Expected Rosters Revealed for Jim Shampine Memorial Twin 50’s, Tony White Memorial 35

Up to Speed: Expected Rosters Revealed for Jim Shampine Memorial Twin 50’s, Tony White Memorial 35
OSWEGO, NY (May 24, 2018) – Oswego Speedway opens its 68th consecutive season of racing action this Saturday, May 26 when Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Oswego presents the first ever running of the Jim Shampine Memorial Twin 50’s for the Novelis Supermodifieds plus
the Tony White Memorial 35 for the Pathfinder Bank Small Block Supers.
Excitement is through the roof as the final checkered flag of the 2017 season flew over eight months ago and race fans, drivers and teams are eager to flock to the ‘Steel Palace’ ahead of what should be a spectacular show with full fields expected in both the Supermodified
and SBS divisions.
After becoming the first Ohio driver since Todd Gibson’s 1968 track championship to pull the trick a year ago, Dave Shullick Jr. will be the odds on favorite for victory going into the Twin’s on Saturday, but he’ll have to fend off the likes of Nicotra Racing teammate
Otto Sitterly, defending race winner Keith Shampine in the Osetek Racing No. 55, 2016 champion Michael Barnes in the Syrell Racing No. 68, and fan favorite Joe Gosek in his No. 00, who were all hot on Shullick’s heels throughout 2017.
Factor in Jeff Abold, Dave Gruel, Brandon Bellinger, Dan Connors Jr, Lou LeVea Jr, returning competitors Dave Danzer and Aric Iosue, plus invaders Chris Perley, Dave McKnight and Dan Bowes and its anyone’s guess who will walk away with the $2,000 payday in each of
the two 50-lap main events.
On the Pathfinder Bank SBS side of the pits, both of the all-time winningest drivers in division history will go head to head Saturday night as MIke Bond will be on hand behind the wheel of the Four Sevens Motorsports No. 74 Small Block Super alongside rival
Russ Brown in the No. 13 Hedger house car.
Last year’s track champion Dave Cliff will also be in attendance in the Tim Barbeau owned No. 50 as well as the third place driver in the 2017 standings Camden Proud with the Proud Motorsports No. 54.
Throw a few more veterans into the mix such as Dalton Doyle and Jack Patrick, who were tied for fourth in points last season, along with Jesse Bearup in the No. 37, Cameron Rowe in the No. 77, Barry Kingsley in the No. 91, Mike Bruce in the No. 22, and returning
campaigners from the Missile Motorsports stable Dan Kapuscinski in the No. 00M and Anthony Losurdo in the No. 1 and competition in the SBS division will be stiff as ever.
A total of six new rookies are also expected to be in attendance including Nathan Schultzkie and Tyler Thompson on the Novelis Supermodified side of the pit area. The two teenagers each impressed at last week’s open practice session, getting down into the mid
to high 17 second range.
Four Pathfinder Bank SBS rookies will be in the field. Quarter midget alumni Josh Sokolic was very impressive in testing last weekend as well and he will return to pilot the family owned No. 26. Steve Flack, owner of the Greg O’Connor No. 90 will be back with his
own No. 32 machine for more laps this weekend as will Tim Glidden Jr. in the No. 94, son of former SBS competitor Tim Glidden Sr. who had last raced back in the ‘98 season. His son is returning with the very same car. Lastly, Oswego Kartway graduate Tyler
Henry will move up to take on the Small Block Supers in Ron Pratt’s No. 88 machine.
Action at Oswego is set to get underway at 4pm this Saturday night with time trials for the Pathfinder Bank SBS and Novelis Supers before Supermodified heat races get underway first followed by SBS heats, the first Twin 50, the Tony White Memorial 35 for SBS, and
the second Twin 50 for the Supermodifieds.
Don’t forget about Oswego Speedway’s new and improved concession experience this season featuring Cam’s NY Pizzeria, Dino’s House of Burger’s, Skip’s Fish Fry, and Barlow Concessions.
You can visit Cam’s for its famous NY style cheese and speciality pizzas, Dino’s for its award winning speciality premium black angus burgers, mac n’ cheese, french fries, or boneless wings, and Skip’s for a fresh haddock sandwich, $2.50 Hofmann hot dog or coney, grilled cheese, classic fries, chicken fingers, or even deep fried Oreos. Barlow Concessions will offer snacks such as popcorn, fried dough, candy, and more.
Fans are also reminded that all speedway beer is now ONLY $3 for the 2018 season and is available for purchase each and every Saturday night in the tiki bar.
General admission seating is just $25 and available for purchase by phoning the speedway box office at (315)-342-0646.
EXPECTED NOVELIS SUPERMODIFIED ROSTER:
00
– Joe Gosek –
After officially taking the all-time points lead last season, Gosek is an Oswego Speedway icon entering his 39th season of competition. ‘00 Joe’ finished fourth in the 2017 Bud Classic 200 and electrified Oswego with a popular return to victory in last year’s
edition of Retro Night. Gosek has never won a Shampine Memorial and would love to add that to his list of accomplishments Saturday.
01
– Dan Connors Jr.
– One of the strongest weekly competitors still yet to score a feature win in the division is Dan Connors Jr. Driving the family owned, bright orange No. 01, Connors has twelve career top five finishes at Oswego including many brushes with victory in the Paul’s
Big M sponsored ride. He’d love to finish that off on Saturday.
02
– Brandon Bellinger
– Third generation driver Brandon Bellinger has gone to victory lane twice in the past two seasons for the first two victories of his career. Son of hall of famer Eddie Bellinger Jr, the speedway faithful would love to see that last name parked in victory
lane for one of the Twin 50’s. Watch for the 02 to be up front.
05
– Jeff Abold
– Jeff Abold’s Oswego career has certainly taken off the past two seasons. After a win in one of the two Twin 35’s contested in mid-2016 springboarded the second generation campaigner into a Budweiser International Classic 200 victory later that season, Abold
returned to pick up another checkered flag last year driving the No. 05 built by his father Pat. Jeff is always a strong runner and will certainly be a contender this weekend.
2
– Dave Shullick Jr.
– One of the most prolific Supermodified drivers anywhere for the past several seasons is the ‘Shoe 2’ Dave Shullick Jr, yet another second generation driver. After scoring a full-time seat in John Nicotra’s No. 2 last season, Shullick made the most of his
opportunity racing to his first ever Oswego championship, four feature wins, and his first ever Budweiser International Classic 200 victory. If anyone can sweep the Twins on Saturday night, it’s DJ.
4
– Roger Clark
– An encouraging story this offseason has been the return of Roger Clark to Supermodified competition. Clark last competed in 2000 and will be bringing out a completely redone Snyder and Snyder wide body chassis built in 1994 with upgrades that include independent
front suspension. The Twin 50’s will mark Clark’s first race in nearly 20 years.
7
– Otto Sitterly –
After two winless seasons, seven time speedway champion Otto Sitterly will return to action for 2018 with a brand new motor along with several new enhancements to the John Nicotra owned No. 7. Sitterly is on a mission this season after bad luck has plagued
his team the past two years. It would surprise no one if the Canajoharie, N.Y. pilot swept the Twin 50’s.
11
– Aric Iosue –
Former rookie of the year Aric Iosue has impressed in several ways driving the former Graham Racing No. 11 machine within the past few seasons and that’s why his family purchased the car from Ray Graham this offseason for a full-time Oswego campaign in 2018.
Iosue has two wins under his belt and showed off impressive speed with the car last Classic Weekend. Watch out for the No. 11.
25
– Danny Bowes
– ISMA regular Danny Bowes is one of the biggest surprises on the roster for Opening Day. The Epping, N.H. pilot will bring his Brian Allegresso built No. 25 to the track this weekend for his first ever non-wing laps in preparation for more Oswego starts later
this season that include plans to compete in the Budweiser International Classic 200 in September.
26
– Nathan Schultzkie ®
– Oswego Kartway
graduate Nathan Schultzkie will live a childhood dream this weekend and make his first ever Oswego Supermodified start behind the wheel of the family owned, UniFi sponsored No. 26. Schultzkie has a strong plant under him in the former Brian Sobus No. 79 and
showed smoothness and speed at open practice. It looks like we have a good rookie in the making.
44
– Chris Perley –
Also invading for the Jim Shampine Memorial Twin 50’s is none other than the ‘Rowley Rocket’ Chris Perley from Rowley, M.A. After a strong sixth place in the 61st running of the International Classic less than a year ago, Perley, a nine time winged winner
at Oswego, will look to park the Ed Shea owned No. 44 in victory lane for his first career Novelis Supermodified checkered flag.
50
– Dave Gruel –
Always a strong runner is defending Mr. Novelis Supermodified champion and 2016 championship runner up Dave Gruel with the No. 50. Gruel has six Oswego wins under his belt and is considered a threat for victory any time he pulls through the steel gates.
52
– Dave Danzer –
Dave Danzer is a former rookie of the year, Classic rookie of the race, and has won more or less every Supermodified event contested at Oswego with the exception of the 200 and the Independence Weekend Grand Prix. After taking a year off from his hometown
track to chase the ISMA trail, Danzer will be back Saturday night and no doubt a major factor in each of the two twins.
55
– Keith Shampine –
After a breakthrough 2017 season with car owner Chris Osetek, Keith Shampine returns for yet another season piloting the No. 55 following what wound up being the first two victories of his career put together last spring that included a popular triumph in
the Jim Shampine Memorial 75. The defending race winner of his uncle’s memorial event holds the weight of Oswego’s most iconic name on his shoulders and the defending pole sitter for the Budweiser International Classic 200 has a lightning fast car under him
that he believes is capable of winning both Twin 50’s.
56
– Hal LaTulip –
Hal LaTulip is one of Oswego’s most faithful competitors, competing on and off since 1980 with his familiar No. 56. LaTulip’s self-built ride is an underdog creation amongst the Oswego field and LaTulip would love to put another good run together after a pair
of top ten finishes last season.
66
– Lou LeVea Sr. –
Veteran Lou LeVea Sr. had a tough start to his 2018 season when a part breaking on the Buske Racing No. 66 sent ‘Big Dog’ for a wild ride into the first turn foam at last weekend’s open practice. With the team’s recently purchased former Graham Racing No.
90 at his disposal, Buske Racing has instead opted to remove the engine in the 66 and put it into the car’s twin, which is another older style Page Chassis. LeVea will be back in action this weekend and hopefully Steve Buske and crew will receive the big break
that they are in search of.
68
– Michael Barnes –
2016 track champion Michael Barnes put together one of the most exciting races in speedway history, driving from worst to first to take the track title in August of 2016, but the ‘Hustler’ was winless last season. He will want to break that streak right away
and hopes to begin another championship push Saturday night driving the always potent Syrell Racing No. 68.
70
– Dave McKnight –
Following a challenging 2017 season which included several parts failures, blown engines, and everything else in between, one of the most dedicated teams in Supermodified racing, Morton Motorsports and driver Dave McKnight will be back at Oswego for the Twin
50’s this weekend. McKnight and Gary Morton plan several trips in search of their first non-wing victory together and hope to be a major factor in the Budweiser International Classic 200 this September.
71
– Bill Sharkey –
After veteran Bill Sharkey and his brother Ron parted ways prior to the 2018 season, it was Guard Nearbin that was tabbed as the driver of the Shark Motorsports No. 71, but all of that changed this week when Nearbin became ill and required a surgery that took
place this afternoon. Guard is doing well and recovering, and Sharkey will return to the seat during that process in search of his first feature win.
83
– Lou LeVea Jr. –
One of the most improved Supermodified drivers of the past two seasons is Lou LeVea Jr. after the WFO Motorsports team acquired a former Hawk Chassis piloted by Otto Sitterly. LeVea showed speed in 2018 and drove to four top ten finishes. Watch for him to
improve a few spots and perhaps crack the top five this weekend.
98
– Tyler Thompson ®
– ‘Rico’ is capable
of doing it all. Another rookie of the year contender, Tyler Thompson is a dirt Sportsman driver, karting champion, and much more. This weekend the poised teenager driver from Fulton will pilot the Team Tapout No. 98 Supermodified in his first ever official
action following an impressive shakedown last weekend. The rookie contingent is very strong this season at the ‘Steel Palace.’
EXPECTED
PATHFINDER BANK SBS ROSTER:
00M
– Danny Kapuscinski –
‘Danny K,’ is a former speedway public relations director, Super Stock winner, SBS campaigner, and top five finisher in the Budweiser International Classic 200. After a return to Oswego action last Classic Weekend in the Bowman Racing No. 12 Small Block, Kapuscinski
landed a ride in the stout Missile Motorsports No. 69, turned the Joe Gosek throwback ‘No. 00M’ for 2018. It didn’t take Kapper long to find the 18 second bracket at last weekend’s open practice and the Weedsport Speedway PR director showed right away that
he will be a legitimate threat for victory each and every week this season.
01
– Dalton Doyle –
Piloting the lone ‘Hawk Chassis’ SBS in the field, veteran Dalton Doyle put together another solid 2017 season that saw a fourth place effort in points for the driver of the No. 01 machine. Doyle has seen victory lane several times at the ‘Big O,’ but didn’t
get to experience that at all last season. He’ll be hungry this weekend.
1
– Anthony Losurdo –
Another returning veteran, Anthony Losurdo is the youngest Small Block Super driver in speedway history and this season he also has landed a full-time seat with Missile Motorsports in a brand new FFB Chassis built by Dan Dennie. Losurdo has five Pathfinder
Bank SBS feature wins to his credit and turned 18.8 with the No. 1 ‘Route 1 Mafia’ ride just a week ago. Watch out for ‘Hawk’ at the front on Saturday night.
8
– Josh Kerr –
2011 rookie Josh Kerr hasn’t ran Oswego full-time for a handful of seasons, but the Whitesboro, N.Y driver will be back with his family owned No. 8 Hedger after turning consistent sub 19-second laps to crack the top six in last September’s Bud Light Classic
75 time trials. Kerr will be strong Saturday in search of his second career victory.
9
– Jack Patrick –
Back for his 23rd season, Jack Patrick has one of the most familiar rides in the pit area in the Longley Dodge sponsored No. 9 MOPAR. Patrick won twice in 2016, and once last season. Jack would love to make his way back to victory lane come Saturday in Tony
White’s honor.
12
– Dennis Richmond –
Dennis Richmond doesn’t have a ton of SBS experience, but his most recent track time was in his own No. 24 FFB ride back in 2015. After two years off, car owner Tim Bowman has turned to his crew chief Richmond to pilot the Addison Bowman Racing No. 12 on several
occasions throughout the 2018 season.
13
– Russ Brown –
One of the most successful drivers in SBS history, Russ Brown was the division’s original champion in 1992. His first ever championship is one of the five he has put together throughout the course of his illustrious career, more than any other driver. The
current track record holder had a rough go in the 26th running of the Bud Light Classic 75 and will really want to come out on top and win the Tony White Memorial for what would be the first time of his career.
15
– James Babcock –
2015 rookie Jim Babcock drove to the first top ten effort of his career last season, showing a bit more speed in the Team Jeannine Racing No. 15 Small Block Super. With three full seasons now under his belt, Babcock hopes he continues to improve and perhaps
find the top five in 2018.
22
– Mike Bruce –
Veteran Mike Bruce will return to the seat in 2018 after a very up and down ‘17 campaign that included a feature win, but also a spectacular crash on the backstraightaway that destroyed a brand new FFB Chassis for Double Deuce Racing. Bruce hopes the new car
bugs are gone come Saturday as the promoter of the Lighthouse Lanes SBS Series looks to find victory lane for the sixth time of his career.
26
– Joshua Sokolic ®
– Yet another
quarter midget graduate to move up to the competitive ranks of the SBS class, Josh Sokolic has certainly impressed so far in his family owned No. 26 Hedger. Sokolic ran sixth in Lighthouse Lanes SBS Series action two weeks ago and cracked the 19.7 second bracket
in his first Oswego laps last weekend. ‘Stosh’ will no doubt be a very competitive rookie in 2018.
27
– David LaTulip –
After two full seasons out of the action, former feature winner David LaTulip will re-join the fray at Oswego this year in the family owned No. 27 recently purchased from Mark Castiglia. Piloting the former Dennis Rupert, No. 99, LaTulip was very fast with
the car in Lighthouse Lanes SBS Series competition at Evans Mills Speedway two weeks ago and will no doubt be quick yet again at the fast ⅝’th’s this season.
32
– Steve Flack ®
– Steve Flack
is another rookie and dedicated SBS team owner who got his first career win with Greg O’Connor as driver of the Premiere Landscaping No. 90 last season. This year Flack will pilot his own No. 32 car, the former Alex McRae No. 14, and hopes to find speed come
this weekend’s Tony White Memorial 35.
37
– Jesse Bearup –
2014 rookie Jesse Bearup has shown great improvement the past several seasons, especially last year, when he drove to an eye opening victory in the 26th running of Mr. Pathfinder Bank SBS. The now fifth year campaigner will return with the family owned No.
37 and certainly be a threat for victory on Saturday.
50
– Dave Cliff –
The Dave Cliff / Tim Barbeau driver and car owner combination is certainly shaping up to be one of the more successful ones in speedway history. Cliff has won the past two track championships driving for Barbeau, drove to a feature victory on Championship
Night of last season, and has been more consistent than any other driver for two straight years. If you are picking favorites to win for Saturday, Cliff is one of them.
54
– Camden Proud –
2014 Pathfinder Bank SBS rookie of the year and current speedway public relations director Camden Proud is a former high school campaigner turned five year veteran. After six top five finishes and three second place efforts to take third in the point standings
a year ago, Proud continues to be a legitimate threat for victory each week as the second generation driver aims for his first career feature win in the family owned and built Step One Creative No. 54.
67
– Tyler Shullick –
A regular crew member on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for ThorSport Racing and also a Modified racing standout in the midwest, Tyler Shullick is strong whenever he shows up at Oswego in Denise Bond’s No. 67 and Shullick plans to show more of the same
speed this weekend when he invades in search of his first career victory at the ‘Steel Palace.’
71
– Ray Sand Jr. –
Second generation driver Ray Sand Jr. only appeared at the track on two occasions last season, but found some very good speed out of the No. 71 last Classic Weekend, which is a former Russ Brown ride recently purchased from Ray Hedger. If Sand continues to
improve as he has done the past couple of seasons, watch out for the ‘Sandman’ in 2018.
74
– Mike Bond –
Mike Bond is the defending Classic champion, the all-time points leader, and the winningest driver in Small Block Super history at over forty total trips to victory lane. Despite planning to retire following last year’s Bud Light Classic 75, Bond is back in
form for 2018 and turned laps just over a tenth of a second off the track record last weekend. One of the all-time greats will be back for more on Saturday.
77
– Cameron Rowe –
Cameron Rowe has had himself a rather successful Oswego career that includes four feature wins including the 2012 Bud Light Classic 75. After cracking the 18.9 bracket last weekend with the familiar No. 77, the speedway vet will certainly make a push for victory
this Saturday night.
86
– Brad Haynes –
After a stint for Pratt Racing the past two years that included several top ten runs including a career best fourth place effort a year ago, Brad Haynes will return to his family owned No. 86 ride this year normally piloted by his brother Bryan. He was strong
at Evans Mills Speedway two weeks ago driving to a podium finish and hopes to continue that trend in several planned appearances at Oswego throughout 2018.
88
– Tyler Henry ®
– Oswego Kartway
graduate Tyler Henry scored a surprise ride in the Ron Pratt owned No. 88 for last season’s Lighthouse Lanes SBS Series ‘Fall Brawl’ and Henry will this year pilot the 2015 Classic winning car on a part-time basis split with Bryan Haynes. Saturday’s program
will mark Henry’s first laps at Oswego.
90
– Greg O’Connor –
Veteran Greg O’Connor was one of the biggest success stories in the SBS division for 2017 and certainly the most improved driver, racing to his first career checkered flag in the Steve Flack owned, former Jason Simmons Hedger Chassis while also piloting the
car to an impressive six top five finishes. O’Connor has a new look in 2018 and all the right tools to get back to victory lane.
91
– Barry Kingsley –
Another veteran, Barry Kingsley has been one of the most dedicated supporters of the SBS class in recent years, driving for Jason Simmons at Team Tapout for a handful of seasons before making that same car his own two years ago. Kingsley always shows speed
and will certainly have no problem putting a solid run together on Saturday in search of his first victory in several seasons.
94
– Tim Glidden Jr. ®
– Tim Glidden
Jr’s maiden voyage in the SBS class was certainly a surprise this season when his father Tim Sr. purchased what was his original Small Block Super ride back in 1997 and 1998. The original Tim Proud No. 04 built in ‘96 returned to the track last Saturday night
and looked pretty sharp, although Glidden was unable to get up to speed. He hopes that will change this Saturday night in the Tony White Memorial 35.
WHAT: Novelis Supermodified JIm Shampine Memorial Twin 50’s, Tony White Memorial Pathfinder Bank SBS 35 presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites
WHEN: Saturday, May 26, at Oswego Speedway in Oswego, NY. Pit gates will open at 11:30am, grandstands at 1:30pm, hot laps at 1:30pm, time trials at 4:00pm, and racing to follow.
WHERE: Oswego Speedway is located at 300 East Albany St. in Oswego, NY.
TICKETS: Padded reserved seats $30, general admission $25, Pit Passes $40, VIP $90. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (315) 342-0646. Kids 16 and under are FREE with paid adult. Active military are free with proper ID.

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ABOUT THE TRACK: Oswego Speedway is a semi-banked 5/8 mile paved oval. The non-wing Novelis Supermodified track record is held by Joey Payne with a time of 15.802 seconds at 142.397 mph, established on August 29, 2014. The wing Supermodified track record is 14.730 seconds at 152.749
mph, set by Mike Lichty on May 28th, 2016. The official SBS track record is held by Russ Brown with a lap of 18.504 seconds at 121.595 mph set on September 2, 2016.

For more information on Oswego Speedway, be sure to visit online at OswegoSpeedway.com. You can also FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway or LIKE on Facebook at Facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway.

About Oswego Speedway: Oswego Speedway, a sports entertainment company, is a 5/8 mile semi-banked pavement racing oval located off the shores of Lake Ontario in scenic Oswego, NY. Oswego Speedway has been a continuously run weekly racing venue since August, 1951. The premier open-wheel
pavement short track cars in the world, Supermodifieds, run weekly at Oswego Speedway making Oswego the only weekly Supermodified racing venue in the world. The Small Block Supermodifieds accompany the full blown Supers on a weekly Saturday night schedule
which runs from May through September. Oswego Speedway is mentioned in racing circles as the “Indy of the East,” as no fewer than a dozen past and present competitors have competed at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway including Mario Andretti, arguably
the greatest driver of all time, two-time Indy 500 champion Gordon Johncock, along with former International Classic Champions Bentley Warren, Joe Gosek, and Davey Hamilton.