8/21/2024
Oswego Speedway
Josh Sokolic Captures 350 Supermodified Championship with Fourth Feature Win of the Season
OSWEGO, NY (August 17, 2024) - Josh Sokolic secured his second consecutive track championship in the J&S Paving 350 Supermodified feature at Oswego Speedway this past Saturday, adding to his impressive season tally with his fourth feature win of the year.
The race began with Noah Ratcliff and Kyle Perry bringing the field to the green flag. Perry quickly took command, with Ratcliff settling into second, and fourth-starting Nick Barzee moving into third. Meanwhile, Sokolic, who started sixth, wasted no time, passing Brendan Young and Vern LaFave to climb into fourth. By lap 5, Sokolic had maneuvered past Barzee and Ratcliff to take over second place and set his sights on leader Perry.
Sokolic closed the gap and made his decisive move for the lead on lap 13. A spin by Perry while running second with 12 laps to go shuffled the running order, leaving Sokolic in the lead, followed by Barzee, Ratcliff, Young, and LaFave. On the restart, Young, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, made an outside pass on Ratcliff to take third, while another rookie, Griffin Miller, who returned this week after resolving engine issues, charged from his seventh starting spot to grab fourth under Ratcliff.
Sokolic maintained his lead to the finish, capturing both the feature win and the track championship. In victory lane, Sokolic credited his father for keeping the car in top form despite challenges throughout the year.
"My Dad makes sure this car is stout. We've had issues all year, but he corrected them, and we've been really good the last few weeks," Sokolic said. Looking ahead to Classic Weekend, he added, "We're going to run the Sport Mod on Saturday, test Dave Lair’s 88 Big Block for Sunday, and also run this car on Sunday if it doesn't sell. But this one is going to be for sale if anyone wants to buy it and go win races."
Sokolic also expressed gratitude to his sponsors and family, saying, "Thanks to Dana's Lawn Care for always being there for us, especially this week, and the usual sponsors All Weather Power Equipment, Universal Windows Direct, Lamptiques, my Mom, Dad, sister, Ed, Jackie, Grandpa, and Cole."
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
J&S Paving 350 Supers
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Oswego Speedway
Oswego, NY
Feature (25-laps): 1. 6 JOSH SOKOLIC, 2. 31 Nick Barzee, 3. 75 ® Brendan Young, 4. 9 ® Griffin Miller, 5. 73 ® Noah Ratcliff, 6. 20 Kyle Perry, 7. 97 Vern LaFave, 8. 79 Talen Hawksby, 9. 50 Dave Danzer, 10. 91 Barry Kingsley
Heat 1 (8-laps): 1. 20 Kyle Perry, 2. 97 Vern LaFave, 3. 31 Nick Barzee, 4. 9 ® Griffin Miller, 5. 91 Barry Kingsley
Heat 2 (8-laps): 1. 6 Josh Sokolic, 2. 75 ® Brendan Young, 3. 73 ® Noah Ratcliff, 4. 50 Dave Danzer, 5. 79 Talen Hawksby
Lighthouse Lanes Up & Comer ($100 bonus to the highest finishing driver who has never won a feature at Oswego Speedway): #75 ® Brendan Young
D&S Landscaping Hard Charger ($25 bonus to the driver advancing the most positions): #6 Josh Sokolic
Submitted By: OSWEGO ADMIN
