Former winners Meyers, Becker, Callahan, and Gangwer expected to compete
December 8, 2014 – Goshen, IN… The Dion Parish Memorial 62 is the longest running and most prestigious memorial event for the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing League and will take place at Rander Speedway on December 9, 2014.
This race honors the late Dion Parish. Dion was a supermodified racer that lost his life in a testing accident at Kalamazoo Speedway in 2002 while preparing for a late season event at Sandusky Speedway. His dedication to the supermodified division and “Never Give Up” attitude was the inspiration for the founding of the SUPRS league and is a constant reminder to all members that there are more important things in life than winning races.
In the 11 year history of the race there is but one SUPRS racer that has more than one win and that is reigning Gold Crest Wing Supermodified Series champion Ray Sand, Jr. of Rochester, NY. Sand, Jr. first won the Dion Parish Memorial 62 in 2006. Then in 2007 Sand, Jr. used the win to propel him to his first SUPRS Championship and has since become the most winning driver in league history. Sand, Jr. is the defending winner of the race but has struggled to make it to the track in 2014 due to equipment issues.
While Sand, Jr. will certainly be one of the favored drivers to win this race, Carl “Bonzai” Becker is the defending champion of the event and has a decent start to season so far, racking up two wins and holding onto a top five spot in the championship pace. Becker of Lansing, MI will be one to watch in the 62 lap feature race and has the added inspiration of having known Dion Parish personally.
2011 winner “Steady” Steve Callahan had a great run last year, coming home in third and is expected to compete for the win once again. Callahan has had a battle on his hands all season with 2004 Dion Parish Memorial winner Bob Gangwer. The two each have a pair of wins and have swapped second place in the point standings throughout the first 12 races. Both will most likely be in attendance when the green flag drops at Rander Speedway on Tuesday.
“Crazy” Chris Meyers, the 2008 winner is also expected to compete and will be looking for his first feature win in the 2014-15 Gold Crest Wing Championship season.
One driver that has never won this prestigious online sim race is “Mighty” Myles Maxon. Maxon has been very close several times and many of those close ones have come after a great battle with Ray Sand, Jr. With Sand, Jr. uncertain about being able to race and Maxon’s domination so far this season, it could be the year that the driver of the “Swamp Rat” gets his first Dion Parish Memorial win.
The SUPRS racers will take on the racey Rander Speedway December 8, 2014 beginning with practice which starts at 8:00pm. Time Trials will follow at 8:30pm and Racing gets underway at 9:00pm.
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike are encouraged to 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.
Former Dion Parish Memorial Champions:
- 2004 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Bobby Gangwer
- 2005 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Sean O’Kane
- 2006 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
- 2007 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
- 2008 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Chris Meyers
- 2009 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: John Davidson
- 2010 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Keith Powell
- 2011 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Steve Callahan
- 2012 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Carl Becker.
- 2013 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
