From Dan Kapuscinski
Oswego, NY — (July 14, 2016) — For the first time since 1952, Oswego Speedway’s racing surface will be covered in dirt, as the ‘Steel Palace’ will officially play host to NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLV running from October 5-9, including the featured NAPA 300.
The official announcement from the World Racing Group comes on the heels of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s press conference held earlier this afternoon at Oswego’s Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center, in which Governor Cuomo not only announced the city of Oswego as the winner of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization initiative, but also confirmed a plan to move Super DIRT Week from Central New York Raceway Park to Oswego Speedway.
“With support from Governor Cuomo, the State of New York, and incredible fans and sponsors, we are excited to write a new chapter in the history of Racing’s Biggest Party,” said DIRTcar Racing CEO Brian Carter. “We’ve developed a great relationship with John Torrese and his team over the past several months, and Super DIRT Week is going to be a lot of fun at Oswego this year.”
The 5/8 mile Oswego Speedway paved oval will play host to two other major open-wheel events ahead of NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week, with the 60th running of Budweiser International Classic Weekend taking place September 2-4 and the historic Race of Champions September 15-17.
Speedway co-owner John Torrese is excited at the opportunity to host three of the biggest racing weekends in motorsports in a month period.
“The coming weeks at Oswego Speedway are certainly unprecedented,” said Torrese. “This is a testament to the history and lineage of Oswego Speedway to be fortunate enough to host Classic Weekend, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the Race of Champions, and Super DIRT Week in such close proximity. We thank World Racing Group’s Brian Carter as well as the State of New York for the opportunity to help keep such an important event, not only in New York State, but right here in central New York.”
Opening in 1951, Oswego Speedway’s beginnings were as a 3/8 mile dirt racing facility.
The Speedway operated as a dirt oval from August 10, 1951 through June 15, 1952 before Speedway owner Harry Caruso opted to pave the facility for the remainder of the 1952 season which continued on July 11 of that year.
Eventual International Classic champion Billy Blum won on the dirt at Oswego more than any other driver with three victories, two of which came in the final four events on the surface including the last dirt event to be held at Oswego on June 15, 1952.
Charlie Barry, the winner of the first event ever to be held at Oswego in August of ’51, Chuck Kotwica, Bob Cameron, Nelly Ward, Al Weber, Bob Kegebin, John Torrese Sr., and Dick Jerrett Sr. would all win on the dirt at Oswego in A-Modified action.
After moving to pavement, the Speedway would stay at its 3/8 mile configuration until being enlarged to the current 5/8 mile configuration in 1961.
The format and schedule for NAPA Super DIRT Week at Oswego Speedway will remain the same as previous years with on-track action every day from October 5 through 9 at Oswego, including a return of Friday Night Lights. Other municipalities will get in on the action with traditional nighttime events slated for Weedsport Speedway on Wednesday, October 5; Brewerton Speedway in Central Square, NY on Thursday, October 6; and the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will be racing at Fulton Speedway in Fulton, NY on Saturday, October 8.
All fans that placed deposits will be contacted to select their seats and camping spots in the order of their deposit through July 25. Tickets and camping spots will then be made available to all on August 8. More information will be available to fans at SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com after Friday, July 15, or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX (347-8849).
For more information on Oswego Speedway visit online at www.oswegospeedway.com or LIKE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway. Those interested in Speedway video programming online can subscribe to the Speedway’s YouTube Channel, ‘OswegoSpeedwayOnline’.
To purchase tickets for the 2016 racing season call the Speedway box office at (315) 342-0646.