Defending Champion Greg Furlong Moves Up and Steps Back for 2006 : RacingJunk News

Defending Champion Greg Furlong Moves Up and Steps Back for 2006

Years ago, Oswego Speedway was known as a direct route to the top forms of open wheel racing. Driver such as Sammy Sessions, Ron Lux, Todd Gibson, Bentley Warren and Chuck Ciprich all parlayed success at Oswego Speedway into rides in the major leagues of auto racing. Showing that success at Oswego still carries a bunch of weight in the open wheel community, Greg Furlong became the first driver in a couple of decades to make the jump from Oswego Speedway to USAC. Furlong joins the USAC Silver Crown community as he wheels the Jim Paternoster #41 this season.

Furlong had a season for the history books in 2005. Furlong and the 72 team picked up 12 wins during the year. He also added his fourth Classic win in seven seasons. That winning streak forced the record books to be opened again, as the Furlong team approached marks set by Todd Gibson, Jimmy Shampine and Doug Heveron.

Greg had his first taste of USAC competition during the Copper World Classic at Phoenix, Arizona in February. “There was a learning curve, that’s for sure,” Greg chuckled about his maiden voyage. “All in all, it went pretty well. We had some motor problems, but we did ok. We got a lot of laps, and that was one of the things we wanted, to get as much experience as we could. We learned some things, it was a completely different feel,” Greg said about his adapting to the new generation USAC machine. “In the super, you’re basically laying down, and there’s a ton of down force. In the Silver Crown car, it’s like you’re sitting on a bar stool, there’s no down force, and you go a lot faster. At Phoenix, we averaged about 130mph. We race at Miami next weekend, and we’re guessing we’re going to go about 160mph there. It really is a completely different feel.”

Qualifying day, Greg ended up 9th in the field, with a time of 29.154 seconds on the mile. Race day, Greg ran wheel to wheel most of the day with USAC veteran Dave Darland, and brought the Ferris Industries #41 home in 7th after 50 laps. It was a clean day for the new team, one which they could build on for the up coming Miami show. “All in all, we were happy with the weekend. We brought it home in one piece. It was a good learning experience too. I’m used to my guys, my crew. They know what I want, and we have experience together. Jimmy’s guys were great. I was very happy with the new crew. We worked well together, and we just need time together. It was a good first weekend together. It was pretty neat. For years I raced against Jimmy, now I’m racing for him. Him and his crew is a great bunch of guys and all of us are looking forward to Miami.” Miami – Homestead is a 1 ½ mile track, the biggest one yet Furlong will try his hand on in the Ferris Industries, Malone’s Fuel machine.

Learning the USAC Silver Crown ropes will be a tough go, as there are only nine races for the new series. There are many gaps in the schedule, leaving openings for drivers to run other divisions. While he had a banner season in 2005, and there are openings in the USAC season, don’t look for Greg too many times at Oswego Speedway in 2006. “I’m going to run Oswego a few times,” Greg responded. “I’m planning on the opening ISMA race, Memorial Day Weekend, Ferris is sponsoring the twin 30’s, and Classic Weekend. Other than that, I don’t have any plans on racing this year. I’m building a new house,” Greg said of his plans for this summer. “I’m newly married, we’re building a house, and I want to have some fun and just watch this year. There just isn’t enough hours in the day for everything I want to do, and something had to give.”

While Victory Lane should be easier for the field to get into this year than it was last year, the #72 will still be in competition. “My brother still wants to run the car,” Greg added. “There is nothing or nobody set in stone, but rather they’ll pick and choose when they’ll be there. One thing we do have is the $10,000 to win show; the car will be there with a very good driver behind the wheel. Other than that, it’s up in the air. If they have a rookie driver, it will be fun to work with them and see how they progress. If there is a veteran driver, he’ll have a proven car under him. We’ve had a lot of success together; it should be something to see them win with another driver. If I’m in Oswego, I’ll be there to walk around the pits and watch. I think it will be fun to watch, sit back and maybe I can learn something by sitting back and observing.”

“One thing is, there is a great crew on the car,” Greg reflected. “These guys are the best. Maintenance is huge in this sport, and my guys are flawless. Last year we had 2 dnf’s, one was a rear end problem, and it was a new rear end. The other was a problem in the last race. Also look at our record in the Classic. We’ve run every lap in each of the Classics, and that’s all car prep. They’ve done it getting two cars ready. Two years ago we had the car to win in the ISMA race, and won the Classic. Last year we won the Classic and Bentley’s car was in the lead pack as well. The crew doesn’t get the credit they deserve, that’s for sure.”

Bentley Warren had a good run in Classic 2006 in the Furlong Racing #22, and will return in 2006 in the same machine. “Bentley will run the car in 5 or 6 races this year,” Greg added, “The car has been chopped up a bit, as work has gone into making it a bit more like the 72. We’re looking for more aero, as the right side of the car has been re-configured a bit. The car was at Joey’s (Hawksby) getting a good once over. It should be fun to have Bentley back. Bill Samuels will be back as Bentley’s crew chief this year.” Longtime speedway fans remember Bill Samuels as a dedicated crew member of Steve Gioia Jr throughout his Hall of Fame career.

2006 should be a wide open year at Oswego Speedway in the supermodified division. Greg Furlong and the 72 team had a stranglehold on victory lane, and he’s not planning on being a regular runner. Between racing in USAC’s Silver Crown division for fellow Oswego Speedway standout Jimmy Paternoster, building a house, and beginning a new chapter in his life, he has plenty on his plate. Greg will still run Oswego Speedway from time to time, and will continue his assault to reach the top five in all time Oswego Speedway wins.