You’ve probably heard the name "Caprara" echoed across every car dealership and dirt track in the North Country. It’s basically synonymous with Jefferson County at this point. But when people talk about Can-Am Speedway—or what many still reflexively call "Caprara's Can-Am Raceway"—there’s usually a bit of confusion about who’s actually running the show and why this place feels so different from your average local dirt track.
Honestly, it’s a weirdly beautiful, dusty piece of New York history.
Located right on NYS Route 411 in Lafargeville, just a stone's throw from the 1000 Islands, this half-mile clay oval has earned a reputation as the "Nasty Track of the North." That isn't an insult, by the way. It’s a badge of honor for the drivers who have to wrestle a 900-horsepower Big Block Modified around its slightly banked turns.
The Caprara Era and the Name That Stuck
If you’re looking for why the Caprara name is so tightly linked to the track, you have to look back to 2003. That’s when Charlie and Billy Caprara bought the place from Bob Wight. They didn’t just run a track; they built a brand. For years, it was officially Caprara’s Can-Am Motorsports Park.
They weren't just owners; they were (and are) a racing family. You can’t throw a rock in the pits without hitting a Caprara-backed car or a family member like Matt Caprara, who has been tearing up the Super DIRTcar Series lately.
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But here’s the thing: they don't actually own the track anymore.
In late 2017, the keys were handed over to Tyler Bartlett. He’s a local businessman and a racer himself, which is probably why the track hasn’t lost its "for racers, by racers" soul. Even though the official name is now just Can-Am Speedway, locals still use the old Caprara moniker like a comfortable pair of boots.
Why the "Nasty Track" Matters in 2026
What makes this place tick? It’s the clay. Specifically, the way that clay interacts with the North Country weather.
I’ve seen nights where the track is slick as glass, forcing drivers to find a line that seems physically impossible. Then there are the "Showdown in September" events where the air gets crisp, the moisture stays in the dirt, and the speeds get genuinely terrifying.
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For the 2026 season, the track is leaning hard into its legacy. They recently started a Hall of Fame—which, frankly, was long overdue—to honor the guys who spent forty years getting mud in their teeth for our entertainment.
What to Expect on a Typical Friday Night
If you're heading out there, leave the white t-shirt at home. Seriously.
- The Heavy Hitters: The DIRTcar 358 Modifieds are the stars. These aren't your grandpa's stock cars. They are purpose-built machines that look like something out of a Mad Max sequel.
- The Sprints: The 602 Crate Sprints have become huge lately. There’s something about the sound of a wing-car screaming around a half-mile that just hits different.
- The Prices: One of the best things Bartlett kept going is the "$5 Friday" promotions. In an era where a movie ticket and popcorn cost fifty bucks, you can still get into a world-class dirt track for less than the price of a fancy coffee. That’s rare.
The Realities of Dirt Racing
Let's be real for a second: running a dirt track in Upstate New York is a nightmare. You’re fighting Mother Nature every single week.
I looked at the 2025 logs, and it was a bloodbath of "Snowed Out," "Flooded," and "Rain Out" notices through the month of April. It’s enough to make any business owner quit. But that’s the culture up here. You prep the track, you pray for sun, and if it rains, you try again next Friday.
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The track is a 1/2 mile oval. It's wide. That means you get three-wide racing into Turn 1, which is where most of the "excitement" (read: expensive insurance claims) happens.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning to check out Can-Am Speedway this season, don't just wing it.
- Check the Facebook Page: Seriously, don't trust the website for weather updates. The Facebook page is where the "we’re racing" or "we’re cancelled" call happens in real-time.
- The Pit Pass: If you can swing the extra $20 or so, get a pit pass. Standing ten feet away from a Modified when they fire it up is a sensory experience that the grandstands just can’t replicate. You’ll feel the vibration in your chest.
- Arrive Early for the Showdown: For the major DIRTcar Series races, the place packs out. If you want a seat with a backrest or a specific spot in the bleachers, you need to be there when the gates open at 5:00 PM.
- Support the Food Stands: The track food is exactly what you want it to be—greasy, salty, and perfect. It's part of the economy that keeps the lights on.
The transition from the Caprara family to Tyler Bartlett has been surprisingly smooth, mostly because both parties actually care about the sport. It isn't just a tax write-off; it’s a community hub for a part of the state that often feels forgotten by the big cities. Whether you call it Caprara’s Can-Am Raceway or just Can-Am, the mission remains the same: keep the clay wet, the beer cold, and the racing fast.
To stay updated on the 2026 points standings or to grab tickets for the next big 358 Modified special, check the official track site or head down to Route 411 in Lafargeville any Friday night between April and September. Just remember to bring your goggles if you're sitting in the front row—the "Nasty Track" likes to share its clay with the audience.