SprintCarUnlimited.com Staff Report
HARTFORD, OH: Cale Conley knows how special the Lou Blaney Memorial is to the historic Blaney racing family.
There is a deep connection. Conley’s wife, Emma Blaney, is the daughter of Dave Blaney, who is the son of Lou Blaney. So, when Conley rolled into the track Saturday night at Sharon Speedway, you can understand the extra motivation to get his first Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Championship victory.
Conley didn’t disappoint. He turned Victory Lane into a true family affair by overcoming a tricky cushion and a stout field to capture the caution-filled 30-lap Lou Blaney Memorial. The win was worth a nice $7,500 payday.
“That was a really long damn race,” Conley said. “I was ready to see the five to go, 10 to go … I was at least ready to see halfway.
“It seemed like it took a while, but I’m so happy to win here on Lou Blaney night. This is such a special night for my wife, Emma, and our little boy who is named Louie. It’s so cool, first All Star win in front of a great crowd.”
Conley beat pole-sitter Brock Zearfoss into the first corner and put his right rear on the cushion to lead the first circuit. Zearfoss fell to second in the order, with Rico Abreu settling into the third position.
It didn’t take long for a rash of cautions to slow the pace of the leaders. Through multiple restarts, Conley was able to hold off Zearfoss and Abreu through the first 15 laps of the race distance.
Ohio Speedweek point leader Aaron Reutzel brought out the caution on Lap 18. Conley continued to lead, only to have his pace slowed one lap later when Cole Macedo stopped in the fourth corner.
Conley couldn’t get away from Zearfoss on the Lap 19 restart. The two remained five car-lengths apart, as Zearfoss started to put all four wheels above the cushion.
Zearfoss was getting a huge push off the second corner. It allowed him to close the gap to four car-lengths by the time Lap 25 was scored.
But there was no late challenge for the win. Zearfoss had something break on the front end of his car in Turn 1 on Lap 26. The front end collapsed, and the Jonestown, Pa. driver tipped over at the exit of Turn 2.
With Zearfoss in the pit area, Conley sped away on the restart. Meanwhile, Abreu and Cory Eliason were locked in a tight back-and-forth for the second position. Eliason took the runner-up spot on Lap 27, only to have Abreu wrestle it back one lap later.
Neither driver had anything for Conley, who sped away to take the win by 3.579 seconds. Eliason slipped past Abreu on the last lap for second. Tim Shaffer and Danny Dietrich completed the top five.
“This racecar was so good,” Conley said. “It’s the first night out after we tore one up last night. It just shows you how lucky I am to work with Brian Kemenah and Nate and Stacy.
“Unreal first night on the car, and we are here in Victory Lane. It made my job really easy. I can’t show how much appreciation I have for everybody, the Blaneys, everyone. You know, that 10-car [Dave Blaney] is really fast here, so it’s nice to beat that guy, too.”
Sprint Car Feature Finish, 30 Laps: 1. Cale Conley; 2. Cory Eliason; 3. Rico Abreu; 4. Tim Shaffer; 5. Danny Dietrich; 6. Brandon Spithaler; 7. Adam Kekich; 8. Gerard McIntyre Jr.; 9. Skylar Gee; 10. Paul McMahan; 11. Dan Shetler; 12. Sye Lynch; 13. Brent Matus; 14. Brock Zearfoss; 15. Zeb Wise; 16. Josh Baughman; 17. Cole Macedo; 18. Aaron Reutzel; 19. Michael Bauer; 20. Cap Henry; 21. Dave Blaney; 22. Dean Jacobs; 23. Darren Pifer; 24. Dan Kuriger.