3/25/2026
Oswego Speedway
Ray Hedger Memorial Offers $1,333 to Win Plus Bonuses, Contingencies and Tribute-Filled Season Opener May 30 at Oswego Speedway
OSWEGO, NY (March 25, 2026) – Oswego Speedway’s 75th Anniversary Season will open in a big way on Saturday, May 30, as the Pathfinder Bank SBS division takes center stage in the Ray Hedger Memorial, a 33-lap special paying $1,333 to win along with a host of bonuses, contingencies and tributes honoring one of the most respected names in the division’s history.
The event will award a boosted top prize while maintaining standard 35-lap payout from second place on back, ensuring depth throughout the field as teams compete for added rewards.
“This is a special way to open our 75th season on May 30 and honor a great man in Ray Hedger,” said track owner John Torrese. “We’d like to thank Darrick Hilton, the sponsors, and all of the competitors who have come forward to support a new exciting event for the division. Thank you for stepping up and helping make this a more lucrative race for a series that truly needs and deserves it.”
The Ray Hedger Memorial will feature a strong lineup of contingency awards that continue to grow leading into race day. In honor of Dick Clark’s iconic No. 16 Hedger Modified, the leader on lap 16 will receive an $800 bonus courtesy of Will Jones of Speedway Fabrication in Mooresville, North Carolina, a former crew member for Hedger. Heat race winners will each earn a $33 bonus from Steve Flack of Premiere Landscaping, while Roy Sova, James Rusaw and Mike Bruce of Bruce Construction have contributed four Hoosier tires to be distributed through a draw among heat race participants, with the final tire awarded to the 13th-place finisher in the feature if three heats are contested. The program has been carefully structured to ensure fairness, with any tire winnings counting toward a team’s overall allotment.
In addition to the on-track action, the evening will serve as a celebration of Ray Hedger and the lasting effect he has left on local motorsports. His son, Brian Hedger, will wave the green flag to start the SBS feature in honor of his father. A group from the Classic Asphalt Modified Series, including several original Hedger-built machines and longtime friends of Ray, will take part in a 10-lap exhibition and remain on display in the pit area throughout the night. The historic No. 16 Hedger Modified chassis, once driven by Dick Clark, will pace the field with longtime Hedger friend Tim Janes behind the wheel, while commemorative Ray Hedger Memorial decals, sponsored by Greg Schoonover, will be carried on all of the competing cars.
The driver lineup for the Ray Hedger Memorial is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent seasons, featuring a blend of proven winners, returning veterans and rising talent. Supermodified standout and many-time SBS and 350 Supermodified feature winner Brian Sobus is slated to make his SBS return with Flack Racing, while former Mr. SBS champion Barry Kingsley is set to return in the Bob Andrews-owned No. 52, formerly the Wirth Racing No. 04. A potential return for longtime Hedger house car driver and multi-time champion Russ Brown adds more intrigue. Promoter of the race, Darrick Hilton, is expected to contend in his No. 66 alongside veteran teammate Andy Jodway in the Hilton Racing No. 1, both showing promising speed entering the season.
Defending track champion Alex Hoag headlines a strong group of regular contenders that also includes 2025 race winners Noah Ratcliff, Cameron Rowe, Greg O’Connor, Tony DeStevens, and Brad Haynes, while DJ Shuman continues his pursuit of a first career SBS feature victory. There is also potential for drivers to pull double duty, including Supermodified regulars Mike Bruce and Camden Proud, adding another layer of excitement to an already stacked field. Additional entries and surprises are anticipated as Opening Day approaches.
The May 30 program will also feature the Oswego Super Challenge opener for the ISMA/MSS Winged Supermodifieds, contesting a 50-lap main event paying $6,000 to win, along with the Oswego County Tourism 350 Supermodified Season Opener, a 30-lap feature paying $2,000 to win. The Classic Asphalt Modified Series will also be part of the night’s program with a 10-lap exhibition.
With increased prize money, unique bonuses and a full slate of special tributes, the Ray Hedger Memorial is set to deliver a memorable and meaningful start to Oswego Speedway’s historic 75th season for the Pathfinder Bank SBS division.
Submitted By: Oswego Admin