As Sharon Speedway prepares to celebrate its 96th anniversary, a new ownership group will be taking over the operations of one of the oldest operating dirt tracks in the country. Ryan Blaney’s father, Dave Blaney, has been a part of the ownership group since 2002, but will now be joined by his son and along with area businessman and racer Will Thomas III.
Unlike many NASCAR stars who leave their dirt track origins behind, Ryan’s $5 million investment connects his high-profile Team Penske career with the grassroots racing that built the Blaney name. The third-generation racer joins an elite club of active competitors who’ve invested in racing venues, following social media phenomenon Cleetus McFarland’s purchase of the “Freedom Factory” speedway at a similarly young age.
NASCAR champion kicks off his ownership stint
At 31, Blaney becomes one of the youngest track owners with active championship-level driving credentials in American motorsports. Not only that, this venue has hosted events like World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, All Star Circuit of Champions, Super DIRTcar Series, and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
The ownership transition was officially announced on May 3rd, just days before Sharon Speedway’s season-opening race. Following the recent passing of longtime co-owners Jim Weller Sr. and Ron Kirila, Ryan Blaney will join his father, Dave and local businessman/racer Will Thomas III in guiding the historic 3/8th-mile dirt track’s future. The trio represents perfect symmetry between racing heritage, modern NASCAR star power, and local business acumen.
“Excited to be joining Sharon Speedway and my dad as a partial owner. This track has meant a lot to our family throughout the years. Looking forward to keeping the legacy in racing going,” Ryan explained in the Twitter post.
Excited to be joining Sharon Speedway and my dad as a partial owner. This track has meant a lot to our family throughout the years. Looking forward to keeping the legacy in racing going. pic.twitter.com/zWUqkxolNl
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) May 3, 2025
The sentiment rings especially true at Sharon, where his grandfather, Lou, recorded an astounding 121 Modified wins and 11 Sprint Car victories, and where the Roger Penske driver himself claimed numerous wins in Sprint Cars and Modifieds during his formative racing years. The Lou Blaney Memorial race, scheduled for August 3rd, has become a cornerstone event at the track, ensuring the family’s legacy continues to live on the clay surface that helped build their dynasty.
While maintaining his day job piloting the #12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series, Blaney’s investment mirrors a growing trend of current drivers securing their post-competition futures while simultaneously elevating grassroots racing, setting up a fascinating exploration of racing’s past meeting its future.
Blaney’s move follows a storied tradition of champion drivers becoming track owners. NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart revolutionised this approach when he purchased the legendary Eldora Speedway in 2004 while still competing at NASCAR’s highest level. Stewart’s success inspired others, including Kyle Larson’s partial ownership in High Limit Racing. Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) also purchased the DeSoto Speedway in Florida, which he rebranded as the Freedom Factory at age 25.
Texas Race Shows the Champion’s Competitive Fire
Ryan Blaney’s 2025 Cup Series campaign has been challenging with four DNFs in the opening 10 races, but the 2023 champion showed his trademark determination at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend. Fighting for position in the closing laps, Blaney found himself in a three-way battle with teammate Joey Logano and Michael McDowell with just 10 laps remaining. As Logano surged ahead with four laps to go, Blaney followed in his draft, taking the same racing line in pursuit of a potential win.
The aggressive move had unintended consequences for fellow competitor Michael McDowell. When Blaney slid up in front of McDowell’s #71 Chevrolet, the aerodynamic disruption or “dirty air” from Blaney’s #12 Ford caused McDowell to lose downforce and control. “When Blaney slid up in front of me, it just took the air off of it and I lost the back of it,” McDowell explained afterwards, detailing how the sudden aerodynamic change sent him hard into the SAFER barrier, leading to a heartbreaking finish.
Despite the incident, Blaney secured a P3 finish behind race winner Logano and runner-up Ross Chastain, adding another top-five result to his season tally. Currently sitting seventh in the Cup Series standings between Toyota drivers Christopher Bell and Bubba Wallace, Blaney remains winless but competitive. The Texas race demonstrated both Blaney’s racing instinct and hunger to get back in the victory lane. Hopefully, he catches a good break in the upcoming races and follows his teammates in securing a playoff spot.
The post Roger Penske’s Champion Driver Becomes Proud Owner of Race Track at 31, Pulling a Cleetus McFarland appeared first on EssentiallySports.