Super Dirt Week 2024 at Oswego Speedway: Thrills Amidst Early Weather Challenges

The 2024 Super Dirt Week at Oswego Speedway took place from October 7th to 12th, despite early weather disruptions that fans, drivers and event organizers have become all to familiar with during Super Dirt Week. The prestigious event is a staple of the Northeast racing calendar, drawing thousands of campers and fans each year for intense dirt racing action.

Weather Strikes Early, Racing Thrives Late

The week began with scattered rain, forcing event organizers to delay some of the action. Wednesday’s scheduled events were pushed to Thursday, compressing an already packed racing schedule. However, the skies cleared just enough for a fan-favorite tradition—the parade of dirt cars through the streets of Oswego, a spectacle that brings racing energy into the heart of the city.

By Thursday, the sun made an appearance, and qualifying sessions got underway. Fans were treated to an exciting day of competition, with some surprising outcomes.

Shocking Pole Victory by Ryan Dolbear

One of the highlights of the week came during qualifying for the “Salute the Troops 150” race. Ryan Dolbear, a relative newcomer with only eight starts in 2024, shocked the paddock by taking pole position. Beating out many of the sport’s biggest names, Dolbear’s performance stood out as a major storyline heading into Friday’s race. His rise to the top spot was unexpected, but it showcased his raw talent and determination.

Unfortunately, Dolbear’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when the race began. He lost his front brakes and was forced to retire early, bringing an abrupt end to what could have been a fairytale run.

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Beau Ballard wins the DIRTcar Pro Stock 50

A back-and-forth thrilling race with several cautions keeping the action intense. Beau Ballard was able to pull away after the final restart with 8 laps to go and with the cars battling behind him, he was able to get out in front and race his own race.

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Mat Williamson's Commanding Win

With Dolbear out, all eyes were on the frontrunners in the “Salute the Troops 150.” Defending champion Mat Williamson, starting from sixth, worked his way through the field and took control on a restart at lap 81. He was able to take advantage on the restart and get around Stewart Friesen, securing his second consecutive victory in the event. Williamson’s performance solidified his place as one of the top drivers in dirt racing, adding another chapter to his storied career.

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Perfect race for Matt Janczuk

The first race of Saturday night was the Chevrolet Performance 75 for the DIRTcar Sportsman division. At the drop of the green it was immediately clear that Janczuk would be tough to beat. He pulled away and then was able to maneuver through lap traffic with ease. The race was red flagged for a bad crash down the back stretch. Kyle Devendorf took the brunt of the crash, barrel rolling down the backstretch and coming to rest on his side. Thankfully he was able to climb from his car on his own. Janczuk was able to maintain his lead after the race went back green and was never really ever challenged. He lead all 75 laps and became a back to back winner of the event.

Stewart Friesen Dominates the Billy Whitaker Cars 200

The grand finale of Super Dirt Week was the Billy Whitaker Cars 200, the main event for the Super DIRTcar Series. Stewart Friesen delivered a masterclass in dominance, leading all 200 laps of the race from green to checkered flag. Friesen’s control of the race was nearly unchallenged, though the closing stages offered some drama.

Three cautions in the final 30 laps allowed the field to bunch up and gave second-place runner Jimmy Phelps multiple opportunities to challenge Friesen. Despite these restarts and the pressure from Phelps, Friesen never faltered, crossing the finish line in first place and sealing a wire-to-wire victory. Phelps settled for second, after multiple attempts to break Friesen’s grip on the lead.

A Memorable Conclusion

Saturday night provided the perfect backdrop for the conclusion of Super Dirt Week—a brisk, clear fall evening ideal for racing. Thousands of fans filled the stands and camping areas around the track, soaking in the electric atmosphere that makes this event so special. While the week began with weather worries, the racing action more than made up for it, delivering thrilling moments and impressive performances.

As Super Dirt Week 2024 came to a close, fans were already looking ahead to next year, eager for more dirt track excitement at Oswego Speedway.