The Racing Report
The Racing Report is a five part series about short track racing in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia running in Farm and Dairy throughout the summer of 2024. It uses this regional, grassroots motorsport as an allegory for bigger themes like community, creativity, freedom, justice, and safety
410 winged sprint cars slide into turn three during the second heat race at Fremont, Ohio.
A dirt track is a heavily manicured thing. Before a race, trucks will perforate and compress the surface and as much as 75,000 gallons of water will be sprayed on it in order to ensure that the track is smooth and grippy. The track surface changes lap to lap and even corner to corner throughout a race. Late model driver, Eric Spangler, inspects the depth of the perforations in the track.
A chaplain leads the drivers in prayer before the race.
Fremont Speedway promoter Rich Farmer addresses competitors during the pre-race drivers meeting.
The crowd stands during the national anthem at Fremont Speedway.
World of Outlaws Late Model series driver Chris Madden watches a late model feature race prior to his win at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio.
World of Outlaws CEO and former driver Brian Carter signs a young fan's t-shirt at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio.
World of Outlaws driver Devin Moran at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio.
Devin Moran waiting to take the track in a cloud of dust.
Loose clay and silt from the bottom of the track swirl up to the top of the track. This dark band just below the wall is called the cushion. Drivers will often search for more grip up here toward the end of the race, Kyle Moore, of Mansfield, Ohio, runs the cushion on his way to a fourth-place qualifying run.
Leyton Wagner leads Cody Bova out of turn four in the sprint car feature race.
A caution flag flies during the Street Stock heat race. Norton’s short straights and tight corners can tempt drivers into making risky passes that sometimes end in a spin.
Sprint cars do not have starter motors so they require a fleet of trucks and SUVs to bump start them before taking the track.
Former modified driver Lee McCreery shows a tattoo of the race car that he used to drive at Norton Raceway Park.
Ashley Griffits, Jamie Griffits and Samantha Quackenbush cheer on Jesse Griffits who had a strong run in the Modifieds feature race before wrecking in turn one toward the end of the race.
Norton Raceway Park is a haven for drivers on a budget. It gives weekend warriors and young, aspiring hot shots an affordable way to race - which is why Norton resident Kit Wilson has been coming here since the late 60s.
Devin Moran's crew relay information to him using hand signals from the pit wall.
Track promoter Jason Flory walks the track after it’s been packed down by an afternoon of racing. The holes from the sheep foot collect water and slowly release it throughout the race. Cool weather and moisture are a recipe for a fast track.
Zeth Sabo won the A Main despite a damaged front wing in a last lap shootout with Cale Thomas for a hometown win at Fremont Speedway.
Late Model feature winner Mike Mazzagatti. Mazzagatti and his brother Pat saved the Barberton Speedway from foreclosure in 2016 before Greg Prunty and Dennis Knox purchased it.
Ricky Peterson, of Rawson, Ohio celebrates his win in the 410 Sprint Car feature race at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio.
Fans file out through the gates. For the Norton faithful, the next week will be full of their own wins and losses, frustrations and joys until the gates open again.
The family of James Raines waits for him in the paddock at Norton Raceway Park. Raines lives nearby in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood and he races in the Compact division exclusively at Norton. For the working class Raines family, racing is an expensive, but gratifying labor of love.
Kids play on a hill at Norton Raceway Park.