Sprint Car Racing Returns to Hartwell for the First Time in Nearly a Quarter Century
HARTWELL, GA — After nearly a quarter of a century, the thunder of full-size sprint cars is set to return to Hartwell Motor Speedway, as the Renegade Racing Series brings its 360 Sprint Cars to the historic North Georgia venue on Friday, October 16.
For longtime racing fans, the event will be more than another night at the races. It will be a return to a style of racing that has not been seen at Hartwell in many years, giving fans an opportunity to once again watch full-size sprint cars battle around the clay.
The last documented sprint car visit to Hartwell Speedway, a United Sprint Car Series event, came on July 4, 2003, when Kenny Adams captured the feature. That historic result provides a fitting backdrop for the Renegade Racing Series' return, nearly 25 years later.
The upcoming event will offer plenty of incentive for teams to make the trip. The 360 Sprint Car A-Main will pay $2,000 to win and $250 to start, putting a strong payday on the line for the drivers who make the field. With the combination of speed, competition, and a solid purse, the Hartwell event is shaping up to be a special night for both the teams and the fans.
Adding even more excitement to the program, Discover Hartwell has jumped onboard to present the Discover Hartwell Quick Time Award. The award will pay an additional $150 to the quickest driver in Qualifying, giving teams another opportunity to earn money before the main event even takes the green flag. For a driver who can put together a fast qualifying lap and then back it up with a feature win, the Hartwell stop could be a particularly rewarding night.
The Hartwell event will also serve as the opening half of a special North Georgia doubleheader for the Renegade Racing Series. Following Friday night's action, the series will head to Sugar Creek Raceway on Saturday, October 17, for the second half of the weekend. The back-to-back events will give teams an opportunity to make the most of their trip to the region, while fans will have the chance to see the 360 Sprint Cars compete at two different venues on consecutive nights.
With two races on the schedule, a driver who can sweep the weekend could walk away with more than $5,000 in total winnings, making the doubleheader a major opportunity for teams and a weekend worth circling on the calendar for sprint car fans. The possibility of a driver collecting a big payday at both tracks adds another layer of excitement to what is already a highly anticipated weekend.
The return of 360 Sprint Cars to Hartwell is a chance to bring a familiar and exciting form of racing back to a venue with a long history of open-wheel competition. For fans who remember seeing sprint cars at Hartwell, it will be an opportunity to see the powerful machines return to the track. For newer fans, it will be a chance to experience the speed, sound, and excitement of full-size sprint cars at a venue that has not hosted a documented sprint car event in nearly 25 years.
The Renegade Racing Series is looking to make the return a memorable one, with a strong purse, an added qualifying award, and a second night of racing waiting at Sugar Creek Raceway. The combination of Hartwell's sprint car history, the $2,000-to-win A-Main, and the potential for a driver to earn more than $5,000 over the weekend makes this a race that fans will not want to miss.
*Reed Oliver Photography photo.
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