For the first time since 2010 the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series will stage it’s popular St. Patrick’s Day Grab O’ the Green race and for the first time since 2007 it will be held at the one mile oval of Dover Downs International Speedway.
In the first three years of the race Dover Downs played host to the roaring winged supermodifieds with wins going to Kevin Marine, Randy Ritskes and Kris Heveron.
For the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, after a three year run on the mile, SUPRS officials decided to move away from the longer tracks other than Phoenix and New Hampshire International Speedway The St. Patrick’s day event was then moved to Stafford Mountain Speedway and became part of the Empire State Super Series races. Bud Flath and Ray Sand, Jr. picked up the wins at the high banked half mile New York venue.
Continuing with a focus on short tracks, the race moved west of the Mississippi to Buckley Speedway in California and was run just prior to the Billy Vukovich III Classic. Canadian Jamie Hartley was victorious in the one and only time the St. Patrick’s Day Grab O’ the Green was raced there.
For the last several years, SUPRS has focused on a smaller schedule and the St. Patrick’s Day Grab O’ the Green was dropped due simply to fact that there were fewer races during the season.
For SUPRS 10th Anniversary Season in 2013-14, an expanded schedule similar to those run in the first five years of the leagues existance has featured a return to many of the old stomping grounds the SUPRS racers have enjoyed in the past. That includes the St. Patrick’s Day Grab O’ the Green going back to where the race started-Dover Downs.
This year’s race will feature a 25 lap supermodified show as well as the Luck of the Leprechaun Modified 125 race. The speeds will be up and the nerves ragged as many of the SUPRS competitors have never seen competition in their supermodified at a track this intimidating. It’s probable that Bud Flath’s track record of 19.793 set on March 16, 2005 may well be shattered as pre-race testing has already seen some cars nipping at the 19.5 second range.
Practice begins at 8pm and Time Trials will take place at 8:30pm. Racing for the supermodifieds will begin with heat races at 8:45pm and the feature is set to go off around 9:00pm. The full Luck of the Leprechaun Modified 125 show is set to go immediately following the completion of the supermodified feature.
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike are encouraged to learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
