Toledo Speedway recently shared, Richard Childress Racing announced the formation of an ARCA Menards Series program, with Cleetus McFarland returning to the team to chase the 2027 championship, including a race at Toledo Speedway on May 15th. McFarland will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing during his first full ARCA Menards Series campaign. McFarland joined the team earlier this season, competing in two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events.

Attica Raceway Park & Fremont Speedway will keep the current series. The All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads/Kistler Racing Products Attica Fremont Championship Series Presented by the Baumann Auto Group for the 410 sprint teams and the Real Geese Decoys/Real Capz Attica Fremont Championship Series for the 305 sprint teams will continue in the 2027 racing season. With the departure of AFCS promoter Duane Hancock, both Fremont Speedway and Attica Raceway Park officials have indicated the series will be a big part of both tracks’ plans in 2027.

The offical 2027 Attica Raceway Park Track Champions, 410 Winged Sprints, Cap Henry. This was Cap’s 4th straight track championship and 5th over-all at Attica. Bryan Sebetto won his first 305 Wing Sprint Championship. UMP Late Model Devin Shiels from Britton, Mich recorded his 6th championship at the track since 2016. 

Attica Raceway Park passed out $50,000 in point fund money for the top 10 in points in the track’s three weekly divisions that competed in the 2026 season. Rain washed out 11 of the scheduled events in 2026, meaning 13 races were contested.

The 2026 Rumble In Fort Wayne returns to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum December 18th and 19th. The Midgets headline the two days bringing in racings top drivers. Also, this year the 600cc Wing and Non-wing Midgets, several classes of Race Karts, Mini Wedges and Quarter Midgets.

Friday, October 23rd Montpelier Motor Speedway IN hosted the first night of the Annual Monster Mash Weekend. Drew Charlson won the UMP Modified Feature, Josh Gamblin found Victory Lane in the Hornet Class. Vienna Ohio’s Eric Wilson took the win in the DIRTcar Super Late Model Division.

Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!

By: Ron Burt

The 2026 Tri-state racing season is almost over. This year suffered because of the weather. Winter lingered into late spring and then we were hit by cold and rainstorms, cancelling early local races and National events in our area. Tracks suffered because of low attendance and battling each other trying to put on big events to lure fans from other tracks. 

Many fans, drivers and crews were excited about Mansfield Speedway coming to life again. Unfortunately, after the first weekend of racing, parts of the speedway had to be dug up and rebuilt. They had their share of growing pains early on but each week the racing surface became better and now it can host any big National Dirt Racing Series.

October 17th, Montpelier Speedway IN-hosted the Hoosier Hussle. It was the last time in 2026 for the 410 Non-wing Sprints. Thirty seven Sprints showed up to qualify. Zack Pretorius, set fast time 14.783. The 4 heat winners, Trey Osborne, Gunnar Setser, Jack Hoyer and Dustin Ingle. Two B Features were run with the top two finishers in each transferring to the A-Main. 20 Sprints started the 25 lap Feature, Ricky Lewis from Oxnard CA parked his car in Victory Lane, Trey Osborne and Jakeb Boxell made the podium. Race veteran Todd Sherman won the UMP Modified Feature. Kory Glassburn took the checkered flag in the Street Stocks. Montpelier Speedway will close out 2026 on October 23rd and 24th with the Annual Monster Mash. Six classes of cars over the 2 nights of racing.  

Tony Stewart Racing added another Championship to their trophy case last week. Rico Abreu won the High Limit 410 Sprint Season Championship. This is Tony Stewart Racing’s 24th National Championship and Rico’s first year driving for Stewarts team. Rounding out the 2026 Top 5 in the point standings Giovanni Scelzi, Aaron Reutzel, Tyler Courtney and Justin Peck.

Other High Limit news, a few days after the 2026 season concluded, there will be a new contender for the 2027 Rayce Rudeen Foundation Rookie of the Year Award with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing; and he’s already one of the most popular figures in the sport. After finishing the final 10 races of this season aboard the Vermeer Motorsports Sprint, team owner Tony Vermeer signed Brady Bacon as the full-time driver when they return to High Limit next year. 

The 36-year-old future Hall of Fame driver has already built a great career headlined by his four championships and 64 wins with the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series. Both stats ranking second all-time in the 70-year history of the United States Auto Club.

Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!

PAULDING – History was made Thursday, October 15, as the Paulding Lady Panthers battled through their toughest volleyball match of the season to defeat the Tinora Lady Rams in a thrilling five-set showdown, securing the outright Green Meadows Conference championship for the first time in nearly three decades.

The Lady Panthers demonstrated tremendous determination and resilience, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to claim the victory by scores of 25-20, 22-25, 16-25, 25-15 and 15-12.

The victory capped an undefeated 7-0 run through GMC competition and improved Paulding’s remarkable overall record to 21-1.

The championship marks a historic milestone for the program, as it is the Lady Panthers’ first conference volleyball title since 1997, when Paulding captured the Northwest Conference championship outright.

Thursday’s showdown proved to be a fitting championship battle, with both teams refusing to back down.

Paulding opened the match with a hard-fought 25-20 victory in the first set, but Tinora answered with consecutive wins of 25-22 and 25-16 to put the Lady Panthers on the brink of defeat.

The Lady Panthers regained their momentum in the fourth set, dominating the Rams 25-15 to force a decisive fifth set with the conference championship hanging in the balance.

With the pressure at its highest, Paulding delivered,  securing the final set 15-12 to complete the comeback and ignite a championship celebration.

Kayde Kuckuck led Paulding’s offensive attack with a team-high 13 kills while adding nine digs and 13 receptions. Kayleigh Dunham was a dominant presence at the net, contributing 12 kills and a team-high six blocks.

Karli Breedlove turned in another strong all-around performance with nine kills, two service aces, two blocks and 14 receptions. Addison Arend also delivered nine kills while adding three blocks to strengthen the Panthers’ front line.

Estie Pease directed Paulding’s offense with an impressive 42 assists while contributing two kills, one ace, two blocks and three digs. Elliette Roughton added three kills and a block.

Defensively, Tori Schlatter continued to anchor the Lady Panthers’ back row, recording nine digs, three assists, an ace and a team-high 24 receptions. Libby Breier contributed four digs, 12 receptions and an ace, while Jayla Griffith added a service ace.

Tinora, which entered the contest with a 17-5 overall record and a 5-2 GMC mark, provided a formidable challenge throughout the evening.

Addison Dominique led the Lady Rams’ offensive attack with a match-high 20 kills while adding five digs and two blocks. Braleigh Addington followed with 18 kills, five digs, two service aces and a block.

Kallie Wells contributed nine kills and three digs, while Ella Schaublin directed Tinora’s offense with 43 assists. Schaublin also recorded 11 digs, two aces, two blocks and a kill.

Macy Behnfeldt helped anchor the Rams’ defense with 15 digs and four service aces, while Brooklynn Behnfeldt added 13 digs. Riley Baldwin contributed three aces, and Aubrey Hall added four digs and two aces.

Tinora also received defensive contributions from Kenzy Bacon with five digs, Teagan Billing with three digs and a block, Ava Kissner with two digs, and Katie Mills with four digs, three aces and a block.

Adding to the excitement was the tremendous support from Paulding’s fans and student section, who helped create an electric atmosphere for the historic championship match. The team expressed its appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd that showed up to cheer the Lady Panthers on to victory.

The JV Lady Panthers battled Tinora in two competitive sets but came up just short, falling 25-20 and 25-21. Despite the loss, Paulding’s junior varsity team finished its season with an impressive 20-2 overall record.

With a 21-1 record, an undefeated GMC championship season and a place in Paulding volleyball history secured, the Lady Panthers have given their community plenty to celebrate.

For the first time since 1997, the Paulding Lady Panthers are outright conference volleyball champions!

By: Ron Burt

TOLEDO, Ohio, Saturday October 4 — Doran-Swanson Racing’s Briggs Danner won the Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic USAC Silver Crown season finale Saturday at Toledo Speedway in his first race ever at the famed half-mile paved oval. With the victory he clinched second place in the USAC Silver Crown Driver Championship in his first full season in the series. He and Justin Grant both finished with 557 points, but Danner won the tiebreaker because he had three wins and Grant, the series’ defending champion, had none this year. Plymouth Indiana’s Tyler Roahrig put pressure on Danner in the last twenty laps but couldn’t make a pass for the lead and settled for 2nd. Polesitter Chase Cabre finished 3rd to get a spot on the podium.

Kody Swanson, the former driver of Briggs Danner’s Silver Crown car, but now is the race director for the series, won the 500 Sprint Car Tour Feature. Kyle Crump found victory lane in the Outlaw Super Late Model Feature and Josh Bunting won in the Factory Stocks.

Montpelier Speedway IN also raced last Saturday. In the USAC Midwest Thuner Midgets, after an intense battle for the lead, Bryce Massingill went from the 9th starting spot to get the victory. Dillon Nusbaum won the UMP Modified Feature. Todd Sherman took the checkered flag in the Super Stock class. Brian Isley won in the Hornet class.

Thursday, October 8, Millstream Speedway-The fall chill was in the air tonight in Findlay, that didn’t stop fans from packing the stands to see the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars for night number 1 of Sheldon Haudenschild’s Buckeye Brawl. 39 World of Outlaw 410 Winged Sprints signed in to compete, and the same number of 305 Winged Sprints showed up for the support class.

The 305’s qualified and then went into the feature, paying $1,200.00 to win. Findlay’s own Chad Kemenah took care of business and got the win.

In the World of Outlaws tonight, Wooster Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild had quick time 13.690. Heat race winners were Bill Balog, Michael Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Garet Williamson. The 8 car dash was won by Michael Kofoid. Donny Schatz advanced to the feature by winning the Last Chance Showdown along with Bryce Lucius, Rickey Peterson, and Chris Andrews.

Tonight’s 30 lap WoO Feature and $18,000.00 went to Michael Kofoid. Garet Williamson and David Gravel finished behind tonight’s winner. This was Michael “Buddy” Kofoid’s 15th victory in 2026. It was announced the proceeds from the 50/50 drawing tonight were going to Hancock County’s Honor Flight. 

The Buckeye Brawl will continue Friday at Mansfield Speedway and will wrap up at Sharon Speedway on Saturday. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron Out!

East Allen County Schools (EACS) proudly honored former Board of School Trustees member Terry Jo Lightfoot during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Leo Fieldhouse, officially dedicating the state-of-the-art facility in recognition of her more than 20 years of outstanding service, unwavering leadership, and extraordinary commitment to East Allen County Schools and the Leo community.

Throughout her years of dedicated service, Lightfoot demonstrated a deep passion for public education, a steadfast commitment to student success, and a genuine love for the community she so faithfully served. Her leadership, vision, and tireless advocacy have enriched the lives of countless students, staff, families, and residents throughout the district.

Terry Jo Lightfoot’s legacy is not simply measured by the number of years she served, but by the countless lives she touched, the relationships she built, and the lasting difference she made.

The dedication of the new Leo Fieldhouse serves as a fitting and lasting tribute to a woman whose commitment to education and community has helped shape the future of East Allen County Schools.

For generations to come, this facility will stand as a reminder of her dedication, service, and belief in creating opportunities for ALL students.

East Allen County Schools extends its heartfelt appreciation to Terry Jo Lightfoot for her remarkable years of service and the enduring impact she has made on the district and the Leo community.

While her years of service on the Board may have come to an end, her legacy will continue to inspire generations of students who walk through the doors of the new Leo Fieldhouse.

Thank you, Terry Jo Lightfoot, for more than two decades of service, leadership, and love for the EACS community. Your legacy will live on!

This summer, the Wayne Trace High School Gymnasium got a much-anticipated refresh as the gym floor was sanded and professionally refinished, giving the space a new look for our students, athletes, staff and community. The refinishing is part of the regular long term maintenance needed to preserve the gym floor and keep it in good working order. The updated finish has brought a noticeable brightness to the gymnasium, and a new design for the entire floor has given the gym an updated look.

Wayne Trace Local Schools would like to extend a sincere thank you to our gym floor sponsor, The Antwerp Exchange Bank, for their generous support and investment in this project. Their sponsorship played an important role in making the gym floor renovation possible and reflects the strong partnership between our school and local business community.

Antwerp Exchange Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank with locations in Harlan, Antwerp and Payne, and a new location now open in Paulding. Their support of this project is a great example of the impact local businesses can have when they invest in the students and communities they serve.

This project also provided an opportunity to partner with other local businesses as well. The gym floor refinishing was completed by Heritage Floors, a Putnam County business, while the floor design and layout were created by Natural Design & Graphics, a Paulding County business. Partnerships like this allow us to make improvements that directly benefit our students and our community.”

The project required planning and adjustments throughout the summer and the start of the school year while the gym was out of commission. Seeing our students and community back in the gym and hearing the positive feedback on the new look has made the process well worth the wait.

“We are very excited about the finished product,” said Wayne Trace Athletic Director Kristen Stabler. “This was one of my first highly visible projects as Athletic Director, and there were a lot of details and decisions that our administration worked through together throughout the process. It has been rewarding to see the finished product and, most importantly, to hear the feedback from our students and community. Their excitement about the new look has made all of the planning and decisions that went into the project worthwhile.

“I also want to thank our coaches and staff for their flexibility and patience while the gym was closed for the project. Taking the gym out of commission for several weeks required adjustments and changes to practices, classes and other activities, and we truly appreciate everyone’s cooperation. 

Wayne Trace Local Schools is proud to have this project completed through the support and collaboration of local businesses and community partners. We are grateful to everyone who played a part in this project. 

HAVILAND, OH – The Wayne Trace Lady Raiders faced a tough challenge on their home court at The Palace on October 2, as the visiting Tinora Rams rolled to a three-set victory in volleyball action.

Tinora wasted little time establishing control, taking the opening set 25-16 before holding off Wayne Trace for a 25-19 victory in the second. The Rams continued their momentum into the third set, pulling away for a 25-14 win to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Despite the loss, several Wayne Trace players turned in solid performances. Amber Stoller led the Lady Raiders’ offensive attack with 11 kills, while Brenna Beining added six kills and a service ace. Megan Parker provided a strong presence at the net, recording three blocks.

Defensively, Kinlee Miller led Wayne Trace with eight digs, while Emma Whitman and Karsyn Troth each contributed seven. Whitman also added five assists and a service ace, while Olivia Zartman directed the offense with a team-high eight assists and an ace.

Tinora’s balanced offensive attack proved difficult for Wayne Trace to contain. Ella Schaublin directed the Rams’ offense with an impressive 35 assists while adding five digs. Macy Behnfeldt provided strong defensive support with 17 digs and contributed five assists.

The victory improved Tinora’s season record to 14-4, continuing an impressive stretch of success that has seen the Rams win 37 of their last 43 matches dating back to last season.

For Wayne Trace, the loss dropped the Lady Raiders to 4-13 on the season. Despite recent struggles on their home court, the Raiders have shown signs of improvement, posting a 3-2 record since snapping a five-match losing streak.

By: Ron Burt

Last weekend was a busy week for racing in NW Ohio. Oakshade Raceway closed their 2026 season with the Annual Hammerdown Show Down pitting The Dominator Super Stocks against the Fremont Dirt Trucks and the combined class was full of action during the 25 laps. The event was won by Jordan Conover, the 2026 Limaland Thunder Stock Champion. Wauseon’s Brad Eitniear was 2nd and the 2026 Fremont Dirt Truck Champion, Shawn Valenti rounded out the podium. 

In The Late Model Sportsmen Division, Dylan Jessen started on the pole of the feature and led from flag to flag to win the 20-lap race. It was his sixth feature win of the season. Behind the winner, Jake Rendel and Rusty Smith. 

Ryan Okuley was chasing after his eighth Compact feature win this year to close out 2026. He took the lead at the start and pulled away early but a yellow on lap three would tighten the field back up with Hillsdale’s Cory Gumm, restarting second behind Okuley. The two drivers put on a great battle at the front with Gumm finally besting Okuley on the eighth lap to drive on for the win. Okuley settled for 2nd. And Wesley Belkofer 3rd.

Eldora Speedway was filled with 3 nights of action last week for the Annual 4 Crown Championships. The Great Lakes Super Sprints and the High Limit 410 Sprints joined the 3 classes of USAC Cars. This year’s champions, USAC Midgets Jakeb Boxell, USAC Non Winged Sprints Kyle Cummins, USAC Silver Crown Cars Daison Pursley, High Limit 410 Sprints Rico Abreu and The Great Lakes 360 Super Sprints Ryan Timms.

Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!

By: Ron Burt

Fremont Speedway couldn’t beat mother nature on the last night of the season. Night two of the annual Jim Ford Classic paying $10,000.00 to win was canceled because of heavy rain on Saturday. It’s not the way drivers and fans wanted to end the 2028 season at “the track that action built”.

Friday it was a full show at Fremont Speedway, featuring the All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Winged Sprints. Cap Henry took the win on night one of the 19th Annual Jim Ford Classic, making it his 15th career All Star win, five of those at Fremont Speedway, one of his home tracks. 

Zeth Sabo set Quick Time 12.657, followed by winning the first 410 heat race. Zane DeVault won the second heat race, and Chris Andrews had the win in the third heat. When it came time for the feature, Cale Thomas led the field to green. DJ Foos took the early lead and stayed there for the first 14 laps of the feature. Cale Thomas, Cap Henry, Craig Mintz and Chris Andrews battled each other for positions, and on lap 15, Henry dove under Foos and Thomas in turn four, taking the lead for the next 21 laps. Thomas, Andrews and Sabo continued to duel each other for second through fourth place behind Henry. With nine laps to go, Sabo picked off Andrews for third place and used the next seven laps to hunt down Thomas, taking second with two laps to go. The top 5 in the 410 Sprint feature, Cap Henry, 2nd Zeth Sabo, 3rd Cale Thomas, 4th Chris Andrews, and 5th Kalib Henry.

The Fremont Dirt Trucks ran split features. The first Feature podium was the 2026 Fremont Track Champion Shawn Valenti, Steve Miller and Dave Golembiewski. The 2nd Feature, Noah Wagner, Ben Clapp, and Dave Blankey. 

Saturday, September 19th, it was the perfect night for racing at Montpelier Speedway Indiana for the Sun Set Special. The Non Wing 410 Sprints headlined the evening. Zack Pretorius put his sprint in Victory Lane, and on the podium with him, Paul Dues and Camden Winter. Dalton Smith won the UMP Modified Feature followed by Scottie Williams and Dillion Nusbaum. Kokomo’s Kory Glassburn won in the Street Stocks. Nine Crown Vic’s came out to race in the dirt. Normally this class races on paved tracks. Austine McIntyre took the win.

I’ll be back next week with news from the 4 Crown at Eldora, The UMP Late Model Race at Wayne County Speedway, and Oakshade Raceway’s, Hammer Down Showdown. Until then, keep your wheels down. Ron out! www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz/

By: Ron Burt

On Saturday September 12th at the Indianapolis Speedrome the Outlaw Modified Figured 8 Cars were racing for the World Championship 3-Hour Endurance Race with $50,000.00 on the line. A riot in the pits broke out after an unsportsmanlike crash angered other drivers, pit crews and fans. This led to a led to an angry mob swarming the driver’s race car in the pits, with police officers caught in the middle. The driver at the center of the crowd’s attention was Dana Tunny. He has been charged with two Level 6 felonies for criminal recklessness. According to court documents, Tunny is accused of purposely crashing his race car into a disabled car on the racetrack. While the driver of that car was trying to excite his disabled race car Police said the disabled vehicle had just spun out after becoming entangled with Tunny’s brother during the race. The racetrack runs good events and is very popular to fans that enjoy Outlaw Figure 8 racing. A racetrack can control most situations, but they have no idea what’s going on in a driver’s mind. This was a very rare occasion where tempers lost control, and the situation became ugly and the crowd took sides. These are high-dollar race cars that can cost 65-100K. It’s extreme Figure 8 racing and drivers at this skill level try to avoid crashing.

Last Saturday the largest crowd in the history of Eldora Speedway watched Nick Hoffman win the 56th Annual World 100 for Late Models and pick up $100,000.00. The veteran driver has won many races, but this is the biggest win in his career. Ryan Gustin started on the pole and lead most of the prestigious race for the Super Late Models, but the caution flag waved on the 88th lap of the event. On the restart with 12 circuits remaining, Gustin lost his drive shaft, and this opened the door for Hoffman, who was running 2nd at the time. Hoffman pulled away from defending World 100 Champion Ricky Thornton, Jr. on the final restart. Thornton held on to finish second. Tyler Erb charged from his 17th starting spot to round out the podium. Brandon Sheppard and Hudson O’Neal completed the top five. Shane Unger Rookie of The Year went to 11th place Dustin Sorensen. 

This year’s winners of the 50/50 drawings at Eldora received Thursday $31,868.00, Friday $52,310.00, and Saturday $128,372.00.

Friday, Attica Raceway Park closed the 2026 season with the Mark Keegan Classic on Championship night. In the Winged 410 Sprints, Craig Mintz was the feature winner and took home $5,000.00 followed by Cap Henry and Jordan Ryan. Zanesville’s, Todd Brennan found victory lane in the DIRTcar Late Model Feature and $3,000.00. Ryan Missler and Ryan Markham round out the podium. The Winged 305 Sprints had Steve Rando waving the checked flag and adding $1,500.00 to his bank account. Paul Weaver and Seth Schneider finished behind your winner.

Fremont Speedway closed out their regular season on Saturday. Next week, I will list the 2026 Track Points Champions. On Championship Night, 410 Winged Sprints Zeth Sabo won the Feature followed by Cap Henry and Creed Kemenah. Shawn Valenti put his Dirt Truck in victory lane and Keith Sorg and Jamie Miller followed him. Bryan Sebetto, Jamie Miller and Paul Weaver stood on the podium for the Winged 305 Sprints.

Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon will close out their 2026 season on Saturday, September 26th with the Hammer Down Showdown, featuring the Oakshade Dominator Stocks racing against the Fremont Trucks. The Late Model Sportsmen and Compacts will be racing. 

Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!