ISMA car owner Paul Dunigan passes away

ISMA Supermodified Car Owner Paul Dunigan Passes Away

April 20, 2004 - After a long struggle with an undefeatable foe, Lowell, Mass. supermodified car owner Paul Dunigan passed away in the Lowell Hospital on Monday evening, April 19. Calling hours will be Thursday, April 22 from 2 pm on at the James Dolan Funeral Home, 106 Middlesex Street, Chelmsford, Mass. The funeral will take place on Friday, April 23; time to be announced. Further information is unavailable as of this writing.

Dunigan was a Lowell, Mass. businessman who became well known as a race car owner of powerful supermodifieds. Competing with the International SuperModified Association for many years, Dunigan claimed the car owner title an unprecedented seven times (1995-2000, 2002) with drivers Mike Ordway, Russ Wood and Joe Gosek at the helm of his cars. Dunigan also finished in the runner-up spot in the ISMA point chase four times with the legendary Bentley Warren, Wood, and Randy Ritskes behind the wheel on those occasions.

Paul served on the ISMA Board of Directors and was honored for his loyalty, dedication and efforts on more than one occasion by that organization. Over the years he received the Jim Shampine Award, the Jim Soule Dedication Award and on several occasions Dunigan Racing was honored as Crew of the Year.

Behind the scenes, Paul Dunigan did much more for racing than anyone will ever know, helping ISMA, race track owners and promoters, and many others without fanfare. He was many things to many people a father, a husband, a mentor, a car owner, a leader, a follower, an antique collector sometimes misunderstood, but always possessing the best of intentions. A man of unique personality, he will never be replaced in the world of supermodified racing or in the hearts of the many who knew him as a friend.

His wife Helene and one son, Paul Jr., survive Paul Dunigan.

-twcny-