"In the Groove".....with DJ is a column written by Dan Johnson, which appears in the Oswego
Speedway Eagle race program. Pick up your copy of The Eagle while you`re at the Oswego
Speedway. Street copies are also available at the Mitchell's Speedway Press-1 Burkle St.,
Garafolo`s Importing-155 East Bridge St., Fred`s News- 29 East Utica St. in Oswego or at the
Nice `n Easy Grocery Shoppe`s at Route 104 East in Oswego or at the Fulton location at Route
481.
Speedway Eagle race program. Pick up your copy of The Eagle while you`re at the Oswego
Speedway. Street copies are also available at the Mitchell's Speedway Press-1 Burkle St.,
Garafolo`s Importing-155 East Bridge St., Fred`s News- 29 East Utica St. in Oswego or at the
Nice `n Easy Grocery Shoppe`s at Route 104 East in Oswego or at the Fulton location at Route
481.
5/3/11
The last Saturday every April is getting to be known as “Pizza Villa Spruce Up Day” at Oswego
Speedway. Last weekend, dozens of dedicated race fans pitched in and gave the Steel Palace a healthy
dose of TLC. For the eighth consecutive year, volunteers traded their stop watches and programs for
paint brushes and brooms.
“We can’t thank everyone enough for coming out for clean up day,” new track owner Eric Torrese said.
“They really got a lot done, and did an outstanding job. Everything came together late for the closing,
and even though it was pretty last minute, many people came out and gave us a lot of support. The
momentum is going forward, and everything is so positive. We can’t thank everyone enough for all their
hard work
The day started at 8 a.m., by sweeping up all the dirt and sand left outside the speedway, from the nasty
Oswego winter. After the outside was cleaned, it was time to move the brooms inside. The inside
hubrail along the front straightaway was swept and cleaned. The outside wall all the way around the
track was spit shined as well. Truck sweepers cleaned the entire speedway racing surface multiple
times throughout the day.
Painting was a big job as well. Among the items on the paint list was Victory Lane, the starter’s tower,
both flag poles, the inside hubrail from turn 4 to turn 1, all the inside hubrail fencing, the stairwells
heading from the concession stands to the grandstands, the concession and novelty stands, as well as
the women’s restroom.
Bernie Finnegan got out the welding torches and did some repair work in the 4th turn restroom
stairway. The flower pots weren’t forgotten either, as they were resoiled and new flowers planted.
“It was a great day for Spruce Up Day,” Mike “Pinner” Johnson said. “The weather was a little warmer
than years past, and after a decline in numbers in recent years, this year volunteers seemed to come out
of the wood work. Many have been return volunteers who have attended since the very first clean up
day, but it was cool to see a bunch of new supporters coming out to put a little sparkle back on the
Oswego Speedway.”
The last Saturday every April is getting to be known as “Pizza Villa Spruce Up Day” at Oswego
Speedway. Last weekend, dozens of dedicated race fans pitched in and gave the Steel Palace a healthy
dose of TLC. For the eighth consecutive year, volunteers traded their stop watches and programs for
paint brushes and brooms.
“We can’t thank everyone enough for coming out for clean up day,” new track owner Eric Torrese said.
“They really got a lot done, and did an outstanding job. Everything came together late for the closing,
and even though it was pretty last minute, many people came out and gave us a lot of support. The
momentum is going forward, and everything is so positive. We can’t thank everyone enough for all their
hard work
The day started at 8 a.m., by sweeping up all the dirt and sand left outside the speedway, from the nasty
Oswego winter. After the outside was cleaned, it was time to move the brooms inside. The inside
hubrail along the front straightaway was swept and cleaned. The outside wall all the way around the
track was spit shined as well. Truck sweepers cleaned the entire speedway racing surface multiple
times throughout the day.
Painting was a big job as well. Among the items on the paint list was Victory Lane, the starter’s tower,
both flag poles, the inside hubrail from turn 4 to turn 1, all the inside hubrail fencing, the stairwells
heading from the concession stands to the grandstands, the concession and novelty stands, as well as
the women’s restroom.
Bernie Finnegan got out the welding torches and did some repair work in the 4th turn restroom
stairway. The flower pots weren’t forgotten either, as they were resoiled and new flowers planted.
“It was a great day for Spruce Up Day,” Mike “Pinner” Johnson said. “The weather was a little warmer
than years past, and after a decline in numbers in recent years, this year volunteers seemed to come out
of the wood work. Many have been return volunteers who have attended since the very first clean up
day, but it was cool to see a bunch of new supporters coming out to put a little sparkle back on the
Oswego Speedway.”
“You could feel a new kind of buzz in everyone’s conversations. Everyone pitching in together was
great, as there’s anticipation of a great new beginning at the track,” he added.
Armed with a good start from the volunteers during “Spruce Up Day”, the next event on Oswego
Speedway’s schedule is the open practice Saturday, May 14. Pit gates open at 10a.m., with regular
division inspection starting shortly after. Grandstand gates open at noon, with practice running from 1-
5pm.
great, as there’s anticipation of a great new beginning at the track,” he added.
Armed with a good start from the volunteers during “Spruce Up Day”, the next event on Oswego
Speedway’s schedule is the open practice Saturday, May 14. Pit gates open at 10a.m., with regular
division inspection starting shortly after. Grandstand gates open at noon, with practice running from 1-
5pm.
