8/1/2008 – Matt Stevens DOMINATES Oswego Kartway, sweeps 2 classes in Galletta’s Greenhouse #3 & #33! +YouTube Videos of the domination!
August 1st, 2008 – Matt Stevens dominates the Oswego Kartway (the small but popular dirt track in back of the famed home of the Supermodifieds – the Oswego Speedway), sweeping the Galletta’s (Gas Stock Briggs 5hp Flathead + shaved heads) class AND the Outlaw (Gas Stock Animal OHV + shaved heads) class Features in Galletta’s Greenhouse #3 & #33! No other driver in the history of the track won his same class feature, then drove a second class IN A SMALLER MOTOR and won a large group of karts with much larger motors. Matt puts a claim at the track that probably will never be broken. That’s how we roll at Galletta’s Karting Club. Here’s how it went down…
WEEK IN OSWEGO DIRT KARTING 2008 VOLUME #10:
ChrusherComix Studios and the Galletta’s Greenhouse Karting Club continue to proudly present weekly DVDs that include every race held at BOTH the Oswego Kartway and Galletta’s Greenhouse Backyard Speedway in weekly DVD volumes that cost $5 each. Here is the menu to this week’s volume, #10 of the COMPLETE 2008 season in Oswego area karting!:
Above is the menus to the Friday, August 1st, 2008 Friday Night Lights Money Race at Oswego Kartway. All karting classes (WKA Junior, WKA Medium, WKA Heavy, Gas 6.5hp, Open, Gas 5hp, and Champ) were recorded, and the disc is 2 hours and 4 minutes in length. As this website specializes in the Galletta’s Kart Club, we’ll cover the Gas Stocker portion of the event below:
Galletta’s Kart Club at Oswego Kartway 8/1/2008:
Matt Stevens took his Galletta’s #3 (his old backup kart that his fiancée Melissa Gabel usually drives) and entered the Gas 6.5hp “Outlaw” class. Matt did well in the heat, coming from last to second before getting loose and getting passed by a few drivers. He felt that his #3 had the motor, but not the stick, so he tried his #33 in the feature with softer tires. He came from last place and surprised all in attendance by winning the 6.5hp 40-Lap Feature with the only 5hp.
Matt after his first of two wins on the night; this one against all 6.5hp motors AND starting dead last. Photo is by Lee Bartlett, who sells photographs from all karting classes on most weekly shows at Oswego Kartway in 2008. You can reach him via phone 315-402-8943. Tell him Chris at Galletta’s sent you! 🙂
The 5hp gas stocker heat went to Matt Stevens in his #33. He was followed by Russ Hockey, Chris Stevens, Wes Stevens, Mike “MC” Howell, Dick Dann, Melissa Gabel, and Larry Phillips in his first time ever at (and on) the track.
The 5hp Gas Stocker feature started off fast and furious, as the track was smooth as silk. After everybody saw Matt beat a group of 6.5hps with his #33, they all thought they were done for. But Matt and his fiancée Melissa agreed to trade karts for the feature. This made the 1st time Melissa ever drove the #33.
Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8) led almost the entire 40-lap show by several kart lengths…
…however, his brother Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #3) slowly reeled him in due to Chris’ developing steering problems, and when Chris’ steering locked up on him the final corner (his bumper padding rubbed against his tire), Matt barely nipped him at the finish line by a narrow couple of inches to sweep both gas kart features at Oswego Kartway.
Final order of finish:
1st: Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #3)
2nd: Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8)
3rd: Russ Hockey (Hockey #00)
4th: Mike “MC” Howell (Galletta’s #9)
5th: Wes “Ogre” Stevens (Galletta’s #4)
6th: Dick Dann (Dann #86)
7th: Melissa Gabel (Galletta’s #33)
8th: Larry Phillips (Phillips #04)
Post-race Snub: Another Episode in ‘Oswego Kartway Snobbery’
One of the biggest insults to our club came by the other classes unwillingness to accept us as a racing division just like theirs. Because (1) we drive the other way — turn right instead of left –, and (2) our karts and engines cost probably 1/10th of theirs, we were somehow beneath them.
Yet, to bystanders, we put on a show equal or better to the other classes. Just look at the videos! Our kart designs are all unique, and because they’re all homemade chassis, the karts are all using different lines and handling differently, which it made for entertaining races with bobbing and weaving and actual racing, not just racing one line and bull rushing someone out of it for a pass.
When we first started racing there, we had profound respect and admiration for, but later on — after we heard and saw their 1st hand snobbery towards us — we later called them overpriced cookie-cutter karts and/or kiddie classes in response. But not because we’re mean. It was a natural reaction upon hearing the derision to our class and them not having the same respect as we had fr them. Respect is earned, not given. Lesson learned. They lost ours because they never had any for ours.
Don’t believe us? Then, there’s this… the Oswego Speedway’s Weekly Eagle Magazine:
Every division winner’s picture was posted. Except ours.
And the track promoter made sure he made his pic in there! And his engine builder! And his engine builder’s son! Well, at least Kyle got in there, a graduate of our division.
But here was our division winner pic that week — which THEY HAD and STILL got left out:
And it was easy! Why? Because our guy — Matt Stevens, the founder of Galletta’s Greenhouse Karting — SWEPT TWO DIVISIONS THAT ONE NIGHT? The 1-WD Gas Flatheads and 1-WD Gas OHVs. Two birds with one stone to use this pic! And there was a HUGE, UGLY white box with HUGE letters in its place! More than enough room for another pic and STILL post next week’s race’s date in BIG HUGE font with room to spare!
The track promoter at the time called it an honest mistake to forgot to add our victory photos. When it happened again throughout the year, he forgot again, just a coincidence. But it happened all year. You know, guys, you can be honest. You just didn’t like our “yard karts” putting on an equal-to-better show and you thought we downgraded the “class” of the track. Just admit it. It’s ok.
Or maybe it’s because our guy SWEPT TWO DIVISIONS THAT WEEK? Maybe? Maybe… just maybe you had a problem that a lil’ yard kart dude showed you up? Naw… can’t be that. Otherwise, you’d put the winners to ALL OF THE CLASSES… right? Yeah, whatever. Thanks for the support. But, we have races to run and have fun in, whether or not you respect it. Maybe if you hopped in our class, you’d find some respect for our racers. Until then, here is the…
2008 Gas Stocker Kart Point Standings at Oswego Kartway
After 9 events at Oswego Kartway from 5/8/2007 -thru- 8/1/2008:
|
Rank |
Driver |
Karts Piloted |
Motor Type |
Total Points (Place) |
Average Points Per Event |
Events |
Heat Wins |
Feature Wins |
|
1 |
Galletta’s #33, 3 |
5hp Flathead |
837.00 |
93.00 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
2 |
Galletta’s #8, 4 |
5hp Flathead |
774.00 |
86.00 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
3 |
Hockey #00 |
5hp Flathead+ |
680.00 |
75.56 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
4 |
 Joe Hayden |
Hayden #5 |
6.5hp OHV Handicap |
500.00 |
83.33 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
|
5 |
|
Raponi #83 |
6.5hp OHV Handicap |
471.00 |
78.50 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
|
6 |
|
Melfi #22 |
6.5hp OHV Handicap |
443.00 |
73.83 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
|
7 |
Dann #86 |
5hp Flathead+ |
397.00 |
79.40 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
8 |
Oz #11 |
5hp Flathead |
393.00 |
65.50 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
9 |
Galletta’s #4 |
5hp Flathead |
255.00 |
79.40 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
10 |
Miller #24 |
5hp Flathead |
215.00 |
71.67 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
11 |
Dann #68 |
5hp Flathead+ |
209.00 |
69.67 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
12 |
Galletta’s #6 |
5hp Flathead |
185.00 |
92.50 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
13 |
Galletta’s #7 |
5hp Flathead |
125.00 |
125.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
14 |
Galletta’s #3, 33 |
5hp Flathead+ |
90.00 |
90.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
15 |
|
Phillips #?? |
5hp Flathead+ |
85.00 |
85.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
16 |
 Ken Lindsley Jr. |
Galletta’s #6 |
5hp Flathead |
75.00 |
75.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
17 |
 Ken Lindsley III |
Galletta’s #1 |
5hp Flathead |
69.00 |
69.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
18 |
 Joe Miller |
Galletta’s #9 |
5hp Flathead+ |
65.00 |
65.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Mighty Matt Stevens
Chris “Chrusher” Stevens
Dave Melfi
Dick Dann
Oscar Berry
Wavin’ Nick Dann
Larry PhillipsTHE 2008 OSWEGO GAS STOCKER KARTS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:
1. OSWEGO: Thursday, May 8th, 2008: 25-Lap Race (Winner: Matt Stevens in 5hp).
2. OSWEGO: Thursday, May 15th, 2008: 25-Lap Race (Winner: Joe Hayden in 6.5hp).
3. OSWEGO: Thursday, May 22nd, 2008: Regular Race (Rained out)
4. OSWEGO: Friday, May 30th, 2008: 35-Lap MONEY RACE! (Winner: Matt Stevens in 5hp).
5. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, June 1st-June 8th, 2008. Clay track Maintenance week. More.
6. OSWEGO: Thursday, June 5th, 2008: 20-Lap Race (Winner: Dave Melfi in 6.5hp).
7. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, June 8th, 2008. 45-Lap Race (Winner: Matt Stevens in 5hp).
8. OSWEGO: Thursday, June 12th, 2008: 25-Lap Race (Winner: Joe Hayden in 6.5hp).
9. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, June 15th, 2008. 50-Lap Race (Winner: Matt Stevens in 5hp).
10. OSWEGO: Thursday, June 19th, 2008: 40-Lap Race (Winner: Dave Melfi in 6.5hp).
11. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, June 22nd, 2008. Twin-30s (Winners: Matt Stevens in 5hp & Ryan Coleman in 5hp).
12. OSWEGO: Thursday, June 26th, 2008: Cancelled: Track Conditions.
13. OSWEGO: Saturday, June 28th, 2008: Cancelled: Track Conditions.
14. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, June 29th, 2008. Cancelled: Rained out.
15. OSWEGO: Friday, July 4th, 2008: 25-Lap Money Race (Winner: Nick Dann in 5hp).
16. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, July 6th, 2008. Independence Day 50 (Winner: Ryan Coleman 5hp).
17. OSWEGO: Thursday, July 10th, 2008: Regular Race.
18. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, July 13th, 2008. Cancelled: Rained Out.
19. OSWEGO: Thursday, July 17th, 2008: 5hp gas stockers cancelled (not enough drivers).
20. GALLETTA’S: Friday, July 18th, 2008. 45-Lap Race (Winner: Chris Stevens in 5hp).
GALLETTA’S: Sunday, July 20th show Rained Out. Held the 7/18 instead.
21. OSWEGO: Thursday, July 24th, 2008: Rained Out.
22. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, July 27th, 2008. Regular Race.
23. OSWEGO: Thursday, July 31st, 2008: Practice for Friday Show.
24. OSWEGO: Friday, August 1st, 2008: MONEY RACE! (Winner – Matt Stevens)!
25. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, August 3rd, 2008. Regular Race.
26. OSWEGO: Thursday, August 7th, 2008: Regular Race.
27. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, August 10th, 2008. Regular Race.
28. OSWEGO: Thursday, August 14th, 2008: Regular Race.
29. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, August 17th, 2008. Regular Race.
30. OSWEGO: Thursday, August 21st, 2008: Regular Race.
31. GALLETTA’S: Sunday, August 24th, 2008. Regular Race.
32. OSWEGO: Thursday, August 28th, 2008: 2nd ANNUAL OSWEGO SPEEDWAY DIRT TRACK CLASSIC!!!
33. GALLETTA’S: LABOR DAY WEEKEND OPEN DATE: May race on one day, possibly Sept. 1st, T.B.A.. Oswego Kartway is also T.B.A. after this date.
34. GALLETTA’S: Saturday, September 6th, 2008. Regular Race.
35. GALLETTA’S: Saturday, September 13th, 2008. 12 lap heats, 45 lap feature. (Possible bye-week/open date)
36. GALLETTA’S: Saturday, September 20th, 2008. Probable date for the 13th Annual Galletta’s Kart Klassic! Probable 1pm start, between 175-200 laps.
37-up. OPEN DATES/RAIN DATES/FALL CHALLENGE SERIES after this date.
Key:
GALLETTA’S = Race located at John J. Galletta Memorial Gas Stocker Kartway (BehindGalletta’s Greenhouse in the Town of Oswego, NY).
OSWEGO = Race located at Oswego Kartway (Behind Oswego Speedway in Oswego, NY).
