20th Edition of Dion Parish Memorial Next for SUPRS

October 8, 2023 – Goshen, IN…The 20^th Annual Dion Parish Memorial is next for the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), on October 10, 2023 at Kalamazoo Speedway. SUPRS longest running, most prestigious race honors the memory of supermodified racer Dion Parish who lost his life in a testing a supermodified in preparation for a late 2002 event at Sandusky Speedway.

Parish a Vet and Supermodified Fan and Racer

Dion Parish was a United States Air Force veteran that served in the Persian Gulf. He was born into a racing family and he eventually became a supermodified racer after many years of working on his dad’s race cars and then becoming a winning driver in the “Canadian Coupe” division.

He lost his life in a testing accident at Kalamazoo Speedway on September 14, 2002 while preparing for a late season event at Sandusky Speedway. His dedication to the supermodified division and “Never Give Up” attitude was the inspiration for the founding of the SUPRS league and more importantly the Dion Parish Memorial Benevolent Fund for Supermodifieds.

[Show as slideshow]

Dion’s home track was Kalamazoo Speedway. Known as “The fastest 3/8ths Mile in the World”, Dion had a good amount of success at Kalamazoo during his career and had dreams of resurrecting the supermodified division at this and other Michigan venues.

A big fan of the old Tri-SAC supermodified days, Dion spoke often of watching the greats from Michigan like Marv and Jerry Carmen, Butch and Gary Fedewa, Sammy Sessions, and Bob Seelman take on Texas invaders like Ricky Otts,  Page Reynolds, Leroy Halfin, and Chet Fillip while they mixed it up with Ohio visitors Jim Shirey, Gary Allibritain and Todd Gibson, at his beloved Kalamazoo Speedway.

Dion also loved watching the International Supermodified Association come to Kalamazoo Speedway during their annual Michigan Swing in June during the late 1990s.

It is with that dream, those memories in mind that SUPRS helped promote the Dion Parish Memorial at Kalamazoo Speedway in 2007. A race that was won by Moe Lilje and was well attended. SUPRS, along with Dion’s daughters Mindy and Lindsey presented Jon Henes with the Dion Parish Memorial Perseverance Award which is given to the driver that most represents Dion’s “Never Give Up” attitude.

[Show as slideshow]

Enjoy the Dion Parish Memorial Live Stream

Enjoy the 20^th Annual Dion Parish Memorial with SUPRS LIVE!, our one of a kind live sim racing broadcast. Featuring Live Streaming Video, up to the second Timing and Scoring, and insightful, fun commentary, SUPRS LIVE! is the perfect place to watch all the action while you join your friends to cheer on your favorite SUPRS racers.

Visit www.SUPRS.net/site/Live or watch on SUPRS Twitch Channel at Twitch.tv/SUPRSOnline.

Race Night Times and Schedule of Events

Tuesday, October 12, 2023 (ALL TIMES EASTERN-and other than Practice and Drivers’ Meeting are approximate and subject to change with schedule adjusted accordingly if no Heat Races)

• Official Practice (All Skate-Open Pit): 7:45pm
• Drivers’ Meeting (MANDATORY!): 8:00pm
• Time Trials: 8:10pm
• Qualifying Heat Race 1 (10L or 6m 16 or more entries): to follow Time Trials if needed
• Qualifying Heat Race 2 (10L or 6m 16 or more entries): to follow H1 if needed
• If no Qualifying Heat Races-Final Warmup: 5 Minutes prior to broadcast
• SUPRS LIVE! Broadcast Window: 8:30pm-9:30pm
• Drivers to Cars: 8:34pm
• National Anthem: 8:35pm
• Driver Introductions: 8:37pm
• Green Flag 20^th Annual Dion Parish Memorial-62 laps: 8:45pm
• SUPRS LIVE! Broadcast Post-Race & Close: 9:20pm
• All Servers Closed: 10:00pm

Platform: rFactor

Modification: SUPRS W v8

Track: Kalamazoo Speedway by Griff

Tire Wear: TBD

Mechanical Failures: TBD

Race Contest History and Statistics

Current Track Record: Rob Warren – 9.633 – December 6, 2016 (rF-W)

Defending Race Winner: Brad Keysor

Dion Parish Memorial History–

• 2004 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Bobby Gangwer (NH-State Fair Speedway)
• 2005 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Sean O’Kane (NH-State Fair Speedway)
• 2006 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr. (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2007 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr. (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2008 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Chris Meyers (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2009 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: John Davidson (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2010 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Keith Powell (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2011 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Steve Callahan (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2012 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Carl Becker (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2013 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Ray Sand, Jr. (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2014 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Chris Meyers (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2015 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Rob Warren (NH-Rander Speedway)
• 2016 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Domenic Gioia (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway)
• 2017 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Rob Warren (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway)
• 2018 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Derrick Backus (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway)
• 2019 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Rob Warren (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway)
• 2020 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Brad Keysor (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway)
• 2021 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Dave Ohh (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-50 laps)
• 2022 Dion Parish Memorial Champion: Brad Keysor (rF-Kalamazoo Speedway-62 Laps)

Most Wins: Ray Sand, Jr., Rob Warren: 3

Back to Back Winners: Ray Sand, Jr.

Longest Stretch Between Multiple Wins: Chris Meyers, Ray Sand, Jr.-5 years

Multi-Time Winners: Ray Sand, Jr., Chris Meyers, Rob Warren, Brad Keysor

Fastest Recorded Race: 10:55.569-10/08/2019 (Green to Checkered)

Most Entries: 31-10/22/2008

Average Car Count: 13.41

“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons” since 2004