Joe Harz, legendary New Jersey sprint car owner, renowned for fielding the yellow No. 88H sprint car, has passed away at 77. His racing legacy spans nearly two decades across the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, accumulating 169 sprint victories, including 41 at Williams Grove Speedway.

Starting in modified racing in 1979, Harz transitioned to sprint cars in 1984. His most successful partnerships included:

• Fred Rahmer (1986, 2002-2005): 85 victories, including a remarkable 34-win season in 2004
• Lance Dewease (1999-2001): 47 wins, including the prestigious National Open victory in 2001
• Kenny Adams: 22 wins across two stints

Notable achievements at Williams Grove Speedway:

• Multiple season opener victories (1990, 2005)
• Three Mitch Smith Memorial wins
• World of Outlaws victories in Summer Nationals (2005) and National Open (2001)
• Track championships in 2001, 2004, and 2005
• 2005 Diamond Series title

Beyond Williams Grove, the Harz racing stable claimed:

• Five Lincoln Speedway track titles
• Four Grandview championships
• Single championships at Selinsgrove and Baps Motor Speedway
• Five Pennsylvania Speedweek crowns
• 1997 URC Sprint tour title (with Sean Michael)

Joe Harz's impact on sprint car racing extends beyond his impressive statistics. His friendly character and dedication to the sport earned him widespread respect throughout the racing community. Williams Grove Speedway honored his contributions with a tribute event in 2022.

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