Story By: DAN KAPUSCINSKI / SYRELL RACING – OSWEGO, NY – Syrell Racing will field two Novelis Supermodifieds at Oswego Speedway in 2019 with Dan Kapuscinski joining full-time driver Michael Barnes for three races, including the 63rd annual Budweiser International Classic 200.
Barnes will again compete weekly for Syrell Racing, but will now drive the team’s new independent front suspension Hawk chassis which he put on the pole position for the 2018 Budweiser International Classic 200. “The Hustler” will aim for his second career Oswego Speedway track championship for the team behind the wheel of the No. 68.
Kapuscinski will field the team’s front axle Hawk chassis racer, which took Barnes to the 2016 Oswego Speedway track title, as No. 08.
“We’re excited to partner with Dan (Kapuscinski) as a driver but also in a larger capacity as well,” said Syrell Racing co-owner, Eric Syrell. “Working with Dan Kapuscinski Motorsports Promotions, we’re thrilled to give our fans, followers and partners more exposure than ever before. Dan will be with us every step of the way to help promote and publicize our team while also giving us a great two car effort at season’s end. In his return to the SBS division last season, Dan showed he hadn’t lost his step and as a top five finisher in the International Classic, we know he can give our team a solid effort this season as a partner to Michael (Barnes).”
In his first season of action at Oswego since 2007, Kapuscinski competed in nine Pathfinder Bank SBS events in 2018 with five Top 5 finishes and seven Top 10 runs along with two heat race victories, running as high as fourth in the driver’s championship during the season.
The 2019 pairing with Syrell Racing will see Kapuscinski’s first Supermodified laps turned in 13 years, since he finished fifth in the 2006 Budweiser International Classic 200 driving for Bliss Bros. Motorsports.
The main effort of this new combination is focused on the International Classic on Sunday, September 1, however Kapuscinski will see extra seat time prior to Classic to ensure a maximum effort. Official race dates will be announced soon, aside from Classic Weekend.
“I can’t thank Eric, Gary and Brenda Syrell enough for reaching out to me with this exciting new opportunity, it was certainly unexpected,” said Kapuscinski. “I am excited to work with the team, top to bottom, to help them achieve another track championship and a long-awaited International Classic win this season. Michael (Barnes) has proven year in and year out that he is one of the most prolific drivers on the track and I look forward to telling that story this season and working with the team’s many great partners, while getting a fantastic opportunity to once again run the Classic.”
Syrell Racing and Kapuscinski are proud to welcome partners Mohawk Northeast, Slack Karts, Performance Manufacturing, Skip’s Fish Fry, Speedway Safety Solutions and Mike Babcock Racing to this new combined effort.
“I’m very fortunate to have a great list of supporters that are excited to work with the Syrell team for the full 2019 season,” said Kapuscinski. “In conjunction with Gaffney’s Lawn Care, Scott Lyons, Modern Tech Coating, Furdi’s, Six Scoops, Joe’s Jerky, Oswego Valley Millwork and Good Times of Oswego, we’re off to a fantastic start to 2019 and cannot wait for May.”
With Hawk Jr. Fabrication and Joe Hawksby Jr. being a longtime partner of Syrell Racing, this new combination will also pair a former team of families once again in Hawksby and Kapuscinski.
“Joe Hawksby Sr. and my father Mike Kapuscinski raced together at Oswego for several years, dating all the way back to 1982,” said Kapuscinski. “Joey (Hawksby Jr.) has achieved so much in this sport and to think after all these years we’ll race together in a small way is pretty cool for the old school racers out there that remember our dads in the sport. His record speaks for itself and I’m honored to have the opportunity to drive one of his race cars.”
Oswego Speedway’s 69th season of racing will take the green flag on Saturday, May 25, once again featuring the Novelis Supermodifieds.
“Syrell Racing is honored to be able to bring a two-car Supermodified effort, as well as a 350 Supermodified with driver Dalton Doyle, in support of Oswego Speedway this season,” said Syrell. “We look forward to enjoying another season at the Steel Palace with our fans and supporters.”