Oswego, N.Y. – The family of Fred Graves and John Nicotra Racing are preparing for a special day Saturday, August 4th during the “Retro Night” plus Old Timers’ Reunion at Oswego Speedway.
Team owner John Nicotra and Fred’s oldest son, Andy Graves, have partnered to detail one of Nicotra’s supermodifieds – either Otto Sitterly’s No. 7 or Dave Shullick Jr.’s No. 2 – to replicate the silver No. 39 four-wheel drive, rear-engine supermodified that Fred Graves campaigned at the speedway in 1975 and 1976.
Fred, who was a nine-time supermodified feature winner at Oswego and went on to a successful career as a championship crew chief for Ron Hornaday among other positions with NASCAR teams, passed away in November.
“The night will be very special for myself and our entire family,” Andy Graves said. “John Nicotra is a longtime family friend and we appreciate all he and his team are doing to allow us to detail one of his cars like my dad’s four-wheel drive super. It will be an incredible sight to see a silver No. 39 on the track at Oswego Speedway one more time. I also want to let everyone know that myself, my brothers Chris and Kevin, and my uncles Ron, Randy and Cliff, and my son Tristan will all be at the Lighthouse Lanes bowling alley for the Old Timers Reunion from 1 to 3 p.m. We invite all family, friends and fans to join us to share some memories and stories.”
The Graves-driven No. 39 is one of the iconic supermodifieds in history. Built and owned by Bill Hite, Graves drove the car to seven of his nine feature wins, including six victories in 1976.
Graves also set a new track record with the car during 1975 International Classic time trials with a fast lap of 18.247 and lowered it to 18.228 in ’76 Classic time trials.
Oswego banned four-wheel drive supers at the conclusion of the 1976 season.
Nicotra will determine which of supers will be detailed as the 39 after this week’s $10,000-To-Win Mr. Supermodified event.
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