Can-Am
Speedway was built in 1974 by Leslie W. Brown, a former Evans Mills real estate broker.
It went bankrupt the same year.
In 1975, the track was purchased by Bob
Thurston Sr., Douglas L Atkinson of Watertown, and Thomas A Coughlin 3rd. This
partnership lasted until 1981, when Mr. Thurston bought out the other two.
The track
tower was virtually destroyed July 15th 1995 due to a microburst storm, and was re-opened
August 5th 1995.
In late 2000, the track was then sold to John Wight of
Baldwinsville who took control first in 2001. From 5/10/75 until 7/19/03, there has been
595 modified features, of these 431 were DIRT Sanctioned.
Can-Am joined the DIRT
organization in 1983 when Tony Corcoran set a Can-Am record for most Modified wins in a
row at 12.
Can-Am's 200th mod feature on 8/13/85, was won by Doug Carlyle, 300th on
5/26/90, was won by Pat O'Brien, 400th on 6/18/94, was won by Danny O'Brien, 500th on
9/5/98, was won by Pat O'Brien, and the 567th, on 9/15/01, the Inaugural "Battle at
the Border" was won by Tim Fuller. The second annual Battle at the
Border race, and 585th Modified feature was won by Steve Paine on
September 14th 2002.
The 2003 season was the start of a new era at
Can-Am, as John Wight brought the Big Blocks on as the primary class,
and the first feature was won by Lee Gill on May 10th.
July 17th,
2003 brought Nascar Winston Cup Champion, Tony Stewart, Greg Zipadelli,
Mike McLaughlin, and Matt Yocum to Can-Am, where Stewart and McLaughlin
competed in a special "Night of Stars" race presented by Zippy's Crusade
for Kids. The nights races were won by Lee Gill and Steve Hulsizer.
August 2nd, 2003 marked the first night of racing under another
ownership change as Charlie, and Billy Caprara of Watertown purchased
the fast half mile from John Wight.
