Ryan Blaney, the reigning 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, has made a decisive move by joining the ownership ranks at Sharon Speedway, one of the nation’s most storied dirt tracks, located in Hartford, Ohio. Announced recently during a SiriusXM podcast, Blaney’s decision not only strengthens his family’s legacy but also advances the ongoing mission to preserve grassroots NASCAR racing for future generations. By partnering with his father, Dave Blaney, a celebrated local racer, and veteran track stakeholder Will Thomas III, Ryan Blaney is taking first-hand action to support short-track racing at its roots at a time when the survival of local tracks is at risk.
Stepping into this role as part-owner, Ryan Blaney builds on a deep family connection to Sharon Speedway. The track, founded in 1929, has endured as one of America’s oldest dirt ovals, hosting decades of competition and serving as a proving ground for aspiring racing talent. For the Blaneys, Sharon Speedway is far more than a historic landmark—it’s a family legacy. Lou Blaney, Ryan’s grandfather, was both a legendary racer and part-owner, while Dave Blaney has shaped the track’s modern era since 2002. Ryan Blaney’s involvement marks the third generation of Blaneys guiding the venue’s future.
On the podcast, Ryan Blaney explained,
His words illustrate how personally important Sharon Speedway is:
Blaney’s life, on and off the track, has always been intertwined with Sharon’s small-town racing world. He fondly recalls childhood memories of selling brochures and answering phones for tickets at the venue, reinforcing just how meaningful this new role is to him.
Blaney added.
This decision by Ryan Blaney is more than a sentimental family gesture. It is a calculated effort to address the ongoing challenges facing grassroots motorsports. Across the United States, local tracks are experiencing dwindling attendance, economic struggles, and frequent changes in power. The world of big-league NASCAR, packed with television contracts and corporate sponsors, is increasingly far removed from the Saturday night racing scenes where many professionals earn their stripes. To ensure young drivers and families still have a place to connect with racing, industry leaders like Ryan Blaney recognize that action is needed at the community level.
Ryan Blaney openly cites Dale Earnhardt Jr.—a NASCAR icon who retired nearly a decade ago—as a mentor and inspiration for this latest move. In 2017, as Earnhardt Jr. left competitive driving, Blaney shared,
By stepping up at Sharon Speedway, Blaney follows Earnhardt Jr.’s lead, proving mentorship can spark real action.
The urgency behind these efforts is impossible to ignore. Grassroots short tracks are the life force of NASCAR, producing not just stars but also mechanics, officials, and enthusiastic fans. But the health of these tracks is at a crossroads, demanding new leaders and investment. When Blaney says,
he puts into words a challenge facing the entire sport.
Blaney’s partnership at Sharon Speedway is already generating excitement among track supporters. The ownership team, consisting of Dave Blaney, Will Thomas III, and Ryan Blaney—who each hold a one-third stake—is focused on revitalizing the venue. Their shared vision includes modernizing the facility while maintaining the “Blaney staple” feeling, introducing new attractions for both long-term fans and first-time visitors.
Ryan Blaney detailed.
The Sharon Speedway story also fits within a broader, nationwide trend in modern NASCAR. After stepping away from full-time Cup racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. proved just how much impact a passionate owner could have on struggling short tracks. Earnhardt Jr. has been at the forefront of the movement to strengthen local racing, leading initiatives like the zMAX CARS Tour, a top-tier late model racing series co-owned with fellow NASCAR luminaries Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks. This coalition’s goal is straightforward but daunting: to reinvent short-track racing so that it remains the spiritual home for fans and emerging talent alike.
Earnhardt Jr. explained their shared ambitions,
Through bold moves such as reviving North Wilkesboro Speedway—now home to the Cup Series’ All-Star race—and launching marquee events like the Throwback Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. is raising the bar. The Classic’s purse surpasses all previous short track benchmarks, with over $200,000 in total prize money, including $50,000 for the Late Model Stock winner and $30,000 for Pro Late Model. For a racing discipline where races often struggle to crack five figures, these numbers are groundbreaking.
Earnhardt Jr. stated clearly.
The influence of Earnhardt Jr. and now Ryan Blaney is also felt off the track. Through philanthropy, media, and high-profile appearances, both men direct attention to the success and challenges of local racing. The Dale Jr. Foundation supports causes ranging from children’s health to education, while frequent iRacing charity streams and memorabilia auctions supplement fundraising for grassroots tracks. As an analyst and commentator, Earnhardt Jr. brings stories from grassroots racing into the national spotlight, showcasing their worth to a mainstream audience and attracting sponsors to venues that had long struggled for visibility.
Ryan Blaney, in embracing track ownership and the responsibilities that come with it, invigorates hope among racing enthusiasts and Sharon Speedway supporters alike. His active role transcends nostalgia; it signals a commitment to fostering the environment that gave his family—and countless others—their start. For Blaney, it’s not just about celebrating past glories, but about forging opportunities for the next generation of drivers, teams, and track employees.
The enthusiasm that Blaney and his partners bring to Sharon Speedway demonstrates just how dynamic and emotionally charged grassroots preservation can be. Fans and local citizens sense momentum building, as significant investment and creative thinking promise a brighter future for the beloved Ohio track. Blaney’s willingness to get involved—following a road paved by his mentor—serves as an example to other drivers, signaling that everyone in the NASCAR community can play a part in preserving and advancing the sport’s grassroots.
Both Ryan Blaney and Dale Earnhardt Jr. recognize that legends aren’t just made at Daytona or Talladega; they are forged in the clay, sweat, and gasoline of rustic, community-oriented short tracks. These pearls of racing culture can only survive if dedicated individuals commit their resources and hearts to keeping them vibrant. By investing their time, their money, and their reputation, these stars are inspiring not only other athletes but also sponsors, businesses, and local leaders to get involved in similar ways across the United States.
The immediate impact of Ryan Blaney’s investment is already felt by fans and families who have attended Sharon Speedway for generations. Crowds sense renewed optimism about the track’s future, and the anticipation for new features, race dates, and events is high. Sharon’s role as a training ground for local talent may only grow, as Blaney’s own story highlights the critical importance of such venues to the wider NASCAR ecosystem.
Ryan Blaney’s commitment to Sharon Speedway ultimately underscores a larger message about the enduring value of community in motorsports. Even in a time of global broadcasts and massive business deals, the real spirit of NASCAR resides in places like Sharon Speedway, where fans can get close to the action and where children’s dreams are first kindled. Protecting these spaces is not just a nod to tradition, but a promise to the future.
As Blaney, Earnhardt Jr., and others push for innovation and increased visibility at the grassroots level, their efforts may well define the next era of NASCAR. Stakes are high—and not every attempt to revitalize a track will be successful—but the energy and passion surrounding Sharon Speedway’s next chapter are undeniable. As racing’s new generation steps forward to embrace responsibility, the revival of Sharon Speedway under Ryan Blaney’s ownership could inspire others to follow, ensuring that the heart of NASCAR beats strong for years to come.
