OSWEGO, NY (August 13, 2024) – Josh Sokolic, the defending J&S Paving 350 Supermodified track champion and current point leader, is preparing to take on a new challenge this weekend. Sokolic, fresh off his $2,000 victory in the Mr. 350 Supermodified event, will make his debut in the Novelis Supermodified division at Oswego Speedway, piloting the renowned ‘Lair Jet’ 88 Supermodified for longtime car owner Dave Lair.
Lair, a Canadian former hockey standout turned Supermodified driver and car owner, is bringing his car back to the track this Friday, August 16, for testing. If the session goes well, Sokolic will then compete in the Novelis Supermodified division on Saturday, August 17, during Oswego's Teal Palace Championship Night.
Sokolic, a 22-year-old driver from Camillus, NY, has been turning heads in the ISMA/MSS Winged Big Block Supermodified series over the past year. Last August, Sokolic made his big block debut at Oswego Speedway, starting scratch and driving to an impressive 11th place finish in the Soule Racing No. 32.
This year, Sokolic was called upon to drive the Jon Henes-owned No. 36 ISMA/MSS Super at the Berlin Raceway Great Lakes Classic and Sandusky Speedway Hy-Miler. At Berlin, Sokolic timed well but encountered rear end issues that caused him to miss his heat race. He was unfortunately caught up in a first-lap accident during Friday night’s feature. On Saturday, mechanical troubles plagued the 60-lap main event, but not before Sokolic claimed an impressive heat race win, overtaking Trent Stephens for the checkered flag, alongside yet another solid time trial effort. At Sandusky Speedway, Sokolic’s car showed good speed for the Saturday 100-lap main, where he timed 11th and finished fourth in his heat race, earning a spot in the redraw. Unfortunately, he drew 11th and, just before halfway, was forced to pull off due to a sticking throttle. Despite the setbacks, Sokolic proved he could compete with top talent on the ISMA/MSS Supermodified tour.
Now enter Dave Lair. For years, Lair had put several drivers in his own No. 17 Supermodified, including USAC legend Rich Vogler, Jamie Moore, who once finished second in the Lair Jet, Justin Belfiore, and even Joe Gosek. He also has a long history of giving young drivers their start in Supermodifieds, including Bobby Santos III, who made his first Classic appearance in Lair’s car in 2002 at just 15 years old, as well as Kyle Carpenter and Ryan Litt. Now, Sokolic joins this list, in a car that hasn’t attempted the Oswego Classic since 2016. The most recent time it was on track was at Berlin Raceway last year, when it broke, and Litt took a heavy ride.
The car, a 2009 chassis, was rebuilt after that crash and still has only 10 races on it. In 2009, Bobby Haynes Jr. drove it for the Classic. It returned for the Classic in 2013 with Litt, where it qualified sixth and finished fourth in Litt’s first Classic. In 2014, the car blew the motor with Litt behind the wheel. It raced again in 2015 at the Classic but encountered the same problem. The last attempt was at the Classic in 2016. Lair brought the car back in 2022 for Litt, but problems with the wheels prevented it from racing. Now, the car has a new fuel pump, injection system, and all four new shocks—top-notch equipment that Lair expects will make it a strong contender for Sokolic.
Lair first heard of Sokolic through Pat Nelson, who has helped with cars for years and is a close friend of Gosek’s. Lair knew last year at the Classic that he was looking for a new driver. Gosek recommended Sokolic, and another close friend, Jim Paternoster, also vouched for him.
“I gave Josh a call and got to meet him this year and I’m excited,” said Lair. “I’m retired now, but I just really like it—it’s fun for me, and it always has been. I love Supermodified racing. I first raced Supers at 30 years old; and my best finish was fifth. I jumped right into the fire with it. Back then, Bellinger, Gosek, Warren—those were the guys I raced with. A lot of competition, but I had a lot of fun. Now, I think I’m a better builder and owner than I was a driver, and I just enjoy doing that now.”
For Sokolic, this opportunity is a significant step forward in his career. “I got the chance to run some ISMA races with Ron Henes at Berlin and Sandusky. He gave me a good car, but we had some hard luck with mechanical issues. Although we fought through those problems, I got some valuable seat time and experience at different tracks. I met Dave Lair, and he offered me the chance to race his car for him a couple of times here at the end of the season. I think we are both pretty excited to get out there. I don’t have experience in an Oswego Super, but I’m ready to get more seat time and gather experience with the Oswego tail wing. I’m very thankful for the opportunity and look to make the most of it,” Sokolic said.
The 2024 Oswego Speedway championship season wraps up this Saturday night, August 17, with TEAL Palace Championship Night, presented by Best Western PLUS, Clarion Hotel & Suites Riverfront, and Splash Indoor Waterpark Resort of Oswego. Track titles will be crowned in the Novelis Supermodifieds, Pathfinder Bank SBS, and J&S Paving 350 Supers, with fireworks capping off the night. General admission is $20, with kids 16 and under admitted free for the big show.
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.
- OSWEGO ADMIN on Aug 13, 2024
- Article Date: 8/13/2024