The Super DIRTcar Series descended on Oswego, New York, for its 54th annual Super Dirt Week from October 8-10, 2026. The 5/8-mile oval drew tens of thousands of fans, campers and out-of-town visitors, creating an estimated economic injection of $12 million into the local economy. Hotels filled, restaurants buzzed, and the Speedway’s grandstands thrummed with the roar of high-powered dirt cars. Director of Communications Chris Dolack highlighted the event’s unique blend of tradition and excitement, noting that the weekend’s schedule was deliberately stacked to keep both casual spectators and die-hard racing fans engaged from morning qualifiers to the Saturday night main event.
Full Super Dirt Week schedule and community impact
Thursday, Oct. 8 kicked off with DIRTcar Sportsman time trials at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Big Block Modified time trials at 3:15 p.m., and concluding with heat races for both classes at 7 p.m. Friday’s agenda featured a 358 Modified last-chance qualifier at 2 p.m., a 50-lap Pro Stock feature at 3:15 p.m., and the marquee 150-lap 358 Modified feature at 7 p.m. Saturday’s program intensified: a Top-30 autograph session at 1 p.m., Sportsman and Big Block Modified last-chance qualifiers at 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., a 75-lap Sportsman feature at 3:15 p.m., and the headline Billy Whittaker Cars 200-lap Big Block Modified showdown at 7 p.m. A rain-date was set for Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m., ensuring the weekend’s climax would not be lost to inclement weather.
Beyond the on-track action, the influx of fans translated into direct revenue for local businesses. Restaurants reported higher patronage, while the campground’s capacity was stretched to its limits. The event’s organizers estimate that each attendee contributes roughly $200 in on-site spending, a figure that underlines why Super Dirt Week is viewed as a cornerstone of Oswego’s seasonal economy.
Big Block Modified finale: Darren Smith’s dramatic win
The Saturday night climax, the 200-lap Big Block Modified feature, delivered nonstop excitement. Starting grid positions were set after qualifying battles, with Larry Wight and Jimmy Phelps occupying the front row. Early laps saw several cautions—Matt Stangle’s flat tire on lap 4, Michael Parent’s wall contact on lap 15, and multiple slow-downs that shuffled the pack. By lap 50, Phelps attempted to overtake Wight but was repelled on the outside, allowing Wight to retain the lead.
Mid-race strategy shifted as drivers pitted for fresh tires. Tim McCreadie, returning to the series, briefly entered the pits under green on lap 116, a move that hinted at a possible comeback but ultimately left him out of contention. The decisive moment arrived when Williamson, after a series of passes, seized the lead on lap 106 and defended it against relentless challenges from Payne and Sheppard. A late-race fuel shortage forced both the leader and his challenger to limp, setting the stage for a sprint finish. With one lap remaining, Smith surged on the outside, narrowly edging Williamson for the win in a thrilling drag-race to the checkered flag.
Final standings placed Darren Smith first, followed by Mat Williamson, Alex Yankowski, Jimmy Phelps, and Michael Maresca. Notably, several drivers—including Tim McCreadie, Tanner Van Doren and Matt Sheppard—were flagged as laps down, underscoring the grueling nature of the 200-lap contest. The result added another victory to Smith’s résumé and cemented the event as a showcase of endurance, strategy and raw speed.
DIRTcar Sportsman Great Lakes 75: Tyler Peet’s pole and heat victories
While the Modified class captured headlines, the DIRTcar Sportsman Great Lakes 75 produced its own storylines. Twenty-three-year-old Tyler Peet earned the pole with a blistering 23.081-second lap in the final re-qualifying session, outpacing seasoned competitors. The next-fastest qualifier, Cody McPherson, was later disqualified for a carburetor violation, promoting Tristan Ladouceur to the Fratto Curbing Outside Pole position.
Heat Race 1 saw Ladouceur dominate from green to checkered, blanking the field over 15 laps and securing a prime spot for Saturday’s feature. Heat Race 2 delivered a first-time victory for veteran Mike Fowler, who led all laps and demonstrated the incremental improvements he and his crew had made to the car throughout the week. Heat Race 3 featured Gavin Eisele, who, after inheriting a guaranteed starting spot due to McPherson’s disqualification, commanded the race from start to finish, reinforcing his reputation as a rising talent.
These performances set the stage for an exciting Saturday feature, with a $5,000 prize on the line and a field composed of drivers who had proven speed in qualifying and resilience in heat races. Peet’s pole-to-heat success, combined with the strong showings from Ladouceur, Fowler and Eisele, highlighted the depth of talent within the Sportsman ranks and promised a tightly contested Great Lakes 75.
