HARTFORD, Ohio -- While current NASCAR fans will be flocking to Sharon Speedway's Inaugural Lou Blaney Memorial Classic on Tues., July 7 to watch Sprint Cup stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney compete against the best 410 sprint car drivers in the region, a very special group of individuals will be assembling in one of the speedway's FAN-tastic Zone hospitality tents.

'Friends of Lou Blaney' will be attending the race to celebrate the life and accomplishments of the Hall of Fame driver, who won more than 550 feature victories during a career that spanned five decades. Blaney passed away this past January, following a lengthy illness.

In attendance will be many of Blaney's immediate family, former crew members, car owners and builders, as well as a number of competitors who raced wheel to wheel with him over the years.

"I'm looking forward to the night," said Blaney's wife of 49 years, Kate, who currently serves as the track's Director of Marketing. "We'll all share some stories about Lou, relieve the good days, and probably shed a few tears."

Among the former drivers attending include: Dick Bailey, John Braymer, Buddy Cochran, Dick Cotterman, Dale Johnson, Don Klug, Bobby Krause, Gus Linder, Dave Lundy, Andy Lutz, Jim Magill, Jerry Matus, Jack Pears, Harold Pritchard, Frank Raiti, Deek and Herb Scott, George Sember, Jack Sodeman Sr., Bob Stanford, Dick Swartzlander, Ralph Quarterson, Blackie Watt, Bill Wheeling, and Bill Zipay.

Blaney Sprint Also on hand will be long-time car owners Frank Crash and Bill Thomas, who put the wheels under Blaney for over 40-years,

Following a reunion dinner, the retired drivers will be 'meeting and greeting' their former fans during an autograph session beginning at 6:00 PM.

The on-track portion of the Boardman/Diamond Steel Blaney classic will feature 30-lap feature contests for both the Warren Harley-Davidson 410 Sprint Cars and the Gibson Governor Insurance Big-Block Modifieds.

Stewart, Dave Blaney, Kahne and All Star Circuit of Champions title holder Dale Blaney will be signing autographs from 5:30 to 6:30 to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Disease. Autograph distribution will be conducted using a lottery system.

Also on tap will be a VARC vintage race car display and exhibition, along with a gigantic aerial fireworks presentation.

Advance tickets for the race are currently on sale at www.sharonspeedway.com, or by calling the speedway office at 330 772-5481.

Spectator gates open at 4:00, with the first race set for 7:00 PM. The raindate is Wednesday, July 8.

Sharon Speedway is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 305 in Hartford, OH and is just a short drive from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Join us Saturday nights in 2009 as Sharon Speedway brings you "So Much Fun, So Close to Home!!"

Entering its 80th year of operation, Sharon Speedway is one of the oldest, continuously running weekly racetracks in the United States. The speedway is owned by NASCAR driver Dave Blaney, Jim Weller, Sr. and Ron Kirila. Racing begins in mid April and continues through September.