Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Welcome to the new Barberton Raceway Park


Made my first visit of the season to Barberton Raceway Park last Friday, April 29.  The improvements implemented by new young owner Jake Francis are immediately apparent, from the freshly painted and spruced-up buildings, new bleacher seating, and the smooth, all-new paved racing surface on the unique 1/4 mile track.  The overall look is crisp and clean.

Despite a very cold night, a decent crowd showed up for the NASCAR Wheelen All-American Series program.  And even with some low car counts, the racing was exciting and close in the six division program. 

Fast qualifyer Don Harvery, Jr. took the Late Model feature win in his immaculately prepared #112.  Harvey led Dave Martin and Mike Mazzagotti - a late arrival who started scratch - to the checkered.
Don Harvey, Jr pulls into Victory Lane after winning the Late Model feature at Barberton Raceway Park

Barberton did a smart and clever thing, combining the Sportsman and Hobby Stocks into one feature.  All the Sportsman cars started at the tail, having to weave their way through the Hobby Stock field.  Sportsman point leader Johnny Buckshot took the win.  Dennis Wood was the Hobby Stock winner, in fourth.

It was Twin State Auto Racing Club Night at Barberton last Friday.  Gene Leamer presents Pure Stock (Compact) feature winner Tim Farrar with a club plaque and decal.  All feature winners received the same.  Farrar and Randy Cecil provided much of the night's excitement in the full field of Pure Stocks

All in all, a great experience at Barberton - good racing, and a lot of it too... over 20 races.  We are hoping car counts grow a bit in the coming weeks, and they should. 

Twin State's Terri Wertz presents Legend feature winner Larry Young club awards as he poses with track trophy

Oh, by the way, Barberton concessions merit an A+ - items like stuffed pepper soup, salisbury steak and mashed potatoes, and actual good hot dogs, among the many other items. 

Mini-Truck winner Dan Burden being congratulated by Twin State Auto Racing Club's Leamer









Barberton Raceway Park - the little track that could!







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