8/21/2024
Oswego Speedway
Greg O'Connor Grabs Emotional Victory in Pathfinder Bank SBS Regular Season Finale at Oswego Speedway
OSWEGO, NY (August 17, 2024) - Greg O'Connor secured an emotional victory in the Pathfinder Bank SBS regular season finale at Oswego Speedway this past Saturday, presented by Best Western Plus, Clarion Hotel & Suites Riverfront, and Splash Indoor Waterpark Resort of Oswego. This win marked O'Connor's fifth career victory at the Speedway, with previous wins in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, and now 2024. It was a particularly meaningful checkered flag as it was his first win since the passing of his mother, Sue, over the offseason.
The race started with sophomore driver Carter Gates on the pole, lining up next to O'Connor. Gates, who had earlier claimed his first-ever heat race win, unfortunately spun at the start, triggering a multi-car incident that collected Tony DeStevens, Alex Hoag, Brad Haynes, and Drew Pascuzzi. The wreck ended the night for DeStevens and track champion Hoag.
On the restart, O'Connor found himself leading the pack alongside Darrick Hilton. As the race got underway, AJ Larkin, who restarted in third, quickly settled into second place, while Cameron Rowe, starting from the sixth position, was the early car on the move. Rowe charged through the field, reaching third by lap 3, after passing Hilton, DJ Shuman, and Robbie Wirth.
By the halfway point, O'Connor, Larkin, and Rowe had separated themselves from the rest of the field, with Shuman running a distant fourth and Haynes recovering to fifth after being involved in the first-lap incident. Despite the top three racing nose-to-tail, O'Connor held strong, taking the checkered flag for the victory. Larkin recorded his best-ever finish in second, with Rowe rounding out the podium in third. Shuman and Haynes completed the top five.
The remainder of the top ten was filled out by Tessa Crawford, Matt Matteson, Pascuzzi, Gates, and Wirth.
"I just tried to hit my marks and be smooth," O'Connor said in victory lane. "We've had a terrible year trying to figure out this car, but we've definitely found something these last few weeks. Thanks to Munski Auto, Art's Parts & More, Bad Boy Mowers, Bodified, Ultimate QM, RCC Carbs, Dana's Lawn Care, and PFG Design for their support."
That's it for the regular season, and Classic Weekend is up next Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 1, featuring the 68th annual Budweiser International Classic 200 for Supermodifieds on Sunday, September 1. Tickets are on sale at OswegoSpeedway.com. Just click ‘Buy Tickets.’
Stay connected with Oswego Speedway for more information. Visit OswegoSpeedway.com, follow on Facebook or X (@OswegoSpeedway) and Instagram (@OfficialOswegoSpeedway).
About Oswego Speedway: Oswego Speedway is a 5/8 mile semi-banked pavement racing oval located off the shores of Lake Ontario in scenic Oswego, NY. The 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 the Oswego Speedway making it the only weekly Supermodified racing venue in the world. The Small Block Supermodifieds and 350 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, two-time Indy 500 champion Gordon Johncock, and former International Classic Champions Bentley Warren, Joe Gosek, and Davey Hamilton.
RESULTS
Best Western PLUS, Clarion Hotel & Suites Riverfront and Splash Indoor Waterpark Resort of Oswego
TEAL Palace Track Championship Night
Pathfinder Bank SBS
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Oswego Speedway
Oswego, NY
Feature (30-laps): 1. 90 GREG O’CONNOR, 2. 35 AJ Larkin, 3. 77 Cameron Rowe, 4. 62 DJ Shuman, 5. 88 Brad Haynes, 6. 20 ® Tessa Crawford, 7. 47 ® Matt Matteson, 8. 72 Drew Pascuzzi, 9. 55 Carter Gates, 10. 04 Robbie Wirth, 11. 66 Darrick Hilton, 12. 24 Tony DeStevens, 13. 41 Alex Hoag DNS 27 Steven Bradshaw
Heat 1 (10-laps): 1. 55 Carter Gates, 2. 66 Darrick Hilton, 3. 62 DJ Shuman, 4. 47 ® Matt Matteson, 5. 24 Tony DeStevens, 6. 72 Drew Pasuzzi, 7. 20 ® Tessa Crawford
Heat 2 (10-laps): 1. 90 Greg O’Connor, 2. 35 AJ Larkin, 3. 77 Cameron Rowe, 4. 04 Robbie Wirth, 5. 41 Alex Hoag DNS 88 Brad Haynes, 27 Steven Bradshaw
Lighthouse Lanes Up & Comer ($100 bonus to the highest finishing driver who has never won a feature at Oswego Speedway): #35 AJ Larkin
D&S Landscaping Hard Charger ($25 bonus to the driver advancing the most positions): #88 Brad Haynes
Submitted By: OSWEGO ADMIN