International Supermodified Association
Introduction The '''International Supermodified Association (ISMA)''' is a sanctioning body of short track auto racing in the United States. It is the largest sanctioning body of supermodified racing, an open wheel discipline popular in Upstate New York.
History 2006 ISMA SuperModifiedThe ISMA was founded in 1974 by multi-time Oswego Speedway champions Jim Shampine and Nolan Swift. With the help of a local businessman, Tom Heveron, they formed ISMA as a forum for owners and drivers to express ideas and opinions that some they felt that they were not allowed to under the management of Oswego Speedway and ensure the discipline's future.The goals were to upgrade supermodified racing with better safety conditions, more events per season to insure sufficient purses and to aid drivers with their race related problems. The association worked with track managements in making decisions and in discussing ways of improvement. The club encouraged new drivers and owners interested other tracks in supermodified racing and helped to make the division stronger and more well known to a wider audience.Tom Heveron served as the sanctioning body's president and led ISMA through its developmental stages, with the help of Vice President Jim Shampine and Secretary/Treasurer Fred Graves. ISMA negotiated with Lancaster for a 40 lap race held on July 3, 1974, which Todd Gibson of Richwood, Ohio won. The following year, ISMA booked races at Fulton Speedway with a $5,000 purse and $1,000 to win.Starting in 1976, ISMA developed a point fund with tracks contributing $500– $1,000 per race to this fund. Unlike most other point systems, ISMA awards points to the car owners as ISMA is an owners club rather than drivers. Joining the Heveron, Shampine and Graves team, Shirley Letcher took over the responsibility for the point system. In just three seasons, ISMA had accomplished sanctioning over $96,000 in purse money and races, adding a point fund of $4,400 paid by promoters, having tow money at all of the ISMA sanctioned races, having insurance certificates from each promoter on file, and working with other promoters for more races in 1977.Steve Gioia, Jr. became ISMA's first points Champion.
Current ISMA continues to be at the forefront of supermodified sanctioning bodies, pioneering the franchise system, in which teams purchase a franchise at the beginning of the season. Creating a win-win situation for both the teams and promoters, each of the 19 franchise teams are allowed to miss up to 3 shows during the race season while being guaranteed a minimum starting purse of $1,000 at each event. This system helps to ensure solid, stable car counts and a successful event for the promoter.ISMA generally sanctions between 13–17 shows a year including two of the prestigious supermodified Triple Crown Series at 1/4-5/8 mile paved short tracks located in 6 states and Canada.
Champions 2013 ISMA cars at l'Autodrome Chaudière in Canada Season Driver1976 Steve Gioia Jr.1977Jim Shampine1978Steve Gioia Jr.1979Doug Heveron1980Doug Heveron1981Doug Heveron1982Doug Heveron1983Den Wheeler1984Bentley Warren1985Steve Gioia Jr.1986Steve Gioia Jr.1987Joe Gosek1988Bentley Warren1989Bentley Warren1990Bentley Warren1991Russ Wood1992Pat Abold1993Pat Abold1994Russ Wood1995Mike Ordway Sr.1996Russ Wood1997Russ Wood1998Mike Ordway Sr.1999Russ Wood2000Joe Gosek2001Dave McKnight Jr.2002Russ Wood2003Chris Perley2004Chris Perley2005Pat Abold2006Chris Perley2007Chris Perley2008Chris Perley2009Chris Perley2010Russ Wood2011Russ Wood2012Mike Lichty2013Lou Cicconi Jr.2014Ben Seitz2015Dave Shullick Jr. 2016Dave Shullick Jr. 2017Jonathan McKennedyCompetitors notable outside of ISMA:*Bentley Warren- 37 IndyCar Series starts including the 1971 and 1975 Indianapolis 500*Doug Heveron- 96 professional NASCAR starts, 1 IndyCar Series start, attempted 1983 Indianapolis 500*Joe Gosek- Started the 1996 Indianapolis 500*Davey Hamilton- 56 IndyCar Series starts including 14 Indianapolis 500 starts; with a best finish of 4th*Doug Didero- 3 professional NASCAR starts, 6 IndyCar Series starts, attempted 2000 Indianapolis 500*Mike McLaughlin- 318 professional NASCAR starts with 6 wins, 1988 Winston Modified Tour Champion*Johnny Benson Jr.- 503 professional NASCAR starts with 18 wins, 1995 Busch Series Champion, 2008 Craftsman Truck Series Champion, 1993 ASA National Tour Champion*Bobby Santos III- 7 professional NASCAR starts, 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion*Ted Christopher- 29 professional NASCAR starts, 48 NASCAR Modified wins, 2008 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, 2x 24 Hours of Daytona starts
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