| The Silver Palace[1] | |
|---|---|
| Location | 300 East Albany Street, Oswego, NY 13126 |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC−5 / −4 (DST) |
| Coordinates | 43°27′25″N76°29′04″W / 43.457054°N 76.4843453°WCoordinates: 43°27′25″N76°29′04″W / 43.457054°N 76.4843453°W |
| Opened | 1951 |
| 5/8 oval | |
| Surface | asphalt |
| Length | 0.625 mi (1 km) |
| Banking | semi-banked |
| Website | www.oswegospeedway.com |
- Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway Accident
- Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway California
- Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway Shooting
- Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway Today
By: Ron Szczerba. Fonda, NY – Stewart Friesen returned to Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening and dominated the $4,000 to win Sunoco Modified feature event. The event was the first of the Thunder on the Thruway Series of six events between the Fonda and Utica Rome Speedways with a great crowd on hand on a cold night by the Mohawk River. Drag driver still critical,' Hayward Daily Review, August 9, 1962 'Drag racer is killed at Fremont,' Modesto Bee and Herald-News, July 30, 1962 'Dragster dies,' Big Spring Daily Herald, July 30, 1962 'Driver killed in drag collision at Fremont,' Oakland Tribune, July 30, 1962.
The Oswego Speedway is a 5/8 mile race track in Oswego, New York. It was built in 1951 and was paved with asphalt since the 1952. The track has held dates on several national tours - the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ASA National Tour, and USAC Silver Crown Series. It was temporarily covered with dirt in 2016 when it held a one-off Super DIRTcar Series race. The track is the Labor Day Weekend home of the 200-lap, non-wing, big-block supermodified Budweiser Classic and Race of Champions (a modified touring series event).
History[edit]
Oswego Speedway began as a horse racing track.[2] The track was converted to a 3/8 mile dirt track in 1951.[2] The track was paved in 1952.[2] The track was lengthened to a 5/8 mile pavement track in 1962.[2]
Owned and operated for more than four decades by the Caruso family, the 'Big O' is now owned and operated by Eric and John Torrese.[3]
In 2016 Oswego Speedway hosted the 45th edition of World Racing Group's Super DIRTcar Series Super DIRT Week. The track received the date on the schedule after construction of Central New York Raceway Park was delayed.[3] The speedway was covered by approximately 6,900 cubic feet of clay for DIRTcar modified drivers to compete in the NAPA 300, the richest dirt modified race in the world. The event took place on October 5 to 9, 2016.[3] It was the first time that the track had a dirt surface since 1952.[3] The state of New York spent $1.1 million in renovations to the speedway that year.[3] It received an new scoreboard and bleachers; the campgrounds got plumbing and electricity upgrades.[3] The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
The speedway signed an online streaming agreement in 2021 for FloRacing to broadcast weekly Oswego Speedway races.[4]
Contact information[edit]
The track is located at 300 East Albany Street, Oswego, NY 13126, about 35 miles northwest of Syracuse near State Highway 481 just off Rt. 104; telephone 315-342-0646. The facility has covered and uncovered grandstands on the north side, as well as uncovered grandstands the south. Total seating is =/- 10,000.
Unpaved, open-field parking is available on both sides of Albany Street to the north and east of the 'oval' track surface. (It is not truly an oval, but is more of a 'four-corner' track. Banking is about thirteen degrees.)
Annual events[edit]
Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway Accident
Greg Furlong has won the Labor Day Weekend Classic event six times since 1999, and has finished on the podium on two other occasions. Famed Indianapolis 500 drivers Davey Hamilton, Bentley Warren and Joe Gosek are all Budweiser Classic winners. Warren won the Budweiser Classic six times from 1969 through 1998, as well as winning the ISMA Supernationals winged supermodified event in 1994 and 2006 (at the age of 66).
Some Race of Champions winners have participated in NASCAR events. These include Brett Bodine, 1986 Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine, NASCAR Hall of Famer and modified legend Richie Evans, Brian Ross, Greg Sacks, Frankie Schneider, and Jimmy Spencer.
Racing vehicles[edit]
Oswego is the last track in the world to utilize supermodifieds in its weekly programs.[4] The modern supermodified car is a front-engine / rear-drive vehicle with a big block Chevrolet engine mounted on the left side of the chassis to maximize kinetic force for left turns on the 5/8-mile, asphalt track. The normally aspirated, fuel-injected engines make 900 or more horsepower, or one horsepower or more for each two pounds of weight (1800-lb. minimum). Up to and including the 2018 season, Oswego supermodifieds were unwinged, having wedge-shaped bodywork to provide downforce. The fastest non-wing supermodifieds were capable of circling the track in less than 16.5 seconds, averaging better than 136 miles per hour in the process. For the 2019 season, Oswego supermodifieds will utilize fixed rear-wings for downforce.
Oswego Speedway supermodified class track champions have included multi-time champs Otto Sitterly (nine times, 2006-2014, 2018, 2019),[1] Nolan Swift (eight times, 1953–71), Bentley Warren (seven times, 1983–93), Jim Shampine (seven times, 1967–79), Greg Furlong (four times, 2000–07), Eddie Bellinger, Sr. (three times, 1957–60), Doug Didero (three times, 1994–96) and Mike Muldoon (three times, 1997-1999).
Other classes running regularly at Oswego Speedway during the season that extends from April through September include the Oswego Speedway Small Block Supermodifieds and 350 Winged Supermodifieds.[4] It has featured DART Asphalt Modified Tour cars and Buckeye Super (winged asphalt) Sprint Cars. The track also hosts the International Supermodified Association (ISMA) and Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) supermodifieds (both having air-strut adjustable top wings). Some Whelen Modified drivers occasionally race at Oswego including Matt Hirschman, his father Tony, Zane Zeiner, and Bryon Chew.
The fastest winged supermodifieds are capable of lapping the track in the low 15-second range at average speeds of 150 miles per hour, generating gravity forces of 4.0 and up.
Track records: Winged Supermodified 14.730 Mike Lichty 5/28/16. Non-wing supermodified 15.769 Brandon Bellinger 8/30/19
References[edit]
50th (2006) and 52nd (2008) Budweiser International Classic official programs.
- ^ abc'Otto Sitterly Chasing 10th Oswego Supermodified Championship'. FloRacing. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ abcd'Oswego Speedway'. NASCAR Home Tracks. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ abcdefHorning, Payne (September 22, 2016). 'Oswego Speedway gets major uplift for SuperDIRT Week'. WRVO. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ abc'FloRacing Signs On As Official Broadcast Partner of Oswego Speedway'. www.floracing.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
External links[edit]
Part of the excitement of sprint car racing is the danger. Clipanother car's wheels, or enter a corner too hard, and you may findyourself upside down in short order. More often than not, the driverclimbs out of the wreck unaided, and returns the next week or later thatsame night.
It wasn't always this way. Sprint cars used to routinely maim andkill their drivers. Modern safety devices such as full face helmets,roll bars, multi-point harnesses, fire suits, and fuel cells have mademost routine accidents survivable. Major advances in medicine andrescue techniques have saved many who would not have survived similarinjuries in the past.
But sometimes the worst happens, and no amount of safety equipment ormedical technology can spare the driver. Or even more tragically, thedriver survives, but is no longer able to drive, or even to care forhimself.
This page is a tribute to the men and women whose lives were claimedor changed by the sport they loved. I regret that I don't have moretime and space to post the many tributes that have been sent to me, but write me if you wish to contribute. I hope to have more on display soon.
Helping the survivors
Some of the survivors require constant medical care, notably Brad Dotyand Page Jones. Donations to their aid funds will be appreciated, notjust by the families, but by all of the racing community. Please givegenerously if you can.
Gone but not forgotten
- Jud Larson was a hard-drinking, hard-driving racer, acolorful character from the days when few drivers survived to retire,and roll cages were for sissies. Larson and Don Branson, a moresober sort, put on a legendary battle for the USAC sprint carchampionship in 1964, which Branson ultimately won. Both were killed,in separate accidents, soon thereafter: Branson at Ascot Park (Gardena,CA) in a November, 1966 crash which also claimed Dick Atkins; Jud Larsonat Reading, PA in a 1966 crash that claimed Red Riegel as well.
- Jan Opperman was one of the original 'outlaws', a 'hippie'with a heavy right foot, whose duels with Kenny Weld were the stuff oflegend. Severe head injuries suffered in a 1981 crash changed his lifeforever. He passed on in September 1997.
- Gary Patterson was one of the original Outlaws, travellingfrom track to track before it was fashionable. As a true independent, heanswered only to himself. He raced what he wanted and where he wanted,seeking the biggest challenges or the biggest purse. But, no matterwhere he was found, he lived and raced only by his choices. No promoter,no race car owner, and no sanctioning group had a leash on 'GP'.
He was among the most well known sprint car drivers in the world,revered in some quarters, considered in more controversial terms inothers. Nonetheless, he was universally recognized and respected for hisdriving talent at every track from Knoxville to Adelaide. Regardless ofhis politics, he stood for hard, wheel-to-wheel, give-no-quarter,competitive racing.
'GP', 'The Preacher', was one of Northern California's favorite sons.And even though he ran on everything from mile ovals to bullrings, thescenic 1/2 mile Calistoga Speedway was one of his favorites (he stillholds the one lap track record for non-winged sprint cars there). Heraced Calistoga by choice. Even the 1983 accident that ended his lifewas the result of his own choice - to take his chances with the wallrather than take out another driver along the way. He lived by his owndecisions, he raced by his own decisions, and was never afraid to facethe consequences. He respected other people's choices. He expected noless than the same respect for his own.
(Contributed by SteveLafond)
- The death of Dave Bradway, Jr. shocked the sprint carcommumity in California and beyond. Bradway died from injuries sufferedin a tragic sprint car crash during the Super Dirt Cup at SkagitSpeedway in Washington State on June 21, 1987. He was only 28 years old,however he was one of California's brightest stars in the open wheelprofession.
David, a second generation driver, began his racing careerin 1976 at Ernie Pursell Speedway in Grass Valley. In his initialseason, he won a pair of main events and finished second in the streetstock division, earning the track's 'rookie of the year' honors. Twoyears later, he ventured into the open wheel ranks by way of themodifieds. By 1980, he had already established himself as a premier openwheel driver. In 1982, David won his first NARC main event at PetalumaSpeedway. He finished the year with three wins and a third place finishin the final points standings. In 1984, Bradway's steady performancesearned him the track championship at Baylands Raceway Park inFremont. His list of credentials continued to grow the following season,winning five NARC feature events and an eventual third place finish inthe championship point standings, despite running a limited schedule. Inaddition, he finished an impressive eighth in the prestigious KnoxvilleNationals. 1986 produced four more NARC feature event wins for Bradway,including three at the high speed 1/2 mile Calistoga Speedway. 'Junior'established himself as a top finisher on the World of Outlaws circuit,winning the Jayhawk Nationals in Kansas City. Bradway's 1987 campaign inthe Clyde Lamar owned machine promised more of the same. He kicked offthe year winning the preliminary World of Outlaws Mini Gold Cup featureat Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway in April. He also won his 13th careerNARC feature at the season opener at Calistoga and became only thesecond member of the exclusive '100 Mile Per Hour Club' at the fast 1/2mile.
In his 11 year career, Bradway laid a solid foundation to become asprint car legend, a legend in the same category as two of his childhoodopen wheel heroes, Jimmy Gordon and Gary Patterson. Unfortunately, allthree died doing what they loved to do best, racing and winning. DaveBradway, Jr. was definitely a winner.
(Contributed by SteveLafond)
- The legendary hills of Winchester (Indiana) Speedway have claimedmany a sprint car driver. Among the more recent victims was RobbieStanley, then-reigning USAC sprint car champ with a brilliant careerahead of him, whose fatal crash in May 1994 stunned the sprint carcommunity.
- The high banks of Salem (Indiana) Speedway have a similarly deadlyreputation. Rich Vogler, many-time USAC sprint and midget champ,met an untimely end there in July of 1990.
- Kara Hendrick, while not a sprint car driver, was a risingstar of the USAC Western States midget series, and as quick andtenacious as any of her rivals. In 1991 (?) she hit the wall at CajonSpeedway in El Cajon, CA, while racing for the lead, and did not surviveher injuries. I believe she was 19 years old at the time. I still missyou, Kara!
- Danny Young died as the result of a flip at Knoxville (IA)Raceway on July 19, 1995. Young was only the second fatality in the17-year history of the World of Outlaws tour. Geoff Cook has contributed this eulogy to Danny.
Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway California
Retired due to injuries
These drivers are fortunate to have survived, and for one reason oranother have given up the sport. We should be thankful they are stillwith us.
Drivers Killed At Oswego Speedway Shooting
- Brad Doty's crash at Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH) severalyears ago made him a paraplegic, but that doesn't keep him fromcirculating in the sprint car community. You can hear his colorcommentary on TNN's coverage of the World of Outlaws series.
- Lately racing hasn't been too good to Doug Wolfgang. Dougstarted racing sprint cars at Knoxville, Iowa in 1975, and quicklybecame one of the drivers to beat. Soon afterward, he took his show onthe road. He won 5 Knoxville Nationals titles and became the winningestdriver in Knoxville history. In his prime, 'Wolfie' could give the bestof the Outlaws a run for their money, and was considered in the sameclass as Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell: the best of the best. Henever won an Outlaw title, though, because he was always pursuing hisown agenda as a racer.
Disaster struck for the first time in April 1992, at a World ofOutlaws race on pavement in Kansas City. Wolfgang suffered severe burnsand a broken neck (among other injuries) in a crash and fire. When hehad recovered from his injuries in 1994, he returned to racing; but soonafterward Wolfgang sued WoO, the promoter, and the rescue team fornegligence in the crash, and won his case in 1995.
The suit turned many in the sport against Doug, but that didn't stophim from going back to racing. Soon Doug was winning races again in 360sprints at Knoxville and elsewhere. It looked like the old 'Wolfie' wasback! He took the 1996 IMCA title, and was racing 410s again in 1997.
In September of that year, disaster struck again at an All-Stars raceat Tri-City Raceway in Illinois. Wolfgang was going for the main eventlead in a three-way battle with Dean Jacobs and Gary Wright. The threewere side-by-side-by-side when Wolfgang touched wheels with Jacobs inwhat can only be described as a racing accident. The car spun whileairborne, landed on the track facing backwards, and was hit by anothercar, shearing off the roll cage. Doug's neck was broken again, and hejust missed being paralyzed.
While he will make a full recovery from this injury, Doug Wolfganghas decided he will never race again. In light of what racing has doneto him, it seems a wise choice.
On the mend
These drivers were injured more recently, and it is uncertain whether orhow fully they will recover. My prayers go out to them.
Page Jones in a midget at Bakersfield Speedway, Oildale, CA.
- Page Jones, son of '60s sprint and Indy car legend ParnelliJones and younger brother of former IMSA champ and current CART driverP.J. Jones, was a rising star in the West Coast dirt track scene, untilhis 1994 crash at Eldora in the sprint car portion of the USAC 4-CrownNationals. He is currently recovering from severe brain injuries, andthe doctors are hopeful, but Page's progress is slow.
- Wisconsin's Stan Fox was a popular driver on the USACcircuit, making frequent appearances in midgets, sprints and SilverCrown cars, and is a perennial competitor in the Indy 500.Unfortunately Stan's car snapped to the right in the first turn of the1995 Indy 500, and as a result Stan found himself in critical conditionat Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with head injuries. Miraculously,Fox suffered no broken bones in the crash! Since early August 1995 Stanhas been home with his family, undergoing rehabilitation, and hasreturned to a normal life. At first it appeared Stan might return toracing, but who can blame him if he doesn't?
You can send get-well messages to Bobby Smith, at rsmith@iquest.net. Smith is afriend of the Fox family and will forward all messages to Fox.
Other racing notables
Not all the Fallen Heroes are race drivers, and not all fall toracing's capricious nature. Here we pay tribute to the others who madedirt track racing great.
Patron of the sport
Though he was not a driver that I know of, the contributions ofJ. W. Hunt to the sport of sprint car racing -- and dirt trackracing in general -- cannot be overstated. A strawberry farmer fromFlorida by profession, Hunt was perhaps the biggest fan dirt trackracing ever had, and he spread his considerable wealth around topractically every driver in the sport. The familiar strawberry logoappears to this day on hundreds of race cars and drivers' helmets acrossthe US.
You never knew when or where Hunt would appear, but when he did hewould always spice up the racing by offering a little extra to sweetenthe purse. I remember one particular night at Silver Dollar Speedway,when the CRA non-winged tour was in town for a Gold Cup support race.Lealand McSpadden had set quick time, but flipped in his heat race,ringing his bell and severely damaging the car. J. W. stepped up to theinfield reporter's microphone and offered to add $1000 to the winner'spurse if McSpadden could come back through the B main and win the mainevent! The offer met with roars of approal from the crowd. Looking alittle shaky in a car that wasn't quite right, Lealand proceeded to runaway with the B. A few minutes later, with the car now set up for thealways-tacky Chico track, he won the main event to a standing ovation,and a beaming Hunt was there to greet McSpadden on the victory stand!
Hunt passed away in January of 1994 after a long and full life. ButI'm sure he smiles down on America's dirt tracks every weekend.
Help me remember the fallen heroes
I'm a relative newcomer to the sport, and don't have a lot of historyto draw on. And like most people, my memory is imperfect. Any errorsin this page are mine alone. I apologize if these errors offend anyone,and will correct them as soon as I'm made aware of them.
Please help me by sending the names and histories of the departedand injured, or information about driver aid funds, to me at this address. I will add your information to this page at my earliest opportunity.
Credits
Page layout and text copyright © 1994-1998 Chuck Fry. Unless otherwise stated, all photos this page are by Steve Lafond, and are copyright © 1993-1998 Tear-Off Heaven Fotos.
See the full copyright notice for details.
In addition to the contributed biographies credited above, my thanksto the many people who have informed and corrected me. Space does notpermit me to name them all, but I appreciate their kind words.
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