Goshen, IN June 20, 2016…This week the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), goes retro with the 1st to Finish Race Servers “IrReGuLar 45” at Oswego Speedway.
There’s nothing “IrReGuLaR” about the promotional poster from BreezeGraphics.com
The entire night of supermodified sim racing is a throwback to the greatest days of racing at the Oswego Speedway. Oswego is known around the world as “The Home of the Supermodifieds,” and up until the 1990s a driver had to work his way through a heat, a semi-feature and sometimes even a consi to get into the feature event. Throughout the night, if he was one of the top dogs with a high handicap, a driver would have to start deep in the field of each race, and do his best to race through the pack to make the transfer. It truly was one of the hardest shows in open wheel racing to make each week.
Starting in 2012 SUPRS member Rob Warren thought it would be a cool idea to emulate that qualifying process for one night a year as a way to pay homage to the good old days.
“I remember being a kid at Oswego Speedway and back then a driver really had to work his tail off to make the feature,” reminisced Warren. “There were some nights when even the greats like Bellinger, Shampine, Gioia and Ciprich had a hard time getting out of their heats and it was always a thrill to see guys try to make the show.”
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“I thought it would be cool to try something along those lines for SUPRS,” he continued. “For people who remember how it used to be at “The Big O”, it will be something that brings back some fond memories like mine and for people who have never been there or even seen a real supermodified show, we can help teach them about what made Oswego Speedway one of the greatest short tracks in the country.”
To his credit, Warren has sponsored the race that was his idea from the beginning. “It was my idea so I thought I should probably pony up and put some money where my mouth is and sponsor the race,” he mused. “I thought we’d call it ” IrRegular” because Oswego, nor SUPRS runs a show that way anymore so it’s out of the norm. Plus it just sounded fun!”
There has never been a repeat winner of the race with Ray Sand, Jr. winning the first one, Domenic Gioia being the 2013 victor and Joe Achzet winning a thriller in 2015 with a pass late in the race that took him to the checkered flag first. There was no race in 2014.
On August sixth of this year, the Oswego Speedway will remember it’s roots as it runs a “Retro Night” where the Novelis Supermodifieds will contend in a 45-lap main along with heats and Semi-Finals. Fans can also enjoy the Oswego Speedway Old Timers Reunion where they can meet many of the drivers from days gone by as they enjoy food catered by Lighthouse Lanes Bowling Center. There will also be a vintage supermodified display along with many pieces of historical memorabilia.
The 1st to Finish Race Servers IrRegular 45 will feature the best online supermodified sim racers on Tuesday June 21, 2016. The SUPRS Race Server will open at 7pm to test installations, with Official Practice starting at 8pm. Then at 8:30pm there will a drivers meeting with the first heat race to start at 9pm.
Supermodified and online racing fans can view timing and scoring of the 1st to Finish Race Servers IrRegular 45 and every SUPRS rFactor race this season with SUPRS LIVE! You’ll be able to keep up with your favorite SUPRS racer in an instant by going to www.SUPRS.net/site/live.
Fans can learn more about the original online supermodified sim sanction when they visit www.SUPRS.net. You can be a part of 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.
Previous Winners of 1st to Finish Race Servers IrRegular 45:
- 2012-Ray Sand, Jr. (50 laps)
- 2013-Domenic Gioia
- 2014-No Race
- 2015-Joe Achzet
“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons”
