Write a commentYesterday (Monday, October 2) was the first day of NAPA Super DIRT Week 2023.
There's quite a bit of hustle and bustle on the east side of the city of Oswego on this early-October day. Yesterday, October 2, was the first day of NAPA Super DIRT Week 2023. It's the first day that race teams are able to get the technical and safety inspections done on their cars entered in all four classes competing this week. Tuesday will be another day of inspections, along with the first races of the week - Microd and Quarter Midget Mania in the Oswego Speedway infield.
2023 marks the 51st annual NAPA Super DIRT Week. The event is the largest in the northeast, with dirt track race cars entered over DIRT's four main racing classes. According to Nick Graziano, Senior Public Relations Manager for DIRT, "As of today, we are at around 270 cars entered, and we expect that to climb through the week. We've sold out 900 campsites, and we are looking forward to seeing more than 30,000 spectators throughout the week's events."
On Wednesday the weekend truly kicks off with the annual Parade of Cars through the city of Oswego at noon. The parade this year is presented by Harborfest.
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow said, "Super DIRT Week is a fantastic event, and the parade is something unique that DIRT has done since they began coming to Oswego in 2016."
Over forty race cars will participate in the parade which leaves the Speedway and follows a route that snakes its way along City Line Road, East Avenue, 10th Street and East Utica Street to West 1st Street. The parade then returns to the Speedway via Route 104/East Bridge Street to City Line Road. Hundreds of local residents line the streets to see the ultra-quick modified, sportsman, and pro stock cars unleashed on the streets of Oswego.
When the parade concludes, the front stretch grandstands at Oswego Speedway open for FREE at 12:30 to allow spectators to watch all four divisions practice from 2:00pm until 4:30pm.
Mayor Barlow also said, "Our local Oswego businesses really see an uptick during Super DIRT Week, especially those located on the East Side of the city. As the week progresses, we see people in racing shirts and jackets all over town - staying at our hotels, dining and drinking in our great restaurants and taverns, and shopping at our merchants. With more than 30,000 people in attendance, Super DIRT Week is a very positive thing for Oswego."
Daniel Breitweg of the Oswego County Department of Tourism and Promotion said, "With area hotels and campsites out at the track being filled up and local stores and restaurants experiencing higher traffic, we're anticipating an estimated $12 million economic impact from the event and its various activities."
Also beginning on Wednesday, there will also be nightly entertainment at the Island Stage, located on East Albany Street in front of the Speedway.
Check back with iHeart Oswego later in the week for more on Super DIRT Week, including the upcoming Salute to the Troops 150 for the 358 Modifieds and Sunday's big race, the Billy Whitaker Cars &Trucks 200 for the Big Block Mods on Sunday.
