With the racing world paused amid the COVID-19 outbreak, SPEED SPORT is highlighting race tracks around the United States. This is part of that ongoing series.
Track of the Day: Oswego Speedway
Address: 300 E Albany St., Oswego, NY 13126
Website:Â www.oswegospeedway.com
History: Built in 1951 by the trio of Harry, George and William Caruso, Oswego Speedway started its life as the Wine Creek Horse Track. The brothers united to transform the facility into a three-eighths-mile dirt track for auto racing.
Oswego lasted one year as a dirt track before being paved in 1952. The track was later enlarged in 1961 to its current five-eighths-mile size.
The facility is currently operated by the Torrese family, with brothers John and Eric Torrese serving as the promoters of the popular venue that is home to the unique non-winged supermodifieds.
The supermodified division serves as the track’s premier class. Drivers such as Nolan Swift, Jim Shampine, Warren Coniam, Doug Heveron, Bentley Warren, Doug Didero, Mike Muldoon, Joe Gosek, Greg Furlong and nine-time champion Otto Sitterly are among those who have claimed track titles at Oswego.
The track is known for hosting a number of Indianapolis 500 veterans. Mario Andretti, Gordon Johncock, Warren, Davey Hamilton and Gosek have turned laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Oswego Speedway during their careers.
The track’s two biggest events occur on two different racing surfaces. The Budweiser International Classic, held every September, is a multi-day event headlined by a 200-lap main event for the supermodified class.
As soon as the Budweiser International Classic is over, officials go to work covering the three-eighths-mile facility in dirt, so the track can host to Super DIRT Week, which is headlined by a 200-lap feature for the Super DIRTcar Series big-block modifieds. That event takes place every October.
