The quiet, crisp air over Hartford, Ohio, is about to be shattered in the best way possible. As the iconic red clay is prepped for another year of high-speed thrills, Sharon Speedway is roaring back to life to celebrate a massive milestone. When the green flag drops for the Season Opener on April 25th, it will officially mark the track’s 97th season of operation.
This historic 3/8-mile oval has always been a premier destination for dirt track racing fans, but this year, the schedule is packed with more horsepower, higher stakes, and heavier hitters than ever before. From the 410 Sprint Cars to the Big Block Modifieds, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year.
The Outlaws are Coming (Thrice!)
If you thrive on the adrenaline of national touring series, clear your calendar. The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is bookending the Sharon Speedway summer with two massive appearances.
- The May Spring Fling: The Outlaws will make their first stop in May, bringing the greatest Sprint Car drivers on the planet to battle it out as the season kicks into high gear. Expect a furious, high-speed chess match as drivers navigate the early-season track conditions.
- The October Finale: The sprint car stars will return in the crisp autumn air for a crucial October showdown. With championship points on the line, this late-season clash guarantees desperate, slide-job-heavy racing.
But the Sprint Cars aren’t the only Outlaws coming to town. Mid-summer heat means heavy stock car action. The World of Outlaws Late Models will roll into Hartford for a massive July Doubleheader. Two back-to-back nights of door-to-door, fender-rubbing Late Model racing will serve as the undisputed centerpiece of the summer schedule.
Big Blocks on the Red Dirt: August 12th
Mark August 12th on your calendars in permanent ink. The Super DIRTcar Series is making its highly anticipated descent into Ohio.
Watching the center-steer Big Block Modifieds tackle Sharon’s sweeping corners is a spectacle entirely its own. These 800-horsepower beasts require a distinctly aggressive driving style, and watching the best in the northeast invade traditional sprint car territory is a crossover event no dirt fan should miss.
The Weekly Lifeblood: The Super Series
While the national tours bring the flash, the true heartbeat of Sharon Speedway remains its thrilling weekly Super Series. Throughout the summer, local and regional heroes will battle it out on the red clay in a highly competitive four-division showcase. Fans can expect heart-pounding action from the winged 410 Sprint Cars and the thundering Big-Block Modifieds, backed up by the fiercely competitive Econo Mods and the fan-favorite, fender-banging Crown Vics. It’s a diverse and action-packed lineup that guarantees non-stop entertainment from the first heat race to the final checkered flag of the night.
Offseason Upgrades: Enhancing the Fan and Driver Experience
The thrills on the track this year will be complemented by major improvements made off the track. Over the winter offseason, Sharon Speedway management heavily invested in facility upgrades, most notably the installation of a brand-new, state-of-the-art safety catch fence.
This comprehensive perimeter upgrade ensures that while the drivers are pushing the absolute limits of their machines right up against the cushion, the fans can enjoy the high-octane spectacle with enhanced peace of mind. It’s a testament to the track’s commitment to modernizing the historic venue for its 97th year while keeping safety at the forefront.
The Unsung Heroes: The Sharon Speedway Safety Crew
Speaking of safety, you can’t preview a season at Sharon Speedway without tipping a cap to the men and women who keep the show running when things go sideways.
The Sharon Speedway Track Safety Crew is widely recognized as one of the most elite and meticulously trained response teams in grassroots motorsports. Equipped with top-tier extrication gear and specialized fire-suppression training tailored specifically to methanol and racing fuel, this crew is always ready. Their rapid response times and expert situational awareness mean drivers know they are in the best possible hands, allowing them to race with total confidence.
Start Your Engines
From a brand-new catch fence and a rock-solid weekly Super Series to an undeniably stacked schedule featuring the nation’s top touring series, the 97th season at Sharon Speedway is built for the history books. Pack the goggles, grab your ear protection, and secure your tickets for the April 25th opener—it’s time to go racing in Hartford.
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