The 66th Race of Champions is scheduled for Saturday at New York’s Oswego Speedway.
Story By: ROC SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
OSWEGO, N.Y. —September 14, 2016- The Race of Champions means many things to many different people, but when it boils right down to it, the prestige of winning the race and the prizes that go with it are what drives racers to step up to the challenge of running the grueling event.
For several Saturday’s event will be their first time competing in the prestigious race at Oswego Speedway, for others they are veterans of the grind. With lap money, bonuses and a $12,500 top prize at the end of the 66th annual Race of Champions 250. There are several drivers looking forward to the event.
“This is our big one, but it is also a big event in the scope of Modified racing,” stated Ferris Mowers Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series fueled by Sunoco point leader Patrick Emerling. “We have had a very good year and the icing on the cake would be if we could put forth a good effort and get a win at Oswego. This is the type of event that can make or break a season. We are geared up and looking forward to all of it. There are some great bonuses on the line, the lap money. It has all made it a very exciting weekend for us.”
Chuck Hossfeld sits second in the standings to Emerling, but with the championship points expanding the opportunity for Hossfeld to catch Emerling anything can happen. Several outsiders have also set their sights on the prize.
Other key entrants include Ronnie Silk, Steve Masse, Brandon Oltra, Richard Savary, Austin Kochenash and Billy Whittaker, who will switch from dirt to asphalt for this event.
Interest in the events have been high, including the support division events, which add to a weekend that features the Sportsman Modifieds, the Race of Champions Big 10 Super Stocks, the Small Block Supermodifieds and the Classic Asphalt Modified Series.
Fans can expect several drivers to perform “double-duty” over the weekend competing in the Sportsman Modified on Friday and the Race of Champions 250 for the modifieds on Saturday.
Emerling, Hossfeld, Hirschman, Amy Catalano, Tommy Catalano, Tyler Rypkema, Mike Leaty, George Skora, Daryl Lewis Jr. and Rusty Smith will face off against some of the division’s top drivers like Zach Truesdail and Kevin Timmerman. Western New York Late Model racing legend Bob Weber will wheel the Matt Druar entry in the sportsman event on Friday night.
In the Race of Champions Big 10 Super Stock division a two-race weekend sets in front of them. Jake Wylie, the defending division champion, leads a strong contingent of Super Stock competitors to Oswego for a big weekend of racing, while the Small Block Supermodifieds look to have an incredibly talented field developing for Saturday’s 25-lap showdown.
Drivers like track champion Dave Cliff, young standout Camden Proud, International Classic Weekend winner Mike Bond and Alex Hoag are potential entries for this exciting event.
The event will be taped by SPEED SPORT for a later airing on Suzuki presents SPEED SPORT on MAVTV.
