From Scott Wolfe
STEWART, OHIO- Skyline Speedway will honor one of racing’s most famous ladies–Sarah Bond this coming Friday, August 23. The track will host the Sarah Bond Big Three paying $2,000 to win and $200 to start in all divisions. Although the event features a great purse in all divisions this is one of the biggest AMRA purses of the entire season for the Octane Modifieds, and a potent purse for both the Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association 410 Outlaw Sprints and the Kryptonite AMRA Late Models.
Friday’s event carries special admission, but is a bargain at $20 for adults, kids 12 and under free, and senior citizens $15. Pit admission is $40.
Sarah E. Bond, 70, of Coolville, passed away July 20, 2012 at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital, Athens.
She was born July 28, 1941 in Cadiz, Ohio, daughter of the late Hunter and Geraldine Farnsworth Barnhouse. She was a retired bus driver for the Federal Hocking Local School District and an avid dirt track race mom to all. Everyone called her Momma Bond.
Surviving Sarah is racing legend and husband, Ronnie Bond; two sons, Larry and Gina Bond and Andy and Tabitha Bond; three daughters, Pam Bond, Kim Bond and Sandra and Dylan Erwin; 10 grandchildren, Seth, Ashley, Gabrielle, Nicki, Allison, Erin, Mackenzie, Kyle, Andy and Dylan; three great-grandchildren, Braxton, Chelsea and Karsen.
Both Larry Bond and Andy Bond have won multiple championships not only at Skyline Speedway, but at many tracks around the Ohio Valley as well as the Midwest. Grandson Kyle Bond–a third generation driver is continuing to carry on the family name and the legendary #10, made famous throughout the region by his grandfather Ronnie.
Friday, July 31, 2009 Ronnie and Sarah celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary at Skyline Speedway, something that got owner promoter Billy Jarrell thinking. “So many times we don’t pay tribute to those who are so important to the sport.”
What followed was a tribute night for Ronnie and Sarah.
Ronnie Bond was a racer and champion of the 1960’s through 1980’s at several area race tracks making Buick a mainstay manufacturer of choice at area dirt tracks. Wife Sarah was always at his side and the entire Bond Family became a common fixture at area races. Sarah was always one of the ones to beat in the powder puff races, and often both Ronnie and Sarah brought home trophies on the same night.
When the small block Chevrolet became the engine of choice and Chevy became the manufacturer of choice for most drivers, Ronnie stood steadfast with his familiar Buick; And often he won or placed. Ronnie’s laid back demeanor and competitive on-track performance made him one of the fan favorites for many years.
When it looked like Skyline Speedway may go defunct the Bond family pitched in and ran the speedway a couple seasons under the name of Bond Speedway. Not only did they keep late model racing alive, but also supported the sprint cars–once the mainstay of the original Skyline Speedway.
Collectively, the Bond family may have won more championships than any other. Ronnie passed on the driving duties to his sons Larry and Andy Bond, who together have won nearly 40 championships and numerous features. Since retiring in the 1980’s as a driver, Ronnie until recently maintained his familiar number ten as a car owner.
This Friday, Skyline Speedway invites all area fans to help celebrate the memory of Sarah Bond with the Bond’s on this very special night, Friday, August 23.
Skyline is one of only a few tracks in the United States still running these major classes on the same night on a weekly basis, all for one great price.
Many have tried to compare other track admissions, but regionally only Skyline has three (what Racing Trade Papers call) headlining divisions. Skyline also has a great crop of youngsters in the Mike’s Auto Body Mini Wedges.
Regular Show consists of OVSCA Outlaw Sprints, Super Late Models, Octane Modifieds, and Mini-Wedges.
For more information please visit << www.skylinespeedway.net >> or call 304-539-4410 or the track phone at 740-662-4111.
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