October 10, 2020 – Goshen, IN…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), honors the memory of the supermodified racer with the “Never Give Up” attitude with the running of the 17th Annual Dion Parish Memorial 62 on October 13, 2020 at Kalamazoo Speedway.
Chasing a Dream
Dion Parish refused to give up on his dream of racing a real supermodified. After growing up in a family that was involved in supermodified racing during the Tri-SAC years in Michigan, he always knew he wanted to eventually get behind the wheel of “The Ultimate Short Track Race Car.” He raced stock cars and eventually became a champion in vintage coupes. All the while he kept the attitude of Never Give Up, doing more with less, and always chasing the dream of racing in the supermodified division.
He eventually got to fulfill that dream and made his first supermodified start in 1999. It was a steep learning curve, and frustrating at times as well. But he never gave up and eventually he even made the tow to “The Home of the Supermodifieds” Oswego Speedway where he attempted to compete in the International Supermodified Association’s “SuperNationals” during the prestigious International Classic 200 weekend.
Died Living His Dream
Dion was killed on Saturday, September 14 2002 in a practice crash at Kalamazoo, (MI), Speedway. Dion was in the midst of shaking down his recently finished supermodified in preparation for an upcoming Midwestern Supermodified Association, (MSA), race at Sandusky, (OH), Speedway when the car suddenly and without warning went straight in turn two at Kalamazoo. While his death was tragic, Dion died doing what he loved and living his dream.
Even though Dion Parish wasn’t very well known outside of the Michigan and Indiana racing scene, he had a big impact on everyone he was around. His contagious smile, and his ability to be friendly to everyone he met, and his tenacity in the face of adversity are all character traits that come up when those that knew him talk about him.
SUPRS Founded with Never Give Up Attitude
The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series (SUPRS) was founded as a way to give back to supermodified drivers and teams in time of need in Dion’s memory and his never give up attitude. SUPRS started and administers the Dion Parish Memorial Benevolent Fund for Supermodifieds, also in his memory, and donates money to injured drivers and their families.
Through members donations, various fund-raisers and race sponsorships, SUPRS has been able to give thousands of dollars to injured supermodified drivers through the fund since 2004.
Warren Looking for Record Fourth Win
Last year, in the 62 lap feature that went green to checkers in 11 minutes, Rob Warren held off a hard charging Keith Powell to win the 16th Annual Dion Parish Memorial at Kalamazoo Speedway. In so doing he tied Ray Sand, Jr. for the most wins in the prestigious sim race with three. If he can pull off the win this year, he’ll move ahead of the only other three-time winner of the race, Ray Sand, Jr.
For the last several years, the top of the heap at the end of the race, has been dominated by former winners like Warren, Keith Powell, Bob Gangwer, and Steve Callahan. Add to that list of former winners, Carl Becker, (2012), and Derrick Backus, (2018), plus a host of new drivers and veterans, in what’s expected to be one of the largest fields in the recent history of the race, and it’s obvious that Warren will face one of his toughest record breaking attempts.
Dion Parish Memorial Details
The SUPRS racers take to the “Fastest 3/8 Mile Oval in the World” at Kalamazoo Speedway on October 13, 2020 for the 17th Annual Dion Parish Memorial. A 30 minute practice session starts at 7:45pm for rookies with the veterans taking to the track at 8:00. Time Trials to determine the Elite 8 qualifiers and the drivers eligible for the feature line-up redraw take place at 8:30pm. Then racing gets underway at 9:05pm and everyone is welcome to be a part of the action.
Come cheer on your favorite SUPRS racers at the virtual version of the track that once hosted the real supermodifieds nearly every week into the 1980s. Enjoy, timing, scoring, instant track telemetry from the 17th Annual Dion Parish Memorial via the SUPRS LIVE! page.
Get Social with SUPRS
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the original online supermodified sim racing sanction when they visit www.SUPRS.net, The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series is very active on social media where fans can “Like” SUPRS on Facebook, Follow @SUPRSOnline on Twitter. Fans can watch over 700 real supermodified racing videos, and archived SUPRS races on SUPRS YouTube and enjoy chatting with each other on SUPRS Twitch page.
SUPRS – “Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons” since 2004
SUPRS Dion Parish Memorial History
- 2004 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-State Fair Speedway: Bobby Gangwer
- 2005 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-State Fair Speedway: Sean O’Kane
- 2006 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Ray Sand, Jr.
- 2007 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Ray Sand, Jr.
- 2008 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Chris Meyers
- 2009 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: John Davidson
- 2010 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Keith Powell
- 2011 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Steve Callahan
- 2012 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Carl Becker
- 2013 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Ray Sand, Jr.
- 2014 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Chris Meyers
- 2015 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Rander Speedway: Rob Warren
- 2016 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Kalamazoo Speedway: Domenic Gioia
- 2017 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Kalamazoo Speedway: Rob Warren
- 2018 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Kalazazoo Speedway: Derrick Backus
- 2019 Dion Parish Memorial Champion-Kalamazoo Speedway: Rob Warren
