OSWEGO, N.Y. (JUNE 22, 2019) – Otto Sitterly scored his second win of the 2019 Novelis Supermodified season Saturday night at Oswego Speedway in another impressive effort that saw him drive the “Black Betty” Nicotra Racing / Riccelli Northern / CORR/PAK / Peaceful Living Home Sales No. 7 from an 11th-place starting spot to victory.
Otto would pass front-row starter Aric Iosue for the lead after a lap 42 accident brought out the caution for the first time in the 50-lapper. He’d survive a couple more cautions before the checkered waved on lap 50 with Otto crossing the finish line 1 second ahead of Iosue to earn his 44th and Nicotra Racing’s 46th career supermodified win at The Steel Palace.
With the victory, Otto became the first repeat winner of the 2019 season.
“It was hard; it’s very difficult to pass,” Sitterly said after the race. “I started midpack and it was a tough struggle to get through the field. My car wasn’t the best for a few laps but I felt as though it would come in, and it did. Once I got into second I looked at the leaderboard, and realized I couldn’t even see the 11 (Iosue). There was no way I would have been able to catch him without the yellow. When someone starts on the front row and you start 11th, it’s impossible to get to the front without yellows.
“I have to thank the entire Nicotra Racing crew and all our sponsors, especially CORR/PAK, Riccelli Northern and Peaceful Living Home Sales. There are a lot of businesses that have helped us over the years.”
Nicotra Racing teammate Alison Sload had a solid night behind the wheel of the No. 39 Hawk Jr chassis.
The Pennsylvania driver would time trial second fastest with a 16.016 and start 14th in the 50-lap feature. Once the green flag waved Sload moved up methodically through the field, breaking into the top 10 at the halfway point and continuing her march that would ultimately lead to her finishing just outside the top five in the sixth position.
“Our race was good,” Sload told reporter Chris Porter after the race. “We were a little loose in the beginning and I typically don’t like to drive a loose car; I prefer it on the tight side. But it was good; we were back in traffic and I think I got a lot more experience racing in traffic. I’m happy with my sixth-place finish.”
Sitterly, whose second win of the season will extend his points lead, remains the only driver to finish top five in each of the six features this year. Sload has only one top-five – her win on opening day – but has finished inside the top 10 in five of six starts. She is solidly in the top three in points in her rookie season in the Novelis Supermodified division.
Next up for the Nicotra Racing team is the first extra-distance feature of the season, coming Saturday, July 6 with the annual Grand Prix 75 plus fireworks.
John Nicotra Racing is a Supermodified race team owned by John Nicotra with drivers Otto Sitterly, Alison Sload and Davey Hamilton. Since our team’s debut in 2007, Nicotra Racing and has won six Budweiser International Classic 200s, nine Oswego Supermodified track championships, three Mr. Supermodified races, nine Jim Shampine Memorials and currently 46 total Oswego feature races. – Otto Sitterly (35); Dave Shullick Jr. (9); Davey Hamilton (1); Alison Sload (1).
Nicotra Racing is proud to be sponsored by Riccelli Northern, CORR/PAK Merchandising, Peaceful Living Home Sales, 5 Brothers Produce, Burnac Produce Limited, Provincial Fruit Co., Flavor First, Georgia Crate & Basket, Rite-Pak Produce, Quality First Produce, Sam Accursio Farms, Ritz-Craft Homes, Torbert Farms, Elite Harvesting and Sunrise Growers.
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