3/26/2026
Oswego Speedway
Russ Brown Returns to Oswego Speedway for Ray Hedger Memorial with Car Owner Andrew O’Connor and G.O. Racing
OSWEGO, NY (March 25, 2026) – One of the most accomplished drivers in Pathfinder Bank SBS history will return to the Steel Palace on Saturday, May 30, as Oswego Speedway Hall of Famer Russ Brown is set to compete in the $1,333-to-win Ray Hedger Memorial.
Brown, a five-time SBS track champion and the division’s inaugural title winner in 1992, has been tabbed to drive for the O’Connor family in a special effort honoring one of the most influential figures in both his career and the division’s history.
The Mannsville, NY driver owns 21 career SBS feature wins, ranking second all-time, and captured championships in 1992, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2013. His last full-time campaign at Oswego came in 2018, when he finished runner-up in the championship standings.
For this return, Brown will drive for Andrew O’Connor, brother of multi-time SBS feature winner Greg O’Connor. While the team’s yellow No. 29 – a former Bud Light Classic-winning car driven by Shaun Gosselin – is currently undergoing front clip repairs, Brown is expected to pilot a second Hedger-built chassis in O’Connor’s stable, one very familiar to him and potentially carrying a special number for the occasion.
“At first word of this race, Greg reached out and asked if it would be a good idea to put Russ in one of our cars, and without hesitation the answer was yes,” said Andrew O’Connor. “Both Russ and Ray have always been a big help to us on and off the track – whether it was advice, setup, driving, or even getting us the ‘last’ front clip for the fifth time. It’s definitely our honor to have Russ in this race and in a Hedger car.”
For Brown, now 57, the opportunity to return to Oswego Speedway – and do so in a race honoring Ray Hedger – carries deep personal meaning.
“It’s just an honor to have the guys call me about driving their cars and I’m thankful that the O’Connor family is putting this together,” Brown said. “I’ve been out of it for a while, so to come back and support something like this for Ray means a lot. I was a lucky guy to get to drive for him. All the support behind this race is great, and Darrick Hilton is doing a great job honoring him. Ray was just a great guy.”
Brown’s most recent SBS appearances came in 2024 at Evans Mills Raceway Park, where he also drove for the O’Connor team, in addition to an earlier outing at Spencer Speedway driving the DJ Shuman No. 62. While no longer competing full-time, he remains closely connected to the sport, balancing family time with occasional racing and following the division week-to-week.
“I still try to watch every week,” Brown said. “I think the crate engines have helped the class, and the SBS division is still a great place for rookies to get experience. It’s the most affordable way to race at Oswego, and there are some good young rookie drivers coming up. Noah Ratcliff is really fast, smooth and clean, and Brian Sobus will be tough in that Flack car this year. It’s a good group, and they seem to be putting on a great show.”
Brown’s history with Hedger dates back decades. After beginning in karts, he moved into a Sportsman Modified in 1991 before arriving at Oswego in 1992 with his own No. 18 SBS entry, capturing the division’s first championship. He followed that with a runner-up points finish in 1993 before moving to the Supermodified ranks in 1994, earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Beyond Oswego, Hedger – who is Brown’s cousin, a detail often overlooked – played a key role in his stock car career, serving as his crew chief during his time in the Busch North Series and assisting in a Busch South start at Watkins Glen. The two later built Hedger Fabrication into one of the most respected names in the sport.
After stepping away from Oswego for a period, Brown returned in dominant fashion, teaming up with Hedger as a house driver for the first time to capture three consecutive SBS championships from 2005 to 2007.
“After everything we did, it was all Ray,” Brown said. “His talent was unbelievable. He’d have a car torn down Sunday and back together in a couple days. The things he created with what little tools he had were insane. For three years we barely bent anything. I made every lap of every race. That says everything about him. The craftsmanship and vision he had were second to none.”
After racing for Ray Pike in 2008 and 2009, Brown stepped away from Oswego for several seasons, later competing in a Mod Lite alongside Hedger for a few years before ultimately deciding it was time to return to the Steel Palace in 2013.
“I think Ray got tired of hearing people say we couldn’t keep up anymore,” Brown recalled. “So we went back and proved we still could.”
Now, Brown returns once more – this time in tribute – as part of what is expected to be a wide open, stacked field for the Ray Hedger Memorial.
“I hope I’ve got one more win in me,” Brown said. “We’re going to go practice and make sure the car is as fast as it should be and that we have a chance. If I didn’t feel like we had a shot at winning, we wouldn’t show up. I want to have fun, but we’re going there to win. I’d love to get one more for Ray and hopefully can kick their asses again in his honor. A big thank you to the O’Connors, and my crew as of right now – all the guys I’ve had over the years, most of them are going to be there. A bunch of guys that helped us race the Classic Asphalt Modified Series, and I’d love to drive one of those too that Ray built – those things are animals. I just can’t wait to see everyone. This is going to be fun.”
The May 30 program will also feature the Oswego Super Challenge opener for the ISMA/MSS Winged Supermodifieds in a 50-lap, $6,000-to-win main event, 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 appear with a 10-lap exhibition.
Tickets are on sale now at OswegoSpeedway.com.
Submitted By: Oswego Admin