All About Racing

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Wednesday marked the beginning of our annual journey to Super DIRT Week at Oswego Speedway, a milestone 50th year for Ed. The afternoon kicked off with a now-traditional parade down Route 104 in front of the speedway custom established after the event moved to Oswego which keeps drawing larger crowds and an increasing number of race cars each year.

Qualifying was to begin on track, but a short rain delay held things for a time.

When activities resumed and qualifying began Devon Camenga of Troy won the Pole Award and Rich Crane of Canaan, CT took the outside pole award for Pro Stocks. Matt Sheppard of Savannah, NY won the 358-Modified pole award, with Alex Payne starting outside. Defending champion Mat Williamson (St. Catherine, ON) suffered an engine failure during practice and missed time trials. A team member brought a back-up car from over the border to Oswego just before Wednesday's heats, allowing Williamson to qualify by charging from 24th to fifth, earning a 22nd starting spot for Friday’s Salute to Troops 150.

On Thursday, Zach Buff from Latham earned the fastest qualifying time to secure the Pole Award and then went on to win his qualifier for the Great Lake 75. Gavin Eisele captured the Outside Pole Award. During the modified qualifying session, for the Billy Whittaker Cars 200-lap event Mat Williamson of St. Catharines, ON, secured the Pole Award, while Alex Payne from Canandaigua earned the Outside Pole Award.

On Friday, feature races began and first up was the Pro Stocks and Devon Camenga led the I Love New York 50 for Pro Stocks, overcoming five cautions to secure his first Super DIRT Week win after two previous third-place finishes in previous years.

In Friday's feature event, for 358-Modifieds, Mat Williamson moved through the field, took the lead from Alex Payne by lap 70, and secured his third straight Salute to Troops 150 victory.

During Saturday's Great Lakes 75 Sportsman race, held before the 200-lap Billy Whittaker Cars 200 Modified event, Richard Murtagh of Fulton, NY crossed the finish line first. Emmett Waldron placed second, with Cody Manitta taking third to round out the podium.

In the Billy Whittaker Cars 200, Canadian Mat Williamson won for the fourth time, becoming the first to lift the new Emil Lloyd “Buzzie” Reutimann trophy. His name will now be engraved on the “Buzzie” for the fourth time.

At the Short Track Super Nationals at Afton Motorsports Park this past weekend, the winner of the STSS Sportsman event was Tyler Peet of Lake Ariel, Pa.

Winner of the “Working Man’s Race” was third generation driver, Cody Higbie joining his father, Jerry, Jr. on the STSS win list. The MVVDMS were at Afton on Saturday, and winners were Andy Graves, Modified; Jipp Ortiz, Sportsman; Cliff Haslun, Late Models; Chris Pedro, Antiques; Tony Paes.

In closing, we extend our sincere condolences to the Patrick family, proprietors of the now discontinued Gater Racing News, on the passing of their matriarch, Donna Patrick.

Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com