Brian Sobus Lands Lair Jet No. 88 for Top Wing and Tail Wing Supermodified Action in 2026

OSWEGO – Novelis Supermodified veteran Brian Sobus will return to big block competition in 2026, having secured a seat in the Lair Jet No. 88 for longtime Canadian car owner Dave Lair.

Sobus, a feature winner in both the Pathfinder Bank SBS and Oswego County Tourism 350 Supermodified divisions, brings a wealth of experience to the ride, along with multiple podium finishes in Supermodified competition. He has recorded three career runner-up finishes in the division, including 75-lap main event seconds at Oswego Speedway in both his own No. 79 and the Mike Murphy-owned No. 60 – each time finishing behind Otto Sitterly. Sobus also recorded a second-place finish to Michael Muldoon on Oswego’s Retro Night in 2015.

The new pairing will begin their season in winged ISMA/MSS competition, starting with the May 16 event at Flamboro Speedway.

“It’s been quite a while since I have run a big block. I’m excited to get to drive for Dave,” said Sobus. “I was a Jamie Moore fan growing up, so driving for the same car owner 25 years later is kind of neat. I think Dave has pretty good equipment. The first race for us is going to be merely a ‘shakedown’ session. We haven’t had any track time to work any bugs out, so we’re optimistic for no bugs in two weeks. Flamboro should be a really cool deal for everyone involved. I’m excited to add a new track to my list, and think that it should be a good race because most everyone is questioning how to set their cars up to go there.”

Following Flamboro, the team’s early-season plans will focus on events closer to Lair’s home base, including stops at Delaware Speedway and Lancaster Speedway. An appearance in the Oswego Super Challenge opener on May 30 remains possible, pending additional support.

“Oswego on May 30 is still up in the air,” Sobus added. “If we could find a little help with tires, it would probably make the difference. It’s a longer haul for Dave, obviously. Our plans for the first few races are all closer to home for him. We’re planning on Delaware and Lancaster after Flamboro.”

As the season progresses, the team plans to transition the No. 88 into tail wing trim, with an eye toward competing at Oswego Speedway later in the year, including a potential return to the Budweiser International Classic.

“Dave really likes the Classic, and that’s a race I definitely miss running and would like to be there for,” said Sobus. “We’re planning on running some Oswego shows in the second half of the season after the first few wing shows.”

Sobus has not competed in the Classic since 2017 but owns a solid track record in the event. He finished eighth as a rookie in 2010, followed by another top-10 in 2011 in his own No. 79, and a sixth-place finish in 2012 aboard the Mike Murphy No. 60. He added one more top-10 finish in 2015.

A fan favorite and proven talent across multiple divisions, Sobus now earns another opportunity in competitive equipment as he looks to make his return to the front of the Supermodified field in 2026.