Story By: DIRTCAR – OSWEGO, NY – The historic 50th Running of NAPA Super DIRT Week is less than two months away from thousands of campers and fans invading Oswego Speedway to see the best race car drivers in the world.
Set for Monday to Sunday, Oct. 3-9 at Oswego Speedway, the latest edition of Racing’s Biggest Party, continues to grow every day, adding new experiences, surprise driver returns, ways to be a part of history and more.
Here are all the latest updates you need to know about the 50th NAPA Super DIRT Week:
HEROES RETURN: While entries are coming in every week, several iconic drivers have already announced their intentions to compete in the event.
The addition of the Super DIRT Week Big Block Modified Past Champions Race on Thursday, Oct. 6, is bringing big names back to the event.
Kenny Brightbill, 74, will pilot one of Larry Wight’s #99 LJL Racing Modified in the Past Champions Race, after a 13-year absence from the event. Wight said the inaugural Super DIRT Week pole winner and 1988 champion has the option to run the entire week if he wants to.
Richie Tobias Jr., the 1992 Super DIRT Week Big Block champion, has also announced his plans to return, driving a #17 car for Clayton Racing all week – including the Past Champions Race and Billy Whittaker Cars 200. It’ll mark his first time driving a Big Block Modified in 10 years on the 30th anniversary of his big win.
While more announcements will be coming, so far Brett Hearn, Larry Wight, Vic Coffey, Jimmy Horton and Kenny Tremont have also confirmed they’ll compete in the Past Champions Race.
As one of the biggest motorsport events in the county, Super DIRT Week has always attracted drivers from other disciplines. This year, Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace will make their DIRTcar Pro Stock debuts for the 50th Running of the event. Both have raced at Oswego Speedway before, but this will be their first time on the dirt-covered version of the track.
The first entries for the event came in early July with Brian Whittemore being the first for the Super DIRTcar Series, Jackson Gill being the first for the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Andrew Buff being the first for the DIRTcar Sportsman and Michael Clark being the first for the DIRTcar Pro Stocks – and first entry overall.
FUN FOR ALL: NAPA Super DIRT Week isn’t called Racing’s Biggest Party for no reason. There will be a plethora of activities and events off the track throughout the week for the entire family to enjoy between the Super DIRTcar Series, DIRTcar 358 Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman and DIRTcar Pro Stock events.
Sunday, Oct. 2:
- Super DIRT Week Kickoff Party at Lighthouse Lanes (in front of Oswego Speedway)
Monday, Oct. 3:
- Bart Contracting Co. Inaugural Super DIRT Week Charity Golf Tournament at Radisson Greens Golf Club in Baldwinsville. All proceeds from the tournament will go to Colorectal Research in honor of Albany-Saratoga Speedway promoter Lyle DeVore and his fight to conquer the illness.
Tuesday, Oct. 4:
- Fan Cornhole Tournament
Wednesday, Oct. 5:
- Pancake Breakfast to benefit cancer research
- City of Oswego Race Car Parade pres. by Harborfest
- Island Stage Party with DJ
Thursday, Oct. 6:
- Driver/Fan/Official Cornhole Tournament
- Island Stage Party with DJ
Friday, Oct. 7:
- Driver/Fan/Official Cornhole Tournament
- Fireworks
- Island Stage Friday Night Bash with DJ
Saturday, Oct. 8:
- Motorsports Photoshoot by Area Auto Racing News
- Driver/Fan/Official Cornhole Tournament
- Island Stage Saturday Night Bash with DJs
- Dirt Road Ruckus concert at Island Stage
- Island Stage Party continues with DJ
Sunday, Oct. 9:
- Super DIRTcar Series Top 30 Autograph Session (at noon)
TROPHY TOUR: A one-of-a-kind, one-year-only, trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 this year. To celebrate the event and the special trophy, it’s been on a tour throughout New York, which will continue up to NAPA Super DIRT Week, venturing to places like New York City, Niagara Falls, Woodstock, Harborfest and more.
TOP 50 DRIVERS: Voted on by the fans, we’ve been celebrating the Top 50 NAPA Super DIRT Week drivers of all time.
More than 30 have been named already such as Dick Tobias, Pete Bicknell, Tim McCreadie, Steve Kinser, Billy Decker and Brett Hearn.
A new driver is unveiled every Wednesday.