Spring is here, how do I know? The roar of race cars and the smell of race fuel has already happened at Michaels Mercer Raceway, Tri City City Raceway Park in Franklin, Pa., and Lernerville Speedway near Butler Pa. We live in the best area of the country for race tracks. At least 10 tracks within a two-hour drive. Let me list a few for you.

¯ Sharon Speedway in Hartford is the grand old lady of racing operating since 1929. Gates will swing open May 10 with 410 Spring cars, Pro Stocks and Econo Mods. Many special events scheduled starting with The World of Outlaws Sprint cars May 24.

¯ Mercer Raceway just off Interstate-80 has opened before anyone else with the Chiller Thriller. A new clay surface is being laid down to help provide great racing. Next show is today with a Fast 410 Sprint car race along with four other support divisions. With a storied history of racers and owners since 1951, the tricky three-eighths mile oval is a fan favorite.

¯ Tri City Raceway Park just north of Franklin, Pa., on Pennsylvania Route 417 is a big half-mile dirt oval. New owners have made several improvements and continue to do so. The first major change was switching to Friday night racing, while some events will take place Sundays. The weekly line up is great with stellar divisions. Sprint cars, Late Models, Big Block Mods, Pro Stocks and RUSH Sprint cars, along with an increased purse for drivers.

¯ Raceway 7, just to the north on State Route 7 near Conneaut, opened Friday night with five divisions of racing. The first major race will be May 15, featuring the World of Outlaws Late Models $12,000 to win for the Great Lake Showdown. The track is a seven-sixteenth semi banked dirt oval.

¯ Lernerville Speedway “The action Track” in Sarver, Pa., near Butler opened last Sunday. Fab 4 racing takes place every Friday night. After more than 50 years of racing it is considered one of the top tracks in the country. There are several special high-paying evens through out the season.

¯ Goodhope Speedway in New Springfield is a one-fifth mile dirt oval for go-kart racing. After sitting idle for more than four years, new owner Brian Whiting has taken over the track. Many improvements are being made including a new track configuration. Many top regional racers have come through Good Hope and moved on to many top divisions. There’s good payout for all classes. The first race is scheduled for today, with racing every other week.

This is a small list of race tracks within a two-hour drive of the Mahoning Valley. Some of the best racing you will ever see takes place at these speedways.

Get out and support your local race track, feel the thunder, hear the roar, see better racing than on TV. Grassroots racing, the racing season is finally here.