Weedsport Speedway is bringing Central New York one of its biggest motorsports weekends by hosting two premier dirt racing series on the same weekend.
The Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds will return to the track for the illustrious Hall of Fame 100 on Saturday, July 26. Then, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series makes its lone New York stop at Weedsport for the Empire State Challenge on Sunday, July 27.
Outside of the championship finale in November, the two-day weekend will be the only time race fans can see the two premier divisions on the same weekend this year. That gives Jimmy Phelps, of Baldwinsville, NY, an important and busy weekend as he is the general manager of Weedsport and driver of the Heinke-Baldwin Racing No. 98H on the Super DIRTcar Series tour.
“We’re super excited,” Phelps said. “Anytime we get to race with the Outlaws, get to race at the Super DIRTcar Series level, and be a fan is really fun for us. From a Weedsport standpoint, obviously, we’ve always tried to find our way into a nice two-day weekend, and I think this is giving the fans a little bit of everything, especially the Central New York fan that loves Modified racing. We’re hoping it is well-received, we’re hoping it is a good turnout. We’re obviously hoping for some great racing and some good weather.”
The Super DIRTcar Series first started racing at Weedsport in 1976 and the World of Outlaws in 1980. However, this weekend will be only the second time in track history that they’ll compete there on the same weekend.
Weedsport Speedway has undergone several changes since its inception in the early 1970s, all aimed at making it one of the premier dirt tracks in the country. Focused on accommodating all fans – diehards and newcomers – Weedsport has revamped its midway overtime to include a variety of food options, a beer garden, a kid’s zone, and a concert stage for pre-race entertainment – where Nick Stark will perform, starting at 4:30 p.m. when the midway opens on Saturday and Sunday.
“The nice part about our deal is from day one, Al Heinke (the track owner) and our team at Weedsport have always tried to focus on the fan experience. We definitely see a wide variety,” Phelps said. “We’re getting more than just the diehards. I think that is important that when we open up the gates that our grandstands are full of people. There are a handful of people out there that only want to go to three or four races a year. We want them to enjoy Weedsport when they decide to go see a race. We try to get the fan experience here.
“We’ve got the band here. We’ve got a lot going on. Great food. Nice bar selection. Hopefully, the racing is just the icing on the cake. That is our goal at the end of every event.”
For the on-track action, Weedsport has produced entertaining racing for both series due to its unique D-shape layout. Stewart Friesen and Mat Williamson have split wins in the last five Super DIRTcar Series events with Friesen winning the last two, including May’s race, and Williamson winning the three before that.
Reigning World of Outlaws champion, and Northeast native, David Gravel has been the king of Weedsport, picking up a win there every year since the Series’ return in 2021. However, when there was a two-day show in 2022, 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz split Gravel’s string of wins by earning his third Weedsport victory.
“The atmosphere is electric when the Outlaws are there,” Phelps said. “The racetrack produces some really unique racing for them. You start to see some different skill sets out of the top guys. You’ll also see some guys that aren’t necessarily always in the limelight, but can grab a handle on a slippery surface, making their name now. It’s always a unique race, but I can’t remember the last World of Outlaws race at Weedsport that hasn’t been a barnburner to some extent. It’s been really good on that front to be able to have a track that might not necessarily be their normal wheelhouse, but yet the racing is always really good.”
Phelps, who has five wins overall at Weedsport, is hoping a little home-field advantage will help turn his season with the Super DIRTcar Series around. He currently sits 12th in Series points with one top-five finish and two top 10s – most recently scoring a 10th-place finish at the Series’ last race.
“Right now, from where we’re standing, we just need to get ourselves back in the hunt,” he said. “We’re hoping that maybe a little bit of a home-track advantage will allow us to get some momentum going. We’re probably going to expect a little bit of the same Weedsport. We have to qualify well, and that will put us in contention to hopefully compete. We’re going to have a good turnout of Modifieds. We want to run well first and foremost. From a big picture standpoint, we hope it produces a good race for everybody to watch.”
Fans can get their tickets online now to avoid the lines. The track will also start selling tickets at noon to help with that, too. But most important, Phelps said, come early, and come hungry.
“The biggest thing is, come out early. Don’t eat, because the food is worth waiting for, and enjoy a cocktail at the beer garden, and hopefully we all get to watch a good race,” he said.
For tickets to the Hall of Fame 100 with the Super DIRTcar Series, CLICK HERE. The event is also a Super DIRT Week Qualifier, locking the winner into this year’s $53,000-to-win Billy Whittaker Cars 200 during Super DIRT Week 53 at Oswego Speedway (Oct. 6-11).
For tickets to the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ Empire State Challenge, which will also showcase DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch both races live on DIRTVision.
