Cayuga 2000 Speedway ISMA preview

Cayuga 2000 Speedway
First Annual "Crown Jewel Open Wheel Classic" At Cayuga 2000 Speedway

Nelles Corners, Ontario On Saturday July 7, Cayuga 2000 Speedway hosts the first annual Crown Jewel Open Wheel Classic. The feature events are 50 laps for the Supermodifieds of the International Supermodified Association (ISMA), and 30 laps for the Sprint Cars of the Auto Value Super Sprint Series (AVSS). The all open wheel spectacular also includes a 30-lap feature for the Canadian Vintage Modifieds (CVM).

Billed as the fastest short-track asphalt cars in the world, the ISMA Supermodifieds are capable of running Cayuga's five-eighths-mile-oval in less than 18 seconds at average speeds exceeding 125 mph (200 km/h). They are powered by big block, North American built motors with a maximum displacement of 470 cubic inches (7.7 litres) producing upwards of 700 horsepower. So, if you have the need for speed, Cayuga is the place to be on Saturday night July 7.

Five ISMA events have been held this season, with four drivers winning feature races. Joey Payne of Hawthorne, New Jersey won the opener at Lee USA Speedway. Chris Perley from Rowley, Massachusetts took the win at Seekonk Raceway. Dave McKnight of Brampton, Ontario won the feature at Oswego Speedway, and Lou Cicconi from Aston, Pennsylvania prevailed at Toledo Speedway and at Berlin Raceway. Cicconi leads the ISMA point standings, with defending ISMA champ Dave McKnight currently in fourth place.

The Supermodified portion of the Crown Jewel Open Wheel Classic will be the first of two appearances at Cayuga this year for ISMA. It is race number seven out of 18 events on the ISMA calendar. The Supermodifieds will return to Cayuga on Sunday, August 5 as part of the second annual Agrifest Weekend.

The Auto Value Super Sprints bring a new attraction to Cayuga's high-speed oval as this will be their first appearance in Canada. Powered by 410 cubic inch motors (6.7 litres), the winged Sprint Cars race mostly on tracks ranging in size from quarter-mile bullrings to half-mile layouts.

After five AVSS races this year, Gary Fedewa leads the points standings. Based in Holt, Michigan, Fedewa won the second through fourth races to build a 50-point lead over Kevin Feeney of Oxford, Michigan, who took the first race of the season. The third place point man is Kevin Lower. Lower won the most recent AVSS event and is just five points behind Feeney. Lower is from Angola Indiana.

David Elliott of Waterdown, Ontario heads the point standings in the Grisdale Racing Tour for Canadian Vintage Modifieds. Elliott is from Dundas, Ontario. John Karley from Kitchener is winless so far this season, but strong performances have resulted in second place in the point chase. Third place Gary Elliott from Dundas has also yet to win this year.

Mike Podd of Milton won the season opener for the Canadian Vintage Modifieds at Delaware Speedway. David Elliott won the second race of the year at Sunset Speedway. Joe Arsenault from Burlington won at Sauble Speedway, while Murray Ducharme won at Flamboro Speedway and Doug Hood of Freelton took the most recent event at Mosport Speedway.

Gates open at 3:00 o'clock on Saturday, July 7 for the Crown Jewel Open Wheel Classic. Qualifying heat races for the three classes are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.

All tickets for the Crown Jewel Open Wheel Classic are general admission and sold at the gate on race day. Adult tickets are $25. The Family Plan costs $80 and admits two adults and two students. Children under 12 are free. More information and the full 2001 schedule for Cayuga 2000 Speedway is available on the web site at www.cayuga2000speedway.com. Phone inquiries are welcome at the speedway office (519-622-2430) from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

-C2S-