March 26, 2023 – Goshen, IN…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), “West Coast Swing” is now at full song, and on March 28, 2023 it’s time for the SUPRS Copper World Classic XIX by Kern Motorsports with the JP Memorial Supermodified Reunion at the “Desert Jewel” of Phoenix International Raceway.
CAPTION-Two types of supermodifieds, Two 25 lap feature events, One Copper World Classic
XIX Champion when the SUPRS racers take on Phoenix International Raceway on March 28, 2023. (Poster by BreezeGraphics.com)
A Sim Race That Means a Lot
The event means so much to a supermodified sim racer because it is modeled after the popular
Copper World Classic held annually at PIR from 1977-2009. With Phoenix International
Raceway being built specifically to be the home of open-wheel racing in the west, it was only
natural that the mighty supermodifieds would eventually find a home there beginning in 1984 when Ohio’s Doug Saunier won the first race, and running until 2002 when Lonnie Adamson won the last one for the supers.
Curt Kern’s Deep Roots in Supermodifieds
Involved as an official for many years, Curt Kern of Kern Motorsports, has sponsored the SUPRS Copper World Classic since 2007.
In 1987, Kern and Ed Williams started the Northwest Supermodified Racing Association, (NSRA), after the United States Auto Club, (USAC), unexpectedly pulled out of sanctioning regional racing.
In 1992, Curt Kern formed the Western States Supermodified Tour, separating the supermodifieds from sprint cars, which continued to race under the Northwest Supermodified/Sprintcar Racing Association.
Desert Stress for Kern
Eventually Kern also found himself working in an official capacity during the Copper World Classic. “Some years I was on the ground in the pit area and a couple of years in the tower running race control for the supers,” explained the Washington state native.
With speeds on the straights faster than an IndyCar, and approaching 200 mph in a chassis designed for tracks 5/8ths of a mile and under, disaster was never too far away on the mile, and it weighed heavy on the man that called many of the racers his friends. “For me, then, it was a pretty stressful position, but I looked forward to the five days in Phoenix every year. I also dreaded it at the same time,” he said.
Racers Reunion Growing Thanks to Former SUPRS Members
Kern has found a slightly less stressful way to continue to be involved with the division he’s dedicated so much of his life to by starting the West Coast Supermodified Racers Reunion in 2018. Initially, the reunion was just a way for the old gang to get together at Meridian Speedway as part of Diamond Cup Weekend. But as happens with so many of these types of things, the popularity of the reunion rapidly grew from an informal gathering, to a more organized event of larger proportions. It’s now to the point where supermodifieds are once again a part of the Diamond Cup racing action, and that’s thanks in large part to reunion sponsor, and former SUPRS member, Mark Pasquale.
Passion for Supermodifieds Leads to Deeper Involvement
Like Kern, who started as a fan but eventually became one of the most respected members of the supermodified community, Mark Pasquale’s passion for the supermodified division also started as a fan but has now grown into something much deeper. “The reunion was the start of a gathering of the old crew,” said Pasquale.
“Then I joined up with Curt and sponsored a race in my fathers honor, the JP Memorial, (Joseph Pasquale).” It wasn’t long though, that Mark decided to do more for the division he loves. “From there, I decided to jump in with both feet and joined up with Adam Nelson at Meridian Speedway to start the Speed Tour Super Modified Series,” he explained.
“We have three shows this year, all two day shows. The reunion weekend, a second Idaho show with Meridian one night, then Twin Falls the next, then a two day show at Madera, (CA), Speedway as part of the Harvest Classic.”
Hear Mark Pasquale Talk about His New Ventures
Fans will be able to hear more about Mark Pasquale’s new ventures and deeper involvement in supermodified racing, as well as learn about the Speed Tour Super Modified Series with the West Coast Supermodified Racers Reunion by tuning into SUPRS LIVE! at 8:30pm ET. Pasquale will join the pre-race show as a lead up to the live supermodified sim racing action at “The Desert Jewel.”
With live timing, scoring, track telemetry, stats, along with streaming video and insightful fun commentary of all the racing from the SUPRS Copper World Classic XIX presented by Kern Motorsports and the JP Memorial Supermodified Reunion. Cheer on your favorite SUPRS racers as they fly around Phoenix International Raceway @ 8:30pm ET via the SUPRS LIVE! page.
Visit www.SUPRS.net/site/Live or watch and chat on SUPRS Twitch Channel at Twitch.tv/SUPRSOnline.
Race Night Times and Schedule of Events
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
- Official Practice (Wing Supermodifieds-All Skate-Open Pit): 7:15pm
- Official Practice (Non-Wing Supermodifieds-All-Skate-Open Pit): 7:25
- Mandatory Drivers’ Meeting: 7:35pm
- Time Trials (Non-Wing supermodifieds): 7:40pm
- Time Trials (Wing Supermodifieds): 7:50pm
- Green Flag Heat 1(8 laps, or 10 minutes-wing supermodifieds): 8:00pm
- Green Flag Heat 2 (8 laps, or 10 minutes-wing supermodifieds): 8:10pm
- Break
- SUPRS LIVE! Broadcast Window: 8:30pm-10:00pm
- Drivers to Cars: 8:34pm
- Driver Introductions: 8:34pm
- Green Flag Wing Supermodified Feature-25 Laps: 8:35pm
- Commercial Break: 8:55pm
- Final Warm Up(non-wing supermodifieds): 9:00pm
- Drivers to Cars: 9:03pm (approximately)
- Driver Introductions: 9:03pm (approximately)
- Green Flag Non-Wing Supermodified Feature-25 laps: 9:05pm (approximately)
- SUPRS LIVE! Broadcast Post-Race & Close: 9:45pm
- All Servers Closed: 10:00pm
Race Contest History and Statistics
Current Track Records: Phoenix International Raceway
- Non-Wing Supermodifieds: Dave Ohh – 21.189 sec.; Set: February 20, 2019 (rF NW)
- Wing Supermodifieds: Rob Warren – 22.200 sec.; Set: February 5, 2017 (rF W)
Defending Race Winners:
- NON-WING: Dave Ohh; ToR: 13:26.261; MoV: 0.170; 2 Cautions, 8 of 12 drivers finish; 3 leaders
- WING: Dave Ohh; ToR: 12:09.658; MoV: +0.155; 1 Cautions, 12 of 25 laps green, 10 of 11 cars finish
Defending SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Dave Ohh-160pts
SUPRS Copper World Classic History-Winged Supermodifieds:
- 2005 Copper World Classic Winner: JP Curry-PA (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2006 Copper World Classic Winner: John Davidson-CA (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2007 Copper World Classic Winner: Chuck Russell-MO (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2008 Copper World Classic Winner: Kris Heveron-FL(Gold Crest)/Jamie Hartley-Ont. CAN(Silver Crest) (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2009 Copper World Classic Winner: Bobby Gangwer-IN (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2010 Copper World Classic Winner: Chad Phelps-NY (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2011 Copper World Classic Winner: Jeff Weber-IN (40 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2012 Copper World Classic Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.-NY (40 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2013 Copper World Classic Winner: John Davidson-CA (40 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2014 Copper World Classic Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.-NY (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2015 Copper World Classic Winner: Steve Callahan-OH (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2016 Copper World Classic Winner: Bobby Gangwer-IN (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2017 Copper World Classic Winner: Nelson Rodrigues-MA (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2018 Copper World Classic Winner: Nelson Rodrigues-MA (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2019 Copper World Classic Winner: Keith Powell-OH (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2020 Copper World Classic Winner: Dave Ohh-CT (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2021 Copper World Classic Winner: Brad Keysor-NY (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2022 Copper World Classic Winner: Dave Ohh-CT (25 Laps-rFactor)
SUPRS Copper World Classic History-Non-Winged Supermodifieds:
- 2014 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Steve Callahan-OH (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2015 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Myles Maxon-NY (25 Laps-NASCAR Heat)
- 2016 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.-NY (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2017 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Joe Achzet-NY (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2018 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Rob Warren-NY (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2019 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Dave Ohh-CT (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2020 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Dave Ohh-CT (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2021 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Zach Sears-OH (25 Laps-rFactor)
- 2022 Copper World Classic NW Winner: Dave Ohh-CT (25 Laps-rFactor)
SUPRS Copper World Classic Champions:
- 2005 Copper World Classic Champion: JP Curry: PA
- 2006 Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson: CA
- 2007 Copper World Classic Champion: Chuck Russell: MO
- 2008 Copper World Classic Champion: Kris Heveron: FL
- 2009 Copper World Classic Champion: Bobby Gangwer: IN
- 2010 Copper World Classic Champion: Chad Phelps: NY
- 2011 Copper World Classic Champion: Jeff Weber: OH
- 2012 Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.: NY
- 2013 Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson: CA
- 2014 Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.: NY
- 2015 Copper World Classic Champion: Steve Callahan: OH
2016 Begin Adding Wing/Non-Wing Pts to Determine Champion
- 2016 Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.; NY; 155pts
- 2017 Copper World Classic Champion: Joe Achzet; NY; 140 pts
- 2018 Copper World Classic Champion: Nelson Rodrigues; MA; 145pts
- 2019 Copper World Classic Champion: Dave Ohh; CT; 155pts
- 2020 Copper World Classic Champion: Dave Ohh; CT; 160pts
- 2021 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Brad Keysor; NY ; 150 pts (3-way tie)
- 2022 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Dave Ohh; CT; 160 pts
Total SUPRS Copper World Classic Championships:
- Ray Sand, Jr., Dave Ohh: 3
- John Davidson: 2
- JP Curry, Chuck Russell, Kris Heveron, Bob Gangwer, Chad Phelps, Jeff Weber, Steve Callahan, Brad Keysor: 1
All-Time Phoenix International Raceway Supermodified Feature Win List (Gold Crest wing and non-wing):
- Dave Ohh: 4
- Ray Sand, Jr.: 3
- John Davidson, Bob Gangwer, Steve Callahan, Nelson Rodrigues: 2
- JP Curry, Chuck Russell, Kris Heveron, Chad Phelps, Jeff Weber, Myles Maxon. Keith Powell, Joe Achzet, Rob Warren, Brad Keysor, Zach Sears: 1
