OSWEGO, NY (March 2, 2020) - After two years away from weekly competition, the Schartner Motorsports Small Block Super will return to Oswego Speedway’s Pathfinder Bank SBS division full-time in 2020 with drivers Andrew Schartner and Brian Sobus.
Each former feature winners in the division, Schartner sits seventh on the all-time SBS win list with 12, including two triumphs in the Bud Light Classic 75. Sobus, a Supermodified veteran, has two Small Block Super checkers of his own driving the family No. 79.
“I’m really excited for the chance to work with Brian,” said Schartner, a SBS track champion in 2016. “He is overdue to get back in a Super where he belongs, but we’ll steal him for now. I’m excited to rely on his knowledge and expertise in this division and hopefully get him a win too.”
After beginning his career with the SBS class in ‘04, Sobus eventually graduated to the Super ranks. Brian finished second three times, but ultimately went winless. Although hopeful to make a comeback in the big blocks down the road, this talented veteran is grateful for the opportunity to return to the class he got his Oswego start in.
“I’d love to run a Super again, but I can not thank Karl Schartner and Andrew Schartner enough for this opportunity, offered Sobus, who last competed with a Small Block Super in 2013. “I am really looking forward to it and just appreciate them for giving this guy a chance to wheel a really great race car again.”
Like Sobus, Schartner would prefer to be in a Supermodified. “I think I could be competitive in a Super and I’d love to try. It’s just all cost,” he explained. “If something came to fruition; great. Till then, I’ll enjoy this experience with my father, Ray Hedger, Brian Sobus, and Russ Brown, who have all been a big help in the past year or so. Doing this with a homebuilt chassis is a blast.”
With twelve wins, a track championship, two Classic crowns, a Mr. SBS title, a White Memorial victory, and more to his credit, there is no denying that Schartner has little, if anything to prove in the Small Block Super ranks. His biggest goal for 2020 is to simply build his resume, and he would love to get back in victory lane for the first time since 2017; which was his lone win with his Dad’s chassis.
“I’d say at this point in my career, the biggest thing I’d like to get is another Classic win,” stated Schartner. “If I could do that, it sort of puts me in elite company. Beyond that, I’d just like to try to pad our stats. A win or two would be great. The car owner’s championship would be awesome. I would love to get Dad’s car more wins. We of course want to get Brian at least one win too.”
As for who will compete in which races, nothing is set in stone yet. Schartner says he will make the trip from his home in Charlotte to as many events possible. When he can’t make it; Sobus will take over, something Andrew says made perfect sense to him and his father.
“Brian has been a family friend for years” added Schartner. “He’s been a Hedger guy from the beginning, and we have a similar driving style. When not there, I just wanted to be able to have someone we can trust in the car. Brian fits the template perfectly.”
Schartner was sure to thank his father Karl, Ray Hedger, Russ Brown, and Brian Sobus for their help in putting the deal together. “I also want to give a big nod to Tom Aaserud and all his Crowe Motorsports guys. Tom got me into this sport and was running the deal for all the years we had big success,” Schartner noted. “We’ll always be grateful to him.”
Schartner Motorsports will be holding a BBQ at Lighthouse Lanes on Saturday, April 18 to raise funds for the season. The team has also secured sponsorship from Arnold’s Family Restaurant, Richard Walton Trucking, Cameron’s Bakery, G&B Auto Care, California East Collision, J&S Paving, Hedger Racing, and Lighthouse Lanes.
Oswego Speedway’s 2020 schedule is available online at OswegoSpeedway.com. The track’s 70th Season opens Saturday, May 23 with Jim Shampine and Tony White Memorial events for the Novelis Supermodifieds and Pathfinder Bank SBS plus racing for the 350 Supermodifieds.
Fans are invited to join Oswego Speedway at the 34th annual Syracuse Motorsports Expo, scheduled for next Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 inside the Center of Progress building at the New York State Fairgrounds.
Teams are reminded that competitor registration for the Novelis Supermodifieds, Pathfinder Bank SBS, and 350 Supermodifieds is open. Teams may download all necessary forms at OswegoSpeedway.com & contact Paul at oswegospeedway@gmail.com with any questions.
For more information on Oswego Speedway, visit online at OswegoSpeedway.com. Fans can also FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway, Instagram @OfficialOswegoSpeedway, or LIKE on Facebook at Facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway.
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.
- CAMDEN PROUD on Mar 02, 2020
- Article Date: 3/2/2020