Written by: Jim Foose

The thrill of racing is coming back to Painesville Speedway on Saturday, April 19th as “The Battleground” roars back to life for the 2025 season with Autism Awareness Opening Night.  A full slate of racing is scheduled to take the ⅕ mile; Street Stocks, Chargers, Warriors, Rising Stars, Figure 8 Ironmen, Old School Figure 8, and Compact Figure 8 all take the to the track in the kickoff to the 2025 season.  Autism Awareness Opening Night has a reputation for setting the tone for the new season, many winners of the first race go on to win the season championship.

The 2024 Autism Awareness Opening Night program was full of action.  Eddy Poderzay took home the King of Ohio Street Stock feature event, a win that propelled the #27 to the championship lead and to the 2024 King of Ohio Street Stock Championship.  Dominic Cicconetti and Wil Wiggins won the pair of heat races for the Street Stocks.

Bobby Krause kicked off his 2024 Charger Championship winning campaign with a bang, putting the #43 in victory lane in the feature event.  Eric Martin and Hayden Nails picked up the heat race victories.

Melvin Martin charged through the field from the seventh starting position to win the Warrior Feature event.  Mikey Oldenburgh won the lone Warrior heat race.

The Rising Stars saw Gavin Elmore take the top honors, a victory that started his 2024 championship season off on the right note. Jason Sharer won the Rising Star heat race.

Tim Farrar won the Factory Stock feature event, while Cory Bear won the heat race.

MJ Reed led from the get go to take the Figure 8 Ironmen Feature over Mike Davis.  Davis and Rob Cromie won the Figure 8 Ironmen heats.

Chad Tekavic swept the Old School Figure 8 Heat and Feature, wins that propelled Tekavic to the season championship in the Old School Figure 8 division.

Mike Johnson almost pulled off a clean sweep of Compact Figure 8 action, winning the feature event and setting fast time while finishing second behind Melvin Martin in the heat race.  Johnson would win the season championship in the Compact Figure 8.

The Painesville Speedway remains committed to offering Fast & Affordable Family Fun!  More information including gate times and ticket prices can be found at NEOhioRacing.com.

Located at 500 Fairport Nursery Rd in Painesville, OH, The Painesville Speedway has been providing affordable family fun for generations.  The ⅕ mile oval and figure 8 track provide close quarters and action packed racing at “The World’s Toughest Battleground”.