2005 schedule released

ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands Of America Series To Begin 2005 Racing at Waterford Speedbowl; One Show Still Pending Will Bring Total To 16 Events

Oswego, NY -- While the 2005 ISMA schedule isn't quite final yet, it's close enough to allow its release. Fifteen shows are in the books to date, with one show on July 15 still under negotiations. Although the Lucas Oil / Helping Hands of America-sponsored winged supermodified organization is starting out a little later than usual on May 28, the slate of events is still an auspicious one. And, with the later start; more cars and teams will have a chance to be 100 percent prepared and ready for racing action. It purports to be an even more exciting season for ISMA with the advent of the use of transponders at each show, which will make things run even smoother than in the past.

The May 28th opener will take place at a new venue in the historic Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut. This NASCAR track was founded in 1951 and runs SK-Modifieds atop their four-division program. It also plays hosts to popular touring groups such as the Whelen Modified Tour, Busch North, NEMA, ACT and now ISMA. According to its website, "It (Waterford) is regarded by competitors as a challenging two-groove track with an outstanding racing surface. The Modifieds and Midgets reach speeds of 100 mph plus. There are no bad viewing spots among the 7,500-plus seats." The ISMA contingent will run a 75-lap inaugural main on Waterford's one-third mile oval and should notch even greater speeds!

June finds ISMA out west and back east with trips to Toledo Speedway (OH) and Jennerstown Speedway (PA) on June 17 and 18. On June 25, the ultra-fast winged supers will head to Seekonk Speedway (MA) where they were completely rained out of one of their two-slated events in 2004. Defending champs of all three of these June events are Pat Abold, Chris Perley and Rick Wentworth respectively, all of whom are expected to return to defend their previous wins.

In July four races are already on the docket, with the fifth, as mentioned, on July 15 yet to be officially added. A return trip to Stafford Motor Speedway is a definite on Wednesday, July 13 and then it's a trip to Cayuga Speedway (Ont.) on July 16. Sandusky Speedway's traditional Hy-Miler weekend comes on the 29th and 30th to end the month. Winners at Stafford and Sandusky last season were Mike Ordway (both shows at Sandusky's Hy-Miler) and Chris Perley at Stafford. Cayuga was not on the 2004 docket.

In August, the ISMA group heads back out west to the Mansfield Speedway for the second visit there in as many years. Two days of racing takes place on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13. The format includes a 40-lapper on Friday and a 100-lapper on Saturday, similar to the Sandusky Hy-Miler events. Dave McKnight made Mansfield his own in 2004 by taking both exciting legs of the inaugural event there.

Lee USA Speedway, which has hosted many memorable ISMA shows, is back with their traditional affair on August 19 with Oxford Plains next up on August 20. Last season's Ollie Silva Memorial met with rain and was run in September with Chris Perley copping the win. Perley, who eventually became the 2004 champion, also took Oxford's August event.

September 3 finds ISMA back at the home of the supermodifieds, Oswego Speedway for the traditional ISMA Super Nationals 50. Young hot shoe Bobby Santos III picked up his second career ISMA win at this event last season. And on Sept. 10, another tradition continues in the 40th annual Star Classic 200 -- the longest distance race of the season for the ISMA clan. Russ Wood, fast becoming the master of Star Classics, picked up his fifth such victory last year. Only veteran Bentley Warren has won more Classics -- six during his long and illustrious career.

And, as traditions go, so goes the grand finale of the season at Thompson International Speedway, which hosts the annual World Series of Racing on October 15 and 16. Often the clincher of titles, the 2004 show was a bit of a breather for champ Chris Perley, who had clinched the title the race before, but went on to win a Thompson just to top off a great season.

Information in regard to the pending ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands of America event on July 15 will be forthcoming. Look on ISMAsupers.com for up-to-date information. Schedule cards will be available for the upcoming auto shows in March.

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