New Challenge Awaits Supermodified Sim Racers At Dion Parish Memorial

October 7, 2024 – Goshen, IN…A new challenge awaits the supermodified sim racers of the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), at the 21^st Annual Dion Parish Memorial. Set to take place on a different virtual version of Kalamazoo Speedway on October 8, 2024, the racers will be searching for speed and glory while trying to conquer the “Fastest 3/8 Mile Oval in the World” at the sim race that honors the memory of the supermodified racer that would “Never Give Up” the late Dion Parish.

After seven years at the first virtual version of Kalamazoo Speedway that the SUPRS racers ever competed on, officials from SUPRS have decided to switch to a different version with the hope that the racing will be more closely contested. Driver patience and skill is sure to be tested, as the old set-up sheets have been thrown out the window owing to the fact that drivers will also be using the latest engine and tire files which debuted after the Dion Parish Memorial last year.

Dion Parish Loved the Supermodifieds and Kalamazoo Speedway

Dion Parish was just a normal guy that simply and absolutely loved the supermodified division. He was a US Veteran. A father. A son. A husband. He was a racing champion in the vintage coupes. He was a decent human being that gave a lot more than he ever took and he always did his best to “Never Give Up.”

Dion’s infectious smile and “Never Give Up” attitude was always a welcome sight at the race track. His tenacity as a racer was second only to his kindness to his fellow racer in need.

While Dion Parish wasn’t very well known outside of the Michigan and Indiana racing scene, he had a pretty 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.

Kalamazoo Speedway was one of Dion Parish’s favorite tracks, and one that he had much of his racing success at while running vintage coupes. He considered it his home track because it was so close to his home, and practically grew up there watching his dad turn wrenches on real supermodifieds.

A big fan of the old Tri-SAC supermodified days, Dion spoke often of watching the greats like locals Marv and Jerry Carmen, Butch Fedewa, Sammy Sessions, and Bob Seelman take on Texas invaders like Ricky Otts,  Page Reynolds, Leroy Halfin, and Chet Fillip mix it up with Ohio visitors Jim Shirey, Gary Allibritain and Todd Gibson at his beloved Kalamazoo Speedway. 

Dion Parish Memorial Benevolent Fund Established His Honor

Dion Parish 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.

SUPRS established the Dion Parish Memorial Benevolent Fund for Supermodifieds in the late racers name to help injured supermodified drivers and their families in their times of need. Through members donations, various fund-raisers, and race sponsorships, SUPRS has been able to give thousands of dollars to injured drivers through the fund.

Multi-Time Winners Rare at Dion Parish Memorial

Just four SUPRS drivers have won the prestigious race more than once. Ten-time SUPRS Gold Crest Champion Ray Sand, Jr. of Rochester, NY, was the first driver to do it when he won back to back in 2006, 2007. He did again in 2013, and became the first 3-time winner.

Chris Meyers joined the club by winning in 2008 and 2014 and driving a NASCAR Heat supermodified at Rander Speedway.

The third driver to win the Dion Parish Memorial more than once is the only driver to do it in both NASCAR Heat and rFactor, an eight-time SUPRS Champion, and the only other driver besides Sand, Jr. to claim three Dion Parish Memorial wins. Rob Warren picked up his first one in 2015 at Rander Speedway, then waited until 2017 for his second which came at Kalamazoo Speedway. Warren then then took his third in 2019.

The most recent, and fourth, multi-time winner is three-time SUPRS Champion, Brad Keysor. A two-time Dion Parish Memorial winner, both of Keysor’s wins have come in an rFactor supermodified and at Kalamazoo. His first win was in 2020, and his second in 2022.

Live Timing and Scoring Available

Enjoy the 21^st Annual Dion Parish Memorial with SUPRS LIVE!, our one of a kind live sim racing page. Featuring up to the second Timing and Scoring, and stats, SUPRS LIVE! is the perfect place to watch all the action while you join your friends to cheer on your favorite SUPRS racers.

Visit www.SUPRS.net/site/Live on race night beginning with practice.

Race Night Times and Schedule of Events

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

(ALL TIMES EASTERN-and other than Practice and Drivers’ Meeting are approximate and subject to change with schedule adjusted accordingly if no Heat Races)

• Servers Open: 7:00pm
• Drivers’ Meeting (MANDATORY!): 8:15pm
• Time Trials: 8:20pm
• Qualifying Heat Race 1 (10L or 6m 16 or more entries): to follow Time Trials if needed
• Qualifying Heat Race 2 (10L or 6m 16 or more entries): to follow H1 if needed
• If no Qualifying Heat Races-Final Warmup: 5 Minutes prior to Race Start
• Drivers to Cars: 8:42pm
• National Anthem: 8:42pm
• Green Flag 21st Annual Dion Parish Memorial-62 laps: 8:45pm (5 Mins After final Heat)
• Post Race Debrief: 9:20pm

Race Contest History and Statistics

Current Track Record: Rob Warren – 9.633 – December 6, 2016 (rF-W)

Defending Race Winner-Zach Sears

Dion Parish Memorial 62 History-

• 2004 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Bobby Gangwer (NH-State Fair Speedway)
• 2005 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Sean O’Kane (NH-State Fair Speedway)
• 2006 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr. (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2007 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr. (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2008 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Chris Meyers (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2009 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: John Davidson (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2010 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Keith Powell (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2011 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Steve Callahan (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2012 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Carl Becker (NH-Rander Speedway-63 laps)
• 2013 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr. (NH-Rander Speedway-62 laps)
• 2014 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Chris Meyers (NH-Rander Speedway-62 laps)
• 2015 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Rob Warren (NH-Rander Speedway-62 laps)
• 2016 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Domenic Gioia(rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)
• 2017 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Rob Warren (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)
• 2018 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Derrick Backus (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)
• 2019 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Rob Warren (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)
• 2020 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Brad Keysor (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)
• 2021 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Dave Ohh (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-50 laps)
• 2022 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Brad Keysor (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)
• 2023 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Zach Sears (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 laps)

• Most Wins: Ray Sand, Jr., Rob Warren: 3
• Back to Back Winners: Ray Sand, Jr.
• Multi-Time Winners: Ray Sand, Jr., Chris Meyers, Rob Warren, Brad Keysor
• Longest Stretch Between Multiple Wins: Chris Meyers, Ray Sand, Jr.-5 years
• Fastest Recorded Race: 10:55.569-10/08/2019 (Green to Checkered)
• Most Entries: 31-10/22/2008

Average Car Count: 13.33

“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons” since 2004