Supermodified racing

Supermodifieds are a class of open wheel race car that compete on paved short tracks throughout North America.

The cars are powered by American fuel-injected V8 engines that run on methanol fuel and can produce in excess of 800 hp (600 kW).

[2] Separate classes of supermodifieds utilizing small block 350 cu in (5.7 L) engines also run on the East Coast (e.g. at Oswego Speedway).

This allows weight distribution to favor the left side (often by as much as 70%) and thereby aid cornering around the left-hand turns of an oval track.

The giant wings, generally a maximum of 24 sq ft (2.2 m2)' in area, are mounted on the frame in a manner resembling sprint cars and serve a similar purpose, designed to produce downforce and thus increase cornering capabilities at high speed.

With the help of local businessman Tom Heveron, they formed ISMA as a forum for owners and drivers to express their ideas and opinions as they felt that they were not allowed to do so under Oswego Speedway management.

Their goals were to upgrade supermodified racing with better safety conditions, hold more events per season to insure sufficient purses, and aid drivers with race-related issues.

The club encouraged new drivers and owners, involved other tracks in supermodified racing, and helped to make the division stronger and more well known to a wider audience.

ISMA negotiated with Lancaster National Speedway for a 40-lap race held on July 3, 1974, which Todd Gibson of Richwood, Ohio won.

As of the end of the 2023 season, the top five drivers for all-time ISMA feature wins are Perley (74), Wood (54), Warren (45), Ordway Sr. (36) and Gosek (30).

The SMRA grew from the defunct Western States Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL), which ran one season in 2007 at tracks in Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah and Washington before disbanding.

The SMRA had a much more liberal rule book than its eastern counterparts, with fewer restrictions on engine placement (rear-engine cars were universally banned in the 1980s) and allowing other such advancements as independent suspension.

That track closed in 1979 and following its closure, the series ran a 9-race schedule, all of which were run at Colorado National Speedway (CNS) in Dacono until May 29, 2016.