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EPPING, NH- The longest running winged Supermodified
race in the country has a field of champions entered for
Saturday's 46th annual ISMA Supermodified Classic 150 at
the historic Star Speedway in southern New Hampshire.
Back at the quarter-mile oval, made famous by the winged
warriors, is the most talented field of Supermodified
competitors seen anywhere this season.
The "Rowley Rocket" Chris Perley heads the list. Perley
has won five Classic events, and a sixth would put him
one ahead of 2010 ISMA Champion Russ Wood on the
all-time Classic win list, but Wood has every intention
of turning a season of bad luck into a special one with
a win himself.
"I just love the Star Classic," Wood stated this week.
"The prestige of winning that race is unmatched by any
other ISMA event. It would definitely turn our season
around if we can pull it off. We just put another motor
in and I am upbeat about our chances on Saturday night."
These two favorites, who used success at Star early in
their careers to go from virtual unknowns to short track
stars, will have to contend not only with a host of ISMA
regulars, but some accomplished champion drivers that
recently entered this year's Classic.
NASCAR Truck Series Champion Johnny Benson Jr.,
confirmed his entry on Tuesday. This will be Benson's
second time at Star, so this time the Michigan pilot
knows what to expect. Mike Ordway Sr., of nearby
Fremont, will be back behind the wheel of the potent
Clyde Booth machine, and the 1998 Classic winner has a
real chance at a return to Classic glory.
Fresh off the 2011 Oswego Speedway Championship,
two-time Star Classic winner Joe Gosek confirmed this
evening that he too will make the trip to Star this
weekend. Gosek won the Classic in 1995 and 2001.
Not to be overlooked is the return of "Team Dunigan",
which dominated the Supermodified scene for a number of
years with drivers such as Wood, Gosek and the legendary
Bentley Warren. Reigning two-time VMRS Champion Jon
McKennedy was the fastest Supermodified in a recent test
session at Star, and he looks to put the Dunigan car
back in victory lane.
Also entered is Ray Graham who has been one of Oswego's
best since his first win in 2009. The Des Moines, Iowa
driver who nearly beat Perley at his own game earlier
this season at Oswego, could find the quarter-mile to
his liking.
ISMA's top rookie Dan Bowes has experience at Star in a
Small Block Super. He also tested at the track last to
prepare. Bowes finished second in the most recent ISMA
event at the Lee USA Speedway in August.
Other ISMA regulars Mike Lichty, Mark Sammut, Rob
Summers, Jeff Locke, Ben Seitz, Eddie Witkum Jr., Tim
Jedrzejek, Joey Scanlon, Dave Sanborn and 2007 Classic
winner Justin Belfiore all hope to create a Classic
memory for themselves this weekend as well.
A 24-car field will start the Classic, which includes
more than $8,100 in lap money alone, making this the
highest paying, longest distance ISMA event of the
season. Time trials will lock in the top 16 starters,
with the Classic lineup determined by a top 12 handicap.
Two qualifying events will fill out the full field of
Supermodifieds.
The EKeys 4 Cars Tour-Type Modifieds, Outlaw Late
Models, Rookie Stocks and Road Runners will also run
feature events on Saturday evening, with the 46th annual
Star Classic slated to take the green by 9:00 PM.
The "Classic" returns to the place that made it famous
for so many years this Saturday night. There is no race
in the country like this must-see event. It's truly one
of a kind and its happening at the Star Speedway this
Saturday night, on Route 27 in Epping, N.H.
For more information and a full event schedule log onto
the track web site at:
www.star-speedway.com,
or call (603) 679-5306. For updates on race day, check
out the Star Speedway facebook page. |
