Well, this sucks. As a Brit it’s rather difficult to see this kind of racing. I lived in Germany for a few years growing up, and got to see all sorts of American racing. WoOSC at the ‘Moody Mile’ left one hell of an impression. This was on my list of ‘Must See’ tracks. Along with the Monster Mile and Watkins Glen, and… Read more
This is a bummer. I grew up in Syracuse and didn’t realize Super DIRT Week was going away until my father mentioned it to me this weekend over the phone. It’s a shame, it was one of those cool “only in Syracuse” types of things that have gone the way of the dodo. There are still a handful of smaller dirt tracks in the… Read more
Reading that last paragraph listening to 5 Years by David Bowie..... I was that kid from 1985 here in the midwest. The Feels. Read more
It’s the end of an era. I practically grew up at the NYS Fair Grounds and DIRT tracks in the area. I attended several Super Dirt Weeks and even worked security a couple times. I was there in ‘89, watching from the press box when my cousin “AJ Slideways” won. There’s nothing like the sound of a pack of those super… Read more
We have a similar event, but thankfully ours is held indoors (Chili Bowl Midget Nationals) and at a hugely popular event hall. Its a shame to see this place go by the wayside, but the local political leadership has allowed it to fall apart and now they will use that excuse to destroy it and make way for more affluent… Read more
Also should be noted that the East Coast center steer modified evolved from what Mario Andretti first raced
I’m sitting at work right now reading this in my super dirt week t-shirt not caring that I am being a tad less productive than I should. I am amazed that you were able to sum this up so beautifully. Although I work for an automotive company, nobody really understands what this race is all about. Up to this point when… Read more
Exactly how I feel. I’ve been going there with my dad since 1980 (when I was 11). The Batmobile won, Buzzie Reutimann was second and Geoff Bodine third. One of my best memories ever. Thank you for writing the article Ed - punched me square in the gut as well. Needless to say I cried when I read the article - a little… Read more
Very good read and thanks for sharing. While I never made it to SDW or any of the dirt tracks around Upstate NY or even Watkins Glen (not a racing family) I kind of wish I did as I do enjoy it and I think I enjoy watching the dirt tracks more than some of the larger races. Read more
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney apparently looked at the track and saw a place where people could put on “equestrian events” if only that damn race track wasn’t in the way. Read more
This was a great read. While I’ve never made it up for one of these, I grew up in Central New Jersey, going to both paved and dirt short tracks - Wall Stadium was my home every Saturday night, but we’d hit Flemington for the Race of Champions every year, New Egypt and Bridgeport for dirt racing. I saw Brett Hearn, Gil… Read more
Awesome article! I never knew New York had such a storied dirt racing history. As someone from Texas, I thought that was something only us redneck southerners were into. Hopefully the new place works out. Losing a racetrack to something lame like an amphitheater sounds terrible. Read more
I’ve never been to or heard of Super Dirt Week, but I’m a little choked up right now. I bet almost every race fan has a track and/or an event that would make them feel this same sense of loss, if it went away. I know I have mine. Read more