OSWEGO, N.Y. — In 2023, Mat Williamson made history at Super DIRT Week 51 at Oswego Speedway, becoming the first driver to win the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 and Salute to the Troops 150 on the same day.
While it was the third Big Block Modified win for the St. Catharines, Ontario driver, it was the first time he reached Super DIRT Week Victory Lane in a 358 Modified.
“Money Mat” looked back at his wins at “Racing’s Biggest Party” and what it was like racing two of the longest events of the season on the same day after weather pushed both races to Monday.
What was going through your head knowing you would have to race the 358-Modified and Big Block on the same day?
Williamson: “Don’t drink too much. Obviously, we’ve never done 350 laps in a day anywhere, whether it’s testing or racing. I didn’t know how I’d feel at the end of it. So, I was kind of worried about the unknown of it, so you just had to hydrate and put yourself in the best mental spot where you could come out and do it the best that you can.”
How surprised were you about the track conditions once you got on the track?
Williamson: “I was worried with the rain because if you get that rain at any kind of racetrack, it’s going to make it tough. I said it that day, and I still say it, the track crew did an amazing job giving us something to race on, and even at the end of the 200, the track was still pretty good to race on.”
It seems odd to say that the Salute to the Troops 150 win for you was more monumental, but it’s because it was your first 358 win at Oswego. How did it feel to get that off your plate finally?
Williamson: “It was one of them races that eluded us. We ran second a couple of times and really wanted to win it. To win that race and get that checkmark on the bucket list was pretty cool. The unfortunate thing about racing two races was that you didn’t get to celebrate the first one, so to do it all in one day was cool, but it took away from the specialness in the Salute to the Troops 150.”
How quickly did you have to start thinking about the 200 right after you took the checkered flag?
Williamson: “Everyone wanted to talk and take pictures and do interviews and stuff, and you kind of had to blow people off because you had to focus on the big race. And ultimately, we were still racing for a championship and trying to keep ourselves in the fight. I drank a couple of Gatorades, water, and Red Bulls and tried to keep my head in the game for the next race. You really try and forget the 358 race and try to focus everything into the Big Block.
What did you take from the 150 to apply to the 200 about an hour later?
Williamson: “I think we tried to change the car a little bit to try and mimic what we did in the 358 race because the car was so good. But at the end of the day, Big Blocks or Small Blocks, you can only take so much between the two and try to treat them as their own. But it certainly did make us change our gameplan for the Big Block race and probably helped us a little bit, too.”
Oswego is kind of its own animal. How do you approach taking a lap around the track?
Williamson: “It’s weird. We had a lot of success there, and the track with the infield guardrail, outside wall, and sweeping wide backstretch suits my driving style. It’s a place I really like racing at. For the most part, it’s easy to pass race cars and permits good racing. As long as it doesn’t rubber, it’s probably one of the best race tracks we go to that puts on a show for the fans.”
How much does the surface change during a long-distance race?
Williamson: “The unique thing about Oswego is that you can have a stretch of green flag laps for about 30, 40, or 50 laps where the first 10 you’re racing all over the place, the next 30 you’re single file around the bottom, and then the caution comes out, and you can run all over the place. I think that adds to the whole uniqueness of the surface. It makes it harder as a driver to know when you can get out of line and when you can’t, but it’s super cool. I really enjoy that part of it. I really like Oswego as a whole, but the surface they give us really makes the racing pretty cool.”
Last year was your third Billy Whittaker Cars 200 victory. Did you ever think you’d get to three so quickly?
Williamson: “I really never thought I’d get one, to be honest. Obviously, I grew up at ‘The Mile,’ but I think at Oswego, it’s more of a race than a luck thing. It’s slippery, so that makes you really be good behind the wheel and set the car up good. But when it was Super DIRT Week back in the day, I watched my heroes win that race. So, it was always special to me when I rolled into Syracuse, and whoever won at the end of the week was a hero to me. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to win one, and it’s just like anything: the more you have it happen, the easier it comes.”
How vital is splitting crew members between Big Block and 358 Modifieds to your success?
Williamson: “It really helps, especially at Super DIRT Week. We’ve got a crew for a Small Block, a crew for our Big Block, and then we got a crew for the Brewerton race. Then, we kind of pull everybody together when the big races happen. This year on Friday when the Salute to the Troops 150 is happening all of the Buzz Chew guys are going to helps us win that, and vice versa on Saturday. All of the CW Racing guys are going to help win that. We got a lot of very good help, and it makes it so we’re not getting burnt out.”