It has been ten years since the Super DIRTcar Series invaded LaFargeville, N.Y. to take on the banked dirt oval of Can-Am Speedway.

The last Super DIRTcar Series race held at Can-Am Speedway was won by none other than ‘Super’ Matt Sheppard, back in August of 2009.

A few other drivers who still compete regularly on the tour have collected a few wins at the dirt oval – Tim Fuller, Danny Johnson, Billy Decker, Pat Ward, and Brett Hearn.

Can-Am Speedway was built in the mid-70’s in the town of Orleans. Since then, the track has been run under several different ownerships, each adding their own special touch.

It wasn’t until the mid ‘80’s when Bob Thurston Sr. brought the DIRTcar racing banner to the local race track for the very first time. Thurston ran the fast half-mile until 2000, when John Wight, father of ‘Lightning’ Larry Wight, the 2018 Super DIRT Week winner, purchased the race  track.

With three years under his belt, in came Charlie and Billy Caprara from the F.X. Caprara car companies in late 2003.

The Caprara family made several changes to the speedway during their reign and ran the track until the end of the 2009 season, the last time the series came to town.

Following the sale, Mr. and Mrs. Chapman owned and operated the dirt oval in LaFargeville for a few years until long-time supporter, Tyler Bartlett, came in just last year and became the newest proprietor of the historic track.

Can-Am was a second home to Bartlett. It’s where he and his family cheered on his father, Dave Bartlett, as he wheeled the No.97 Modified weekly at their home track.

Bartlett dabbled behind the wheel himself for a few years but decided to step away from the racing scene to concentrate on the family business. It wasn’t until 2015 when Bartlett was confident that the business was on solid ground and decided to jump back behind the wheel full-time.

Having been successful in the business, Bartlett was able to make his dreams come true by purchasing Can-Am Speedway where his racing dreams all began.

Bartlett has slowly been transitioning the speedway back to a community gathering where fans can come and see some of the best racing, all while providing a family-friendly atmosphere.

With some successful shows in 2018, Bartlett has upped the ante once again by bringing back the best in the business for 2019.

With the return of the Super DIRTcar Series, the 100-lap, $10,000 to-win season opener will be sure to kick things up in the town of Orleans.

Saturday, April 13 will kick off the Championship points season for the series. The 100-lap victor will also grab the first of eight guaranteed NAPA Super DIRT Week Qualifiers.