11/28/2023
Oswego Speedway
Griffin Miller Making Full-Time Move to 350 Super Division with Purchase of Kinney No. 7
OSWEGO, NY (November 28, 2023) - Former Pathfinder Bank SBS feature winner Griffin Miller has recently announced his team’s purchase of the Nick Kinney No. 7 350 Supermodified as the 19 year old driver plans a full-time move up to Oswego Speedway’s winged 350 class in 2024.
Joining a stout field of 350 Super competitors, there is no question that Miller will have top notch equipment to begin the next chapter in his career. His car owner, John Altman, has invested in a feature-winning piece most recently piloted by Kinney in 2023, but also driven to victory lane by Dalton Doyle in the season prior.
“John Altman and I have talked about this for a little over a year now,” said Miller of moving up to the 350 class. “Last Spring we had discussed buying a car that my cousin had, but that one ended up getting sold. We have always had our eyes on this 7 car. John has worked on it a lot because he is good buddies with Chris (Kinney). I think it is a good piece and a proven winner, and I think we can do well with it.”
Through three full seasons of SBS competition, Miller has already proven he is capable of being a front runner, with his efforts highlighted by the first feature win of his career on August 14th of his rookie season in 2021.
While Miller fell short to close friend Noah Ratcliff for rookie of the year honors, he was able to join rare company such as Tony White, Dave Gruel, Ryan Coleman, Andrew Schartner, David LaTulip, and Jeremy Pitcher to become one of only a handful of SBS rookies to win a feature since the division’s inception in 1992.
Reflecting on his three years in the SBS class, which also brought 11 top fives including a third in the 2022 Classic, 15 top ten finishes, and a third in points for 2023, Miller said, "It was so-so. “There were some weeks I had a blast and others I wish I didn’t race there, but all in all, it was a good experience. It was good to finally be able to run at Oswego weekly. We met a lot of good people and also learned to not like some people, but had fun. I think moving up will simmer me down a bit and we’ll have even more fun.”
Of course, the Miller family has decades of history at Oswego Speedway. Griffin’s grandfather Steve, owner of the famed ‘Sweet 16’ Supermodified, was just inducted into the Hall of Fame in September for his contributions as a car owner, builder, driver, and most recently his masterful work restoring Supermodifieds.
Steve Miller’s restorations include his own ‘Sweet 16’ among many others, but perhaps most notable is the legendary Nolan Swift and Bill Wright 1971 ‘10-Pins,’ which all too fittingly, was actually driven to victory lane by none other than Griffin in the ‘Retro Night’ Atlantic Coast Old Timer’s feature this past August.
Although not yet a big block Super, the teenaged Miller will now become the third generation of his family to compete in a Supermodified at Oswego. And incredibly, every member of the Miller family; be it Steve as a car owner, both his father Joe Miller and uncle Kelly Miller in the Super Stock division, and Griffin in the SBS, all are feature winners at the Steel Palace. Joe was also the 2002 Super Stock track champion.
With all of that being said, the most important thing to Griffin is that his father, grandfather, and uncle all remain heavily involved in his racing on a weekly basis. Things are also appearing to come full circle for Steve, who now has the special opportunity to wrench on a Super driven by his grandson.
“Obviously, I grew up around Oswego Speedway and it has always been a dream of mine to race a Super,” mentioned Griffin. “I remember like it was yesterday watching my Grandpa and Dave Gruel win the King of Wings together in 2012. It has always been something I wanted to do. I think Supers are the coolest race cars on the planet and actually the main reason we are moving up is to get my Grandpa more involved. That guy can set up a Super blind folded and I think it will work well for all of us in the long run.”
The cost factor of the 350 Super class, which is still relatively new to Oswego since being added as a weekly division in 2019, is a key part of what eventually enticed Miller, Altman and team to take the plunge. With hopes still high for the division to continue growing locally and more rookie drivers than ever pouring into the SBS class, it is vital that the top drivers of the Pathfinder Bank Small Block Super division are open to the transition.
“I feel like the 350 is a really affordable option, compared to the big blocks, to be able to go and race a Supermodified,” offered Miller. “The class may have its struggles now, but I do think that it’s going to eventually really take off, and if all the different series could come up with one rule book then I believe it will really boom. That’s what we are all banking on and we’ll see what will come of it, but hopefully more of the SBS guys will get involved and move up. We’re all looking forward to being a part of it.”
It is already apparent that a very competitive 2024 season is taking shape for the 350 Super class as another pair of teenagers, who like Miller, have also been consistent front runners in the SBS division, purchased two 350 Supers of their own prior to 2023.
SBS track champion Noah Ratcliff, along with Tony DeStevens, a first time feature winner in July, both saw competitive 350 Super action this season. It is expected that these three drivers will compete with each other for 350 Super Rookie of the Year beginning in May.
“Noah and I raced together in 2021 for the title when we were both rookies and Tony was the year after us,” Miller recalled. “Noah and I always have fun racing with each other. I’m looking forward to running with those guys for rookie of the year.”
Beyond rookie of the year, Miller says his goals for 2024 are “Really just rack up the experience, learn the car and how to drive it, stay out of trouble, try not to piss anyone off, we’ll try and finish every race and hopefully come out rookie of the year. And maybe a win. You never know.”
Fortunately, Miller won't have to climb behind the wheel of his new ride completely unfamiliar with the driving style of a top wing Supermodified. He was tabbed to drive the backup Robbie Wirth Racing No. 04 for the Bud Light 350 Supermodified Classic earlier this year and quickly found himself within the 17.3 second range in pre-race testing. However, he was not fitted up comfortably enough in the cockpit, and elected to place all of his focus on the SBS Classic.
When asked about how much he had to adapt his driving style from an SBS and Super Stock to a 350 Super, Griffin’s answer was obvious; “It was night and day. To bury the car in like that, you definitely have to give yourself a ‘tug’ because I’m really not used to that at all. I’ve driven Super Stocks and SBS where you let off way earlier. Sailing it in there can be a little touchy, but I love going fast and feel like when I get myself comfortable in one of these I can do some damage - I hope.”
Miller’s first ever 350 Super start will come in Oswego’s 30-lap ‘Memorial Weekend Special’ on May 25. 2024 plans also call for more Super Stock racing with the Race of Champions and New York State Super Stock sanctions, as well as bringing all three Miller Racing machines to Dave London Memorial XVI on Classic Weekend. The No. 9 SBS, which will continue to be repaired after a heavy accident at Lancaster Motorplex, is still in the team's possession as well. Future plans for that car are uncertain, but it is shaping up to be a busy summer for Miller Racing.
“I have to thank John for getting this all together for me,” Miller added. “He has put a lot of time and money into my mistakes, wants and needs and I can’t thank him and Rita enough. They’re the best when it comes to that. Thanks to my Dad for always being there for me and calming me down especially with the Super Stocks, Grandpa for his constant knowledge, my grandmother for always being at the track too. Also my buddies JJ and Brady. I’m not sure who will be back for 2024 yet, but I’ve got to thank all of them.”
Griffin has a Facebook page, Miller Racing, where fans can keep up with his team during the offseason.
The full 2024 Oswego Speedway schedule has been announced. Visit the track website online at OswegoSpeedway.com, LIKE on Facebook at Facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway, FOLLOW on X @OswegoSpeedway or Instagram @OfficialOswegoSpeedway for continued updates.
About Oswego Speedway: Oswego Speedway is a 5/8 mile semi-banked pavement racing oval located off the shores of Lake Ontario in scenic Oswego, NY. The speedway has been a continuously run weekly racing venue since August 1951. The premier open-wheel pavement short track cars in the world, Supermodifieds, run weekly at the Oswego Speedway making it the only weekly Supermodified racing venue in the world. The Small Block Supermodifieds and 350 Supermodifieds accompany the full blown Supers on a weekly Saturday night schedule which runs from May through September. Oswego Speedway is mentioned in racing circles as the “Indy of the East,” as no fewer than a dozen past and present competitors have competed at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway including Mario Andretti, two-time Indy 500 champion Gordon Johncock, and former International Classic Champions Bentley Warren, Joe Gosek, and Davey Hamilton.
Submitted By: CAMDEN PROUD
