0
0
By: Steven Petty
Photo Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
OSWEGO, NY… For BJ Wambold, competing at Oswego Speedway is about much more than adding another race to the schedule. It is an opportunity to race on the same historic oval he once visited as a young fan during Classic Weekend.
Now, the Nazareth, PA native will return to the “Steel Palace” looking to add another chapter to his own Oswego history by capturing another New York State Compact Championship.
“Racing at Oswego is one of the top three races of my career, alongside Bristol and the Freedom Factory,” Wambold said. “We would go watch Classic Weekend when I was little. I always thought it would be cool to one day make it out on the track. This is the only race I looked forward to going to this year.”
Wambold has done much more than simply make laps around the famed Oswego Speedway. He has found Victory Lane on one of the biggest weekends of the season and has done it in consecutive years. Those victories have made Oswego particularly special for Wambold, who considers winning at the Steel Palace one of the greatest accomplishments of his racing career. “Winning Oswego is probably the biggest win of my career,” Wambold said. “Then to do it back-to-back years was insane.”
Returning as the defending champion could bring added expectations, especially with another strong field of Compact competitors expected to battle for the New York State Championship. Wambold, however, isn’t allowing the pressure of past success to change his approach. “I myself don’t feel any pressure being the defending winner,” he said. “I race to have fun. If the cards all align, we’ll be there to battle for the win at the end.”
That mentality has served Wambold well. What began as childhood trips to watch Classic Weekend has developed into an opportunity to become one of the drivers creating memories of his own at Oswego.
When the New York State Compact Championship takes the green flag on Friday, September 4th, Wambold will once again have his sights set on the front of the field. Another victory would continue an impressive run at a track that held a special place in his heart long before he ever had the opportunity to compete there.
Wambold’s racing efforts are supported by Amey’s Garage, Cougar Auto, Low Down Entertainment, Homer’s Fab, Effrig’s All Out Auto, A&A Towing, Steglik Welding, Big Boys Kettle Corn and Deysher Farms. He also gives special thanks to Shayne Geist for building his engines, along with Lyndsay, Maggie, his dad and 91 for their continued support.
From watching Classic Weekend as a kid to becoming a back-to-back winner at Oswego Speedway, Wambold has already accomplished something he once could only imagine. On Labor Day weekend, he’ll try to do it again.
The 2026 New York State Compact Championship will take place on Friday, September 4, alongside the Dave London Memorial XVIII for the Super Stocks, and pole qualifying for the Novelis Supermodifieds and the Pathfinder Bank Small Block Supermodifieds.
For more information, visit GTR Promotions’ official website at www.GTRPromotions,com and follow on Facebook at GTR Promotions.
For more information about Oswego Speedway, visit www.oswegospeedway.com, follow on social media, or call the speedway office at (315) 342-0646.
