Dates Set For 59th Sunoco Race of Champions At Oswego Speedway
BINGHAMTON, NY - The date is set for the 59th running of the Sunoco Race of Champions at Oswego Speedway. The prestigious Modified 200 will take place on Sunday, September 13th at the historic 5/8 mile oval. The Modified 200 will culminate a huge weekend of racing that will satisfy the greatest racing appetites.
The weekend will get underway on Friday morning with an open practice session for the teams competing over the weekend. On Friday evening the intensity will grow for the annual SST Modified 100. The SST stars will be joined by the annual Mini Stock open and Factory Stock event on that evening. Qualifying on Friday will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday will serve as a huge day of racing as well with qualifying to get underway at 1:00 p.m. The Late Model teams will have their opportunity to shine with a major 150 lap event slated for that day. The main pit road will be utilized for the Late Model teams so they have an opportunity to showcase their talents. The NORA SBS Super Modifieds will compete in a full program along with a 35 lap feature and qualifying for the annual Super Stock Championship will take place. The SST Modifieds teams that failed to make the Friday night 100 will have their shot in a non-qualifiers race as well.
For open Modified fans Saturday night will get things warmed up prior to Sundays Sunoco Race of Champions 200. The first Modified All-Star Winners Classic race will be a highlight of Saturdays racing card. A 30 lap special event will feature all of the 2009 RoC Qualifier race winners in an event to determine guaranteed starting status for the 200. The top five finishers in this race will be locked in to the field for Sundays 200 lap event. RoC Qualifying events will be held at speedways throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the New England region. Fans can be assured the best will be in competition on Saturday night.
All of the focus will shift to Sunday, September 13th with the 59th running of the Sunoco Race of Champions Modified 200. The 200 lapper is scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. The Modifieds will be joined with only the Super Stock 75 lapper on that day so that spectators and teams can arrive back home in a reasonable time frame on Sunday.
The Modified 200 is expected to be the only event for the Modified teams in the northeast on that day. All of the top names of Modified racing will have the opportunity to compete for the 59th RoC title. Once again the winners share will be a minimal of $10,000 and with incentive lap fund money that total could easily soar over $20,000.
Race of Champions owner Andrew Harpell commented on the exciting new format, “We wanted to present the race fans with a huge weekend of racing at Oswego. We are thrilled to provide all of the top Modified teams an opportunity to once again put their name on the Al Gerber Memorial Trophy.” “We are also in discussions with Pat Furlong and Steve Gioia (Oswego Speedway owners) to offer some incentive race fan packages between the Classic Weekend and Sunoco Race of Champions Weekend.”
Defending Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour Titlist Matt Hirschman remarked on the new format, “The scheduling date will make the event a true Race of Champions this season with the best in the business able to participate again.” He added, “This is one event that I really want to win and just having the opportunity this season will be special for our race team.”
Tickets will go on sale in late April for the Race of Champions weekend with further scheduling details to be released shortly. For additional information please contact the Race of Champions offices at 607-775-5555 or email rocpavement@aol.com. The official website can be found at www.raceofchampions.net.
59th ANNUAL SUNOCO RACE OF CHAMPIONS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, September 10th
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pre-registration.
Friday, September 11th
9:00 a.m. Pit Gates Open
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Paid Open Practice (all classes)
3:15 p.m. Pits open for Friday classes
5:00 p.m. Practice for Friday classes
5:00 p.m. Grandstand Gates Open
6:30 p.m. Drivers meeting for teams competing Friday.
7:00 p.m. Qualifying heats in the following order:
- Mini Stocks
- SST Sportsman Modifieds
- Pure/Factory Stocks
- Mini Stock Consolation (as needed)
- SST Sportsman Modified Consolation(s)
- Mini Stock Feature – 20 laps
- SST Sportsman Modified 100
- Pure/Factory Stock – 25 laps
10:00 a.m. Pit Gates Open.
11:30 a.m. Grandstand Gates Open.
11:30 a.m. Practice for Saturday divisions
1:30 p.m. - Late Model Time Trials
- NORA Small Block Super Heat Races
- Super Stock Heat Races
- Late Model Heat Races
- Modified All- Star Practice Round 1
- SST Modified Non-Qualifiers Event
- Late Model Consolation(s)
- Modified All- Star Practice Round 2
4:30 p.m - NORA Small Block Super feature 35
5:00 p.m. - Late Model Driver Introductions and special awards
5:30 p.m. - T.J. Toyota/Waite Toyota Late Model 125
Modified All-Star Winners Classic (30) (top 5 earn guaranteed spots for 200)
Sunday, September 13th
9:00 a.m. Pit Gates Open
11:00 a.m. Grandstand Gates Open
11:00 a.m. - Modified Practice
- Super Stock Practice
- Modified Final Practice
12:15 p.m. - Modified Time Trials
- Super Stock Last Chance Races
- Modified Heat Races
- Super Stock 75 lap feature
- Modified Consolations
- Pits Open to remove cars
- Modified Driver Introductions and Awards
2:30 p.m. 59th Annual Sunoco Race of Champions Modified 200
Pricing Schedule
Friday, September 11th
Grandstand
Reserved Seating Rows G-O: $20
General Admission: $17
Youth (ages 13-17): $12
Kids (12 and younger): $2
Pit Area
Pit Pass: $50
(for racing event only)
Open Practice: $20
Saturday, September 12th
Grandstand
Reserved Seating Rows G-O: $23
General Admission: $20
Youth (ages 13-17): $12
Kids (12 and younger): $2
Pit Area
Pit Pass: $50
Sunday, September 13th
Grandstand
Reserved Seating Rows G-O: $40
Reserved Seating Back Rows T-X $40
General Admission: $35
Youth (ages 13-17): $25
Kids (12 and younger): $10
Pit Area
Pit Pass: $60
Three Day Ticket Packages:
Grandstand
Reserved Seating Rows G-O: $70 - save $13
Pit Area
Pit Pass: $130 - save $30
Weekend Camping: $40
(free with Classic Weekend camping permit)
Two Day Pit Pass:
good any two days $100
(does not include practice)
Please note… * three day pit pass does not include Friday paid practice.
* backstretch seating will only be open on Sunday.
* the Advance Sale Three Day Reserved Seat Package is ONLY available
through Thursday, Sept. 10th. The package is not available on the
day(s) of the event(s).
* schedule subject to change – no refunds on any ticket or pit pass purchase.