8/19/2025
Oswego Speedway
14-Year-Old Savannah Simmons Turns Heads in Oswego 350 Supermodified Debut
OSWEGO, NY (August 19, 2025) - Fourteen-year-old Savannah Simmons made history at Oswego Speedway last weekend, becoming the youngest driver to ever compete in the 350 Supermodified division. The younger sister of two-time International Classic champion Tyler Thompson - who himself is the youngest driver to ever win the prestigious race - Savannah made her unexpected debut in Saturday night’s 25-lap feature.
Driving the Glenn Styres-owned, Jason Simmons Racing-prepared No. 0 350 Winged Supermodified, Savannah was originally scheduled only to test on Friday. However, after immediately impressing with smooth laps, an excellent grove, and growing confidence, the team decided she was ready to race. Her pace showed it too, as after several mid-17 second laps in Friday testing, Simmons clocked in at 17.209 seconds in Saturday warmups, ranking eighth quick out of 13 cars.
On race night, Savannah handled her debut with poise beyond her years. Despite initial nerves, she settled in quickly. “It was good. I was really nervous going out at first, but it came to me and I got comfortable,” she said. “It felt crazy because I grew up here. Maybe one day I can beat his [Tyler’s] records.”
She went on to complete the majority of the 25-lap feature event, finishing ninth in the final order, and now has her sights set on competing in next weekend’s 50-lap 350 Super Classic on Sunday, August 31.
Simmons already brings plenty of experience to Oswego. She began her career in Microds and Kart racing - capturing a 2019 Oswego Kartway Championship. She also owns numerous indoor victories, including strong runs at Motorama, before moving to Slingshots at Utica-Rome, where she picked up a win. While Savannah had typically run around 10 races a year on dirt in Novice Sportsman competition between Fulton and Utica, she admitted that she always had waited for the chance to race at Oswego.
“Asphalt is better than dirt,” Savannah smiled. “I’ve been begging my parents to let me race here. With my Dad, I told him if I have to beg him, I’ll beg him. But really now it’s more begging my Mom, and I just hope she lets me race tomorrow,” she said after Friday testing.
Her Dad, team owner Jason Simmons, who fields the No. 98 Supermodified for Thompson and the No. 6 for Josh Sokolic, admitted the decision to let his daughter debut at Oswego wasn’t an easy one. “She’s been wanting to run here, has talked about it a lot, and lately she’s really been pushing me,” he explained. “I’m good now - just maybe trying to slow her down a little. I talked to Glenn a lot about it too, and he thinks she’ll be fine. We’re housing the car for him, and when Glenn was here with his Sprint Car, Chantelle and him were present for some of Savannah's racing, they sort of built a bond, and Glenn is all onboard and really wants her here driving the car.”
Balancing racing with athletics has also been a challenge for the 14-year-old, who is a standout basketball player at Bishop Ludden High School. Pulled up to varsity in the 7th grade, Savannah played her entire freshman year at the varsity level, and also competes in summer AAU travel ball with the Syracuse Nets. “It’s hard with basketball. I do AAU all summer, and that just ended, but the school season picks up in November. There’s a lot of time to race, but not a lot of time for basketball,” she explained. “I’m hoping to do a full season in 2026 as much as I can.”
As for her first night behind the wheel of a Supermodified, Savannah said she was proud of the effort. “She did good, maybe one day she can be as good as me,” Tyler joked afterward. “I know she says she wants to try to beat my records. I was a little nervous going into it, but she did a really good job.”
Looking ahead, Savannah is excited for the challenge of the 350 Super Classic. “I feel like I’m pretty comfortable already, I just have to get to Oswego more and practice so I can keep trying to get used to the car,” she said.
Simmons closed by thanking the many who helped her reach this milestone: “Glenn Styres, my family, Dad, Mom, Tyler, Josh, Davey, David, FX Caprara, Ashley Lynn Winery, Rad Race Gear, Oswego Auto and Tire, and especially my Mom again.”
Submitted By: Oswego Admin