In this episode of the Inside Groove Show, host Tom Baker discusses the vibrant state of short track racing, highlighting the return of notable tracks and drivers, including "Animal" Andy Jodway's comeback after nearly 30 years, which happens this weekend in the SBS (Small Block Supermodified) division at the Oswego Speedway. The conversation delves into the myths surrounding the decline of short track racing, emphasizing its revival and economic impact on local communities. Baker shares insights from his visit to the Ararat Bullring and the exciting developments at West Virginia Motor Speedway. He stresses the importance of community engagement and effective promotion in ensuring the longevity and success of short track racing.

takeaways

• Short track racing is experiencing a revival with several tracks reopening.
• Andy Jodway's return to Oswego Speedway marks a significant moment in local racing history.
• Misconceptions about the decline of short-track racing are unfounded; it is evolving instead.
• The Ararat Bullring's reopening is a testament to grassroots racing's resilience.
• West Virginia Motor Speedway's new ownership brings hope for its future.
• The economic impact of short track racing is substantial, contributing billions to local economies.
• Community engagement is crucial for the success of short-track racing.
• Promoters must connect with fans to ensure a thriving racing environment.
• Short track racing offers a unique and accessible experience compared to larger series.
• The future of short-track racing looks promising with ongoing efforts to improve and promote it.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Short Track Racing

03:24
Myths and Misconceptions in Short Track Racing

35:51
Interview with Andy Jodway

38:26
Revival of the Ararat Bullring

46:30
West Virginia Motor Speedway's Comeback

52:11
The Economic Impact of Short Track Racing

57:27
Challenges and Opportunities in Short Track Racing

Welcome to Episode 160 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

We have a delightful story this week as Mackenzie Coleman joins the show. For 13 years, Mackenzie was a trophy queen at Oswego Speedway. Her older brother raced for a short time in the SBS division, and now it is her turn to hop behind the wheel! She will drive the No. 29 Greg O'Connor-owned SBS car this season, with her first race being Oswego's opening day.  She joins the show to talk about her decision and we're happy to have her on this episode. 

This past week, we've seen some photos and discussion about the Ed Cloce No. 69 "Hemi Hawk" Turbo-powered supermodified that raced at Oswego in the 1970s.  We remembered our interview with Cloce from a Jimmy Shampine tribute episode in 2020, and we decided to "encore" it this week and talk about this car, which we think is one of the coolest supermodifieds ever built.  

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Welcome to Episode 159 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

In this episode, long-time Central New York race driver, builder and fan Bob Andrews reflects on his racing career, which spans both dirt and asphalt, and shares his thoughts on the current racing scene in an interview that spans over two hours.

Baker gives us some news and analysis concerning registrations for the 2025 Oswego Speedway season as well.  

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

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J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.
FHS Oil
Radical Race Gear

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Monday at 8 pm (all time zones) on the podcast channel at POWERTube TV - or join us live on Steering Wheel Nation's Facebook page each Wednesday at noon Eastern as we record the show - your comments can be on it and you can engage with the conversation!  Stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. 

Welcome to Episode 158 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

In this episode, we go back to 2019 for an encore presentation of the interview Tom did with 1977 Oswego Speedway Track Champion Kempton Dates, and then go back even further to 1975 as Tom takes us through an eventful Port City 150 race that featured almost 90 cars in the pits and some of the greatest short track drivers in history. 

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

www.tracktune.live

www.auditorydefense.com

J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.
FHS Oil
Radical Race Gear

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Monday at 8 pm (all time zones) on the podcast channel at POWERTube TV - or join us live on Steering Wheel Nation's Facebook page each Wednesday at noon Eastern as we record the show - your comments can be on it and you can engage with the conversation!  Stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. 

Welcome to Episode 157 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

In this episode, Tom talks with popular SBS and 350 Supermodified racer Noah Ratcliff about his recent announcement that he will be competing full-time in both divisions at the Oswego Speedway this year.   

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

www.tracktune.live

www.auditorydefense.com

J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.
FHS Oil

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Monday at 8 pm (all time zones) on the podcast channel at POWERTube TV - or join us live on Steering Wheel Nation's Facebook page each Wednesday at noon Eastern as we record the show - your comments can be on it and you can engage with the conversation!  Stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. 

Welcome to Episode 156 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

In this episode, rising North Country (NY) dirt track racer Jackson Gill is the featured guest. 

Tom also talks about the Oswego Speedway booth at the recent motorsports trade show, a prophetic "Big Question" from a 1972 Eagle program, and the increasing optimism around supermodified racing in 2025.  

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

www.tracktune.live

www.auditorydefense.com

www.lagrafspub.com

J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.
FHS Oil

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Monday at 8 pm (all time zones) on the podcast channel at POWERTube TV - or join us live on Steering Wheel Nation's Facebook page each Wednesday at noon Eastern as we record the show - your comments can be on it and you can engage with the conversation!  Stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. 

In this episode of Inside Groove Spotlight, host Tom Baker interviews Jackson Gill, a talented big block modified driver from Alexandria Bay, New York. Jackson shares insights into his family's rich racing heritage, his early experiences in go-karts, and the transition to bigger cars. He discusses his successes in karting, the challenges of racing at prestigious tracks like Charlotte and Bristol, and the importance of family and sponsors in his racing journey. Jackson also outlines his aspirations for the upcoming 2025 racing season and how he engages with fans through social media.

Takeaways

Jackson Gill comes from a long line of racers.
He started racing go-karts at the age of five.
Transitioning to big cars felt like a slow motion experience.
Success in go-karts built his confidence for bigger competitions.
Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway was a dream come true.
Bristol's dirt track provided a unique racing challenge.
Family support is crucial in his racing career.
He aims to win a championship in the upcoming season.
Engaging with fans is important for his racing brand.
Jackson is focused on balancing work and racing aspirations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Inside Groove Spotlight
00:54 Jackson Gill's Racing Heritage
02:23 Early Beginnings in Racing
04:42 Transitioning to Big Cars
08:40 Racing Success in Go-Karts
10:01 Experiences in Sportsman Racing
11:49 Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway
14:20 Memorable Races and Tracks
19:07 Balancing Work and Racing
21:21 Support from Family and Sponsors
23:57 Plans for the Upcoming Season

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Welcome to Episode 155 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

Hard-working race promoter Jody London, one of Tom's favorite guests, returns to the show to talk about his expanded Oswego Speedway Super Stock schedule for 2025, with three races during the year leading up to the Dave London Memorial on Classic Weekend. 

Tom also talks about the uptick in popularity of the tour-type modified division in the South and the spotlight he feels it shines on modifieds as a whole.  He also takes us back 50 years to the start of the 1975 season to begin a recurring 50-year flashback segment with a preview of the Oswego Speedway racing scene, and talks about an indoor kart race he recently announced that...well...let's just say he spent a day the Blues City Kart Nationals - literally.   

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

www.tracktune.live

www.auditorydefense.com

www.lagrafspub.com

J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.
FHS Oil 

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Monday at 8 pm (all time zones) on the podcast channel at POWERTube TV!  You can stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. 

Welcome to Episode 154 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

The first show of 2025 kicks off with a bang, as Josh Sokolic, a Northeast short-track racer rising quickly in popularity, joins the show to talk about his new big block supermodified ride for this season at the Oswego Speedway, teaming up with Tyler Thompson for a two-car Jason Simmons Racing effort.  Along the way, Sokolic also reveals what other cars he has at his disposal, and one that not many people know about! 

Baker discusses the reason for the show's two-month sabbatical (with a very important question for the audience regarding the show's potential elevation to video!), shares his thoughts on the ISMA/MSS Carolina race that took place in November, previews next week's show, and also talks about why he believes there is so much optimism around short-track racing in the USA this season as well.  

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

www.fhsoil.com

www.tracktune.live

www.auditorydefense.com

www.ipcindy.com

www.lagrafspub.com

J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Friday on POWERTube TV and the following Monday on our Steering Wheel Nation social channels!  You can stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport. 

Welcome to Episode 153 of the Inside Groove Show, the nation's premier Supermodified and short-track racing podcast hosted by Tom Baker and produced by Steering Wheel Nation.

This episode kicks off the expanded short-track coverage with Tom talking about the huge announcement that NASCAR and Whelen Engineering have increased the total championship prize money for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour by 250 percent for 2025 and beyond, and have increased the winner's purse and start money significantly as well.  A review of the 2025 schedule is included in this segment.   

Next, Oswego Speedway competitor Mike Bruce, one of the only racers to have competed in all three supermodified divisions at Oswego in the same season, joins the show to talk about his year and the upcoming ISMA MSS $10k to win event as part of the North-South Shootout at the Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, North Carolina on November 7 and 8.  Bruce speaks candidly about his views on Oswego's Budweiser Classic Weekend, the downforce changes to the big block supermodifieds, and his plans for 2025.  

Finally, Baker reviews the latest entry list for Caraway's big race, shares the details of the weekend's schedule, and talks about the other divisions competing at the North-South Shootout.  

Thank you to our sponsors - please support them!

www.ultimateQM.com

www.wiggidywaynesauces.com

www.tracktune.live

www.auditorydefense.com

www.ipcindy.com

www.lagrafspub.com

J&S Paving - Oswego, N.Y.

Discover More Motorsports Content

We invite you to visit Steering Wheel Nation, the first all-motorsports community platform, for more exclusive motorsports shows and content. Don't forget to watch the Tom Baker Show every Friday at 7 pm on POWERTube TV!  You can stay informed about the latest developments in the world of racing and engage with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for the sport.