MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — One of Williams Grove Speedway’s most memorable and dedicated sprint car owners passed away Wednesday when No. 39 car owner John Trone of York lost his battle with a lengthy illness.
Trone turned 69 years old on August 18.
A venerable and dedicated Williams Grove Speedway supporter, Trone was no stranger to sprint car racing at the oval or in general from his earliest days.
One of eight siblings, he grew up watching his father Ray Trone field the No. 39Trone Sunoco Special from the 1950s into the 1970s.
Ray Trone fielded such talented pilots as Bobby Hersh, Johnny Dubendorf, Ed Zirkle, Tommie Spriggle and others to much success, recording 113 wins and four track titles during the mounts original run at the Grove and in the area.
After becoming owner of his billboard advertising business, Trone Outdoor, John Trone returned the Trone trademark to Williams Grove and the area sprint car wars when he signed on as a sponsor for driver T.J. Stutts in 2005 before becoming a full car owner for Stutts in 2007.
Other drivers along the way included Alan Krimes, Doug Esh, Brent Marks, Tim Glatfelter, Keith Kauffman, Greg Hodnett, Adrian Shaffer, Cory Haas, Cale Thomas, Jason Solwold, Justin Peck, Chase Dietz, Cameron Smith, Troy Wagaman Jr., Kyle Moody, Garrett Williamson, Domenic Melair, Lynton Jeffrey, Callum Williamson, Kody Hartlaub, Jordan Thomas, Derek Hauck, J.J. Loss and most recently Lucas Wolfe.
Wolfe moved into the seat of the car part way through the current season.
Trone garnered Williams Grove wins with drivers Esh, Hodnett, Haas and Dietz, taking a total of 15 at the Cumberland County oval.
The late Greg Hodnett scored John Trone a coveted Williams Grove Speedway track title in 2012 when the pairing also took the Grove Diamond Series title.
Elsewhere the duo of Trone and Hodnett won titles in PA Speedweek, Keystone Cup, and Thunder On The Hill action plus track banners at Selinsgrove Speedway and Baps Motor Speedway.
Hodnett piloted the No. 39 to a win in Williams Grove World of Outlaws Summer Nationals action in 2011.
His car beat the All Stars during its tenure and holds the distinction of winning the last ever 410 sprint car race held at the now defunct Trail Way Speedway in 2019.
As an owner, Trone was able to attract top mechanics in the form of Lee Stauffer, Dennis Kohler, Jim Shriner and his longtime friend, Kevin Frey.
With his car still on the track as recent as August 21 at Williams Grove Speedway, John Trone ended his ownership career Wednesday with a total of 46 overall sprint car victories to his credit plus one with Stutts as a sponsor only.
