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]
1972Buzzie Reutimann
1973Buzzie Reutimann
1974Billy Osmun
1975Toby Tobias
1976Gary Balough
1977Gary Balough
1978Gary Balough
1979Jack Johnson
1980Gary BaloughJeff Heotzler
1981Merv TreichlerSteve Makocy
1982Merv TreichlerPete Bicknell
1983Alan JohnsonPete Bicknell
1984Jack JohnsonBob McCreadie
1985Brett HearnDoug Hoffman
1986Bob McCreadieBrett Hearn
1987Jimmy HortonBilly Pauch
1988Kenny BrightbillKenny Tremont Jr.
1989Alan JohnsonBrett Hearn
1990Brett HearnBrett Hearn
1991Brett HearnBilly Decker
1992Toby Tobias, Jr.Kenny Tremont Jr.
1993Brett HearnMike Ricci
1994Jimmy HortonDanny Johnson
1995Brett HearnJimmy Hauser
1996Doug HoffmanKenny Tremont Jr.
1997Danny JohnsonKenny Tremont Jr.
1998Billy DeckerPete Bicknell
1999Kenny Tremont Jr.Pete Bicknell
2000Billy DeckerPete Bicknell
2001Billy DeckerBud Christmann
2002Vic CoffeyBilly Decker
2003Alan JohnsonMatt Sheppard
2004Tim FullerWayne Jelley
2005Billy DeckerTim Fuller
2006Danny JohnsonDanny Johnson
2007Vic CoffeyBrett Hearn
2008Frank CozzeBilly Decker
2009Matt SheppardBilly Decker
2010Stewart FriesenBilly Decker
2011Stewart FriesenBilly Decker
2012Brett HearnTim McCreadie
2013Billy DunnBrett Hearn
2014Stewart FriesenBrett Hearn
2015Stewart FriesenJimmy Phelps
Oswego Speedway
2016Stewart FriesenTim Fuller
2017Matt SheppardMatt Sheppard
2018Larry WightPete Britten
2019Mat WilliamsonBilly Decker
2021Mat WilliamsonStewart Friesen
2022Matt SheppardMatt Sheppard
2023Mat WilliamsonMat Williamson

References

  1. ↑ "Coming; Palmer and Varin Have Great Weekend". Dirt Track Digest. September 24, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Super Dirt Week is Here". Dirt Track Digest. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  3. ↑ Medler, Dave (September 20, 2021). "Double Your Fun At Brewerton Speedway During Super DIRT Week XLIX". Oswego County Today. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Fairgrounds' track faces final memories of long racing history". The Post-Standard. March 12, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  5. ↑ O'Brien, Dick (September 17, 2021). "Oswego Speedway's conversion to dirt track for Super DIRT week begins". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ Roth, Brendon (October 5, 2022). "'Racing's biggest party' Super Dirt Week returns to Oswego Speedway for 50th year". WSTM-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "New pit strategy options highlight Super DIRT Week additions". The Palladium-Times. July 12, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ Roth, Brendon (April 25, 2023). "WRG Fuels Rapid Acceleration Of DIRTVision Brand With Dejero Connectivity". TV Technology. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Super DIRT Week Big-Block Modified Championship". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Super DIRT Week 358-Modified Championship". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
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