Rander, MI – December 8, 2015…It may have been Rob Warren’s fifth win of the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), season, but taking the 12th Annual Dion Parish Memorial Tuesday night was no easy task as he held off Ray Sand, Jr. and Steve Callahan at Rander Speedway for his first win in this prestigious supermodified sim race.
When pole-sitter Dave Brigandi got a bad start, Warren made his way to second place behind outside pole-sitter Domenic Gioia on lap one. He was then able to move into the lead by lap two after passing Gioia.
“I’m not sure what happened to Dave at the start, but I was able to get by him and then Domenic,” explained the Pulaski, NY resident. “Domenic was my best friend for a while there, holding off Ray.”
Warren had enough of a cushion that it took Sand, Jr., who started in last place, several laps to catch him. Once the three-time Dion Parish Memorial Champion got to the leader he worked the low and high grooves searching for a way around.
“I tried getting by Rob low a couple of times, but there was never really enough room,” said Sand, Jr. “I tried the outside too but couldn’t get enough bite through the middle to get beside him and keep him pinned down. He did a heckuva job, hats off to him on the win.”
Sand, Jr., though coming up short of his fourth Dion Parish Memorial Championship, moved up enough places from his starting spot to claim the 10 bonus points that go with being named SUPRSCharger and continues to hold onto the season-long points lead.
For “Steady” Steve Callahan of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, it was a matter of hoping that the top two would be so concerned with their battle that they would forget about his silent charge to their rear nerf bar.
Said Callahan, “I put myself behind the eight-ball at the start, but was able to get by Domenic when he scrubbed the wall. It was great fun watching Rob and Ray go at it and it helped me to close the gap. Big congrats to them on a great race.”
The SUPRS racers will be back in action for the final time in December next Tuesday December 15 for the running of the 12th Annual Christmas Special at Bracket Hill Raceway. The winner of this race will receive a Burgers’ Smokehouse Ozark Country Ham delivered to their doorstep in time for Christmas dinner. Full details can be found on the SUPRS schedule page
Fans can learn more about the original and oldest online supermodified sim sanction, the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, when they visit www.SUPRS.net. Join SUPRS active and vibrant Social Media channels by “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
RACE RESULTS
12th Annual Dion Parish Memorial
Track: Rander Speedway
Laps: 62
| Position | Car | Driver | Results | Best Lap | Laps Led |
| 1. | 35 | Rob Warren | 13:13.502 | 11.573 | 61 |
| 2. | 18 | Ray Sand, Jr. | +0.308 | 11.517 | 0 |
| 3. | 55 | Steve Callahan | +0.623 | 11.519 | 0 |
| 4. | 25 | Bob Gangwer | +3.153 | 11.552 | 0 |
| 5. | 9 | Domenic Gioia | +4.385 | 11.467 | 1 |
| 6. | 52 | Dave Brigandi | DNF | 12.066 | 0 |
