The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series Groundhog Day Derby features an interesting format that is decided by the world’s most famous groundhog.
Letting Punxsutawney Phil decide the format for the night may sound a bit odd but SUPRS has done it that way for this race for 10 years and always keeps things just as unpredictable as trying to judge what the weather will do.
The racing at Derry Raceway Park is so unpredictable in fact, that there has never been a repeat winner of the race. A lot of that has to do with the racetrack as much as the format of this event. Derry Raceway Park features two completely different ends with turn one and two having a good deal of banking and turn three and four being almost off-camber creating a challenge to racers on each lap.
Steve Callahan is the current track record holder and a former winner of this race. So far this season, although he has been close, he’s been locked out of SUPRS Victory Lane. Twice he’s been passed while leading by reigning SUPRS Wing Gold Crest Division Champion Ray Sand, Jr., but his smooth, steady style is well suited for this racetrack and is a favorite to become the first two-time winner of Groundhog Day Derby.
Here’s a look at the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series Groundhog Day Derby History:
- 2005 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 71jr.-Bud Flath (No TT)
- 2006 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 2-Sean Gibbs (TT)
- 2007 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 54j-Mike Jackson (TT)
- 2008 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 66-Tim Heveron (No TT)
- 2009 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 79-Myles Maxon (N/A)
- 2010 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 58-Keith Powell (N/A)
- 2011 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 37-Dave Biro III (TT)
- 2012 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 55-Steve Callahan (No TT)
- 2013 Groundhog Day Derby Winner: 23-Chris Meyers (TT)
Current Track Record: Derry Raceway Park: Steve Callahan 12.459 sec. Set 02/02/11
