THE STAR ISMA “CLASSIC” IS BACK THIS WEEKEND
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