Groundhog Day Derby Ready to Roll for 10th Year

Share SUPRS:

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.

SUPRS Groundhog Day Derby poster by Breeze Graphics

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

The King Cruises on Groundhog Day

suprs race results featured image
Share SUPRS:

7th Annual Groundhog Day Derby Derry Raceway Park Qualifying Steve Callahan 55   12.459 NTR Dave Biro III 37   12.525 Keith Powell 41   12.543 Ray Sand Jr 18   12.550 Bobby Gangwer 25   12.559 John Davidson 5   12.646 Joe Achzet 14   12.842 Rob Warren 35   12.985 Keep Reading

Tiger Tom Heveron Tames Trick Track

suprs race results featured image
Share SUPRS:

Tom Heveron Delivers at Derry Raceway Park for Groundhog Day Derby Win Derry, ME – February 2, 2008…“Tiger” Tom Heveron of Vero Beach, FL capitalized on his pole position and led every lap of the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), Groundhog Day Derby at the “Trick Track”, Derry Raceway Park. On a rare Saturday date for SUPRS, Heveron was happy that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter meaning… Keep Reading

Bud Flath Flies at Derry Ground Hog Day Derby

suprs race results featured image
Share SUPRS:

Goshen, IN 2/2/05…Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t the only one seeing shadows on Groundhog Day. Try as they might to catch a glimpse of Bud Flath’s TK High Performance #71 Wednesday night, Flath’s fellow SUPRS competitors saw nothing but his fading silhouette as he handily drove to victory in the wild and woolly 38 lap Ground Hog Day Derby at Derry Raceway Park over John Davidson, AJ Truax, JP Curry, and Gary Waldron. With the Ground Hog… Keep Reading

  • Real Supermodified Racing Videos


    Our Real Supermodified Racing YouTube Playlist contains over 900 videos like this. Featuring wing, non-wing, 360/350 small-block, and vintage supermodified videos! If you've never seen, or heard a real supermodified, this is a good place to learn more about "The Ultimate Short Track Race Car" and understand why we love them and support them!
  • SUPRS Business Card 2017 Join Slide