Category: SUPRS News

News about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series including PR, website updates, race preview stories, and more.

Keystone Nationals Kicks Off Tonight

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The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series will kick off the 10th Annual Keystone Nationals tonight at Harrisburg Speedway.

SUPRS Keystone Nationals poster

This multi-race swing through the state of Pennsylvania challenges the SUPRS racers over the course of three nights on three very distinctive race tracks as they battle each other for the Keystone Nationals Championship and the valuable bonus points that go along with the crown.

2014 9th Annual Keystone Nationals Highlights

Harrisburg Speedway is a flat, fast and tricky half-mile that will quickly swallow up and spit out any racer that gets too close to the inside rail or let’s the car drift too wide off of the corners. After 50 feature laps here, there’s sure to be several drivers looking for new wheels.

On Tuesday night the racers will compete at RT 93 Raceway which is also a half-mile. Many SUPRS racers compare it to the legendary and now defunct Flemington Speedway and while being somewhat square-shaped, say that the fast way around is to run a near perfect circle. They’ll be doing that for 5o laps and trying not to get too dizzy.

Finally, on Wednesday evening, the Keystone Nationals will culminate with the race that is one of the longest running in SUPRS history; The Randy Witkum Memorial. This 125 lap grind at the famed Jennerstown Speedway honors the late Randy Witkum, a supermodified racer that tragically lost his life while participating in an International Supermodified Association event at Jennerstown in 1999.

The winner of the Randy Witkum Memorial will become a guaranteed starter for the season ending Summit Classic 125.

Practice each night starts at 8:00pm with a full format of Time Trials, Heats, and Feature to follow.

Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.

SUPRS-“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons”

Keystone Nationals History:

  • 2005 Keystone Nationals Champion: Sean Gibbs
  • 2006 Keystone Nationals Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2007 Keystone Nationals Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2008-09 Keystone Nationals Champion: Steve Callahan
  • 2009-10 Keystone Nationals Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2010-11 Keystone Nationals Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2011-12 Keystone Nationals Champion: Rob Warren
  • 2012-13 Keystone Nationals Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2013-14 Keystone Nationals Champion: Bob Gangwer

Randy Witkum Memorial-Jennerstown Speedway-History:

  • 2004 Randy Witkum Memorial 63 Champion: John Davidson
  • 2005 Randy Witkum Memorial 63 Champion: Gary Waldron
  • 2006 Randy Witkum Memorial 63 Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2007 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Bobby Gangwer
  • 2008-09 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Gary Waldron
  • 2009-10 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2010-11 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Chris Meyers
  • 2011-12 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Rob Warren
  • 2012-13 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Rob Warren
  • 2013-14 Randy Witkum Memorial 125 Champion: Steve Callahan

SUPRS Copper World Classic Emulates Real Race

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Avondale, AZ – March 1, 2015…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series will take up residence at Phoenix International Raceway March 3, 2015 for the SUPRS Copper World Classic X.

SUPRS 2015 copper world classic poster

This annual event features wing supermodified, non-wing supermodified, and pavement modified sim racing on the one mile paved oval in Arizona. With over 150 laps of online  racing, this event is modeled after the popular Copper World Classic held annually at PIR from 1977-2009.

The supermodifieds were a part of the Copper World Classic  from 1984 to 2002 with one year off in 1991. Davey Hamilton has the most Copper World Classic wins with five and Troy Regier has the record for most wins in a row at three. Doug Saunier was the very first winner and Lonnie Adamson was the last supermodified winner of the Copper World Classic.

Curt Kern of Kern Motorsports, the sponsor of the SUPRS Copper World Classic was involved as an official for the supermodifieds for several years. “Some years I was on the ground in the pit area and a couple of years in the tower running race control for the supers,” explained the Washington state native.

“For me, then, it was a pretty stressful position, but I looked forward to the five days in Phoenix every year. I also dreaded it at the same time,” he said.

“It was a pretty high-speed joint for us and I was always fearful of a “Rex Beach” type of accident. I went from loving the cars on the mile to be believing as an official, that it was too big of a track, but I doubt you’d convince very many drivers of that.”

While Kern’s involvement with the real supermodified division wound down to an end in the late 1990’s, he continues to support the online version. “I’m honored to still be involved with SUPRS and their version of the Copper World Classic and consider Bobby and John both good friends,” he said. “I only wish I could get set up and come back and get in everyone’s way again,” joked Kern. “The event at the time was the supermodified communities version of the Indy 500 and to have SUPRS continue to run that event is pretty cool. Good luck to all and thank you for allowing me to be a part of the show.”

The 2014 edition of the SUPRS Copper World Classic was one of the most exciting ever. Ray Sand, Jr. claimed his second Copper World Classic winged supermodified victory and also  won the modified part of the event. The only person stopping him from a full sweep of the SUPRS Copper World Classic was Steve Callahan taking the victory in the 25 lap non-wing supermodified feature.

Current point leader “Mighty” Myles Maxon will be looking for his first SUPRS Copper World Classic win. He’s been close several times in the past, including last year where he finished second to Sand, Jr. after a race long battle of epic proportions.

Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.

SUPRS-“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons”

SUPRS Copper World Classic-Winged-Phoenix International Raceway

  • 2005 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: JP Curry
  • 2006 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson
  • 2007 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Chuck Russell
  • 2008 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Kris Heveron
  • 2009 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Bobby Gangwer
  • 2010 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Chad Phelps
  • 2011 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Jeff Weber
  • 2012 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2013 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson
  • 2014 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.

SUPRS Copper World Classic-Non-Winged-Phoenix International Raceway

  • 2014 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Steve Callahan

Billy Vukovich III Classic Prize Eyed by SUPRS Racers

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The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series will honor the late Billy Vukovich III tonight with the 11th Annual running of the Billy Vukovich III Classic 100 at Mesa Marin Raceway presented by Supermodified Scorecard.

suprs Billy Vukovich III Classic 100 poster

The SUPRS racers consider this race one of most prestigious and toughest races on the schedule.

suprs_billy-vukovich_III-classic-lap97

Rob Warren(35) had his work cut out for him on the way to winning the 2014 SUPRS Billy Vukovich III Classic 100.

Defending winner Rob Warren of Pulaski, NY hopes to add his name to the short list of repeat winners. Last year Warren led all 100 laps but felt the pressure of two-time Vukovich III Classic winner Steve Callahan to the point of being physically and mentally worn out at the end of the race. “Steady Steve didn’t really give me much of a chance to breathe during the race,” stated Warren after his 2014 win. “That is, I think, the most exhausted I’ve ever been after a SUPRS race.”

Callahan ended up second and is embroiled in an intense points battle with Warren for the better part of the 2014-15 SUPRS Gold Crest Championship season. Callahan was the first, and so far only, back to back winner of this race.

2013 Vuky Classic_40

Steve Callahan is the only back to back winner of the prestigious SUPRS Billy Vukovich III Classic 100.

SEE PHOTOS OF 2014 Billy Vukovich III Classic

Myles Maxon of Oswego, NY has dominated this season, setting fast time at nearly every race and has won almost half of the races run to date, yet, he’s never been able to pull off a win in the Billy Vukovich III Classic 100. When asked what it would mean to finally be able to claim a Billy Vukovich III Classic victory he said, “It would be a great honor to win this race in memory of Billy Vukovich.”  Maxon went on to explain why, “Individuals such as he were taken from his family and the racing community far too soon and it would be special to win this event that we,  (SUPRS), hold in his honor.”

John Davidson, of Sacramento, CA, is the only three-time winner of the event and would love nothing more than to make a run at the race his website, Supermodified Scorecard, sponsors. “I miss the racing but most importantly the group of great guys who share and understand what SUPRS is all about ,” he explained. “The Vuky Classic is another classic race to honor a supermodified hero that left us way too early.”

About Billy Vukovich III

Billy Vukovich III was a three-time starter of Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, the first third generation racer to compete in the race and like his father and grandfather before him was named the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Rookie of the Year.

Bob Frey and Billy Vukovich III at Berlin Raceway 1989 by B&G Racing photos

Bob Frey(L) talks things over with Billy Vukovich III at 1989 USAC sprint car show at Berlin Raceway. Photo by B&G Racing Photos

While many in the mainstream motor sports arena will remember Billy III as a rising star of the IndyCar ranks, the supermodified community will always claim him as one of their own. Starting out just like Bill Vukovich and Bill Vukovich II, Billy got his start in midgets in his home state of California and was a champion in that division. He quickly moved through the ranks to the supermodifieds and competed for famed supermodified car builder Jim Belfiore before moving to larger, better funded teams in California’s Central Valley.

During his supermodified tenure, Vukovich III claimed the 1986-87 USAC Supermodified Championship. In 1987 alone he won an incredible 12 of 17 races with a string of seven consecutive victories. He was also a two-time winner of the prestigious Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway and was a threat to win when he competed at Madera Speedway in the Vernon Reitz “Spirit of Madera” machine.

Vukovich III was also a part of the storied return of winged supermodified racing to Oswego Speedway, competing there in an exhibition race against Eddie Bellinger, Steve Gioia, Jr. and Bentley Warren. This event was the forerunner of the return of winged supermodified racing to Oswego Speedway with 1992 ISMA wing show and set the stage for ISMA’s 1992 East vs West series and ultimately the 1995 East vs West Shootout at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Vukovich III was killed at the age of 27 while practicing for a CRA pavement sprint car race at Mesa Marin Speedway on November 25, 1990.

Each year Madera Speedway runs the Vukovich Classic in honor of all three generations of the racing Vukovich family. There is an annual Billy Vukovich III golf tournament held to raise funds for the Billy Vukovich III Scholarship Fund for students of Billy’s high school Yosemite High School where there is also a memorial honoring the 1981 graduate who loved meteorology and amateur weather forecasting.

The SUPRS racers won’t get much rest in the west as they head to the Phoenix International Raceway for the 11th Annual SUPRS Copper World Classic X on Tuesday March 3. This event will feature wing online sim supermodifieds as well as non-wing sim supermodifieds and closes with a 100 lap sim modified race.

Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.

SUPRS Billy Vukovich III Classic 100 History

  • 2005 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Bud Flath
  • 2006 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: John Davidson
  • 2007 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Devin Gee
  • 2008 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: John Davidson
  • 2009 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Ray Sand Jr
  • 2010 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Bobby Gangwer
  • 2011 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: John Davidson
  • 2012 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Steve Callahan
  • 2013 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Steve Callahan
  • 2014 Billy Vukovich III Classic Champion: Rob Warren

Callahan Hopes to Repeat at SUPRS President’s Day Special

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The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series stars will strike up the band February 17 to play “Hail to the Chief” as the Presidents Day Special returns to New River Valley Speedway in Radford, VA.

SUPRS President's Day Special poster

Of all the races run at New River Valley Speedway, (Including Presidents’ Day and Veterans’ Day), Steve Callahan has the best winning record having won a total of three features at NRV with his first coming in the 2009 and latest just last year.

Leading up to this race last year, Callahan hadn’t won a SUPRS feature yet, but was coming off a string of finishes where he had finished second in four of the previous five SUPRS races leading up to the President’s Day Special.

Callahan turned that around in a big way when he doubled up and won the President’s Day Special 75 at New River Valley for wing supermodifieds, and took home the win in the companion modified 125 lap feature.

“Steady” Steve as he’s known to his fellow racers, is in the midst of a very tight points battle, doing everything he can to hang on to second ahead of Rob Warren, and arguably has had the best early season results  of any year he’s run with SUPRS, including several wins and qualifying in the top three at nearly every race run thus far.

The Presidents’ Day Special hasn’t been run every season during SUPRS 11 year history, has varied in length from 38 to 75 laps, and was run at New Hampshire International Speedway as well as New River Valley Speedway.

However, the Presidents’ Day Special is back for the second year in a row at the site of the first rendition of this popular race that happened in 2005 when John “Bud” Flath of New Jersey won.

From 2006 to 2009, New Hampshire International Speedway played host to the Presidents’ Day Special, then was not run from 2010 to 2013. Even so, SUPRS staged races at New River Valley including the popular Veterans’ Day Specials.

Practice for the President’s Day Special online supermodified race start at 8pm Tuesday, February 17. The supermodifieds will time trial, run a fast car dash, a heat and a 75 lap feature.

Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series and supermodified racing by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube

See the Format for 2014 Presidents’ Day Special on Schedule Page.

SUPRS President’s Day Special History

  • 2005 : President’s Day Special Winner: John “Bud” Flath
  • 2006 President’s Day Special Winner: John Davidson
  • 2007 President’s Day Special Winner: JP Curry
  • 2008 President’s Day Special Winner: Myles Maxon
  • 2009 President’s Day Special Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2010 President’s Day Special Winner: No Race
  • 2011 President’s Day Special Winner: No Race
  • 2012 President’s Day Special Winner: No Race
  • 2013 President’s Day Special Winner: No Race
  • 2014 President’s Day Special Winner: Steve Callahan

Learn More About Presidents’ Day at History.com

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