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Dave Blaney leaves on top, announces retirement after winning Lou Blaney Memorial at Sharon Speedway

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Sep 22, 2024 1:14 PM ET

Going out on top! Dave Blaney left Sharon Speedway a winner in the final Sprint Car race of his long and storied career. The former NASCAR driver has always been a dirt racer at his core and to win the race named in honor of his father for a third time is a big deal.

Dave Blaney didn’t have an easy time in his final race. He had to fight off Danny Dietrich. Dietrich is a talented racer in his own right and was on Blaney’s back until the final turn.

Throughout his career, Blaney won championships in USAC, World of Outlaws, and is a Hall of Famer in Spinrt Car racing. That isn’t to mention his Crown Jewel victories at the Chili Bowl, Kings Royal, Knoxville Nationals, and the Gold Cup.

Before hanging up his helmet for good, Dave Blaney had to put one more W on the board. Sharon Speedway, his home track, the race named for his father, Lou Blaney. The newly retired driver was emotional in Victory Lane.

“It’s big. You know, this is a race Dale and I try to win every year. To beat that guy… in my last race. Saying, to beat Danny in my last race. I’m officially done right now.”

.@dirtvision WINNER: WHAT A RACE! And what a way to go out for @BuckeyeBullet10 as he announces the end of his career with his 3rd Lou Blaney Memorial win tonight @SharonSpdwy . pic.twitter.com/0QJ5PBdsa3
— DIRTVision (@dirtvision) September 22, 2024

His son, NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney, congratulated him on his win and retirement. During his career, Ryan has reached heights in stock car racing that the Blaney family never imagined possible. But his dad has north of 150 wins in the World of Outlaws and All Star Circuit of Champions (now High Limit Racing).

“Congratulations to Pops in his final go around. I wish I could’ve been there to see The Bullet park it for the last time… Cheers dad!” What a sendoff from Ryan.

Congratulations to Pops in his final go around. I wish I could’ve been there to see The Bullet park it for the last time.. Cheers dad! @BuckeyeBullet10 https://t.co/qr7XiAMYFI
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) September 22, 2024

Of course, the defending Cup champion is in the NASCAR Playoffs. He was able to advance to the Round of 12. However, it only gets harder from here.

Dave and Dale Blaney are two Sprint Car champions. They paved the way for the generation tearing up the dirt now. There is a direct line from those racers to the Kyle Larsons, Brad Sweets, and Rico Abreus of the world.

When a driver decides to hang it up for good, it’s never an easy decision. But when they can walk off on top, checkered flag in hand, that’s perfect. At 61 years old, Dave Blaney puts the final chapter on a 40+ year career in racing.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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