomas played a significant role in Lou Blaney’s racing career, owning sprint cars and modifieds that crowned the Sharon dirt with wins. Will has competed and succeeded in five different divisions at Sharon Speedway, maintaining a hands-on relationship with the venue and its competitive scene.
For Ryan Blaney, this venture is more than a simple business deal. It is a personal journey back to his roots, a chance to uphold the traditions established by his grandfather, father, and extended racing family.
You just want to keep it in the family and around where my father grew up and my grandmother still lives,
he explained.
It just meant a ton. And Dad has owned that place for over 20 years. It’s just been really special and we’ve had so many good times there.
His ambition goes beyond nostalgia — there’s a clear drive to ensure grassroots, short-track racing, whether dirt or asphalt, remains vibrant for generations to come.
Sharon Speedway’s ongoing legacy is remarkable. The venue has hosted a variety of high-profile events, including the Lou Blaney Memorial, an annual sprint car race held for the past seventeen years in honor of the family patriarch. Sharon has also been a proud home for the World of Outlaws, All Star Circuit of Champions, and has recently featured season finales for the Superstar Racing Experience, drawing major NASCAR drivers like Chase Elliott. Each event contributes to the track’s storied reputation and keeps the traditions alive.
Reflecting on the track’s place in local culture, Ryan Blaney is quick to recognize its broader significance.
It just holds so many childhood memories for me and so many childhood memories for my dad, and a lot of memories of my grandpa growing up,
he said.
When you get the chance to do something, anything, and in my case something with a race track that meant so much to my family growing up, you definitely want to be a part of it and keep it in the Blaney name. I was just really lucky that we were able to do that.
Sharon Speedway’s importance is not only measured by its past successes but also by its enduring popularity among fans. Tucked away in the quiet stretches of northeast Ohio, the speedway boasts a consistently passionate crowd, eager to return for each new racing season. According to Blaney,
The fans in that area love dirt and racing in general. They’re really passionate and it’s a great track to go to. There’s a lot of great race tracks in the area but they choose Sharon a lot. I appreciate all of their dedication to the race track. It means a lot to us. Here’s to keeping it going.
The 2024 season at Sharon Speedway is set to begin on May 10, renewing excitement for drivers and fans alike. However, Ryan Blaney’s racing commitments mean he’ll be competing in Kansas during the season opener, with NASCAR’s Advent Health 400 taking place that weekend. Despite this scheduling conflict, Blaney remains determined to carve out time for regular visits, emphasizing his commitment to Sharon and its day-to-day operations.
I’d like to try and go up at some point,
Blaney said.
It’s hard for me to do it with my day job but I plan on going up there a handful of times this year and meet with everybody.
Critical to Sharon Speedway’s ongoing success is its dedicated staff, many of whom have worked alongside the Blaney family for years. Ryan singled out the entire group, stating,
Whether they’re at the concession, prepping the track or running the day-to-day operations, they all mean a lot. We’ve been lucky to have a great group of men and women up there. I hope to make it to the track a lot more this year.
This sense of community and teamwork is a key factor in the speedway’s endurance and appeal.
As for the future, Ryan Blaney envisions Sharon Speedway thriving for another century, evolving with changing times but maintaining its core identity and family-first ethos. “It blows my mind,” he remarked about Sharon’s longevity.
It’s gone through a lot of changes from being a half-mile dirt track to asphalt at one point. NASCAR raced on it a long time ago. And now being a 3/8ths mile track now, it has put on a ton of great shows from World of Outlaws, All Star sprints, and things like that. My dad got his last win there at my grandpa’s race before he retired. That was really cool. There are just so many memories of it. I’m hoping it’s running 96 years from now. Just want to keep the place healthy.
The recent ownership shift, with Ryan Blaney stepping in alongside Will Thomas, signals a positive change during a period of transition for the speedway after the loss of longtime partners. Dave Blaney sees this as a natural evolution of a family tradition, expressing confidence in the new leadership’s ability to preserve Sharon’s legacy while continuing to innovate. The new group, united by shared history and mutual respect, is positioned to steer Sharon Speedway through its next era, keeping both family and community at the forefront.
Ryan Blaney’s return as an owner not only honors his family’s past but reinforces his commitment to supporting local racing communities. Blending youthful energy with a sense of responsibility, Blaney’s move sets a compelling example for high school students and fans who look up to professional athletes giving back to their roots. The story of Sharon Speedway serves as a reminder that even as racing evolves on a national stage, its foundation remains strong thanks to dedicated individuals and families determined to preserve the sport’s heritage.
Looking ahead, the Sharon Speedway team, energized by Ryan Blaney’s homecoming, is already focusing on the upcoming racing season and the opportunities it presents. As the speedway enters its ninety-fifth year, anticipation runs high for memorable races and celebrations that will build upon the legacy established by Lou, Dave, and now Ryan Blaney. With unwavering community support, an experienced management team, and a revitalized ownership group, Sharon Speedway is ready to embrace the future, one race at a time, with Ryan Blaney proudly helping steer the way.
