Waterford
Speedbowl - May 24, 2008 |
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Photo by Keith Cyr, Waterford Speedbowl |
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PERLEY REPEATS ISMA at WATERFORD SHOW;
SETS RECORD LAP
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Waterford, CT – Chris
Perley had won the Waterford ISMA 50 last season after two
previous dnfs. It wasn't really a surprise that he pulled off a
repeat win after the season he had last year. But, he put a
little icing on the cake this year by turning the fastest lap
(12.489) ever seen at this Connecticut three-eighth's mile
bullring since it opened in 1951. And, it came on lap 44 of the
feature to boot. Perley definitely is picking right up from his
past two record seasons. Perley and the Vic Miller crew are
entering a third season of wondering when it's all going to end
- if it's going to end.
"I don't know what this year is going to give us. To start off
the year this way with the car as good as it is .. it's
unbelievable. I can't ask for any more. The crew worked so hard
over the winter. To be able to unload and just pull this off is
great. As for that pass of Jeff Holbrook for the lead, I didn't
think I was going to get it. I kept on creeping up and creeping
up. He was using a lot of track. I worked everywhere and
couldn't find a way by and when I did make it by I didn't think
I was going to stick. I can't thank my sponsors and motor
builder enough. Tonight was just a FUN race. I thought it might
be a more exciting race if I'd got the lead on the last lap but
I have to take what I can and get away. I think someone's after
me."
Second place finisher, Holbrook, who had led from lap 20 until
Perley got by, said of his podium finish, "The car is awesome.
Robbie wiggled there and gave me a chance at second and I took
it. I knew Chris would be along any time but second to Chris
Perley is awesome anytime. This is great."
Robbie Summers, who also had a strong lead at first commented in
victory lane, "I've got to thank Howie Lane and the whole crew.
We had a good car but we had an engine problem. I don't know if
it was ignition or fuel. It started skipping around lap 15, but
we were able to finish third. I'll take it.
Twenty-two ISMA cars were slated to start the 50-lapper but
before the green the 61 of Michael Barnes sat in the infield
unable to start. Car owner Clyde Booth said later that he felt
the spool was spun on the axle. "It's actually a rear end
problem which we can fix."
At the green, former SK Waterford champion-turned-super driver,
Robbie Summers took off in the lead from the outside front row.
Jeff Holbrook, Dave Sanborn and Jamie Timmons tucked in behind.
Only three laps in the yellow flew for a nasty hit as the 22 of
Eric Emhoff bounced off the wall pretty much destroying his car.
The 92 of Larry Lehnert also was stopped in two and he would not
restart.
Summers was off again on the green and he and Holbrook began
pulling away from the pack of Timmons, Mike Lichty, Mike Ordway
Jr., Perley, Sanborn and Dave McKnight.
Perley patiently made his way up through. He described his race
to the lead, "I didn't know what we had for the first couple
laps. I passed a couple people because I got lucky. I was riding
around and I got loose a couple of times. The tires started
heating up and the thing started sticking. Then I knew I had a
decent enough car if I could get lucky enough to get through all
the traffic. I had a couple deals where I had to take my time.
The walls come off pretty quick here and if someone is not
paying attention you can get in trouble. I got under a couple
going into the corners and I backed out of it because I didn't
want to wreck anybody."
But during most of the first half of the race, the eyes were up
front on Summers and Holbrook. On lap 20, with a slower car
facing the lead duo, Jeff Holbrook made a low move and took over
the lead. Summers car was apparently slowing here as Perley
moved by for second.
On lap 27 Holbrook finally could not hold off the formidable 11.
Perley who had been looking for a way around the 35, made a
spectacular move as the crowd gasped. "Jeff was running a good
groove, right in the middle," said Perley. " I couldn't get
enough on the bottom and I didn't think I was going to get
enough on the top. I needed to show him a wheel to try to hold
him in his lane. I went around on the outside. I mean it was
high outside. I didn't think the car was going to stick. I knew
I had to show a wheel and go. It stuck and I just got on it. I
didn't want to hang around and maybe get pinched into the wall."
Perley once again took command out front as Holbrook stayed
second. Summers, Timmons and Lichty ran top five.
On lap 37 all hell broke loose behind Perley and Holbrook who
had the cushion of a couple lap cars separating them from the
rest. Mike Lichty's 84 was coming into turn 3 when an oil line
broke spewing fluid on his tires and sending him around in front
of Jamie Timmons, Scott Martel and Mike Ordway Jr. Red flew and
the crash scene was not pretty. All the cars received some heavy
damage. Mike Ordway Jr. was taken to a local hospital after he
complained of a bad headache and some other pains. He was
reported to be fine, albeit sore, after the check over.
On the lap 37 restart,
yellow flew again when third place runner Summers brushed with
slower car of Bobby Haynes Jr. and the two got out of shape.
Just behind Russ Wood was facing the scene in the Holbrook 29.
"They got sideways in front," said Wood. "I had to lock them up
to miss his motor and ended up in infield. I came back in the
line back further. I think I might have third."
It was smooth sailing from here on in for Perley and the
remaining cars. Perley crossed under the checkered well ahead of
Holbrook who was holding off Summers, Ray Graham Jr. and Bobby
Bond who grabbed the spot from McKnight in the waning laps, for
the top five.
Ray Graham Jr., whose beautiful 99 emerged from the hauler for
its initial run earlier in the day, said later. "This is the
first time the car has been on the track this year. It's in one
piece! We were tight all night but we stayed consistently tight
so I think we know what we need to do and move on to Toledo and
try and make it a little faster, Any time you can get a top five
racing against these guys you take it."
Bond, who has taken to the ISMA trail this season commented with
a smile, "We're happy on our first time here to come away with
fifth. We did gain a couple spots after the accident toward the
end there. We are just trying to hang in there and get a little
experience and stay in once piece. I'd like to thank my crew -
they work their butts off and to all my sponsors. I think we're
going to like this. It's going to be fun."
Dave McKnight Jr., Vern Romanoski, Russ Wood, Dave Sanborn and
Mark Sammut finished top ten.
ISMA's next series run is at Toledo Speedway on Friday, June 13.
Summary
ISMA Event #1
Waterford Speedbowl, May 24, 2008
Heat 1: Mike Lichty, Ray Graham
Jr., Bobby Bond, Dave Sanborn, Russ Wood, Michael Barnes, Dave
Iosue (91)
Heat 2: Robbie Summers, Jeff
Holbrook, Dave McKnight, Scott Martel, Larry Lehnert, Bobby
Haynes Jr., Eric Emhoff
Heat 3: Dave Trytek, Chris Perley,
Jamie Timmons, Mike Ordway Jr., Vern Romanoski, Mark Sammut,
Artie Russeau
Waterford-ISMA 50: 1. Chris Perley
(11), 2. Jeff Holbrook (35),
3. Robbie Summers (97), 4. Ray Graham Jr., (99), 5. Bobby Bond
(25),
6. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 7. Vern Romanoski (5), 8. Russ Wood
(29),
9. Dave Sanborn (24), 10. Mark Sammut (78), 11. Bobby Haynes Jr.
(44),
12. Mike Lichty (84), 13. Jamie Timmons (27), 14. Mike Ordway
Jr. (88),
15. Scott Martel (14), 16. Dave Trytek (70), 17. Artie Rousseau
(616),
18. Dave Iosue (91), 19. Larry Lehnert (92), 20. Eric Emhoff
(22),
21. Michael Barnes (61).
2008 Points
Standings HERE |
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| What would become a very
familiar sight in 2007...Dave McKnight running side by side with
Chris Perley. McKnight won one from Perley last September and
beginning an upward climb after a bad accident at Oxford in
August. The 94 definitely will be gunning for the 11 at
Waterford ... and beyond... Howard Hodge photo. |
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CONNECTICUT’S
WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL
IS SITE OF 2008 ISMA OPENER ON MAY 24 |
Oswego, NY – The ISMA Super Series
is in the final preparation stages for their first race of the season on
Saturday May 24 at the Waterford Speedbowl. Last year was Chris Perley’s
season as he started 2007 with a win and ended it with a win,
sandwiching 9 other feature victories in between. Lou Cicconi won the
ISMA inaugural at the Connecticut oval while Justin Belfiore picked up
the 50-lapper in 2006. While Perley has dominated the win column for the
past two years, he’ll be the first to admit the opener is anyone’s
ballgame.
This season should see another stellar field coming to the “Bowl” with
not only Perley ready and willing to win, but also a slew of others,
some who have been knocking hard on The Rowley Rocket’s back door.
The Canadian PATCO racing team owned by Brad Lichty has two such drivers
in Dave McKnight and Mike Lichty. Both were ahead or chasing behind the
Vic Miller-owned 11 many times last season. McKnight was finally able to
beat Perley at Delaware Speedway (Ont.) in September of last season.
Lichty had a couple bouts of bad luck or he would have been in the
winner’s circle several times.
Justin Belfiore, All-Star Classic winner, Mike Ordway Jr., ISMA
runner-up and Rookie of the Year, Robbie Summers, Ray Graham Jr., and
Dave Shullick Jr., also had single feature wins in 2007 besides
McKnight, and are all assuredly ready to get right back to winning in
2008. Ordway Jr. has left the Rick Wentworth 10 ride that he brought to
victory at M-40 last season but is behind the Bruce Budnick 88 – a
proven winner.
Last season Perley brought his name to the top of the ISMA All-Time Win
List knocking off Russ Wood and Bentley Warren in so doing. Wood,
however, is back in 2008 to possibly reclaim his top spot. He’s driving
a Holbrook-owned, Allegresso-designed 29 full time this year.
Supermodified legend Bentley Warren is behind the wheel of the Ed
LaPrade 68, a seat vacated by the retiring Doug Heveron. Warren will
divide his time between his expanding Bentley’s Saloon and Campground in
Kennebunkport, Maine and his racing, but he still is a threat to put a
marker or two in the record books. Then there is Mike Lichty, Mark
Sammut, who finished a career-high third in points last season, Maine’s
2007 ISMA Most Improved driver, Vern Romanoski; Team Holbrook, which now
includes Russ Wood, and many, many more looking for win.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American divisions will compete with the ISMA
Super series on Saturday at the Speedbowl. The pits open for the super
competitors at 11 am with their practice starting at Noon a.m.
Grandstands open at 4 pm, Heats begin at 5:00 and features begin at 7:00
p.m.
Waterford is located by taking Route 395 South to Exit 77. At the end of
the exit take a right. The Speedbowl is approximately 1/8 mile on the
left. www.speedbowl.com for
further information. |
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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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