Super Dirt Week
Annual modified racing event on Columbus Day weekend in Central New York.
via Wikipedia: Super Dirt Week · see source
Super Dirt Week takes place each year on Columbus Day weekend in Central New York, featuring modified racing. The first event ran from September 29 to October 1, 1972, at the New York State Fairgrounds, with inspection and qualifying on Friday and Saturday, and the championship race on Sunday. By 1976, a fourth day was added, and on Saturday, October 2, a 100-mile USAC Champ Car race was held. Over time, the event shifted to Columbus Day weekend, grew to six days, and expanded to include championships for five car classes.
Quick Facts
- Series long
- Super DIRTcar Series
- Series short
- NASCAR Cup Series
- Venue
- Oswego Speedway
- Location
- Oswego, New York, United States
- First race
- 1972 Syracuse Mile
- Laps
- 200
- Most wins driver
- Brett Hearn, Stewart Friesen (6)
- Surface
- Clay
Facts from the source article.
History
Super Dirt Week kicked off in 1972 with a three-day schedule at the New York State Fairgrounds, running from September 29 to October 1. Friday and Saturday were set aside for inspections and qualifying heats, while the Championship race took place on Sunday. The event grew in 1976 when a fourth day was added, featuring a 100-mile USAC Champ Cars race on Saturday, October 2. Eventually, the whole affair shifted to Columbus Day weekend, stretching to six days and crowning champions in five car classes. The Syracuse Mile served as the main venue until 2015, with additional races at Rolling Wheels Raceway, Weedsport Speedway, and Brewerton Speedway. After that year, the Syracuse Mile’s grandstands were demolished and the track removed; Oswego Speedway took over as the host for the primary races starting in 2016.
Oswego era
Oswego Speedway normally runs supermodifieds on a five-eighths-mile asphalt oval. But after the Budweiser Classic Weekend each year, that surface gets transformed. The conversion starts with over 200 jersey barriers placed around the inner hub rail. Then ten-wheel dump trucks haul in four to five hundred loads of dirt, which are spread across the track. The resulting event, Super Dirt Week, has become Oswego, New York’s biggest economic driver, drawing more than 30,000 fans. Racing rules can change as needed. In 2023, for example, new pit stop strategies allowed some teams to stay on track while others pitted for adjustments.
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