The Left Turn
By: Ron Burt
Unfortunately, weather prevented most tri-state racetracks from hosting their 4th of July weekend events. Most speedways offer big payouts and sometimes double the track points and fireworks on the 4th of July. Now tracks are looking at their schedules to make up these races.
Do you want to relive the days of Bryan Motor Speedway? The History Mystery Man on youtube visits Bryan and takes a trip out to the former racetrack and shows everyone what it looks like now. He also talks to former racers, shows old pictures, hears stories, visits a barn nearby that has 2 former cars in it, and takes a trip to Cecil and visits Harts Machine Service and finds out what a huge roll that shop had in racing locally and nationally. When you search youtube, type in “Ghost Track In Small Town American Gem Bryan, OH”.
Oakshade Raceway, Wauseon OH, July 4th. The normal 4 classes, plus the Vintage American Race Cars. To the delight of many fans about 20 vintage racecars were on display behind the grandstand for spectators to see the cars up close and ask owners questions and take pictures. Most of the cars on display ran weekly at Bryan Motor Speedway, Avilla, Bearfield, Angola, Butler and other tri-state speedways. On display, a collection of Modified Coups’, Super Modifieds Sprint Cars and Roadsters. The American Vintage Race Cars raced 2 heat races and a feature. They are set to return August 15th for the final time at Oakshade Raceway this season. Nightly Program: Top 3 Feature Finishers: DIRTcar UMP Late Models: 1st Colin Shipley, 2nd Kyle Moore, and 3rd Carter Murday. Late Model Sportsmen: 1st Jarett Rendel, 2nd Chris Williams, and 3rd Sam Estes. Dominator Stocks: 1st Brad Eitniear, 2nd Josh McNicol, and 3rd Scott Hammer. Sport Compacts: 1st Ryan Okuley, 2nd Jason Deshler, and 3rd Geoff Wesnick.
Fremont Speedway, Fremont OH, July 4th. Normal Saturday Events 3 Classes. 410 Winged Outlaw Sprints: 1st Kalib Henry, 2nd Cap Henry, and 3rd Bryce Lucius. 305 Winged Sprints: 1st Jamie Miller, 2nd Bryan Sebetto, and 3rd Jimmy Mcgrath. Fremont Dirt Trucks: 1st Shawn Valenti, 2nd Dave Golembiewski, and 3rd Kent Brewer.
The 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals are in our area and will finish up the grueling 34 race schedule this upcoming week. The Annual Series started on June 9th and runs nightly with only two breaks. It’s hard on drivers and race teams. Unfortunately, 9 races have been canceled because of weather. Four drivers have run all 15 events, and 142 drivers from 19 states have registered for one or more races. Montpelier Speedway in Indiana hosted the tour, Tuesday, July 7th Frank Heckenast Jr. won Late Model Feature, and Trevor Neville won in the UMP Modifieds. The following night July 8th, the Series went to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI and Jackson Michigans, Rusty Schlenk parked his Late Model in Victory Lane winning his 301st feature race in his career and David Stremme won the UMP Modified Feature.
The Summer Nationals will wrap-up the Series Tour at Butler Motor Speedway, July 9th, Crystal Motor Speedway, July 10th, Oakshade Raceway, Wauseon Ohio, July 11th and the final race will be Sunday, July 12th, Wayne County Speedway, Orrville, Ohio. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz/
