SUPRS Veterans Day Special Hopes to Honor American Vets

November 10, 2024 – Goshen, IN…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), continues it’s long standing tradition of striving to bring about awareness, and give respect to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces with the running of the 2024 Veterans Day Special supermodified sim race on November 12, 2024 at Martinsville Speedway.

SUPRS Hopes to Help Homeless Veterans

The United States faces a significant crisis concerning the welfare of its veterans, particularly in terms of homelessness and reintegration challenges. As of January 2023, approximately 35,574 veterans experienced homelessness, marking a concerning 7.4% increase from the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) [HUD, 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report]. On any given night, around 20,067 veterans were in shelters, while 15,507 lived without any shelter at all, as reported by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) [NCHV, 2023 Annual Report]. These statistics underscore the ongoing struggles many veterans face upon returning to civilian life.

SUPRS recognizes that veterans often struggle with proper medical care, employment, and housing due to various factors, including addiction and physical and mental health issues. The transition from military service to civilian life can be particularly challenging, with many veterans finding it difficult to acclimate to the daily routines of civilian existence. SUPRS is committed to addressing these issues and hopes to leverage the power of sim racing as a tool to support those who have chosen to serve our country, providing them with the knowledge that they are not forgotten.

SUPRS will be making a donation in the name of the winner of SUPRS Veterans Day Special to the Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana. Helping Veterans And Families (HVAF) helps homeless veterans return to self-sufficiency and engages at-risk veterans and their families to prevent them from becoming homeless by providing supportive housing, case management, employment support, therapy, and basic needs including food, hygiene and clothing. In 2023, HVAF served 1,349 veterans and provided over 37,000 life-changing services. HVAF is the largest non-profit provider of comprehensive services for veterans facing homelessness in Indiana.

HVAF of Indiana recently experienced a devastating fire at their Manchester Apartments, located at 960 N. Pennsylvania Street in the heart of Indianapolis. This unfortunate incident has left 48 homeless veterans without their transitional housing as the colder months approach. Following a thorough investigation conducted jointly by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), the fire was determined to be accidental in nature.

In response to this crisis, HVAF is seeking support from the community. If you’re in a position to help, please consider making a donation through their dedicated fire assistance fund: https://www.hvafofindiana.org/donate-hvaf-fireassistancefund/

Additionally, HVAF has created an Amazon Wish List containing essential items for the displaced veterans. Your contribution of items from this list would be greatly appreciated. You can access the wish list here:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3BPBZDBHV39T/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

The Soldier
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, 
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not he campus organizer,
Who as given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves under the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

-Charles M. Province

First Time at Martinsville for Veterans Day Special

This year the race will be held for the first time at Martinsville Speedway, using the rFactor sim racing platform. Marking just the fourth time in the history of the race, which dates back to 2008, that the SUPRS Veterans Day Special has been contested at a track other than New River Valley Speedway in Radford, VA, the race has also been shortened from 75 laps to 40.

And while those two statistics about the Veterans Day Special might seem astounding, the fact that SUPRS has only contested two other Gold Crest Wing Supermodified Championship races at Martinsville is slightly more staggering. Kris Heveron and Brad Keysor, according to existing records, are the only Gold Crest drivers to win a feature event at the famed half-mile.

Rob Warren and Dave Ohh are tied for the most SUPRS Veterans Day Special wins with four total. In fact no other, driver besides those two, has won the SUPRS Veterans Day Special since 2017. Ray Sand, Jr. and veteran, and SUPRS co-founder, John Davidson are the only other drivers to have won the race more than once and have two-a-piece.

More SUPRS Veterans Day Special Details

A full night of NASCAR Heat winged supermodified racing action with Time Trials, the BMK Logistics Fast Car Dash, Heat Races and a quick 40 lap Feature.

Practice for the SUPRS Veterans Day Special at Martinsville Speedway begins at 7:00pm with racing slated to go at 8:25.

Supermodified and sim racing fans alike can view timing and scoring, including track telemetry of the Veterans Day Special with SUPRS LIVE! To keep up with your favorite SUPRS racer in an instant just point your browser to www.SUPRS.net/site/live.

Race Night Times and Schedule of Events

(ALL TIMES EASTERN)

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

• Official Practice (All Skate): 7:00pm
• Drivers’ Meeting (MANDATORY): 8:00pm
• Time Trials: 8:15pm
• Green Flag BMK Logistics Fast Car Dash: 8:25pm (approximately to follow Time Trials)
• Green Flag Heat Race: 8:35pm
• Final Warmup: 8:42 (3 Mins)
• Green Flag – Veterans Day Special Feature – 40 laps: 8:45pm (approximately)
• Race Server Closed: 9:45pm

Race Contest History and Statistics

Current Track Record-Martinsville Speedway: Myles Maxon-15.782-03/24/2010 (NASCAR Heat)

Defending Race Winner: Dave Ohh

SUPRS Veterans Day Special  History:

• 2004-2007 No Race
• 2008 Veterans Day Special Winner-John Davidson (New River Valley Speedway-50 laps-NH)
• 2009 Veterans Day Special Winner-Steve Callahan (New River Valley Speedway-50 laps-NH)
• 2010 Veterans Day Special Winner-John Davidson (New River Valley Speedway-50 laps-NH)
• 2011 Veterans Day Special Winner-Dave Biro III (New River Valley Speedway-50 laps-NH)
• 2012 No Race
• 2013 Veterans Day Special Winner-Carl Becker/Ray Sand, Jr. (Salem Speedway-75×2 laps(wing/non-wing)-NH)
• 2014 Veterans Day Special Winner-Rob Warren (Memphis International Speedway-75 laps-NH)
• 2015 Veterans Day Special Winner-Ray Sand, Jr. (Madera Speedway-75 laps(non-wing) rF)
• 2016 Veterans Day Special Winner-Keith Powell (Levi Signature Speedway-75 laps-rF)
• 2017 Veterans Day Special Winner-Rob Warren (Levi Signature Speedway-75 laps-rF)
• 2018 Veterans Day Special Winner-Rob Warren (Levi Signature Speedway-75 laps-rF)
• 2019 Veterans Day Special Winner-Rob Warren (New River Valley Speedway-75 laps-NH)
• 2020 Veterans Day Special Winner-Dave Ohh (New River Valley Speedway-75 laps-NH)
• 2021 Veterans Day Special Winner-Dave Ohh (New River Valley Speedway-75 laps-NH)
• 2022 Veterans Day Special Winner-Dave Ohh (New River Valley Speedway-75 laps-NH)
• 2023 Veterans Day Special Winner-Dave Ohh (New River Valley Speedway-75 laps-NH)

SUPRS History at Martinsville Speedway

• 10/23/2007-SUPRS Gold Crest Winged Supermodified-Regular Show-63 Laps-Kris Heveron-NH
• 02/21/2023-SUPRS Gold Crest Winged Supermodified-Presidents Day Spcl.-75 laps-Brad Keysor-rF

“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons” since 2004