2005

2004 News and Banquet Photos and Stories Here

Oswego, NY – It wasn’t long ago that a newly crowned sports champion might be heard exclaiming, “I’m going to Disney World.” This year, ISMA Champion driver Pat Abold will be getting close to the theme park. He’s headed for Orlando and the 18th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show. The show, held in the beautiful Orange County Convention Center, December 1-3, 2005, includes 3,900 booths, 45,000 buyers from over 40 countries and over 1,400 exhibiting companies, where more new racing products than anywhere on earth will be shown. Sweet Manufacturing, a sponsor of the Dunigan cars, will showcase Pat’s Dunigan Racing number 26, a championship car in its own right.

Driver Pat Abold didn’t skip a beat when he rejoined the ISMA racing circle a couple years ago after taking a leave of absence from his career to be with his son in his own fledgling racing endeavors. After running his family-owned supermodified beginning in 1989, to USAC, an IRL test and trying out many other divisions, Pat relinquished what assuredly would have been a very successful racing career in any division he chose to be with his son Jeff. “Jeffrey was becoming quite a little quarter midget driver. He would win nine championships in the quarter midgets, eventually until he finally got out of it,” said Abold in regard to his hiatus in racing. “Then in 2003, I was approached by Paul Dunigan’s team to race part time. I didn’t win any races, but I did have a lot of top threes. I definitely had the urge to get back into victory lane.” The seed was replanted.

Pat took the famous Dunigan 26 to a second place in the ISMA point standings in 2004, but the death of team patriarch Paul Dunigan Sr. just prior to the race season, dampened the spirits of all involved. A cloud hung over the still successful team now run by Paul’s son Paul Jr. In 2005, the skies began to brighten and Abold came out running. He would finish the year with three wins, four-second places, two thirds, a fourth and 1 fifth – 11 top fives out of 14 events. Only once, at Seekonk, did he finish out of the top ten. He waged a battle of consistency with 2003-04 ISMA champion Chris Perley right down to the World Series finale, winning the championship by six markers. Abold joined Mike Ordway, Russ Wood and Joe Gosek as a Dunigan Racing champion adding an unprecedented eighth title to the ISMA record books for the Dunigan team.

The supermodified racecar that carried Pat to the title in 2005 is no stranger to winning either. It carries a history of its own and is what you might term legendary. The car was built in 1992 by one of the all-time car building geniuses, Brian Allegresso. “I designed and built that car in 1992 for Bentley Warren,” said Brian. “It was the first car I built in the Dunigan garage. Its first race was the Shampine-Evans memorial race at Oswego that year.”

Ironically, that was the year Pat Abold won his first of two ISMA titles in the family-owned number 05. “We were running Oswego more in those days,” Brian commented from the Dunigan race shop in Lowell, Mass. “You tend to build a new car when someone’s running better.”

Bentley Warren drove the car – then numbered 29 until 1995. “When Paul was alive he had the painter add small flags to the wing of the car each year representing the wins. He kept track that way.” Brian said. “The painter began to hate painting the car because we’d change wings each year and he’d have to redo all the flags. I think there were 60 or more on there at one time. Paul did the counting, but when his health began to fail, we kind of lost track. Sometimes at a race we might have switched cars back then but I believe there are approximately 84 wins on the car that Pat drove this year as the 26.”

After Bentley Warren, the now famous car was driven along its successful way by Paul Richardson, Russ Wood, Joe Gosek, IRL star Davey Hamilton, Randy Ritskes and Abold.

Russ Wood was the last driver prior to Abold to campaign the car and after a horrific hit at Jennerstown several years ago which pretty much destroyed the phenomenal machine, Russ, who still calls that car his favorite, was transferred to another car while the wrecked 29 was rebuilt to be the 26 for Abold who had become a full-time driver again.

It is fitting therefore, that not only the ISMA champion Pat Abold, but also his prolific winning mount should be representing supermodifieds and ISMA at one of the greatest racing shows in the world in Orlando. And, Pat will find some time, along with longtime crewman and employee Mike Silliman, to help his son Jeffrey race at the Orlando Speedworld event in his Ford Focus during the three-day activities.

Congratulations to the entire Dunigan team for their championship and for bringing home two other cars in the top ten in final points (Russ Wood – 3rd and Jon McKennedy 8th and Rookie of the Year). They are already looking forward to next season and adding more wins to their fourteen-year old supermodified and the two others that formed a potent triumvirate all season long.

ISMA Banquet Photo Gallery HERE

The winner of the 2005 ISMA driver title by six points, Pat Abold, and owner champ Paul Dunigan Jr., who had taken over the helm of Dunigan Racing after the passing of his father Paul Sr., received the top accolades in an evening of honors. For Dunigan it was his first ISMA title, after his dad has dominated the record books with seven titles since 1995. Dunigan Racing also took fourth place (Russ Wood) and eighth place (Jon McKennedy) in the 2005 point standings. Paul Jr. had commented after clinching the title at the World Series that he was very proud of his drivers and his team. “We had a great season, said the Lowell, Mass. car owner. “I want to thank all the guys. Everybody worked real hard. I had a great driver who waged a great battle with Chris (Perley). Hats off to those guys. I don’t know what else to say. This one goes to my dad I guess.”

Abold, who returned to supermodified driving full time only a year ago, had claimed two straight titles in 1992 and 1993 driving the family-owned car 05. In his acceptance speech he acknowledged the support of Don Baker of Lucas Oil and Mike Jarret of Helping Hands of America, the major ISMA sponsors, as well as his car sponsors Sweet Mfg., A&P Auto, Glenn Shanks, Doney Paving, Power Mist, Red Devil Brakes, Landmark Video and Tower News. He also commented on the professionalism and dedication of the ISMA officials, officers and Board of Directors. “I’ve had the chance to be associated with several other racing organizations during my career,” said Pat, “And ISMA is among the best.”

Pat went on to thank his crew, Jerry Martel, Big Stevie (the hauler driver), Bob Bouchard, Bill Furey, and especially the two masterminds behind Dunigan Racing - Brian Allegresso, and Doc Hathaway. But it was Paul Jr. and Helen Dunigan that Abold gave special praise for continuing the Dunigan legend after Paul Sr.’s 2004 death. “This championship means a lot. The competition level is as tough as it’s ever been. And, with all that’s happened with the Dunigan team, it’s good to bring the title back home again. It just means a lot. This title is dedicated to Paul and Helen,” said Pat. “The Dunigan name was been a huge part of ISMA for many years and will be for many to come. Thanks for keeping it going.”

He also, kiddingly, donned a giant hat mimicking Chris Perley’s trademark floppy hat. “When I got back into ISMA after working with my son’s quarter midget career, Chris was a force to race against that I hadn’t really encountered before. I was chasing Chris and the Vic Miller team last year, finishing second to them eventually. This year Chris picked up five features and was running great all season. Thanks for letting me win this title at Thompson and making it easy on me at Thompson,” he chided, after Perley decimated the World Series ISMA field with Abold finishing a distance away in second.

Another Dunigan Racing teammate, Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass., garnered the Ed Shea sponsored-Randy Witkum Memorial ISMA Rookie of the Years honors with a fine eighth place in points. A check for $500 and a jacket went to Jon.

Tony Sammut of Sammut Racing was honored as the Slice N Go Deli ISMA Mechanic of the Year and also the prestigious Jim Soule Memorial Award, as voted upon by the ISMA membership.

Vern Romanoski won the BS&B Radiator by luck of the draw while Dave McKnight picked up a new helmet from Bob Seymour and Seymour Enterprises.

The 2005 ISMA Most Improved Driver award went to Joe Petro while the ISMA Support Award was given to Brad Lichty. ISMA’s Achievement award went to Nokie Fornoro who claimed three feature wins on his way to a top three in the point standings driving the Soule Racing 32. Soule Racing, in turn, was voted the Race Threads Crew of the Year, receiving new crew shirts and hats for next season.

For the fifth straight year Chris Perley received the Gater Racing News Fans Choice Most Popular Driver.

The traditional memorial awards were presented last. The AJ Michaels Memorial award went to Clyde Booth, owner and builder of the Mike Ordway-driven 61. Tony Sammut, as aforementioned, picked up the Jim Soule Memorial Award. The Jim Shampine Memorial Award went to Judy McKnight and last by not least, the Paul Dunigan Outstanding Service award went to Jack Murphy, who is 80, has served as ISMA president, Board Member, on various committees and still can be seen on his four-wheeler heading up the ISMA tech staff.

New 3-year Board Members were announced in Ray Chesbro, Mark Sammut and Joe Petro Sr. and new ISMA secretary will be Marcia (Dr. Mom) Gadzera. Howie Lane was re-elected ISMA president and Jerry Kritzman ISMA vice-president. Delores Murphy ran unopposed as Treasurer and Membership officer.

A 17-race 2006 ISMA schedule, consisting of 11 weekends of racing, was released with some possible additions. A return to Berlin Speedway after a several year hiatus and a return to Delaware (Ont.) Speedway for the first time since 1984 are among the races slated at Waterford, Toledo, Mansfield, Seekonk, Jennerstown, Stafford, Sandusky, Lee USA, Oxford Plains, Oswego, Star and Thompson.

The evening was concluded by MC Roy Sova, with a drawing for the $5,000 raffle, which was won by race director Jerry Kritzman, and his wife Mary Lou. Dancing to the music of DJ Brian Oddo continued on into the wee hours of the morning.

Video from 10/9 Windtunnel with Dave Despain & ISMA's Pat Abold

http://www.jonescam.tv/video/speedchannel_epping_supermod.wmv

Ride In-Car with Randy Ritskes at the Budweiser Classic 200 SuperModifieds

Randy_Ritskes_OswegoSpeedway_Sept_4_200lap_SuperModified.wmv

Thanks to www.JonesCam.tv

Oswego, NY – Last year the Dunigan supermodified race team lost its beloved leader. The race season was not an easy one as everyone coped with Paul Sr.'s absence in his or her own way. This season the team has regrouped and it is prepared to embark on the 2005 ISMA Lucas Oil/Helping Hands of America season. Paul Dunigan Jr., who took over the reins of the team last year, says they are ahead of schedule and ready to go.

“We have three contract cars running full time in ISMA for 2005,” said Paul Dunigan Jr. “The drivers will be Russ (Wood) and Pat (Abold) again, with Jonathan (Jon) McKennedy joining us full time. Our goal is just to finish the year and do a little bit better than we did last year.”

Finishing a bit better than a second and third place finish in the 2004 point standings, means one thing. They are going for the one-two spots. And, Paul Jr. says they are almost ready to go as the calendar turns to May. “We’re ahead of schedule with the cars which is scary. “ commented Paul, recently, from his Tower News in Lowell, Mass. “We’re usually working up until the last minute. If we had to race tomorrow, Jonathan’s car is ready. Same thing with Russell’s car. Pat’s car is up on jack stands and they are just putting the body on it today. They’ll be putting some finishing touches on the body and putting the motor in it. We’re a couple weeks away with that car. Then we’ll get it lettered up and we’ll be all set.”

Although there are no new supers in the Dunigan garage, the three that will compete have been rebuilt and redone by master mechanic Brian Allegresso. “There are no new cars this year but everything is rebuilt and redone. Brian rebuilt the independent car, -basically the front end - that Pat drove last year and Jonathan is going to drive that car as the number 79. The new 29 we had last year with Russell in it that came out at Stafford will still be the 29 and the old 29 that Russell crashed at Jennerstown is now the new 26 which Pat will drive.”

While Wood and Abold are household names in the supermodified race community, McKennedy is just beginning. Jon, who turned 18 on April 5, has a long list of credentials despite his age. He comes from the small block supers where he had tallied 10 feature wins through 2004, finishing second in the 350 point standings. He also has experience in tiger sprints, stock cars and indoor racing. At the age of 14 he won 5 stock car events at Hudson Speedway! Last season he drove a limited ISMA schedule as a part of the Dunigan team with his best finish a sixth place at Seekonk. In addition to his full winged super schedule in 2005, Jon plans on competing in a few NASCAR Modified Tour events.

The heavy hitters of the team are Wood and Abold of course. Russ Wood stands first on the all-time ISMA win list with 46 features (not including 2 non-point wins) and Abold has 14 (plus 2 non-pointers). Abold, who just rejoined the full-time supermodified racing wars in 2004 made a run at the title, battling the Perley-Miller team, ultimately finishing second. Pat, with one feature win last season, plans on upping the ante in 2005. “We are one very determined race team,” said Pat. “I’ll be driving a newly rebuilt, different car and I’d like to see some more wins.” Pat will also be assisting in his son Jeffrey’s Ford Focus career. “I’ll help Jeffrey with his car which we’ll run at Oswego, Adirondack and Seekonk. There are no conflicts with ISMA in that regard.”

Russ Wood is also chomping at the bit after a long winter. Wood received a leg injury during the off-season after a fall on his tow truck. The injury tore up his shin, which had been grafted after a serious accident at Orange County Speedway some years ago. “I tore a big chunk out of my leg,” said Russ. “But with little feeling there I worked all day on it and then had to have it re-grafted. I was out for six to eight weeks and I didn’t like that at all.”

With almost a quarter century of supermodified racing behind him, Russ is “looking forward to unseating Perley and Miller. There will be some competition from Pat who is in my old car,” said Russ. “There are a lot of wins on that old car.”

Russ’ son Russ Jr. is 12 and is just getting interested in racing himself. “He likes to race the go karts,” said Russ Sr., “but he likes coming with me to the track, so we do the karts just when we’re at home.”

Russ summed up the attitude toward the upcoming ISMA season by saying, “Last year losing Paul was hard. It hurt the team I think. Our morale wasn’t there. It kind of took the wind out of our sails. I mean it wasn’t a bad year, but I think we have regrouped. I think we’ll have a better year. The uncertainties are gone. We have come together and we are ready to go.”

The potent Dunigan race team is backed by a slew of loyal sponsors including Power Mist, Sweet Mfg., Glenn Shanks Oil, Downey Paving, Hoosier Tire East, Woody’s Repair/Towing, Tower News, Landmark Video, Canzano Graphics, Stuart’s Automotive, Fearon’s Auto, McKennedy Bros. Masonry, A&P Auto, Dracut Sewer and Martel Welding.

Look out! The Dunigan team is more ready than ever if that’s possible. They are anticipating the chase for the ISMA Lucas Oil/Helping Hands of America title - three times over. The ISMA season opens on May 28 at Waterford (CT) Speedbowl; a new venue for the powerful winged supermodifieds and everyone involved.

Oswego, NY – Canadian Mark Sammut is one of those quiet men in racing who sometimes go unnoticed until they pick up their first feature win. While, the personable Sammut has not gotten to that elusive “first one” yet on the ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands of America Super Series trail, he is edging his way to the front slowly but surely. Last season he qualified and competed in every feature on the ISMA schedule, running three-quarters of the season on a broken foot suffered at Oswego in May.

Sammut’s achievements in 2004 did not go unnoticed, however. After his hard fought for seventh place finish in the ISMA Lucas Oil/Helping Hands of America final points he was award ed the coveted AJ Michaels Memorial plaque at the season-ending banquet.

Sammut is no “Johnny-come-lately” to the sport mind you. He’s been in racing 22 years, entering his seventh year in the exciting supermodified division. He’s been a Can-Am Midget champion, a Niagara Falls Indoor Midget champion and was named the 1996 Foar Score Fan Club Driver of the Year before he moved on to the supermodifieds.

In 2003, Mark cracked the ISMA top ten in the points and won three heat races. He was given ISMA’s Most Improved Driver award that same year. In 2004, he began the season with a sixth place at Wall and only fell out of the top 15 in the feature finishes twice. He also picked up one heat checkered flag at Sandusky.

Mark hasn’t made a lot changes over the winter at his London, Ontario race shop. He was running well when the season ended. Last week while the dreary rain fell in the northeast, Sammut spoke of his 2005 plans.

“We are going to follow the ISMA trail again this year,” said the 33-year old owner-mechanic of Murray’s Transmission in London. “We’re running the same car as last year and the same paint scheme. We spent the winter making some small changes, giving it a tweak here and there – just giving it a general once over, before putting the car back together.”

And, also in the works in the Sammut garage is a second race car. “We have made some progress on our second car, but it’s along way from being finished. Sometimes I think the off-season needs to be a touch longer or maybe that the days that need to be longer than 24 hours! I’m not sure if we’ll push to finish the second car or try to do double duty with one. Hopefully we can get to Oswego a few times this year and run without the wing.”

Sammut’s goals for 2005 are not unlike most race car drivers. “Hopefully we can improve on last season’s fairly successful results,” said Mark. “And, of course we’d love to win one this year.”

The Sammut 78 carries Currie Steel, Wells Foundry and Murray's Transmission as the main sponsors again this year. Said Mark emphatically, “Without those guys on board it would be pretty tough.”

While the late April rain and cold continues to plague the area, the Sammuts are itching to get onto the racetrack once again. Although the May 28th ISMA opener at Waterford seems a long way off for the fans of the pavement pounding winged supermodified division, many of the car owners and drivers are pushing hard to get ready, finding the time slipping away fast. “Even though we are behind time-wise with the cars it will be nice to get back to racing,” stated Mark. “Let's just hope the weather begins to cooperate!”

Sammut’s racing endeavor is a family-oriented one with his dad; Tony, wife Jenn and daughter Camryn always close by. Stop by and say hi to Mark and his family when you’re in the ISMA Pits, you won’t meet a nicer bunch of down-to-earth racing people.

Joe’s dad’s retirement from drag racing launched a college career for Joe. “I made the decision to go to engineering school because I wanted to drive and I thought I was going to end up driving jets. After dad had sold the car, I sat in my room and kind of said ‘what’s next?’ I knew I couldn’t really do it myself because I didn’t have the money. I went to my guidance counselors and they told me about engineering, about liking math and working with your hands. That’s when I decided to attend the University of New Hampshire and got my degree.

“I moved to Michigan and worked for General Motors right after getting my bachelor’s. A master’s degree from Kettering University came next. Then one day my dad called me and said he had discovered these things called supermodifieds. I was 26 or 27 years old by then and had no idea what a supermodified was. I had never even seen one. In fact I had never been to a live, oval track race before. He told me he was building one of them and going racing again. He talked to Tim T (Trefethen) and Butch (Valley) after he had bought an old car and he started refurbishing it for Star Speedway. When I went home that Christmas for a visit, the car was in the garage and I began to work on it a little bit. I hadn’t actually worked on racecars for a long time but it didn’t take long to get back into it.

“And, there we were again, back racing. I was his crew chief for a couple years. Soon I knew that I really wanted to get into it myself and I realized that dad wasn’t going to step away so I bought Chris Perley’s old car (44) that he had run at Star for a long time. It was an old Belfiore car. Basically I refabbed that and we ran a two-car team for about a year – my dad and I – at the local tracks, basically at Star. This was around 1995. That was just a nightmare, doing two cars, because we basically had the same crew that we have now – me, my parents and my wife at the time and one or two crew guys.”

Soon after the nightmare 2-car year, Joe’s dad hung up his gloves and Joe decided to run ISMA. “It’s funny.” Joe continued. “We went up to Oswego because I had never been there before. I had heard about it. We sat in the back grandstand to watch the ISMA race. I can remember to this day turning to my father and saying ‘ this is NOT local racing’. I was watching Ordway and Doug Saunier battle in a heat race and realizing that ISMA was going to be a different game and it would take awhile. That race was awesome and I still think about it coming out of turn two at Oswego.”

So Joe did what many drivers of the era did, he went to one of the best car builders in the sport. “I contacted Fred Graves just as he was leaving to go down south and bought one of his cars. That’s still basically the car I have. It was a standard Graves with the leaf spring in the front. Over time we have changed it. After I saw the independent cars, I wanted the independent front end. Because of my engineering background I felt I could do it. I sat down with a bunch of documents on how to do this and designed a car. Then my dad and I fabbed it.”

Joe embarked on his ISMA career , but his plan on running fulltime was short-lived. Work caught up to Joe at this juncture as he tried to juggle both ends of his career. “We stopped trying to run a full schedule about five years ago. It was because of the travel and how many hours I spent at work. I remember getting ready to leave for Sandusky about five years ago and I was on a conference call. Something was blowing up at work . My parents were already on the road with the rig coming to pick me up. I had to walk outside and say ‘I can’t go’. There was this catastrophe at work and I was going to have to take care of that first.

This year the situation is different. Joe has switched jobs. “I had always worked for somebody else,” said Joe, “but this year I am Vice President of Product Development and Operations for a software company where we develop content software. I have people who work for me here and in India. I should have more time for racing.”

Joe is serious about competing this season with ISMA. He’s a franchise car owner. He has a new car and a new number 33 which he asked for after Jen Chesbro’s retirement. “We have built a new car. We worked with Jim Bodnar who helped with the design. It’s a 2005 version of a Bodnar creation – cantilever up front and torsion in the back. We missed Thompson last year because we started the new car then and I haven’t had a day off since!

Joe also found time to get married again and this time he jokingly added a clause in his marriage vows that indicated he would put the relationship first – except for when he was racing. Actually his wife Lisa is one of his staunchest supporters along with dad and mom.

As to the goals for 2005? “Obviously we want to win. But, realistically we know that you have to run in the top five before you can win. If we’re not running in the top five each week, I know either I don’t have it or the car doesn’t have it. The real goal for 2005 is to take all the excuses off the table. You know it’s because ‘the car’s a little older or we didn’t do certain things with the engine’ – just take those off the table. The new car is one component. We worked with Ricky at R&R on some of the machine work and then assembled the engine ourselves. That’s another element. For 2005, I wanted to just put it in my hands as the driver, crew chief and tuner to get us up front. I hate getting out of the car at the end of the night and saying, ‘if I’d just done this or that’. So, we’re taking all those rationalizations away and putting it in my hands. No more excuses.”

Joe lists his crew for this season as Joe Sr. (JAP), crew chief, his mom Nancy – resident psychic, his wife Lisa, CFO and Jason, who does the real work. All kidding aside, Joe says he could never do any of it without the help of his dad. “He’s the guy who gets me there. He’s retired and works full time in the garage. With all the million hours I put in at work, I couldn’t do it without my dad.”

The number 33 team is sponsored this year by Yours truly, Oliver Racing Products, Peterson Fluid Systems and Dan’s EmbroidMe. The new car will either be pure silver (unpainted) or Lamborghini Orange, depending on who wins the vote, which is 3-1 against silver right now. Whatever the color, the Petro supermodified No. 33 will roll onto the track at Waterford Speedbowl on May 28 with the whole family behind it. Getting to the front will be up to the driver!

Joe Petro Jr. and his wife Lisa reside in Windham, New Hampshire with their pit bull Sr. Isaac Newton. Petro’s new super is housed at dad’s garage in Londonderry, NH.

ISMA 2004 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR LOOKING FORWARD TO ISMA OPENER AT WATERFORD & A RUN AT THE ‘05 TITLE

Oswego, NY – Last season was teenager Mike Lichty’s first full season running with the ISMA winged supermodified organization. His goal for his initial year was simple. He was out there looking to bring home the coveted Rookie of the Year award. At the end of the year the title was his having finished a strong sixth in the competitive Lucas Oil-Helping Hands of America ISMA point standings. His main goal for ISMA in 2005? The ISMA championship title.

"I’m running for the championship," said the Innerkip, Ontario driver on April 2 just four days shy of his 18^th birthday. "I hope to get started on a good note at the opener at Waterford (May 28^th). I’m feeling really confident about the upcoming season. We have the equipment to do well and I feel that we can go for it. "

Mike Lichty may sound a little over-confident, but one has to remember that he is the son of a racer (Brad Lichty) and teams with one of ISMA’s best, Dave McKnight, both former ISMA champions in their own right. Mike gives credit where credit is due and he feels a lot of his success has been due to the two aforementioned men. "They help me every way possible. They helped me with any questions I have. I have some really great guys I can go to for advice."

Mike grew up in the Lichty garage, working on supermodified race cars for as long as he can remember. When he finally got behind the wheel of one, he already knew the car inside and out. His confidence is therefore understood.

Lichty’s driving resume includes three years of go-kart racing before adding competing in a 600cc outlaw midget. His dad Brad then put him into one of the three supermodifieds he owns and let him run three shows - just enough to get some seat time, but not enough to disqualify his rookie run in 2004. He started the season with a heat win at Seekonk(MA), but the remainder of that event was washed away. He qualified and then ran just out of the top ten for the next several ISMA races. In June he hit a top five at Toledo Speedway(OH) and then two races later he was sixth at the tough Jennerstown(PA) oval. Oxford (ME) in July brought him a fourth finishing right behind his dad. A string of top tens then prevailed with his best finish of the year coming at Seekonk in September with a second behind race winner Rick Wentworth.

Mike, who is in his last half of his last year of high school, has laid out some concrete plans for 2005 and beyond. Besides his ISMA competition, he will be running a limited USAC Silver Crown schedule to gain some exposure in that prestigious division. "Hopefully, if everything works out this year with the new Silver Crown car, it may help take me to the next level, said Lichty.

The Silver Crown car is a new addition to the Lichty team stable and with it, Mike plans to run four races at Richmond, IRP, Milwaukee and Colorado. "We’ll be getting this car ready as soon as the supers are done," said Mike. "I’ve never run this division before and I’d like to just be able to qualify and run in the top ten."

And, if supers and Silver Crown are not enough to keep him busy, Mike would like to get together with fellow Canadian Ryan Coniam to run a 360 dirt sprinter at the end of the year. It’s obvious that Lichty’s plans are leading him to a full-time racing career!

"I’m trying all avenues right now," Mike indicated. "After competing with the supers and the Silver Crown, I’m looking to perhaps go to another level like NASCAR. But that all takes money, so we’ll take it one step at a time."

Lichty has set one more goal for himself for 2005. "Last season brought everything I had hoped for except a feature win. I’d plan on getting one or more of those before the year ends."

The PATCO-Lucas Oil team remains pretty much the same as last year. "I’ll be running the same motor that Dave (McKnight) had in at Toledo. It’s a big different configuration. I hope it goes a little farther than it did there when Dave was leading and it blew up. We’ve built three new wings and have gone through the cars and refreshed the motors. We’ll be running two cars with Dave and myself in them."

This 18-year old driver has a great deal of confidence and some auspicious plans for this year and the future. He has a positive attitude and he’s positive he can do well. But that’s what you need in this day and age where young, talented drivers can set their sites high and often reach the top very, very quickly.

The ISMA season opener is less than two months away and a new venue, Waterford Speedbowl, begins it all. Mike Lichty is ready to go, but if you talk to him for any length of time, you will know that he has been ready for most of his 18 years. He was born a racer and plans on staying that way for some time.

ISMA HEADED TO ANNUAL CAR SHOWS IN MARCH
Carquest Motorsports Expo 2005 Photos by Jim Feeney
Racearama 2005 Photos by Norm Marx

Oswego, NY.       As is tradition, two of the largest auto racing shows in the North East take place during the first two weeks in March, and ISMA (International SuperModified Assn) will be in attendance at each one. The first, a New England Tradition - Racearama 2005, starts things off on March 4,5 and 6 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass. The second is the 19th annual Carquest Motorsports Expo at the Cargill Exhibit Center at the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY, which takes place on March 12, 13 and 14.

ISMA, the traveling winged supermodified organization sponsored by Lucas Oil and Helping Hands of America, will have a display at each show with their 2005 full-color schedules available. At the Racearama, fans will be able to view the supermodifieds of Howie Lane Racing, Soule Racing and Martel Motorsports Racing and to chat with various drivers over the 3-day show. Martel has recently announced that he will be driving full-time in 2005 for Howie Lane with Kyle Carpenter as a teammate. Martel’s beautiful number 14 Super will be on display and may be up for sale, as Scott pursues a 2005 ISMA Championship with the Lane team. Nokie Fornoro, driver of the Helping Hands Soule Racing 32 will certainly be on hand as will car owner Dan Soule, and Helping Hands owner Mike Jarrett. Fornoro, who had one feature win in the number 32 in 2004, will be out to better his 5th place finish in the point standings, also gunning for a possible ISMA crown.

For more information on the Racearama 2005, call the hotline at (508) 238-7016 or email racearama2005@aol.com. The Racearama kicks off the season in grand style on Friday from 4 pm -10 pm, Saturday 10 am - 8 pm, and Sunday 11 am - 5 pm. The Big E is an easy drive from most New England locations as well as central and western New York.

The following weekend is the kick off to the central New York race activities with the Carquest Motorsports Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. At the 3-day show on March 12-14, fans can see supermodifieds, and many other divisions of cars, drivers, and many other activities including the famous Ms. DIRT Motorsports contest. ISMA will have their display set up here with several supermodifieds on hand for fans to look over. Schedules will of course be available at this show also. Hours for the Motorsports Expo are Friday, 5pm -10pm, Saturday 11am - 9pm and Sunday 11 am - 5pm. For more information call (315) 457-0175 or go to www.gaternews.com.

The ISMA 2005 schedule begins on May 28 at Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut so don’t miss this opportunity to get an early taste of racing at these pre-season shows and beat off those winter doldrums!  2005 Schedule

Oswego, NY – While opening day seems several cold months away, the International SuperModified Association (ISMA), has already established one thing for 2005 – that they will be joined again by two of the most loyal sponsors any racing organization could have. Returning for another year of backing the winged speed merchants are Don Baker and Lucas Oil Products and Helping Hands of America and Mike Jarret. Lucas has been an ISMA backer since 2003 and Jarret signed on in 2004. Both have become fast friends of all involved with the traveling supermodified group.

Jarret, the newest member to join the sponsor spotlight, formed Helping Hands of America with his co-partner in 2000. Located in Wrentham, Mass. near where his old friend Mike Scrivani’s Mike’s Truck Stop was located, HHA exists as a private corporation that solicits tangible goods (autos, trucks, boats etc) for donation with portions of all liquidation proceeds directly benefiting the associated charities which include the Lupus Foundation of New England, Sacred Heart Community Missions and the Association of Blind Citizens. Jarret, also an avid baseball fan, was pleased to announce recently that the A.L.S. Association of Massachusetts through Curt’s (Schilling) Pitch for ALS and Meals on Wheels has been added to the list of associated charities. At least one million dollars has gone to the associated charities in 2004. For further information on the Helping Hands of America organization visit helpinghandsofamerica.org.

Mike Jarret’s support of auto racing reaches beyond a title sponsorship of ISMA with financial assistance going also to the NEMA group, Don Berrio’s midget and the number 12 NEMA midget to be driven by Kyle Carpenter in 2005. This season Mike’s old friend Nokie Fornoro will again pilot the Berrio midget as well as the HHA-backed Soule Racing number 32 super in which he recorded one feature win in 2004. Mike’s love of auto racing brings him into the pits as well, getting down and dirty with the Soule crew and anyone else who needs a hand. He’s a “helping hand” three-times over with his enthusiasm and positive attitude. Mike’s wife Lu attends when she can also, often serving up free coffee and donuts to the crews in the pits.

The Lucas Oil Products sponsorship for ISMA is based in that company’s Canadian office near Toronto. Don Baker and his wife Roberta make as many ISMA races as they can find time to and they also back the Canadian PATCO race team owned by Brad Lichty with drivers Mike Lichty (2004 ISMA Rookie of the Year) and Dave McKnight (2001 ISMA driver champion). Lucas Oil Canada also is involved in no less that seven Canadian auto racing tracks and several Canadian series including the Can-Am TQ midgets from which several ISMA stars have come.

The corporate headquarters for Lucas Oil is in California with branches in the United Kingdom and Australia. Lucas is also one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry. A premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives has helped to firmly establish Lucas as a prominent figure in this marketplace.

Lucas also produces a heavy-duty line of products for the industrial and agricultural markets. President Forrest Lucas sums it up, "Our forte' is to make better products for industries and specialty situations that are not having their needs completely satisfied by other oil products and, believe me, the major oil companies have left a lot of weak spots. We have an excellent staff and a world of technology, which we have gained through years of research. Together we have done a great deal in a short period of time and we intend to do a lot more."

Lucas has long been directly involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions, at all levels. Seeing a need for better lubricants in this industry, the Lucas people went to work again. The end result being a line of high performance engine oils and gear oils that is second-to-none in the racing industry. Lucas racing products have proven themselves on NASCAR, NHRA, IHRA, USHRA and ATPA tracks across the country as well as with ISMA.   

The Lucas success story has been built upon hard work, an unparalleled line of premium products and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. This single formula for success will continue to guide Lucas Oil Products as it grows in the years to come. Visit lucasoil.ca for further information.

With a new transponder system in place to assist in making each show run even smoother than before, ISMA is eagerly looking forward to its opener at Waterford Speedbowl (CT) on Saturday, May 28th, the first of 16 scheduled events in 2005.

Oswego, NY – While the 2005 ISMA schedule isn’t quite final yet, it’s close enough to allow its release. Fifteen shows are in the books to date, with one show on July 15 still under negotiations. Although the Lucas Oil / Helping Hands of America-sponsored winged supermodified organization is starting out a little later than usual on May 28, the slate of events is still an auspicious one. And, with the later start; more cars and teams will have a chance to be 100 percent prepared and ready for racing action. It purports to be an even more exciting season for ISMA with the advent of the use of transponders at each show, which will make things run even smoother than in the past.

The May 28th opener will take place at a new venue in the historic Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut. This NASCAR track was founded in 1951 and runs SK-Modifieds atop their four-division program. It also plays hosts to popular touring groups such as the Whelen Modified Tour, Busch North, NEMA, ACT and now ISMA. According to its website, “It (Waterford) is regarded by competitors as a challenging two-groove track with an outstanding racing surface. The Modifieds and Midgets reach speeds of 100 mph plus. There are no bad viewing spots among the 7,500-plus seats.” The ISMA contingent will run a 75-lap inaugural main on Waterford’s one-third mile oval and should notch even greater speeds!

June finds ISMA out west and back east with trips to Toledo Speedway (OH) and Jennerstown Speedway (PA) on June 17 and 18. On June 25, the ultra-fast winged supers will head to Seekonk Speedway (MA) where they were completely rained out of one of their two-slated events in 2004. Defending champs of all three of these June events are Pat Abold, Chris Perley and Rick Wentworth respectively, all of whom are expected to return to defend their previous wins.

In July four races are already on the docket, with the fifth, as mentioned, on July 15 yet to be officially added. A return trip to Stafford Motor Speedway is a definite on Wednesday, July 13 and then it’s a trip to Cayuga Speedway (Ont.) on July 16. Sandusky Speedway’s traditional Hy-Miler weekend comes on the 29th and 30th to end the month. Winners at Stafford and Sandusky last season were Mike Ordway (both shows at Sandusky’s Hy-Miler) and Chris Perley at Stafford. Cayuga was not on the 2004 docket.

In August, the ISMA group heads back out west to the Mansfield Speedway for the second visit there in as many years. Two days of racing takes place on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13. The format includes a 40-lapper on Friday and a 100-lapper on Saturday, similar to the Sandusky Hy-Miler events. Dave McKnight made Mansfield his own in 2004 by taking both exciting legs of the inaugural event there.

Lee USA Speedway, which has hosted many memorable ISMA shows, is back with their traditional affair on August 19 with Oxford Plains next up on August 20. Last season’s Ollie Silva Memorial met with rain and was run in September with Chris Perley copping the win. Perley, who eventually became the 2004 champion, also took Oxford’s August event.

September 3 finds ISMA back at the home of the supermodifieds, Oswego Speedway for the traditional ISMA Super Nationals 50. Young hot shoe Bobby Santos III picked up his second career ISMA win at this event last season. And on Sept. 10, another tradition continues in the 40th annual Star Classic 200 – the longest distance race of the season for the ISMA clan. Russ Wood, fast becoming the master of Star Classics, picked up his fifth such victory last year. Only veteran Bentley Warren has won more Classics – six during his long and illustrious career.

And, as traditions go, so goes the grand finale of the season at Thompson International Speedway, which hosts the annual World Series of Racing on October 15 and 16. Often the clincher of titles, the 2004 show was a bit of a breather for champ Chris Perley, who had clinched the title the race before, but went on to win a Thompson just to top off a great season.

Information in regard to the pending ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands of America event on July 15 will be forthcoming. Schedule cards will be available for the upcoming auto shows in March.

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