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ISMA 2008-10 Rulebook in PDF Format HERE |
2007
Victory
Circles
2007
Victory
Circles |
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| Johnny Benson Jr. (left)
watches Xtreme Chassis owner Paul Colloca and Russ Hoekwater
(right) fabricate a part for Benson’s new winged supermodified.
Benson spent last week at the Oswego, NY shop to help with the
car’s progress before heading to his next Craftsman Truck event
at Kansas. Benson Jr. will compete with the Lichty-PATCO ISMA
team again this season when time allows. He hopes to have the
new 21 super ready for the Toledo ISMA show June 13…. Megan
Colloca photo |
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LICHTY-PATCO TEAM
READY TO CHALLENGE FOR ISMA TOP SPOTS |
Oswego, NY – “We’re ready to make
another kick at the can,” said PATCO Racing team owner Brad Lichty
recently from his trucking business in Canada. And, after more than 30
years of can-kicking Lichty knows what it’s all about. Having started
out in the supermodified class in 1970 helping his late brother Dennis,
Brad has developed his 3-car ISMA race team into one to definitely be
reckoned with. His drivers, Dave McKnight and son Mike, are joined when
time permits by Craftsman truck star Johnny Benson, whose dad was a
“super” star in his own right when the division was evolving in the
decade of the 1960s. Benson Sr. won the prestigious Oswego International
Classic in 1966, and held the distinction of being the first driver to
break the 20-second time trial mark at the famed 5/8th’s mile Oswego
oval.
“We plan on running a full ISMA schedule in 2008 with Dave (94) and Mike
(84),” said Brad. “John (Benson) is planning on six ISMA shows if his
schedule permits. As a matter of fact he’s in Oswego right now at Xtreme
Chassis helping out Paul Colloca who is building him a new car, which
will be numbered 21 – his dad’s old number. His first ISMA show will be
at Toledo and he hopes to be piloting that new car but if it’s not quite
ready, John will drive the 74 as he has in the past. The 21 will be part
of a 4-car stable, but we will only be fielding three cars at a time. If
the 21 isn’t ready, the 74 will be.”
Benson, who has driven a Lichty winged supermodified when his schedule
allows, concentrates on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series where he
finished third in the point standings in 2007 with four feature wins
following a second place point finish in 2006 when he garnered five
feature victories.
Dave McKnight and Mike Lichty have consistently been among the top
runners in ISMA for the past several years in particular. Mike, at age
21, has yet to earn his career-first ISMA win while McKnight has 19 wins
(2 of which are non-pointers) and an ISMA championship crown in 2001.
Mike and Dave finished 4th and 5th in the 2007 ISMA points with Dave
copping one feature victory fittingly at Delaware Speedway in Canada.
ISMA Champ Chris Perley has stated on more than one occasion that a
couple of his 21 victories in the past two years could have easily been
a “w” in the win columns of either Lichty or McKnight. Said Chris after
last season’s record-breaking run, “The competition is here, but I
believe everybody has been off a lot this year. You see McKnight and
Lichty coming around again. I mean Dave McKnight won six races a few
years ago. And, now he and Mike are both running strong again. There’s
been more than once that they could have as easily been winners had not
something happened.”
And, that’s exactly what Brad Lichty and the team are acknowledging as
they approach the 2008 season.
“The cars are the same this year,” said Brad. “We were very happy with
their performance at the end of last season. We plan on coming back this
year just where we finished off last year with the cars. We’re looking
for wins and maybe another title. The day Mike wins his first will be a
very happy day. He’s been so close; he has won in MSA but just hasn’t
had the luck in ISMA. For instance look at Thompson last year when he
got a flat while leading the race. Hopefully this will be the year he
gets the first one.”
Young Lichty will not be letting any grass grow under his feet on off-ISMA
weekends either as he builds his racing portfolio. “We plan on running
about three USAC Silver Crown shows,” continued dad Brad. “Richmond will
be the first. And when time permits Mike will also be running a Can-Am
midget for Larry Turnbull.”
McKnight, entering his 24th season of racing, is the supermodified
veteran of the three PATCO drivers. Besides sitting sixth on the
All-Time ISMA Win list, the Brampton, Ontario resident is an ISMA champ,
a 4-time Can-Am midget champion, a Sandusky Hy-Miler winner, and a
seven-time Oswego Speedway feature winner.
“Dave is definitely looking to repeat his 2001 title,” commented Brad
Lichty. “We’re hoping for a great season for Dave. After his big wreck
last year we found things on the car that we had missed for two years. I
think we’ve got him back on track now. He had a strong run at Thompson
in October, leading the race and eventually finishing second to Perley.
Chris has had an unbelievable run the past couple years, while the rest
of the field has been off at various times at the various shows. But the
run has got to end sometime.
“I think we’ll have some awesome competition in ISMA this year but it
will be tough for everyone as far as costs go. The fuel prices are high
on both sides of the border while there are tough economic times for
both sides as well,” concluded Brad.
The 2008 ISMA schedule starts at Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut on
May 24 and ends at Thompson in October. The 13-race ISMA slate lends
itself to reflect the ever-increasing travel costs, hopefully easing
some of the pressure from the teams, which compete fulltime on the
circuit. |
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ISMA PREPARES
FOR 35th SEASON OPENER AT WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL |
Oswego, NY - In 1974 supermodified
legends Jim Shampine and Nolan Swift, along with businessman Tom Heveron,
laid the foundation for the International SuperModified Association (ISMA).
In 1976, with the fundamentals of the club in place, a point fund system
for the traveling group was begun as was its history. As the 35th season
begins, the founding fathers can look down with pride at what has been
accomplished throughout the years. The veterans and rookies competing in
2008 carry the ideals instituted and nurtured into the fourth decade of
ISMA racing as new challenges face them on the horizon.
The ISMA May 24th opener takes place at
Waterford Speedbowl for the third year in a row. Last year, after two
years of really bad luck at the inaugural event, Chris Perley began his
record-breaking season with win number one to be followed by ten more
feature victories down the line. With a total of 22 cumulative wins over
the 2006 and 2007 ISMA seasons, Perley and the Vic Miller team
established themselves as standard bearers for the division. Their
dominance has been unprecedented in winged supermodified racing.
In a recent national magazine interview Perley had some comments on his
achievements and what he looks for in 2008 as he enters his 14th year
with Vic Miller and crew.
"We just have a really good car and I guess you shouldn't say you lucked
into the setup, but you do. We made small adjustments over the past 13
years that we've been together and ended up with what we have now. It's
just incredible. Every driver dreams of getting an opportunity like
this. I'm lucky to be here with this team and lucky we all stayed
together. We all hate each other the same, so it's a great group!"
Perley said with a laugh.
As to a third straight driver championship run in 2008 which would put
him in a tie with Bentley Warren (1988-90) and one behind Doug Heveron
(1979-82), Chris said honestly, "We don't ever go for a championship or
the points. Vic hates the points. If Vic had his way we'd skip a race to
not have the point championship – to not have that pressure. I still
think we have a lot of luck running with us. There have been a couple
races that have fell into our hands. And, then there has been a couple
that have fell out of our hands too. You hope that you can race long
enough for the luck to change again. It's been an incredible ride. You
ride the wave as long as you can because you don't know when it's going
to kick you off!"
From Waterford, ISMA moves into June with a Friday
the 13th show at Toledo Speedway in Ohio where in 2007 Perley and
the Vic Miller team moved on to their second straight win.
July finds a four-feature event slate with races at Jennerstown (July
7), Stafford Motor Speedway (July 10),
and Sandusky's traditional Hy-Miler weekend (July
27 and 28). Last season the Twin 30's at Jennerstown added two
more wins to the Rowley Rocket's total while Robbie Summers promptly
broke that string with a first-time win at Stafford in the Lane Racing
97. Perley bounced right back with two wins at Sandusky.
August hosts three ISMA events with races at Mansfield on the 9th, Lee
USA on the 15th and Oswego Super Nationals as part of Classic weekend on
Friday, August 29th. Ray Graham grabbed his career first at Mansfield
last season while Perley took home the second of a doubleheader. This
year finds just one feature – go at that Ohio oval. Lee USA was again a
Perley benefit in 2007, but at the Oswego Super Nationals Perley was
again halted when a late race tangle sent him out of the lead and Dave
Shullick Jr. into victory lane.
All-Star Speedway gets their traditional Classic underway on
Sept. 6 with Delaware (Ont) Speedway on
Sept. 26 and Berlin Raceway (MI) on Sept. 27.
The defending champion at All-Star will be local runner Justin Belfiore
and Canadian Dave McKnight defends his crown at Delaware. But, it was
Perley back in the saddle at Berlin for number ten as his season wound
down.
Thompson Speedway is the traditional point closer for ISMA and this
season is no different with the point finale coming on
Oct. 18-19, 2008. Win number 11 came for
the Vic Miller – Perley team at the World Series in 2007, easily copping
their second straight ISMA championship title.
Concord Speedway in North Carolina on Nov. 8
closes out the ISMA supermodified season. While not a sanctioned event,
the great field of supers that gathered in 2007 to some great racing
should make the fans mark this date as one not to miss.
November 22 finds the ISMA clan gathering
at the Turning Stone Casino once again to honor the season's achievers
and to close out the 35th season. |
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Oswego Super Nationals Added to ISMA
Schedule
Tentative Cayuga
race will not be held on Classic Sunday |
Oswego, NY – After hours of spirited
negotiations by ISMA, MSA and Oswego Speedway over the past few months
and particularly after meetings at the early March Gater Racing News
Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, an accord was reached in regard to the
2008 Budweiser Classic weekend Friday winged event. On March 14 ISMA
president Howie Lane indicated that agreements had been made for the
traditional and historic Oswego Speedway Classic weekend, which would
include ISMA, MSA and Oswego winged cars.
In a brief statement Lane said that the Budweiser-Burke's Winged Super
Nationals would now be a co-sanctioned ISMA and MSA event on Friday,
August 29. The $35,000 purse should once again bring in the best of the
best of supermodified racing to the 15th running of the Super Nationals
50 as part of the week-long events. It was also announced that to show
further solidarity among the three groups, the Cayuga Speedway ISMA race
tentatively included in the 2008 ISMA schedule would NOT go on as
planned. It was decided for all those involved – racers and fans alike –
that this race would not be held on the same day as Budweiser Int'l
Classic 200.
"ISMA felt that in the best interest of supermodified racing that Sunday
should be left for the 52nd running of the Classic. The cancellation of
Cayuga will allow those racing at the winged Super Nationals on Friday
night to be able to stay and compete on Sunday without their wings to
vie for the prestigious supermodified title of Classic champion if they
so chose. Guys like Perley, Lichty, Ordway Jr. and more should have the
opportunity to try and win the Classic. It's still the most important
race on any super driver's resume."
Howie continued, "The new owners of Cayuga were very willing to help out
with this. As new kids on the block they didn't want to hurt the Oswego
Classic in any way and decided it was in the best interest of all not to
run that Sunday. In addition, we're going to be bringing our Lane Racing
show car down to Oswego early to help promote the weekend at the mall or
area businesses."
This announcement pretty much finalizes ISMA's 2008 season and
new schedule cards
will reflect these changes. |
GATER
RACING NEWS MOTORSPORTS EXPO 2008
Despite the snow, rain, sleet, ice and wind that hit Friday and
continued through the weekend, March 7, the annual Motorsports Expo,
presented by Gater Racing News at the New York State Fairgrounds, kicked
off the 2008 pre-race season in CNY. ISMA had a booth there and several
supermodifieds, particularly some new ones, were on display. Thanks to
Pinner Johnson, these photos show the winged ISMA machines of Soule
Racing 32, Howie Lane Racing 97 and the new Bobby Haynes Sr. and Jr. 44
car designed by Paul Colloca. Craig Rayvals had his two beautiful supers
as did Keith Gilliam.
According to reports the 32 will be piloted in 2008 by racing phenom
Bobby Santos III in 8 ISMA events throughout the season. Haynes is shown
posed by his car. You will notice a sign on some of the supers including
Lane’s 97 starting out “Team Players” which denoted the meeting between
ISMA, Oswego Speedway management and MSA officials on Saturday during
the show. As of this writing no word has been received in regard to the
results of that meeting. A highlight of the meeting centered on the
Oswego Classic weekend schedule, but other matters were on the table to
be discussed.
According to ISMA secretary Kathy Harrington on Pinner’s Message Board,
“As many of you are aware a meeting was held between ISMA, MSA, and
Oswego Management for the betterment of supermodified racing. As a
result I was asked to post that Steve Gioia, Kevin Jaycox, Howie Lane
and everyone else involved felt as though the meeting was a very
positive meeting.”
Further information on this and more will be forthcoming. ISMA officials
are still hard at work finalizing a few things on the 2008 ISMA schedule
and that too will soon be released. By early April the paperwork for ads
and profiles for the 2007-08 ISMA yearbook should be in the mail.
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ISMA NOTES… NEW REGULATIONS FOR BORDER CROSSINGS and 2008
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FAST TRACK MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM
|
Oswego, NY - The
New Yorkers reading this will probably already be aware
of the border crossing requirements that currently are
in effect, as of Feb. 1, but anyone who will be crossing
into Canada a couple times this season for ISMA events
should take heed.
“People entering the country will no longer be allowed
to simply declare to immigration officers at border
crossings that they are citizens. Instead, those 19 and
older will have to show proof of citizenship — a
passport, trusted traveler card or a birth certificate
(embossed) and government-issued ID such as a driver's
license.” Research shows that the passport may not be
needed entering from some other states like Ohio or
Vermont until later in the year or into 2009. Apparently
some states have delayed the stricter requirements. Not
so in New York, however. So be safe, not sorry, by
looking into it now, not later in the year.
Fast Track Medical Response System (www.fasttrackmrs.com)
bracelets will be available to ISMA competitors, crews,
and officials in 2008. Information will be forthcoming
on the details of the system and how to sign up. The
idea came to light when Thompson Int’l Speedway began
using the program last season. In an October 2007
article sent out by TIS PR, the system received positive
results. According to a news article, “The Fast Track
Medical Response System was implemented during the early
stages of the 2007 racing season in an effort to greatly
enhance the ability to provide medical services to
competitors, race team members and employees at
Thompson. Thompson International Speedway was the first
racetrack to adopt the Fast Track Medical Response
System. The Fast Track system is designed around a
lightweight bracelet that contains a tiny computer chip.
This computer chip contains vital medical information on
the person wearing it. In the event that medical
assistance is needed, a quick scan of the bracelet
provides first responders with valuable medical
information in seconds. If the patient is transported to
a medical facility, this same information is immediately
available to the medical staff at the receiving
facility.
“Participation in the program at Thompson was voluntary.
Nearly 100% of those offered the service immediately and
enthusiastically expressed their interest and support.
Each participant was asked to complete a simple form
containing important medical and contact information.
That data was then burned into the computer chip that
was placed inside the bracelet and given to the
participant.
“The success of the Fast Track Medical Response System
at Thompson International Speedway has helped to spark
interest world-wide. Racing organizations such as ARCA,
ISMA, IHRA, World of Outlaws and the entire Australian
Motorsports community are expected to implement the
system.
“The value of the Fast Track Medical Response System
proved to be a valuable asset at the Thompson
International Speedway and will do the same in any
environment where the potential for emergency medical
services exists.”
It is hoped that not only drivers, but also crews and
personnel will take advantage of this potentially
life-saving system. The advantages to a traveling
organization such as ISMA are limitless.
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ISMA’S Mike Ordway
Jr. Nominated for Speedy Award
at SpeedwayEXPO 08 |
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Springfield, MA
(1/18/08) – The second annual SpeedwayEXPO ‘08 is scheduled for
February 29-March 2 in the Mallary Complex on the grounds of the
Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, MA. With
more than three acres of indoor space dedicated to motorsports,
displays will include local and regional race tracks and
associations. Exhibitors include vendors of performance parts,
safety equipment, accessories and the best in apparel and
memorabilia. In addition there will be a full schedule of
special events, racing seminars and activities, including
autograph sessions, the Pit Crew Challenge, pedal-car races and
a host of special vehicle displays. This show was a great hit in
2007 and should be even better in 2008.
Among the many happenings at EXPO ‘08 are the special awards to
be presented to area racers, individuals, media, speedways etc.
The 2nd Annual Speedy Awards will recognize the best of the best
in northeast racing in 11 categories. Young Mike Ordway Jr. of
ISMA has been nominated for the Break-Out Racer of the Year. The
Break-Out Racer of the Year award is given to the competitor who
stood out for his or her performances during the 2007 season.
The inaugural winner in this category was Matt Hirschman.
Ordway Jr. earned his nomination by not only winning his first
career feature event in ISMA last year after only a handful of
competition in that organization, but he also succeeded in
earning a second place in the ISMA point standings and garnering
Rookie of the Year honors. At only 18 years of age, Ordway Jr.
has already achieved what some competitors have been trying to
do for years.
The Santos family has also been honored with two nominations in
2008. Bob Santos III, well known to the ISMA organization, is up
for Best Individual Performance in an Event for his run at the
Thompson World Series in the Boehler number 3 modified, while
sister Erica has been nominated in the same category for her
Stafford NEMA win.
At last year’s show veteran supermodified pilot Bentley Warren
took home the inaugural “Long Haul” Award which is presented to
the driver with “staying power” which translates to prolonged
and continued high level performance in racing. The Best
Northeast Touring Racer award went to ISMA’s Chris Perley in
2007.
Nominations for awards are still being taken. To make a
nomination, please indicate the category, your nomination and a
brief explanation why your nominee is most deserving. Please
email nominations to
racinpr@aol.com. Submissions must be accompanied by the name
and email address of the respondent. Nominations will be
accepted until February 15.
ISMA will also be represented at the upcoming show with a booth
where fans can get the 2008 schedule card, view a super or two
and meet some of the winged speedsters in person.
For complete information on SpeedwayEXPO, log on to
speedwayexpo.com or
call 978-465-9099. |
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Bob Haynes Sr. and Jr's new
Xtreme chassis in the PRI booth.
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ISMA REPRESENTED
AT ANNUAL PRI SHOW
IN ORLANDO BY XTREME CHASSIS |
Paul Colloca, far left,
shows Dave Shullick Jr., Steve Stout and some of the 49 crew the
new Xtreme chassis. |
Paul, right, explains the wraparound headers to a group of
interested onlookers. |
Dec. 17,
2007 – Oswego, NY”s Paul Colloca of Xtreme Chassis Inc. had the
beautiful new Bob Haynes Sr.-owned, Bobby Haynes Jr.–driven
winged supermodified which was completed earlier this fall in
his booth at the prestigious PRI show in Orlando, Florida. The
PRI show, held in early December, is touted as the show to be at
by everyone in the auto racing business and this year proved to
be no different.
Colloca, of Xtreme Chassis Inc. agreed to display the Haynes
ISMA Supermodified when ISMA president Howie Lane’s plans on
attending with his own 97 car fell through. Colloca proudly
showed off his newest creation to the many interested show
participants and attendees. The Collocas - Paul and his wife
Megan - also helped answer questions about the winged ISMA
supermodifieds and where they competed. Xtreme chassis are
currently run by Todd Stowell, Joe Gosek and Bobby Bond. Bobby
Haynes Jr. will run his new car beginning in 2008 and Paul has a
new car in the works for MSA champion Dave Shullick Jr.
The uniqueness of the potent supermodifieds has always piqued
the interest of onlookers at various car shows especially in
geographical areas where they are not a racing fixture. The
design, offset engines and the short track speeds are always
what sets a super aside in the world of full-fender machines.
The Colloca’s Xtreme Chassis Inc. specializes in the fabrication
of racecar chassis and suspension components, roll bars and
cages, steering, brakes, interior/exterior sheet metal, and many
other components for racecar and streetcar applications.
Beginning with computer aided designs and working the plans
through to the completed product, Xtreme focuses on quality and
technological advantages. Colloca and his company can supply the
highest quality, state of the art chassis, suspension and
driveline components available in the racing community today.
From welding, machining, fabrication, aero and wings, Xtreme can
be your total source for Racecar design and fabrication and can
also do custom work for the industrial world retrofitting
machinery or redesigning a tool.
For more information on Xtreme Chassis Inc., log on to
www.xtremechassis.com,
email
xtremechassis@twcny.rr.com or call Paul or Megan direct at
(315) 529-4275. He’ll be happy to help.
2008 ISMA RULEBOOK and SCHEDULE
ISMA officers and board are currently completing the new
Rulebook and working on finalizing the 2008 race schedule. The
Rulebook, when complete, will be mailed to ISMA car owners and
drivers and will be placed on the website for general reference.
The schedule, will of course, also is listed on this site as
soon as available. |
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Phil
Rice Sr. "Big Phil"
Long time crew member of the Miller-Perley race team lost his
long battle with heart disease on Tuesday 12/04/2007. Phil
started working with Vic Miller back in the 1980's when Larry
Record was driving the #11. He was the truck driver and fuel man
for more than 20 years until his ailing health caused him to cut
back on his travel with the team.
Rest In Peace Big Guy, you will be missed.
- Philip W. Rice, age 68, of Billerica formerly of Wakefield.
Beloved husband of Bette J. (Berry) Rice. Loving father of
Philip Rice of Billerica, William Rice of Danville, NH, Lisa
Rice of Billerica, Walter Rice of Tewksbury, and Mark Rice of
Danville, NH. Son of Ruth Rice of Wakefield and the late Philip
Rice. Brother of Ruth Aleissi of Wakefield, Judy Feener of Lynn,
and Janet Koslowski of Malden. Also survived by 7 loving
grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. A memorial service will
be held in the Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd. (Rt. 3A),
Billerica, Sunday at 1:00 PM. Relatives & friends invited.
Memorial contributions may be made in Philip’s name to Visiting
Nurse Assoc. of Middlesex East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607
North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01888. |
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Turning Stone Casino - Cypress Room
2008 Champions - Vic Miller & Chris
Perley
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ISMA AWARDS BANQUET
CONCLUDES SEASON HONORING THE MILLER-PERLEY TEAM AND MORE |
| Sat., Nov. 17: The 33rd ISMA –Wirtgen race season concluded
November 17th with their annual awards banquet, held once again
at the Turning Stone Casino. The Vic Miller- Chris Perley team,
after a second straight record-break season, once again took
home the huge ISMA championship trophy where it will remain
until November 2008. With 11 feature wins this season and 10
last, Chris Perley, admittedly is not quite sure how it all
happened. But, he's certainly happy it did, as are car owner Vic
Miller and the entire team.
2007 ISMA Banquet Photo Page -
Here
Speaking from the podium the Rowley, Mass. driver commented on
the team's accomplishments. "Every year we start out hoping we
can win a couple races and end up close to where we were before.
None of us would have expected that we would improve on last
year. I couldn't do it without a dedicated crew, a great car
owner, and great sponsors who supply us with great equipment.
I'm real lucky to be part of this team and to be a part of a
great group of guys to race against because obviously I wouldn't
be here if there wasn't anybody to race against.
"This has been a blast. I just hope I have a quarter of the year
I had this year next year. Obviously everyone is beginning to
tough it up and the competition was getting real good towards at
the end of this season. I'm sure everybody will start off next
year where they left
off and there could be a new guy up here next year."
While Perley and Miller carried out the trophy, new jackets and
the lion's share of the top monetary prizes, many others were
also honored. The top 20 car owners and then the top 20 drivers
were also given plaques. Kathy Harrington, who started the
driver point fund,
was presented the Support Award for her fine efforts. Driver
point fund sponsors include Perley's Marina Repair, Sweet
Manufacturing, Luther's Wayout Grafix, Inkspot, and SUPRS.net.
Brad Lichty, owner of supermodifieds 74, 84, and 94 – the latter
two finishing 4th and 5th in the standings, was voted the ISMA
Mechanic of the Year, sponsored by Slice n Go Deli.
The Randy Witkum Memorial Rookie of the Year award, sponsored by
Shea Concrete, went to a very deserving Mike Ordway Jr., who in
his first full ISMA season finished runner-up in points. Ordway
Jr., driving the Wentworth-owned 10, picked up a feature win the
night after his high
school graduation, a prize many veterans have yet to earn.
Ordway Jr. also earned the ISMA Achievement award and to top off
his night, NEMRS' Butch Valley Jr. presented Mike with a new
Hans device.
Strong, Maine driver Vern Romanoski was another big winner as he
received the ISMA Most Improved Driver award, the AJ Michaels
Memorial award, the Gater Racing News Most Popular Driver award
which included a trophy, a check and a Leaf gift certificate,
and a helmet given each year by Seymour Enterprises and
determined by the luck of the draw among the top ten drivers in
points.
ISMA membership voted the Jeff Holbrook crew the Race Threads
Crew of the Year. This team managed to keep three supers (35,
40, 70) in action at most of the ISMA events with two top ten
point finishes and a thirteenth for a commendable year. They
also picked up two Simpson
prizes as drawn from among the top twenty driver names.
Brian Allegresso who has been a part of ISMA and the
supermodified scene for at least three decades, took home the
Jim Soule Dedication award while Bud and Barb Skinner received
the coveted Jim Shampine award. Barb's "all-time favorite
driver" Bentley Warren presented this
award.
The 2008-2009 slate of ISMA officers includes Howie Lane,
president; Jerry Kritzman, vice president, Kathy Harrington,
secretary and Delores Murphy Treasurer/Membership.
The ISMA Board of Directors is made up of Eddie Bellinger Jr.,
Ray Chesbro, Jeff Holbrook, Brad Lichty, Vic Miller, Jack
Murphy, Brian Allegresso, Mark Sammut and Dan Soule.
In some barnstorming sessions over the two days of Turning
Stone, ISMA Board Members did some major revamping of the ISMA
point system, which, along with some rule changes, will be
published in the new 2008-2010 ISMA-Wirtgen Rulebook due out
shortly.
A tentative 2008 schedule was discussed, but not finalized, at
the afternoon general membership meeting. The ISMA-Wirtgen Super
Series will begin at Waterford Speed bowl and end at Thompson
Speedway, as has been tradition. In between tracks hosting ISMA
events will be Toledo, Kawartha, Cayuga, Jennerstown, Stafford,
Sandusky, M40, Mansfield, Lee All-Star, Delaware, and Berlin. A
new possible addition being discussed is Beech Ridge Motor
Speedway in Maine. The final schedule with be announced as soon
as it is complete.
Finally it was announced that Torco Fuels will join the
ISMA-Wirtgen family as a sponsor in 2008 providing contributions
to the point fund and other incentives. |
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AJ Russell is the
winner of the 1st annual East-West Shootout at Concord
Motorsports Park on Sat. Nov. 3rd. In the East meets West
supermodified battle, Chris Perley (ISMA) finished 2nd &
Charlie Schultz (MSA) finished 3rd. |
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WEST COASTER
RUSSELL TAKES THE SUPERMODIFIED SHOOTOUT AT CONCORD |
| Concord, NC
–Competitors from the International SuperModified Assocation
(ISMA), the Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) the
Englewood Racing Assocation (ERA) and the Western States
Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL) were invited to converge
on a neutral site at Concord Motorsports Park in NC to
battle for bragging rights. The race was billed as the first
annual East-West Shootout for supermodifieds and the racing
certainly lived up to the title. Thirty-eight of the best of
the best supermodifieds gunned it out for two days and when
the smoke finally cleared AJ Russell of Clovis, CA put the
notch in the win column for the West Coast contingent.
Finishing second was the dominator of the east, Chris Perley
with Charlie Schultz, MSA star, picking up third. The
promoters couldn’t have asked for a better ending! The win
was worth $3,800 plus lap money and was a career fourth for
the 24-year old driver who lists his occupation as Indy Pro
series driver.
East-West Shootout Page
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Sat.-Sun., October
13th-14th |
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Chris Perley, winner
of his fifth Thompson World Series, between
two Canadians Dave McKnight and Mark Sammut, who finished
second and third respectively. |
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PERLEY TOPS LAST
YEAR'S WIN TOTAL WITH A VICTORY AT THE WORLD SERIES |
| Thompson, CT - Chris Perley
put a cap on another phenomenal race season by adding the ISMA
portion of the Thompson World series to his feature win list on
Sunday. His eleventh win of the year topped his record-breaking
ten win total of 2006. It also upped his All-Time ISMA wins to
50. While he had already claimed his fourth ISMA-Wirtgen
championship, the victory was satisfying nonetheless. His main
competition was once again Dave McKnight and for a while it
seemed like Canadians were everywhere near the front fighting
for the win. But, at the end, it was the Rowley Rocket carrying
the checkered flag around the Connecticut oval.
World Series
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