By Larry Ott – republished courtesy of AARN, with permission.
The history of Supermodified racing and the Oswego (NY) Speedway came alive on May 11 when the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen hosted one of their “Conversation Series” events entitled “Oswego Supers: A Legacy of Speed at The Steel Palace”.
The event which drew a large gathering of around 200 people was a thoroughly informative and entertaining two hour program that began with a video presentation on the history of the Oswego Speedway and the Supermodified type of race car.
Following the video the program also included an on-stage question/answer session with a panel of experts including those from Oswego and Supermodified racing’s past and present. That portion of the day was moderated by veteran Oswego Speedway announcer Roy Sova.
Included in the afternoon program panel group was retired driving legends Warren Coniam, Eddie Bellinger Jr. and Bentley Warren. Current competitors featured included Dave Danzer, Brandon Bellinger, Alison Sload and Otto Sitterly. Sload is the only female to have ever won a Supermodified feature at Oswego. Rounding out the afternoon panel was car owner John Nicotra. Also speaking was retired Oswego Speedway official Dick O’Brien. There also was a morning panel session that featured Sova, Coniam, Warren, Doug Holmes, Steve Miller and Lee Osborne. Also speaking were Mrs. Purdy as well as Bob and Nancy Hodgson.
All those on the panel proved knowledgeable and entertaining. They often told humorous tales from their respective careers as well as offering tremendous insight into various aspects of the topic of Supermodified competition. Also on display was the legendary Purdy Deuce car, one of the more prominent cars in Supermodified history.
Oswego opened in 1951 and was paved in 1952.
O’BRIEN PRESENTS TALK
Following the video, O’Brien continued the program with a talk on the early days of Oswego Speedway’s history. He was very impressive with his knowledge and enjoyed the experience. “I started at Oswego in 1964,” O’Brien said. “I stayed for the entire Caruso ownership of the race track. That was 2004. So I was there 40 years. I was doing their public relations initially. After a couple of years I took over as promoter and track manager.”
Being at Oswego all those years allowed O’Brien to witness and offer personal reflection on the growth of the technology, status and popularity of both Oswego Speedway and the Supermodified division as the history rolled along throughout the decades. “I was a fan back in the 1950’s,” O’Brien recalled. “My dad brought me up from Auburn (NY) and I loved the “A” and the “B” stock cars. Then I was there when the transition was made in 1961 to Supermodifieds. Then once I got involved with the operation, Harry (Caruso) hired me and it went on from there.
“We brought in USAC and the modern day Modifieds, ASA and created the annual International Classic, obviously the biggest and most prestigious Supermodified show anywhere, anytime. “It’s not quite like it used to be but nothing is these days. With the cost of cars, the cost of tickets and this and that, things have changed but it’s still there and it’s still 200 laps with no stages. It’s just about cranking it up for 200 laps. You have to take care of business to win it at The Steel Palace.”
O’Brien stressed that he had a stellar relationship with the original Oswego track founders/owners/promoters the late brothers Harry, Bill and George Caruso Sr. “Harry was the eldest brother and he was the Godfather at Oswego,” O’Brien said. “He was up in the tower and Bill was the chief inspector. George Sr. was the concession man. He’s the man who introduced those world famous Hofmann hot dogs to Oswego Speedway.
“It’s hard to pick out a single favorite memory for me from my years at Oswego. The main thing is when I went up there as a promoter you’re involved in a lot of close shaves and there’s some heated discussions and rules changes. Basically I remained friends with both sides of the deal by trying to be fair but consistent. That’s all it was. “I still keep up with Oswego. I was asked a few years ago to write for the Syracuse Post Standard (NY) newspaper. I cover racing and I still like going to the races. I’ve had a great run. I’m 82 now and I hope I got a few more laps left in me.”
WARREN HAS MEMORIES
Warren is a race driving legend who among his many racing accomplishments is a seven time Oswego champion and a six time winner of the International Classic. The IMRRC event brought back many memories for him. Warren spends much of his time these days operating his business Bentley’s Saloon in Arundel, Maine. The grounds there also host a museum featuring his racing memorabilia, race cars, vintage cars, classic cars and motorcycles. “I definitely enjoyed this event today,” Warren said. “I think everybody else did
today also. I loved it.”
When asked what meant more to him, either the seven championships or the six International Classis wins, Warren had an interesting response. “Actually like everybody said up on the stage today, it was just so much fun just to win anything and anytime you could,” Warren said. “That’s the whole reason you go to a race track is to win. I last drove several years ago at Oxford Plains Speedway in a Supermodified. I did it just to help ISMA out and the track.”
Warren recalled his indoor TQ Midget racing days when he competed in those events at the Niagara Falls (NY) Convention Center. He even recalled the time at Niagara Falls he climbed up a ladder and went through a hatch onto the roof of the convention center to get a breather. No one at the time could believe he did that. “I drove Harry Macy’s car and it was always fun,” Warren said. “It was a good car and a lot of fun to go there. As far as going up onto that roof I was having trouble breathing and I guess I went up there to get some fresh air! “I still go to some races. I’m going to Indy. I’m going to the “Little 500”. I’ll be at Oswego for a couple and probably go to Oxford Plains when they have the
Supermodifieds up there.”
SOVA’S VOICE STILL HEARD
When Oswego opens its gates in 2024 Sova will man the race announcer’s microphone for his 58 th season. He has had the very unique longtime experience of announcing Oswego history as it’s happened to those in the grandstand. He truly has seen and announced it all. He’s brought the stories to the fans. “I’ve been announcing there for 58 years but I started going to Oswego when I was seven years old and my uncle owned a race car,” Sova replied. “That’s how I got into racing to start. “Up there on that stage today at this IMRRC event we had three to four generations up there from Bentley Warren to Dave Danzer and Brandon Bellinger. It was a great example of all the racing that’s gone on at Oswego. It’s just a great group of guys along with Alison.”
In addition to still enjoying his announcer duty at Oswego, Sova is also currently serving in the same role at Penn-Can (PA) Speedway. He has retained his deep passion for the sport. “I don’t think my passion for the sport is something I’ll ever lose,” Sova said. “I commuted for ten years from North Carolina to Oswego. I’m still announcing at two tracks including Penn-Can in Pennsylvania on Friday nights plus Oswego on Saturday night.
“I currently live in Oswego now. Here’s a funny story. I’m from Oswego. The year I started announcing at the track was the year I moved out of Oswego and that’s the next closest place I’ve been which is Ithaca (NY). I’ve been all over New York State, North Carolina and Cape Cod. It’s been my business world.”
DANZER AMONG CURRENT SUPER STARS
Danzer not only participated in the panel discussion but also had his Supermodified on display in the IMRRC’s parking lot at the event. He emerged victorious in 2024 in both the International Classic as well as the Open Wheel Showdown in Las Vegas. Danzer appreciated being seated on the stage alongside some of the biggest legends of Oswego and Supermodified racing history as well as his current day racing peers.
Danzer is helping to carrying on the Supermodified tradition passed on from those who came before him. “I was born in 1987 and my first International Classic was 1990,” Danzer said. “My dad got into it back in 1986. It’s all we’ve done every summer is taking care of a Supermodified. I’ve never had a year where we weren’t doing it. So I was born into this.
“I think the history of Oswego back then was a little bit bigger then it is now. It’s just because the competition back then was so fierce. Our series is hurting a little bit right now. But this type of stuff like having this event at this research center today will help take Supermodifieds back to where it once was. It’s where we need to go. We need more people interested in this.”
ZEITER SAYS CONVERSATION SERIES IS IMPORTANT
The mission of the IMRRC is to promote and preserve the history of all motorsports venues and types. The “Conversation Series” programs that the IMRRC presents at various times during the year are a true treasure because these presentations not only educate about the history of the sport but usually involve those who have had a key role in making that history.
In other words, these programs bring racing history to life. Kip Zeiter is the IMRRC’s Coordinator of Visitor Services/Outreach. He was pleased with the way the May 11 event turned out. He also knows the importance and value of the “Conversation Series” programs. “The whole purpose of this IMRRC which started 26 years ago was to preserve motor racing history,” Zeiter said. “This is a very important way that we do that with these public events where we can get some of the people that made the history such as in this particular case with the history of Oswego Speedway. “Today we had the legends of yesteryear and we had the interim people like Otto Sittley and we had the young guns of today with Brandon Bellinger, Dave Danzer and Alison Sload. “I thought the whole program today was terrific. I didn’t want it to end. I thought everyone involved today did a wonderful job and I also thank all those from the public who came here today as well.