Story By: CAMDEN PROUD / OSWEGO SPEEDWAY – OSWEGO, NY – Oswego Speedway’s 69th season will resume with its annual ‘Retro Night’ special presented by JP Jewelers of Oswego this Saturday, August 3.
The program, headlined by a 45-lap Novelis Supermodified main event and a 30-lap Pathfinder Bank SBS feature will springboard the speedway into its final three race stretch of the summer, which will conclude with $5 Admission Track Championship Night on August 17.
While Supermodified and Small Block Super campaigners will continue their battles for the track championship, winged 350 Supermodified drivers will receive the night off in observance of the Jim Belfiore Memorial event at Star Speedway before returning on August 10.
As of Dave Gruel’s $10,000 victory in Mr. Novelis Supermodified two weeks ago, there have now been eight different winners in nine big block events which include Gruel, Otto Sitterly, Alison Sload, Jeff Abold, Dave Danzer, Michael Barnes, Joe Gosek, and Dave Shullick Jr.
With a top five finish in all but one show, Sitterly has dominated the points race over Abold, Gosek, Nicotra Racing teammate Sload, and most recently Gruel, who crept into the top five with the aid of his Mr. Supermodified checkered.
Behind Gruel, it is anyone’s guess who will end up where as Keith Shampine, Brandon Bellinger, Shullick, Danzer, and Barnes are all locked in a very tight battle for positions six through ten.
In the Pathfinder Bank SBS ranks, Anthony Losurdo has been absolutely dominant with four wins to Dave Cliff’s two and teammate David LaTulip’s one. The defending track champion leads Cliff by nearly thirty points and LaTulip by over fifty.
Although Sitterly and Losurdo appear to be the championship favorites, anything can happen in the final three events of the season as several drivers remain within striking distance, keeping their title hopes alive.
Saturday’s racing will get underway at 6:45pm, with hot laps at 4pm and group time trials at 6:15pm. The 14th annual Old Timer’s Reunion will be held at Lighthouse Lanes beforehand from 10am to 3pm.
Andrew Schartner Set to Re-Join Oswego’s SBS Field This Saturday
Former Pathfinder Bank SBS track champion Andrew Schartner will return to Oswego’s Small Block Supermodified ranks for JP Jewelers ‘Retro Night’ Saturday, August 3.
Schartner, who currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, has spent the entire season away from the track, but is certainly looking forward to his return, again piloting the Schartner Racing No. 18 built by father Karl.
“I’m so excited to be back doing what I love,” Schartner said. “I have missed it. I want to thank my Dad, Richard Walton Trucking, Hedger Racing, and Doug Holmes for their help. My father has put a massive amount of effort to get all of this together and I’m ready for Saturday.”
The No. 18 is already signed up for testing in this week’s ‘Fast Friday,’ scheduled for 4 to 8 on August 2. Schartner says he plans to use the track time for several ‘trial and error’ sessions as the team aims to get more speed out of the car.
“We’re going to try some drastically different set up packages to see if we can find some more speed,” Schartner mentioned. “I want to see if we can get where we were a few years back. I think we will have a bit of a learning curve again.”
As of now, the 2014 track champion, a twelve time Oswego winner, says his plan is to run each of the three championship events leading up to Budweiser International Classic Weekend at the conclusion of August.
“I plan to run all of the races right through Classic if everything goes well,” Schartner added. “I am looking forward to seeing how this new crate package works out. It’s been awhile since I have been this excited or nervous for a race. It’s been a long summer of waiting.”
Oswego Announces $1,500 to Win 350 Supermodified Event on August 10
Oswego Speedway officials have announced plans for a 25-lap, $1,500 to win main event for the 350 Supermodified division scheduled as part of U-Pull U-Save ‘Family Night’ next Saturday, August 10.
In addition to the $1,500 to win payout, which is based on twelve cars, the speedway will also guarantee $425 in start money to any New England team that makes the trip to Oswego on August 10.
“We really want to get this new division off the ground for our competitors and fans,” explained track owner, John Torrese. “In hopes of obtaining extra support from New England teams, we are extending $425 in start money, and $1,500 to win based on a twelve car field.”
Oswego Speedway has already seen a handful of New Englanders support the new division this season including two time winner Stephen Duphily, along with John Burke, Michael Scott, and Eddie Witkum Jr.
It is already expected that Burke, Duphily, and Witkum will return, along with Star 350 regulars Mike Netishen and Bobby Timmons. These five drivers and more will join Oswego’s Dalton Doyle, Anthony Losurdo, Barry Kingsley and Mike Bruce in the big August 10 feature event.
Also included on the schedule for U-Pull U-Save Family Night will be a third driver autograph session plus fireworks, and full programs for both the Novelis Supermodified and Pathfinder Bank SBS. The Small Block Super division will compete in a pair of ‘Twin 20’ feature events.