Super Dirt Week Explained

Race Title:Super Dirt Week
Series Long:Super DIRTcar Series
Series Short:NASCAR Cup Series
Venue:Oswego Speedway
Location:Oswego, New York, United States
First Race: Syracuse Mile
Laps:200
Most Wins Driver:Brett Hearn, Stewart Friesen (6)
Surface:Clay
Length Mi:.625
Turns:4

Super Dirt Week is a modified racing event held annually on Columbus Day weekend in Central New York state.

History

The first event was scheduled over three days, from September 29, through October 1, 1972 at the New York State Fairgrounds. Inspection and qualifying races were conducted on Friday and Saturday, and the Championship race was held on Sunday.[1]

In 1976 a fourth day was added to the schedule, and a 100 mile race the USAC Champ Cars was held on Saturday October 2.[2] The date of the event was eventually changed to Columbus Day weekend, and expanded to 6 days and championships for 5 car classes. The Syracuse Mile remained the featured race track until 2015, and companion races were added over the week at the nearby race tracks in Elbridge, Weedsport Speedway, and Brewerton Speedway.[3]

After the 2015 event the grandstands at the Syracuse Mile were torn down and the track was eliminated. Oswego Speedway began hosting the primary races the following year.[4]

Oswego era

Oswego Speedway is a five-eighths-mile asphalt track that runs weekly supermodified races. Each year following the Budweiser Classic Weekend, the oval coverts into a dirt track. That process requires placement of over 200 jersey barriers around the inside hub rail, and then 10-wheel dump trucks that bring in between four and five hundred loads are spread around the racing surface.[5]

Super Dirt Week is now the largest economic event for Oswego, New York as more than 30,000 fans attend.[6] Racing rules may be adjusted as necessary, and in 2023 new pit stop strategies were introduced allowing teams to remain on the track while others pit to improve their cars.[7]

Media coverage

The event was first televised live on ESPN in 1980. During the next 35 years, broadcast rights went to TNN, the Empire Sports Net, SPEED, to CBS Sports Network, and more recently to MAVTV. Presently, streaming services are produced by the World Racing Group and are available on all DIRTVisions OTT platforms from iOS to Android, to Samsung, to ROKU.[8]

List of winners

Super Dirt Week Champions
YearModified[9] 358 Modified[10] Sportsman[11] Late Model*Pro-StockSprint CarSupermodified**Champ Car
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977 Pancho Carter
1978 Bentley WarrenLarry Dickson
1979 Smokey Snellbaker
1980 Jeff HeotzlerSteve Kinser
1981 Steve Makocy Doug Wolfgang
1982 Sammy Swindell
1983 Alan JohnsonDoug Wolfgang
1984 Jack JohnsonSammy Swindell
1985 Doug Hoffman Sammy Swindell
1986 Donnie Moran*Steve KinserJoe Gosek
1987 Donnie Moran*Dave BlaneyGene Lee Gibson**
1988 Steve KinserJoe Gosek**
1989 Alan JohnsonDoug Wolfgang
1990 Sammy Swindell
1991 Sammy Swindell
1992 Steve Kinser
1993 Mike Ricci Dave Blaney
1994 Billy Pauch
1995 Jimmy Hauser Steve Kinser
1996
1997 Jim Sorensen, Jr.Kenny Martin
1998 Chris KokosaTom Cannizzaro
1999 Chad BrachmannFrank TwingMike Woodring
2000 Matt SheppardJipp OrtizLance Young
2001 Bud Christmann Ryan GodownJipp OrtizCurt Michael
2002 Vic Coffey Dave SchulzJ.J. Yeley
2003 Matt Sheppard Jamie McGannonJ.J. Yeley
2004 Wayne Jelley Tim HindleyDave Schulz
2005 Kenny StaffordDave Schulz
2006 John FerrierLouie Jackson, Jr.
2007 Vic Coffey Sammy Reakes, IVDon Carlson
2008 Frank CozzeErick RudolphSean Corr
2009 Matt Sheppard Matt BillingsPete Stefanski
2010 Ryan SusiceRocky Warner
2011 Neal WilliamsRocky Warner
2012 Rocky WarnerPete Stefanski
2013 Billy Dunn Brad RouseRob YetmanKody Swanson
2014 Jimmy SpellmonRob YetmanKody Swanson
2015 Jimmy PhelpsRocky WarnerRob Yetman
Oswego Speedway
2016 Dave MarcuccilliRob Yetman
2017 Matt Sheppard Matt Sheppard Dave MarcuccilliRob Yetman
2018 Larry Wight Pete Britten Shane PecoreCharles-David Beauchamp
2019 Mat Williamson Kyle InmanJosh Coonradt
2021 Mat Williamson Zach SobotkaChad Jeseo
2022 Matt Sheppard Matt Sheppard Cody McPhersonNick Stone
2023 Mat Williamson Mat WilliamsonMatt JanczukLuke Horning
2024[12] [13] Stewart FriesenMat WilliamsonMatt JanczukBeau Ballard

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coming; Palmer and Varin Have Great Weekend. September 24, 2017 . Dirt Track Digest. November 27, 2017.
  2. Web site: Super Dirt Week is Here. Dirt Track Digest. 27 November 2017.
  3. News: Medler. Dave . Double Your Fun At Brewerton Speedway During Super DIRT Week XLIX . Oswego County Today . September 20, 2021 . August 4, 2023.
  4. Web site: Fairgrounds' track faces final memories of long racing history . The Post-Standard. March 12, 2015. November 26, 2017.
  5. News: O'Brien. Dick . Oswego Speedway's conversion to dirt track for Super DIRT week begins . . September 17, 2021 . August 4, 2023.
  6. News: Roth. Brendon . 'Racing's biggest party' Super Dirt Week returns to Oswego Speedway for 50th year . . October 5, 2022 . August 4, 2023.
  7. News: New pit strategy options highlight Super DIRT Week additions . The Palladium-Times . July 12, 2023 . August 4, 2023.
  8. News: Roth. Brendon . WRG Fuels Rapid Acceleration Of DIRTVision Brand With Dejero Connectivity . . April 25, 2023 . August 4, 2023.
  9. Web site: Super DIRT Week Big-Block Modified Championship. The Third Turn. August 5, 2023.
  10. Web site: Super DIRT Week 358-Modified Championship. The Third Turn. August 5, 2023.
  11. Web site: Super DIRT Week . September 4, 2024 . The Third Turn.
  12. News: O'Brien. Dick. Mat Williamson wins salute to the troops 150. October 12, 2024. The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. October 12, 2024.
  13. News: Friesen ties Hearn for most Super DIRT Week main event wins. October 13, 2024. The Palladium Times. Oswego NY. October 13, 2024.