PERLEY CAPS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP YEAR WITH A WORLD SERIES ISMA WIN
Thompson, CT – Chris Perley capped off his 2008 ISMA championship with his fifth win at Thompson Speedway's World Series of Racing on Sunday. It was his fifth win of the ISMA portion of that racing event and his sixth win overall in that race's history. Trailing him was his teammate, driving the Vic Miller 71, and 4-time World Series victor himself, Bentley Warren. Perley's main competition came from Dave Shullick Jr. who led, then ran second to the 11 until, with less than ten laps to go, spun off turn four. Lou Cicconi was able to stay in second for one circuit until Warren took over.

Perley described his race. " I was running strong. The car was awesome and I kind of got a little lax in traffic. I was just trying to pick my way through and trying not to nick up the car because obviously you have to 'finish to finish first' or something like that. Then Dave woke me up there for a minute. I guess then he spun himself out. It's too bad. It would have been a good battle between him and I. I know that he was pretty strong. That's why I wanted to get by him as early as I could. I just love coming to Thompson. This place is a blast and we've had a lot of luck here, which of course is half of it. With great crew, great sponsors, and great engines, the car just keeps running. I can't thank everybody enough for coming out to see us today."

Ageless Bentley Warren climbed out of the seat of the Miller 71 all smiles, enjoying the race and the applause he has earned. ":  Thanks to Vic Miller and Eddie Shea and the whole11-71 crew. The crew gave me a heck of a racecar. I really enjoyed running it. It's just so much fun to run with these guys. I really appreciate it."

Mark Sammut, who stole third from Cicconi, in the Wentworth 10, at race end, laughed and said,  "The car's been running great all weekend. Everybody on the crew worked hard. We won our heat yesterday and here we are in the top three and not a black car!"

Dave Shullick Jr. led the ISMA field of 28 to the green flag and immediately set himself up as the man to beat. Robbie Summers, Mike Lichty and Sammut were quickly joined by Perley in the early battled\.

But, with no yellows to mar the way, Shullick fled into the tail of the field, putting a couple cars in between his Booth-owned 61 and the pursuers. And, just as quickly, Chris Perley moved by Lichty and Summers to be Shoe II's challenger.

The traffic Shullick began to encounter was almost as racy as the front-runners, slowing him enough for Perley to close up the distance between them. On lap 16, The Rowley Rocket pulled under Shullick to take over the lead, but the battle did not end here.

On lap 17 Mike Ordway Sr., driving the PATCO 74, found himself minus a wheel and a spot on the wall. After the cleanup, Bob Magner was the next wall victim, in a different spot, as the race tried to resume. He went into the pits but would resume the race later on.

Perley took off on the green with Shullick tucked in behind. Several lap cars separated the duo from Summers, Lichty, Cicconi, Sammut, Warren and Ordway Jr.
Just before halfway, the 76 of Tim Adams slid off the track in four, hit the pedal and was able to make the save although the yellow had flown.

Liquid Lou used the restart of lap 21 to catapult by both Lichty and Summers to take over third. The race went on autopilot for a number of laps as Perley tiptoed through traffic and Shullick tap danced behind. Soon the 61 was closing in on the 11.

With 15 to go, Shullick was within striking distance as a war waged behind between Cicconi, Summers, Lichty, Warren and Sammut.

On lap 37, Lichty's run once again ended in disappointment as the 84 headed pit side smoking.

On lap 39, Adams was able to make another spectacular save when his wing flapped forward hindering his vision. Adams was able to steer the car through the grass and into the pits.

With ten to go, Shullick was right there as Perley approached some three-wide racing just ahead of him. The 61 showed a wheel to Perley and then almost a whole car. The pass did not stick and on lap 42, Shullick drove harder than he wanted to off turn four in pursuit of the lead and the 61 came around, sending the apron dirt and the yellow flag flying. He was able to get straightened out and back on the track, only now at the tail end.

On the restart, Perley took off, as did "the old man" with Bentley Warren making a charge by Cicconi for the runner-up spot. Cicconi was left to try and hold off Summers, Sammut, Russ Wood, Ordway Jr. and Dave McKnight.

Within a couple laps, Shullick was already up behind McKnight, but time was running out.  Mark Sammut wasn't done racing yet either as Perley and Warren ran their Miller owned black cars and Cicconi ran the Miller designed Wentworth 10 out front of his red and while 78.  On the last circuit as the flag was flying for Perley out front, Sammut picked off Cicconi to claim a podium finish, joining Bentley and Perley.

Cicconi and Summers picked up the remainder of the top five while Russ Wood, Mike Ordway Jr., Shullick, Jeff Holbrook and Dave McKnight completed the top ten, the final cars on the lead lap.

For Perley, the World Series victory was his 7th ISMA win of the season, as he captured his third straight ISMA title, and fifth overall. He reflected on his 2008 season earlier while awaiting the feature run.

"We had a great year again. I don't know if you can say it was as good as last year, but I think it was in some aspects. The car was so strong. The competition crept up a little in ISMA, which was great. Winning a race or a championship isn't really worth it if there isn't anybody there to fight you for it in the end. I enjoy the competition as much as anything. Obviously without the crew, without the sponsors and the support of my family and friends, it's not worth it at all. We just have a great package and everybody keeps rolling along. If we didn't win the championship and we had this type of year, we'd still be happy. It's just a bonus this year. And, next year if we keep going, who knows if we'll win the championship, but again, if we don't and we still have a year like this, that's awesome too."


SUMMARY ISMA Event #12 (including a rained out Toledo)
Heat 1: Dave Shullick Jr., Chris Perley, Mike Lichty, Otto Sitterly, Bobby Haynes Jr., Bob Magner, Larry Lehnert, Dave Trytek, Eric Emhoff
Heat 2: Russ Wood, Mike Ordway Sr., Scott Martel, Lou Cicconi, Vern Romanoski, Bob Bond, Pat Lavery, Bobby Santos, Dave Sanborn, Jamie Timmons
Heat 3: Mark Sammut, Rob Summers, Bentley Warren, Mike Ordway Jr., Dave McKnight, Craig Rayvals, Tim Adams, Randy Wimert, Brandon Bellinger, Mike Keeler, Jeff Holbrook

WORLD SERIES ISMA 50: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Bentley Warren (71), 3. Mark Sammut (78), 4. Lou Cicconi (10), 5. Rob Summers (97), 6. Russ Wood (29), 7. Mike Ordway Jr. (41), 8. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 9. Jeff Holbrook (35), 10. Dave McKnight (94), 11. Dave Sanborn (24), 12. Craig Rayvals (05), 13. Bob Bond (25), 14. Mike Keeler (56), 15. Pat Lavery (2L), 16. Bob Magner (22), 17. Otto Sitterly (7), 18. Mike Lichty (84), 19. Tim Adams (76), 20. Vern Romanoski (9), 21. Dave Trytek (70), 22. Mike Ordway Sr. (74), 23. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 24. Brandon Bellinger (02), 25. Scott Martel (88), 26. Larry Lehnert (92), 27. Eric Emhoff (2E), 28. Randy Wimert (60).

CHRIS PERLEY BEATS BUG AT BERLIN

Marne, MI - Saturday was a perfect fall day for racing in Michigan, but Chris Perley's day started with a stomach virus. He spent most of the day trying to rest and recover in the confines of a busy pit, but despite the ailment he was able to muster up just enough energy to bring home his fourth straight Berlin Raceway win.  Three-time Berlin winner Russ Wood was the man to beat for Perley on the track. Wood took over the lead on lap 8 and looked to be a sure winner, but even Wood knew Perley was out there somewhere. By lap 30, the 11 was right on the tail of the 29. In two laps, the lead switched and never switched back despite trepidations from both the winner and the pursuer.

"I thought for sure Russ would be back because we kept getting tighter and tighter," said Chris in victory lane.  "I thought I was going to lose it at the end. I didn't know how close he was. I really laid low today. I tried to get a little bit of rest. I certainly don't feel good but these guys give me an awesome car so I can't give up on them at any time. I just gave it everything I had and we were lucky enough to come out on top tonight.

"Today it seemed like such a chore to just get in the car and get hooked up. After the heat I was worn out. I didn't know how I was going to make 50 laps. I guess I had enough adrenaline to get me going and keep me going. The car was tight most of the time, which made it easier for me to drive. I didn't think I would have enough for Woody. When I got by him I expected him to come back by me. I thought we had slowed up, but we held on.

"Thanks to all the fans who came out to watch. I hope it was a decent race to watch. I love coming to Berlin. It's been a great track for me. It's a blast running here. I wish we'd had a little more competition and that Johnny (Benson) had made it with his new car. But, I'll take what I got and again thanks to everybody for coming out."

Second place finisher Wood, who continues to be Perley's keenest competition, knew that nothing would keep Perley from being his challenger once in the lead.

"We had a really good car again tonight. The guys did a really good job. I was watching the scoreboard. I knew he was coming. When you see the camera flashes, you know he's there. I was getting loose, trying to hang in there. I knew Chris was going to get me. I'm happy to finish second. I'd like to thank all the fans for coming out tonight and Randy Sweet of Sweet Manufacturing for helping us out all the time and to Doc Hathaway who does a really good job on the car. We're happy with tonight's results."

Bob Bond took over the third spot late in the going from Jeff Holbrook for his best ISMA finish to date.

"It was a good run. We just took our time. The car was good getting in and we were loose getting off. It was a little tight coming off four probably like everybody was. Jeff was kind of running a tough groove. I was faster getting in and I finally squeezed underneath him there going into three. I think everybody was getting a littler slower as I got faster. I was just getting the hang of the track. This is a great crowd here tonight. I'm glad to see them all. I hope they enjoyed the show and hope they come back next year."

Early attrition shortened an already shorter than normal field, when Johnny Benson Jr. and Dave Shullick Jr. both had engine problems in their cars. But when the green flag dropped, the remaining cars showed they had come to race. Brandon Bellinger put the 02 out front at the start but things slowed on lap 3 when Doug Didero's 3 slid off the backstretch. A rash of pit stops followed while Didero was brought back onto the track.

Rob Summers took over the lead from Bellinger on lap 4 and pulled away, but moving up quickly was Russ Wood to take over on lap 8.

As Wood began to pull away from Summers, and the racing began to sort out, Mike Ordway Jr. called it a day after something caused the 41 car to handle so badly that he pulled pit side.

Yellow fell again on lap 17 when the 84 of Mike Lichty stopped out front with steam pouring from his car. An errant radiator hose was the cause and Lichty was able to make a quick repair and return. Unfortunately during the same yellow Summers pitted and repitted for good.

Out front Perley used the restart to grab off second from Jeff Holbrook as Danny Lane and Mark Sammut waited in the wings right behind.

The Wood-Perley duel was heated as the race approached and passed the halfway mark. Holbrook, Lane, Bob Bond, Larry Lehnert, Doug Didero and Mike Lichty were the next in line.

On lap 32, after many attempts at an outside pass, Perley was able to complete the maneuver, taking the lead from Wood off turn four. Behind, Bond just getting used to the new venue for him, was on the move getting by Lane after a spirited battle for the fourth place spot. Mark Sammut was also moving up the scoreboard when Doug Didero brought out his second yellow. This time Didero did not return as the field bunched for the final 9 laps.

On lap 43, Bond finally made good on his try for third putting Holbrook back a notch and one lap later Sammut took away fourth from the 35. Jeff said later, "I did not need that last caution. I was solidly in third and when that caution came out I was loose and I knew somebody would be coming. But, we had a pretty good weekend. I was hoping Russell would win. But Chris Perley is Chris Perley so I'm happy. We did good."

Perley was a lap car out front of Wood at the checkered as Bond, Sammut and Holbrook held their ground in the top five.

Sammut said of his top five, "Our car was off all day. We were so loose right from the time we got here. We kept tightening it but we still didn't get it tight enough for the feature. But there it was the best it had been all day. I just ran around and drove my own car. I didn't have anything for the 11 or 29. But I think we were pretty much as good as everybody else. Maybe in another few laps we might have gotten the 25 but maybe not. It's one thing to catch them and another thing to go by. Considering how bad the day started out and how it ended, I'm more than happy to finish fourth."

Larry Lehnert, Danny Lane, Dave Trytek, Brandon Bellinger and Doug Didero rounded out the top ten.

Summary
Heat 11: Dave Trytek, Danny Lane, Mike Lichty, Dave McKnight, Chris Perley, Jeff Holbrook, Bobby Bond, Larry Lehnert

 Heat 2: Rob Summers, Mike Ordway Jr., Russ Wood, Mark Sammut, Brandon Bellinger, Doug Didero, Mike Ordway Sr.

DNS: Johnny Benson Jr. (21), Dave Shullick Jr. (61)

ISMA-Berlin 50: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Russ Wood (29), 3. Bobby Bond (25), 4. Mark Sammut (78), 5. Jeff Holrbook (35), 6. Larry Lehnert (92), 7. Danny Lane (5), 8. Dave Trytek (70), 9. Brandon Bellinger (02), 10. Doug Didero (3), 11. Mike Lichty (84), 12. Dave McKnight (94), 13. Mike Ordway Sr. (74), 14. Rob Summers (97), 15. Mike Ordway Jr. (41).

DAVE MCKNIGHT REPEATS ISMA WIN AT DELAWARE 

Delaware, Ont. – In 2007 Dave McKnight broke an ISMA winless streak of several years by coming home the victor at Delaware Speedway in his native Canada. Friday night he repeated the feat after taking the lead from Jeff Holbrook on lap 15 and staying out front in the competitive 50-lapper for the duration. McKnight was able to build up a comfortable lead while behind him others were battling tooth and nail to gain a position or two.

"We got a little bit of a break. We started decent tonight," said the Brampton, Ontario driver.  "We got out front and we gave it everything we had. I knew Chris and the others would be coming but we definitely had a stronger car tonight. We've been struggling all year and we just haven't had the car to get the job done. Tonight we did."

Being before a large Canadian crowd didn't hurt his effort by any means and he acknowledged the fact. "After being the last person to win this race and trying for a back to back, I think I pushed the envelope a little to make me try a little harder. We didn't have to pass much tonight and once we got out front we had a clean raceway most of the way. It made it a lot easier. I'm sure Chris and Russell had to get through the pack. But, hey that's racing. Tomorrow will be a lot tougher so we'll try to capitalize on this run and make it better. Hats off to the whole team, Patco Transportation, and to Forrest and Forest our engine builder who got our good motor back in a hurry. Thanks also to everybody involved in the race tonight."

Fighting his way to a second place in his first ever appearance at the Canadian half mile was Russ Wood in the Jeff Holbrook-owned 29 and it was his car owner that gave him the greatest competition.

"I was happy with the car. We were coming on strong and it was handling good. I think I was reeling in Dave. I had a heck of a battle with Jeff (Holbrook). That was some wicked racing with my car owner. He wasn't giving me an inch. I really wish it had been a 75 lapper. For my first time here, I had fun. I'm happy with the second."

Chris Perley, starting in mid-pack, had to wrangle his way up through some tough traffic for his third place finish.

"Twelfth to third… I'm happy with that. This is a crazy place to race. Everything is so tight. There's just no room. Every pass you make you just hold your breath and hopefully the guy you're passing doesn't move and you don't move. And nobody touches. You just try to keep it clean. Everybody I came up through to pass was a battle. There wasn't anybody I passed that was easy. But, the car held together and I'm surprised I came out with a top three. I actually think I needed a late race caution because it looked like we were really gaining on them – at the end. But, by then they were so far ahead I couldn't do anything."

Twenty-one supers were gridded for the PATCO-sponsored 50 with Bobby Haynes Jr. calling it an early day after blowing a motor. Polesitter Jeff Holbrook did the honor of taking the point from the drop of the green. A quick yellow flew on lap 6 when Doug Didero looking to be out of shape but saved it.

Back underway it was Holbrook, McKnight, Dave Trytek, Bob Magner and Russ Wood being chased by a pack of hungry supers. Trytek brought out the next yellow when he brushed hard on the front straight and had to pit for a tire. He rejoined the field at the tail.

Out front Holbrook, McKnight, Magner, Wood and now Ordway Jr. were top five with Dave Shullick Jr., Mike Lichty, Mark Sammut, Robbie Summers and Perley were the next five up. Moving through the field from 15th was Doug Didero, who had arrived late and had had little track time albeit for his 10-lap heat run.

On lap 15, Dave McKnight moved by Holbrook for the lead leaving Jeff to contend with his teammate Russ Wood for second.

The race slowed on lap 21 for Dave Shullick Jr. who had come to a stop just before turn one after fighting his way into the top five. His night was done.

On this restart, McKnight fled the pack while Wood and Holbrook went at it for second. Bob Magner was fighting off Chris Perley who had just fought by Mike Ordway Jr. Mike Lichty, Didero and Sammut. Rob Summers fought with Johnny Benson Jr. and so on down the line. The wheel-to-wheel, spark-flying racing was everywhere on the track as the race went green from there on in.

Wood finally shook off the pesky Holbrook around lap 39 with Perley moving by the 35 with less than ten to go. Magner held off Ordway Jr. as Didero continued his forward motion until time ran out.

McKnight crossed the line a safe distance from Wood while Perley tried to move in on Russell to the end. Holbrook settled in for fourth just ahead of Bob Magner, a former Team Holbrook driver.


Holbrook commented after the exciting race, "The car was tight the whole race. It was nice finishing up in fourth. I had no clue that was Russell trying to get by me or else I would have let him go. And, to just nose out my old teammate Bobby (Magner) at the end was fun. It was good clean racing. It was a good night for our whole team. We had three cars in the top eight. It was fun."

And, Magner agreed. "I'm pretty psyched. This is only our third winged show with a brand new car this year. To be able to come out and run with these guys is as fast as it gets. I'm real happy. I almost got Jeff there at the line for fourth but we'll take fifth. This is my first ISMA show where there's no passing flag so these guys don't know who is there and they are racing hard. You just have to deal with everybody. If I hadn't sat back for a lap or two I think I could have gotten Jeff on the outside earlier. It is what it is. We have a complete car and a top five … I'm psyched."

Doug Didero's run to the front ended just shy of fifth with Summers, Ordway Jr., Johnny Benson Jr. and Mark Sammut following closely in the top ten.

Summary Delaware Speedway
ISMA 50 Sept. 26, 2008

Heat 1 Dave Trytek, Bob Magner, Robbie Summers, Mike Lichty, Michael Barnes, Larry Lehnert, Denny Fisher, Bobby Haynes Jr. (dns blown motor)
Heat 2: Dave McKnight, Russ Wood, Mark Sammut, Chris Perley, Brandon Bellinger, Danny Lane, Ryan Litt
Heat 3: Mike Ordway Jr., Johnny Benson, Dave Shullick Jr., Jeff Holbrook, Doug Didero, Dave McCullough, Bob Bond
ISMA 50: 1. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 2. Russ Wood (29), 3. Chris Perley (11), 4. Jeff Holbrook (35), 5. Bobby Magner (22), 6. Doug Didero (3), 7., Rob Summers (97), 8. Mike Ordway Jr. (41), 9. Johnny Benson Jr. (74), 10. Mark Sammut (78), 11. Mike Lichty (84), 12. Bobby Bond (25), 13. Dave Trytek (70), 14. Brandon Bellinger (02), 15. Ryan Litt (07), 16. Larry Lehnert (92), 17. Dan Lane (9), 18. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 19. Michael Barnes (70M), 20. Denny Fisher (81), 21. Dave McCullough (03).

STRONG ALL-STAR CLASSIC FIELD MAKES FOR EXCITING RUN - CHRIS PERLEY WINS HIS THIRD

Epping, NH – The new 100-lap green flag format for the 43rd annual All-Star Classic may have resulted in one of the most exciting races in recent times here Saturday night. After a shaky start, the century grind developed into an awesome –almost indescribable battle between Chris Perley and Jon McKennedy for the win. For almost 60 laps they fought tooth and nail out front. In the end Perley took home the trophy but it was the road to fruition that led to the prize that brought the most gratification.  

"I'll tell you what," said Perley after the duel. "I've had a lot of races and running with Jon like that was just a blast."

Perley, starting 11th after handicap of the top 12 time trialers, worked his way past second place Craftsman Truck star Johnny Benson Jr. on lap 39 to begin his pursuit of leader from the start, McKennedy.

Chris described the ensuing laps. "We were right wheel to wheel a bunch of times and he kept holding out and coming out with the lead. I knew I could catch up with him again but I didn't know if I could ever be able to catch him and get by him because we were tight. Staying on the inside of him and not hitting him and him not hitting me, he pinched my car down and I just couldn't quite clear him. That just made it a blast. I had just a good time. I'd race with him any day."

The wing king as he has been dubbed talked of his third prestigious Classic as his most "different".

"The first one we led all 200. The second one we lapped the field and this one we just came out ahead. I guess this one was the most fun because it was a hard race and I didn't know whether I'd get it. Of course my crew gave me an awesome car tonight. They didn't give up. My family and friends sat in the stands throughout this whole thing, watching and dealing with kids and everything. I couldn't do it without my family, friends, sponsors and everyone. I had a blast running with Jon. I just can't say enough about him. He's going to get one and I thought it was going to be tonight. The race played in my favor a little bit. I think perseverance paid off."

McKennedy, who divides his time between modifieds and supers affirmed Perley's perspective of the race." It was an awesome race. We had a problem with the car in the first half of the race and once the fuel burned off we got tight. On the long runs it would come back in. But Chris has been phenomenal the last year… he's been on fire. Congratulations to Chris and the whole Vic Miller team. They work hard and they deserve it. I'm happy with second".

Another Classic story to tell was that of Lou Cicconi's run in the Wentworth 10, his second run in that machine, the first of which produced a win at Waterford. Cicconi started ninth, had a run through the pits on lap 4 and never skipped a beat back up to third.

Lou told it this way. "When one of the car spun out on lap 4 I hit the back of the 28 car and the left front shock was broken off. It was stuck in the tire. I was trying to get someone to take it off but I couldn't get anyone's attention. So I just kept running and got back up to third. I think the green flag laps helped the race. The cautions really hinder the race if anything. It might have cost me tonight. I didn't really pit. I just took a long cut. A third for my second time in this car is awesome. This car is like driving a Cadillac.  It's such a good car. Anybody could drive this."

Time trials and two consolations and some provisionals put 26 cars on the starting grid on the small New Hampshire bullring for Classic number. McKennedy and Dave McKnight held the front row as the green dropped with McKennedy taking the point. Laps 4 to 8 saw a series of cautions, as the pack seemed to be jumbling on every restart. Jeff Holbrook, Cicconi, Jeff Abold, Eddie Witkum Jr., Joe Gosek, Dave Shullick Jr. and Bob Bond were all among the affected. Some made out okay, some did not. But not counting cautions may have been beneficial.

Said Perley later in regard to the green-flag format, "I guess it must have played a part in it. We must have gone close to 200 laps total. I think it gives everybody a chance to get back in it. Louie was able to go in the pits and come back up to third He had a great run. I think it kept everybody in the game. I think cautions counting on a little track like this hurts the race. I think tonight the green flag laps helped out everybody."

After the lap 8 restart, McKennedy, McKnight, Johnny Benson and Mike Lichty were able to establish a top five with Mike Ordway Jr., Perley, Russ Wood, Eric Lewis and Bobby Haynes the next five. Moving up quickly was Lou Cicconi after his "long cut" through the pits.

Benson, fresh off a second place at NHIS in his truck, moved into second on lap 12 while Robbie Summers, a mod competitor at that track, left the field.

Lap 14 saw a slowdown once again as Dave Shullick Jr. slowed his 61 on the backstretch. Joe Gosek returned to the fray at this juncture after being affected by an earlier yellow.

McKennedy was not shaking Benson as the next eight circuits went green, but yellow came for Joe Gosek on lap 23, which was his demise. Also calling ofn was Shullick while McKnight pitted and returned to the tail.

The race now settled into a green flag mode with McKennedy, Benson, Lichty, Perley, Wood, Ordway Jr., Haynes, Cicconi, Dave Trytek and Mark Sammut were the new top ten with Perley and Cicconi the movers.

Lap 27 saw Perley taking Lichty in turn one and heading for Benson. Yellow once again bunched the still strong field on lap 35 for Tim Adams who had an errant nose wing on his 76. It flew off on the slowdown, fixing the problem.

Under green again, Benson would soon fall to Perley's pursuit of McKennedy and Johnny dropped back to third to contend with Lichty, Wood, Ordway Jr. and Cicconi.

Perley was able to stick the 11 right on McKennedy's bumper and the chase began as traffic approached. But, another couple yellows on lap 46 slowed the event affecting Witkum and Holbrook. Both continued.

It was McKennedy and Perley up front and Benson in third a couple car lengths behind. Cicconi and Wood were challenging Lichty for fourth. As the clocked ticked to 50 Wood took fourth, then third on lap 53 as Benson and Cicconi stuck right with the 29.

With 40 to go, McKennedy and Perley slid into high gear as they went high and low through the field, sparks flying. Perley would dive low only to encounter an obstacle. McKennedy came out on top of the squeeze plays time and time again.

On lap 71, while the 79 and 11 played cat and mouse with a lap car of Bob Bond, Cicconi got by Wood for third.

Lap 78 gave everyone a chance to breath when yellow fell for the 28 of Eric Lewis. McKennedy and Perley had just come side by side up on Vern Romanoski. Vern got bounced a bit up the track and Perley took the lead by a foot and that's the way they crossed the line when Lewis flew the flag. In a secondary event, Bobby Haynes Jr. stopped out back with a fire on his 44. Hot oil spewed on his feet and he jumped from the car. Red was called while Haynes was attended to. Refueling was allowed.

The race now went green for the next 21 laps with Perley the new leader. McKennedy dropped back a bit as the track was clear in front of "the Rocket" out front. Cicconi gave Jon the competition now for second while Wood and Lichty stayed top five just ahead of Benson, Ordway Jr., Santos, Martel and Sammut.

But, the memorable race wasn't over quite yet. A couple side-by-side lap cars held up Perley with ten to go. McKennedy made another attempt to get back his lead in those waning laps but green finally fell for Perley with one lap car in between his 11 and the 79. Cicconi had a magnificent run for third with Wood and Lichty the top five.

Multi-time Classic winner Wood said, "It wasn't a bad night. We had a good car during the day. I thought we'd have a little better race setup. We were too tight. We fought for fourth, which wasn't too bad. The guys up front – Jon and Chris put on a good show. I thought we were gaining on them in the last part of the race. We had a fourth place car and we finished fourth."

Lichty, who set fast time of the day with an 11.222, was happy to finish after some recent dnfs.  "The run was better than the last four races we've run. The car stayed in once piece. It was kind of a tough night for us. Getting quick time was good, but we just missed it a bit tonight. I don't know what went wrong. We were just so, so tight. We couldn't make any headway on Johnny or anybody else in front of us. At the end I got by Johnny there. Congratulations to Chris and everybody else that ran up front. The race was good although the start was a bit slow getting going. I'd just like to thank my father and everybody else at PATCO Transportation and Stage Door and the whole crew for helping us out this weekend."

Benson, Ordway Jr., Santos, Martel and Sammut completed the top ten.

SUMMARY 43rd annual All-Star ISMA Classic 100

Time trials (top 16 locked in, top 12 handicapped money won): Lichty, Cicconi, Perley, Ordway Jr., Santos, McKennedy, Wood, Shullick Jr., Gosek, Benson, Lewis, McKnight, Haynes Jr., Trytek, Sammut, Holbrook.

Consi 1 (3 qual): Vern Romanoski, Rob Summers, Tim Adams, Ed Witkum Jr., Dan Lane, Otto Sitterly, Craig Rayvals, Brandon Bellinger, Justin Belfiore (dns)

Consi 2: Jamie Timmons, Jeff Abold, Scott Martel, Bob Bond, Dave Shullick Jr., Artie Rousseau, Dave Sanborn, Tony Ricci, Eric Emhoff (dns)

CLASSIC 100: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Jon McKennedy (79), 3. Lou Cicconi Jr. (10), 4. Russ Wood (29), 5. Mike Lichty (84), 6. Johnny Benson Jr. (74), 7. Mike Ordway Jr. (41), 8. Bobby Santos III (32), 9. Scott Martel (14), 10. Mark Sammut (78), 11. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 12. Bobby Bond (25), 13. Vern Romanoski (5), 14. Dave Trytek (70), 15. Jeff Holbrook (35), 16. Eric Lewis (28), 17. Eddie Witkum Jr. (88), 18. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 19. Jamie Timmons (27), 20. Tim Adams (76), 21. Dan Lane (9), 22. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 23. Artie Rousseau (616), 24. Joe Gosek (00), 25. Rob Summers (97), 26. Jeff Abold (05).

THREE EXTREME CHASSIS TAKE TOP SPOTS IN BUDWEISER INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC 200
Oswego, NY – Sunday’s 52nd running of the Budweiser International Classic at Oswego Speedway can be called extremely amazing. Not necessarily for the race itself, but for the story behind it. Three Xtreme chassis cars, two of them brand new and one which had not competed at all in 2008 at Oswego, crossed the line in the first three places with Doug Didero, Joe Gosek and Dave Shullick Jr. wheeling the innovative machines. Winner Doug Didero’s car had been built in four weeks and did not even hit the track until 9:30 on Sunday.

It was an amazing feat. Doug Didero sat back in 15th starting spot after missing Saturday’s first round of qualifying and taking top time in the second round on Sunday. After sitting back in the top ten for a number of laps, he moved up into the top five, then the top 3.

Race leader and fellow Canadian Dave McKnight had led the entire way until the point that Didero, who lives in Mooresville, NC, but holds duel citizenship with his native Canada, pulled the 3 up behind second place runner Joe Gosek. It was on the restart of one of the many incidents during the 200, that the two Canadians would meet once again on the racetrack. A drag race down the front straight and some contact in turn one, sent one into victory lane and one eventually off the track late with less than 50 to go.

Didero described the pass this way, “As the race wore on, with the plugged nozzles, it almost seemed like traction control. I could see Graham. I was getting faster and he was getting slower. I got past Ray and the same thing came with Dave McKnight. I didn’t have much horsepower coming down the straight, but Dave didn’t seem to get to the bottom of the throttle coming out of four, but I was able to get directly alongside him going down into one. Knowing Dave and racing with him for many years I knew that probably only one of us would be coming out of this deal. But that was for the win. We hit a couple times but that’s racing. Nothing was intentional.”

McKnight, who would eventually have a rear trailing arm break in the Syrell 08 and end his race on lap 193, had a little different view. He was understandably dejected after losing out on what would have been a storybook finish for that team also and after leading the entire 164 previous laps in a car he has only run a handful of times this year.

“What I recall is that we took the green and came down into one. Doug was definitely not there on entry into one. As I closed in, he just door-slammed us. That pushed me way across the track on entry into one. Then Joe and Shullick and everybody blew by us. He got the inside wheel. He hit us pretty hard. Ray was probably part of the deal. I had all I could do to keep my car out of the wall. The move was unsportsmanlike – uncalled for 100 percent.

“After we regained our composure I tried to get by Joe. We lost the left or right rear trailing arm. Whether that was because of when Doug had hit us. I’m not sure but I’m sure it didn’t help us in any case. That was the end of our day. It was a great run for the Syrell team. To lead 164 laps and to come up short is just heartbreaking. Doug had made two or three attempts previously to pass. He was just bound and determined that that was going to happen. And it did. Tapping is one thing. Driving into someone is another. I am very disappointed.”

After two days of qualifying, the 44-car supermodified field was pared down to the starting slate of 34. The race was one of extremes – literally – for many. For Mark Sammut, who has tried so hard to run this race, it ended before it really started when he brought out the first flag sitting in the foam in turn three.

Dave McKnight was the leader when the real race began on lap six and that’s where he’d stay through many slowdowns and one stoppage up until the waning laps.

Lap 24 saw leaders McKnight, Gosek and Ray Graham Jr., almost get involved with a spinning Jack Smith as the yellow flew.

McKnight led the way again on green with Gosek, Graham and now Didero the top four with Pat Lavery, Davey Hamilton, Joey Payne, Timmy Jedrzejek and Shullick Jr. working their strategies for the oft-to be interrupted race.

A spin by Shawn Muldoon in turn four set up and tangle between Jason Spaulding and Jerry Curran who would pretty much demolish the front end of his 24 before he stopped in turn one. But, the red soon fell when the 71 of Tim Ice, who had stopped also in turn one, was on fire. Ice, in a rare supermodified appearance, pulled off his gloves to exit his car when the flames erupted. Quick work by the safety crew put the fire out but not before Ice suffered some bad burns to his hands on up onto his arms. He was transported to Upstate Medical burn unit for treatment. A bent part on the car may have ultimately put a hole in the fuel cell bladder to cause the fuel to erupt his car owner said later.

There were still 150 laps to go after this delay but McKnight wasted no time taking up his former lead. He put some lap cars in between his 08 and now second place runner Ray Graham Jr. as Didero, Gosek, Hamilton were the top five. Just as things seemed to get going, things slowed. IRL veteran and former Classic winner Davey Hamilton acknowledged this later that the “race had no flow”.

Yellows came again on lap 75 when Pat Lavery hit the wall and then again on that restart for the 70 of John Payne. On lap 97 Shawn Muldoon was in the foam in turn one.

When the green flew just past the halfway mark, Graham made a concerted attempt to take the lead. He could get alongside McKnight but not complete the pass. For almost 20 laps, McKnight turned up the wick while Graham, Didero, Hamilton, Gosek, Shullick Jr., Joey Payne and Timmy J pursued. Defending Classic champ Greg Furlong sat just behind Jedrzejek.

A stop came again on lap 119 for a 3-car tangle involving Keith Gilliam, Stephen Gioia and Randy Burch. Again, Graham would almost get the lead on the restart but McKnight would pull away.

Six-time Classic winner Bentley Warren was next to fly the dreaded yellow on lap 134 with his 15 towed from the race. Two more slowdowns came before the turn of events that gave Didero the lead. In the transition, Gosek moved by Hamilton for fourth while the two young Ohioans, Shullick and Jedrzejek would soon do the same.

The lap 165 found Didero taking the lead, Graham into the wall and McKnight relegated back to third behind Gosek. Then the concurrent restart found Jeffrey Abold pounding the water barrels protecting the front pit entrance.

The race was now a 25 lap sprint to the end. Yellows did not stop however as on 182 Keith Gilliam slide off turn four and into the inner wall. On the green at 187, Timmy J’s fifth place was for naught as he began sputtering for fuel and he headed to the pits for a 15th place finish instead.

Ten to go saw Didero rolling out front with Gosek, McKnight, Shullick, Hamilton, Joey Payne, Greg Furlong, and Tim Snyder the only cars in the lead lap.

The final yellow flew on lap 194 for McKnight who was hooked to the pits. His dream of a first Classic win was gone.

Green fell for the final two laps, as Didero, Gosek, Shullick, Hamilton and Joey Payne comprised the top five under the checkered. Payne’s finish also was rewarding for the part-time visitor to Oswego driving what could be called an ancient car (15-years old owned by his parents.)

Furlong and Snyder ran sixth and seventh in the lead lap while Craig Rayvals, Tim Gareau, and Howard Page finished the top ten each two laps down.

SUMMARY:

Time Trials: Fast for second round, Doug Didero 16.514

Bud Light B Main (2 qualify): Dave Sanborn, Keith Gilliam, Michael Barnes, Justin Belfiore, Bobby Santos, Tim Timms, Hal LaTulip, Mike Casey, Bobby Dawson, Lou LeVea, Bobby Haynes Jr., Gene Lee Gibson, Bob Bogwicz
Sanborn and Gilliam qualify; LeVea uses provisional for 34th spot.

Budweiser Classic 200:
1. Doug Didero (3), 2. Joe Gosek (00), 3. Dave Shullick Jr. (49),
4. Davey Hamilton (6), 5. Joey Payne (99), 6. Greg Furlong (72),
7. Tim Snyder (0), 8. Craig Rayvals (94), 9. Tim Gareau (5),
10. Howie Page (18), 11. Lou LeVea (03), 12. Shawn Muldoon (1),
13. Pat Lavery (2), 14. Dave McKnight (08), 15. Tim Jedrzejek (21),
16. Jason Spaulding (23), 17. Keith Gilliam (87), 18. Jeff Abold (05),
19. Ray Graham (90), 20. Otto Sitterly (7), 21. Bob Magner (22),
22. Bentley Warren (15), 23. Randy Burch (52), 24. Stephen Gioia III (9),
25. Charlie Schultz (17), 26. Jeff Holbrook (35), 27. Johnny Payne (70),
28. Chris Perley (11), 29. Bob Reis (4), 30. Jack Smith (13),
31. Jerry Curran (24), 32. Tim Ice (71), 33. Dave Sanborn (12),
34. Mark Sammut (78)

LOU CICCONI TAKES WILD ONE AT WATERFORD

Waterford, CT – It had been almost a year since Lou Cicconi was behind the wheel of an ISMA supermodified but he certainly didn't lose anything in that time. Saturday at Waterford Speedbowl he slipped behind the wheel of the Wentworth 10 and came home with a win at that Connecticut oval in what was probably one of the most exciting supermodified races in recent history. After a very rough time getting the race started, 48 green flag laps were clicked off in the 10 minute range. In that short time five different drivers took the lead with "Liquid Lou" the final one. Cicconi's last supermodified win came at the Star Classic in 2006. The Waterford win was his second there in the five ISMA appearances. The large swarm around Cicconi in victory lane included car owners, Rick and Paula Wentworth, the crew and many well-wishers.

"I really have to thank Rick and Paula Wentworth for giving me this ride and everyone who helped out," the Aston, PA driver said.  "This is really great. I won the first race we came to here. I think this is the fourth. Two out five. I could tell when I was following the 61 and then the 84 that they weren't going to take off. Dave just got lucky in the slow traffic and stretched it. I knew with that last restart – green white checkered, that the fight would be between me and Mike. If I'd have given Mike a quarter inch he would have given it a try. I knew I had to be real fast and smooth. I didn't want to leave him any breathing room."

Mike Lichty, who lost his lead to Cicconi on lap 27, pursued him with all he had until the end to settle for second.

"It was a good day, better than yesterday at Lee. The whole PATCO team doesn't have much luck at Lee. Second is a great finish for me tonight. It's great to see Louie back in a super. The first time out in a year and he wins! I have to thank Reg Welford a ton for helping put the 74 back together in the week after we crashed the 84 at Mansfield. It was a long week.

"Lou had the car tonight. We weren't far behind him. Lap traffic kind of worked to his advantage and it was just one of those nights – not for us. We jumped out in the lead there and just got beat in lap traffic. We stayed probably four or five car lengths behind him for the rest of the race. Lap traffic was pretty tough tonight."

Chris Perley was right on the lead duo's tail for much of their battle to finish third. Said the current ISMA point leader of his podium finish.

"I'll take a third. Louie did a good job. I thought Mike was going to get it. I don't know when he's going to win one of these things. We had a great battle it was pretty wild. It made for a great race for the fans once it got started. Unfortunately it took a long time to start. I was actually gun shy of the right rear tonight and I made the crew tighten it up too much. It was my fault really. The car just stayed tight. Hey, we kept going. We didn't break down and we got a third place."

A huge crowd was on hand for the exciting night of racing and they got their money's worth after a horrible start turned to a fantastic finish. A red flew before one lap was complete when the 27 of Jamie Timmons, the 5 of Vern Romanoski and the 78 of Mark Sammut came together in turn four. Timmons received the worst of it while Romanoski lost a rear end and Sammut was able to restart.

The complete restart found the 97 of Rob Summers heading pitside with a broken driveshaft. Then a three-wide maneuver in turn one on the next green sent Mike Keeler's 56 on the hook and out of the race. Keeler had just picked up a podium finish in the preceding NEMA event.

Finally, on the next try the start stuck and it was a fast and furious 48 laps ahead before it slowed again. If you blinked you missed a pass or maybe two. Bobby Haynes Jr., who had picked up his first heat win earlier, took off to lead the initial circuit but Friday night's Lee USA winner Dave Shullick Jr. stormed up from 10th to take over the point by lap 2.

Shullick set a torrid pace out front but the challengers were staying in touch. Haynes, then Mike Ordway Jr., held second with Mike Lichty, Cicconi, Dave Trytek, Brandon Bellinger, Perley, Santos, Abold and more flying high and low around the "Bowl."

By lap 15, the mix of lap cars found Ordway Jr. catching up to the back end of the 61 with Lichty, Cicconi, Perley, the top five. But, four laps later Shullick suddenly pulled the 61 off into the infield and Ordway was the new leader. Shullick said later, "The power steering went but the car was working great until then."

Ordway Jr. took the Holbrook 41 out a couple car lengths but Lichty, Cicconi, Perley and Santos didn't give him much chance to relax. On lap 26, Lichty, still looking for his ISMA career first, passed by the 41 to lead lap 27.

There was just no letup in the action as the dizzying pace continued. On lap 31 another new leader hit the board when Cicconi got around Ordway Jr. who slid back a couple spots in the spot swap.

With less than 20 to go, Cicconi, who had just gotten in the 10 that day, took charge but did not lose Lichty, Perley and Ordway Jr. by any means. Also still racing hard were Haynes, Dave Trytek, Jeff Holbrook, Bellinger, Mark Sammut and Abold.

Intense traffic – and not slow traffic – met the lead pack at every turn and on every straight, giving Cicconi a little leeway out front until, with two laps to go, the yellow, then red fell. Jeff Holbrook and his teammate Dave Trytek, who had been running just off the top five, sat in between one and two. Holbrook was a bit shaken and the ambulance carried him back into the pits. The sore and bruised Holbrook replayed the incident later from his hauler. "The car was going good on the outside. I was passing cars there. I came up on Dave and he twitched and got a little loose. We touched wheels and I went in the wall and into the air. And, that was it."

Now, after the mind-boggling pace of the last 48 laps, the field bunched for the final two-lap shoot out. Cicconi had two lap cars in between him and Lichty and Perley. Santos had just grabbed a spot and sat fourth ahead of Ordway Jr.

The final green dropped and Cicconi was off like a streak. Lichty and Perley broke by the lap cars but Cicconi now had the advantage. Ordway Jr. stole back his fourth from Santos in the final circuit as the checkered dropped less than a half a minute later due to the high 12-second race laps the lead cars were running.

"My only concern on that last wreck was that the car was running hot and I was afraid of overheating under caution," said Cicconi of those last two laps.

Ordway Jr., who sat in the infield with a breakdown at Lee the previous night, was back in form Saturday. "The car was real good at the beginning and we led a few laps after we got by DJ. And, then it just got real tight. We had some trouble with lap traffic. A couple guys got by me after a while and I was running fourth. Santos got by me right before the red with two to go. I got a real good restart and got back by him and ended up fourth. I have to thank Jeff and the guys on the crew."

Santos, who had sat out the NEMA midget ride after his sister Erica lost a motor in her car and took her brother's car into the feature, was happy with fifth, although he would have preferred the fourth. "We just got real tight at the end. The car was good. I had a lot of fun this weekend. These guys did an awesome job. They worked their butts off yesterday to even be at the racetrack. So I can't complain about two top five finishes in my first time in the Soule car. We're happy and I'm looking forward to the next one."

Russ Wood, Jeff Abold, Mark Sammut, Brandon Bellinger and Scott Martel finished up the top ten with Bellinger and Martel a lap down.

Waterford Summary, ISMA Event #7
Heat 1: Bobby Haynes Jr., Mike Lichty, Chris Perley, Mike Ordway Jr., Jeff Holbrook, Justin Belfiore, Mark Sammut, Artie Rousseau, Dave Sanborn
Heat 2: Dave Trytek, Jeff Abold, Bob Santos, Dave Shullick Jr., Jamie Timmons, Russ Wood, Scott Martel, Bob Bond.
Heat 3: Rob Summers, Lou Cicconi, Mike Keeler, Brandon Bellinger, Vern Romanoski, Tim Adams, Eric Emhoff
McKnight's 94 dns heat. Motor change
Waterford Wings and Wheels Racing Against Cancer 50: 1. Lou Cicconi Jr. (10), 2. Mike Lichty (84), 3. Chris Perley (11), 4. Mike Ordway Jr. (41), 5. Bobby Santos III (32), 6. Russ Wood (29), 7. Jeff Abold (05), 8. Mark Sammut (78), 9. Brandon Bellinger (02), 10. Scott Martel (14), 11. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 12. Justin Belfiore (88), 13. Bobby Bond (25), 14. Dave Trytek (70), 15. Jeff Holbrook (35), 16. Artie Rousseau (616), 17. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 18. Dave Sanborn (24), 19. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 20. Tim Adams (76), 21. Mike Keeler (56), 22. Rob Summers (97), 23. Jamie Timmons (27), 24. Vern Romanoski (5), 25. Eric Emhoff (2).

DAVE SHULLICK JR. BEATS THEM ALL AT LEE USA'S OLLIE SILVA MEMORIAL ISMA 75
Lee, NH – Ohio's Dave Shullick Jr. had to fight off a lot of adversaries to win his third-career ISMA event at the Lee USA Speedway Friday night. Not only did he have twenty-two competitive drivers to contend with, he also had to beat the rain and a midnight curfew. And, just at the stroke of midnight, Shullick brought the Booth 61 over the line for the win in the Ollie Silva Memorial 75, ending a race that almost didn't happen. It was only his fifth feature start in the Booth car and the first he finished. The second-generation driver replayed the race in victory lane.

"Just before we came back out after the rain, Clyde said something about at half way it would be a complete show. So I was trying to be a little more aggressive than I would have been. I wanted to try and keep it out front. I thought I could keep up the pace I was running the whole race. The car was just dynamite. I could just drive it through one and two with no problem at all. And, I probably could have picked the pace up but I never heard a challenger, so I didn't. I have to thank Clyde and Sue Booth. They are the ones who have to go back each week and fix it. They built a helluva race car."

The second place finisher also fought off some adversity of his own. Bobby Santos III had just dropped into the seat of the new Soule Racing 32 for the first time Friday and after a few problems in practice, looked like he'd raced the car for a year. He started the race in 21st and was up to second on lap 50 when he passed by Rob Summers on the top side.

"I have to thank all the guys on the crew. We had some problems today but they worked through it. They worked hard and no one gave up. I wish we had a couple yellows. The car worked well in a short run. Everyone else was riding at the top and I found grip on the bottom. It was working perfect for me"

An intense battle set up for second for a while throughout much of the first half of the race as everyone was running full bore dodging the raindrops. Robbie Summers, who has fought off some mechanical woes himself tested Shullick on many an occasion in the first part but just before halfway, Shullick appeared to be untouchable. Summers, driving the old Lane 97 had been fast all day and only Shullick had been faster. But then the Soule 32 put him in third where he stayed. He credited his crew for their hard work getting the car ready during the short time from Mansfield to Lee.

"I have to thank the whole Essex Seafood Howie Lane crew. We brought Old Betsy out tonight and this thing was just awesome. They deserve this. We just got loose there toward the end. It was our first race with it this year. We just have to get the bugs out and it will be good. Thanks to the fans for sticking with it. It was a rough night and we have to do it all over again tomorrow and it looks like it's going to be good – no rain."

After several delays for rain the green dropped on the field of 23 supers. Dave Shullick Jr. started outside the front row because of his low handicap from the past few dnfs and he used the spot to shoot out to a quick lead. Rain was looming all around and everyone was aware of that fact. Summers quickly jumped into second with Justin Belfiore grabbing off third from Bob Haynes Jr.

Dave McKnight flew the yellow on lap 7 with a trip off the track in the front straight. He restarted and so did the sprinkles.

The race resumed with Shullick staving off the advances of Summers and the top two tried to shake off Belfiore as they entered traffic. Moving up as fast as he could was Chris Perley who passed by Jeff Holbrook and Jamie Timmons to move up behind Belfiore.

With the rain still falling intermittently but not enough to stop the race, Shullick and Summers were moving rapidly to get to that half way mark. Lap cars began to dot the road between first and second and the rest as Belfiore and Perley became separated from the top two. Timmons, Scott Martel, Santos, and Russ Wood were in a tight line close behind. Moving into the top ten by lap 27 was Jeff Abold in this fourth winged appearance in the Rayvals 05 this year.

A yellow finally slowed the pace when the 29 of Russ Wood and the 79 of Jon McKennedy tangled in the backstretch. Mike Ordway Jr. pitted out of the action at the same time, as did Vern Romanoski.

Back in action it was evident Shullick was lengthening his lead over Summers who was fighting off the 88 of Belfiore as Perley, Santos, Martel, Timmons and Abold challenged.

Shullick was well out front when the 38th lap came and went and he just kept moving away from the 97. Belfiore was alone in third while Perley was fighting to get by the 94 of McKnight who was a lap down.

McKnight brought out a yellow on lap 48 which also affected Timmons with both restarting. One lap later McKnight's teammate, Mike Lichty, flew the flag with a spin. McKnight ended his race here exiting the track while Lichty was pushed back into the fray.

On that last restart, Santos made a dive at Summers to get second while Perley, Belfiore, Martel and Abold tried to stay with the front trio. Abold was the man on the move as he passed by Martel a lap later.

With 15 to go Shullick had a half-track advantage and only lap cars might have threatened his win as he raced by them, putting three markers in between the 61 and second place runner Santos.

With five to go, it was Shoe II, Santos, Summers, Perley and Abold with Shullick approaching the back end of the top six, putting one after another down. At the line Shullick got his checkered for the Booth team while Santos and Summers gained podium finishes. Abold was still racing as he came off the fourth turn and made a last corner run at Perley for fourth. Almost side-by-side at the checkered, Perley held the spot by .013 seconds.

Said Perley afterwards, "I was praying for rain when that lap 34 caution came out, because I was all done. All we did was maintain for the rest of it. We just got loose. We missed something somewhere.  I knew someone was back there at the end. I didn't know who it was. I just kept on changing my line to keep him back because I knew I was slowing down. I was just trying to hold on to what I had. Then Abold got a run at me at the end and he would have had that pass easy. I think I got him at the line by about four inches. It was just enough. I knew it was really tight and I was hoping our transponders where mounted on the same spot on the cars because otherwise he would have gotten me with a longer car."

Abold, whose dad Pat has a couple Lee wins under his belt, commented, "We had a pretty good run. At Stafford we had a good run and at Sandusky we had some hard luck. It's nice to come out and grab another top five again. I was catching Chris fast. We just needed another foot. That would be good. But, we'll take a top five. We're happy with that. And, we'll head to Waterford. It will be a busy day with the super and the midget. It should be a fun one."

Belfiore, Mark Sammut, Scott Martel, Mike Ordway Sr. and Dave Trytek completed the top ten, all one lap down to the Shullick 61.

SUMMARY ISMA EVENT #6
Heat 1: Chris Perley, Jamie Timmons, Justin Belfiore, Dave Trytek, Scott Martel, Dave Sanborn, Mike Lichty, Rick Wentworth
Heat 2: Robbie Summers, Bobby Haynes Jr., Jeff Abold, Dave McKnight, Mike Ordway Jr., Mark Sammut, Frank Polimeda, Artie Rousseau
Heat 3: Dave Shullick Jr., Jeff Holbrook, Vern Romanoski, Russ Wood, Mike Ordway Sr., Jon McKennedy, Bobby Santos
Ollie Silva Memorial 75: 1. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 2. Bobby Santos III (32), 3. Rob Summers (97), 4. Chris Perley (11), 5. Jeff Abold (05), 6. Justin Belfiore (88), 7. Mark Sammut (78), 8. Scott Martel (14), 9. Mike Ordway Sr. (25), 10. Dave Trytek (70), 11. Frank Polimeda (76), 12. Artie Rousseau (616), 13. Vern Romanoski (5), 14. Mike Lichty (84), 15. Jamie Timmons (27), 16. Jeff Holbrook (35), 17. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 18. Dave Sanborn (24), 19. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 20. Russ Wood (29), 21. Jon McKennedy (79), 22. Mike Ordway Jr. (41), 23. Rick Wentworth (10).

CHRIS PERLEY TAKES ISMA 75 AT MANSFIELD ON SUNDAY AFTER RAIN STOPS SATURDAY NIGHT'S RACING

Mansfield, OH – It took two days to get in the ISMA 75 lapper at Mansfield Motorsports Park as torrential downpours stopped the Saturday night racing after the qualifying heats were in. It gave the 25 drivers on hand an extra day to try and figure out how to stop Chris Perley's domination of the division. Two drivers came very close to succeeding, but fell short of their goal. Canadian Mike Lichty had a strong lead going with 17 laps remaining until a hub broke on the PATCO 84. It was the third such breakage this season for that team. Then Dave Shullick Jr. retook the top spot only to have the rear mount break on the 61 car just 3 laps shy of what would have been an all out drag race with Perley. This left the Rowley Rocket alone out front at the checkers. Even he wished the ending had been different.

" I think Lichty had it in the bag. He just drove away from us and I couldn't do anything. And, then Shullick and I had a great battle. I had a lot of fun with him, but it's kind of anticlimactic now that he broke with three to go. We were duking it out and having a ball. I wish we could have put on that ending because I think we would have been side by side coming across the finish line! We just persevered today. I don't think we had a winning car. We just outlasted everyone I guess.

"Dave (Shullick) looked solid.  I could gain on him a little in three and four, coming off of two he just pulled me. We were see-sawing back and forth. On that last restart I was going to make a bonsai move on the outside. I don't know if it would have happened but all of a sudden he broke. I think he might have broken the half shaft again. It's too bad, I would have liked to have had that finish for you fans. It would have been a lot of fun.

The win gave Chris his fourth this season and his fifth at Mansfield in the nine ISMA events held to date. "This track is really a blast. There's enough room out there to play. You see everybody using different lines. I think that makes the racing exciting because you don't know where anybody's going to go. I have such an awesome crew, awesome motors and some great sponsors backing me up. We just keep on coming out and having fun!"

Second place runner Mark Sammut had his own battle going with "Chargin'' Charlie Schultz at the end. Said the Canadian driver at the podium, "There were definitely a few cars that were faster than we were. But, we managed to stay out of trouble and the car was running good. We just plodded along and ended up second. We'll take that any day in this class. I was worried about Charlie late in the race. We got in lap traffic and he got by me at one point. I was fortunate that the yellow came out and I got back in front of him. I knew he was there. I was lucky to stay in front. He ran great and we were happy to stay in front of him. We definitely appreciate the fans for coming back today to watch after last night's bad weather, If it weren't for Currie Steel, Wells Foundry and Mobile Striping and Sweeping we wouldn't be here. I have to thank those guys!"

Schultz, in turn, had himself a great run despite an early race setback. "I was working my way up at the beginning of the race and got to the outside of the 97 and Chris got to the inside. I didn't get there as soon as Chris and the 97 moved up and I was about a foot off the concrete wall. I was chasing it all over the place and four guys went by. I said man, it's going to be a long race!  We had a pretty good car the whole run. The tires were pretty good. Actually the longer the race went, the better we got. Restarts helped a lot. The last one with three to go, I got around Mark but was called back. I have to thank the team for putting together an awesome race car week in and week out."

Dave Shullick Jr. and Sammut held the front row after qualifying and it was the silver 61 out front at the green. Shullick took off with Sammut in tow while the race sorted out. On lap 6 a quick yellow pulled the field together when Dave Mumaw spun.

Back underway the racing resumed at a furious pace with Shullick out front and a long line of contenders vying for position behind. Another yellow slowed the pace on lap 13 when the 44 of Bobby Haynes Jr. slowed and stopped on the track.

Shullick took off again only to slow again on lap 17 when the 64 of Jim Paller bobbled his 64 and recovered to head for the back of the field.

By lap 20, Shullick was several car lengths ahead of 3 Canadians – Sammut, Lichty and McKnight with Perley right behind in fifth. Moving up was Schultz as he challenged sixth place runner Moe Lilje while Jeff Holbrook, Randy Burch, Russ Wood, Tim Ice and Vern Romanoski pursued.

On lap 28 the action came to a halt when Holbrook's right front tire went down suddenly and he needed to be hooked. Brandon Bellinger and Robbie Summers used the yellow for a pit stop or two. Holbrook's team got him back in action but at a price. The 35 arrived a little late on the track and ended up right in front of the leaders. This set up a battle between Mike Lichty, who had moved into second and leader Shullick as both tried to battle around Holbrook.

Shullick held his ground while Lichty moved backwards a bit with Perley now in third ahead of Sammut, McKnight, Schultz and Russ Wood. The traffic was becoming thick and Lichty used it wisely, moving by Shullick on lap 43 for the lead. It was Lichty now repelling Shullick's advances and Holbrook provided a block to Perley, Sammut, Schultz, McKnight and Wood.

Lichty was able to hold off Shullick as the lead duo sliced through traffic. Perley also used traffic to pull up on Shullick's tail while Lichty broke into clean air and was moving away. On lap 58, the 84 met its demise once again as his tire came off in between three and four, bouncing into turn one before stopping.

After the 84 was flatbedded off the track and refueling was allowed in the interim, the Shoe II and Perley show began in earnest. The intensity of the battle mounted as each lap ticked away. On lap 72 Perley pulled to the outside of the 61 and the pair almost touched. Perley took the lead but suddenly the yellow flew as the 5 of Vern Romanoski brushed the wall and collected Jon Henes and Tim Ice in the mishap. Vern and Henes required hooks. Ice restarted at the tail.

Shullick was still the leader as the green dropped and Perley was about to mount a charge around again. The 11 charged past the 61 passed the finish line but suddenly a part flew off the 61 and Dave took the car down low and into the outer pit road. The North Ridgeville driver once again could not complete his mission and Perley, once again, was left to take the win without a strong challenge. Mark Sammut dueled Schultz to the finish while Russ Wood and Dave McKnight finished up the top five. The latter two were not all that excited with their performances but were happy to finish where they did.

Wood, who is just getting back into the racing fray, but already sits second in ISMA points, said, "We finished fourth, I had nothing for Chris. We were overheating and I was a little tight. We did what we could. I'll take the fourth and go on to Lee with the car in one piece."

Said fifth place runner McKnight, "It was an okay run. We definitely didn't' have the car to win today. Hey, we'll salvage this top five and go on to Lee. I was hoping Mike could have pulled it off. But what are you going to do? It's going to be a busy week."

Randy Burch, Mike Ordway Jr., Bobby Bond, Moe Lilje and Brandon Bellinger rounded out the top ten.

Summary
Heat 1: Dave Shullick Jr., Randy Burch, Jeff Holbrook, Vern Romanoski, Charlie Schultz, Dave Trytek, Bobby Bond, Justin Belfiore, Rob Stasick.
Heat 2: Chris Perley, Russ Wood, Moe Lilje, Mike Lichty, Jon Henes, Brandon Bellinger, Larry Lehnert, Dave Mumaw
Heat 3: Dave McKnight, Mark Sammut, Tim Ice, Robbie Summers, Mike Ordway Jr., Jack Smith, Jim Paller, Bobby Haynes Jr.
Rich Reid replaces Lehnert on Sunday in 92
ISMA 75: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Mark Sammut (78), 3. Charlie Schultz (7), 4. Russ Wood (29), 5. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 6. Randy Burch (3), 7. Mike Ordway Jr. (41), 8. Bobby Bond (25), 9. Moe Lilje (19), 10. Brandon Bellinger (02), 11. Tim Ice (77), 12. Jeff Holbrook (35), 13. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 14. Vern Romanoski (5), 15. Jon Henes (36), 16. Rich Reid (92), 17. Mike Lichty (84), 18. Dave Trytek (70), 19. Justin Belfiore (88), 20. Rob Stasick (22), 21. Robbie Summers (97), 22.  Jim Paller (64), 23. Bobby Haynes, Jr (44), 24. Jack Smith (09), 25. Dave Mumaw (14)

PERLEY TAKES THIRD CONSECUTIVE ISMA HY-MILER NATIONALS
Sandusky, OH – When the supermodifieds lined up for the running of the 31st annual Hy-Miler Nationals on Saturday night at Sandusky Speedway, the 26-car field included a plethora of talent. There were six past champions gridded, including five-time winner Dave Shullick Sr. Throw in a former Indy 500 competitor the NASCAR Craftsman truck points leader Johnny Benson Jr. and lot of potential first-time winners and you had one heck of a race on tap. But when the checkered flag dropped 100 laps later it was the current magic man of supers, Chris Perley, laying stake to his third consecutive Hy-Miler win. Only Bentley Warren and Russ Wood have been able to accomplish such a feat since the race's inception in 1978.

Perley, who did not finish Friday's 40-lapper after being involved in an accident, gave credit to his team. "My crew is great. We bent the car up last night but my crew got it back for me. That's what I count on. That's why the car goes so good because these guys don't miss anything. Three Hy-Milers in a row.  It was a crazy race. It started off pretty rough. I thought it might shake down slower than it did. But people were moving quick and I think it was Mike Lichty who made me go. He looked a lot stronger and I wanted to keep in touch with him. Then all of a sudden he was there and then he wasn't. Lap traffic was very difficult without the passing flag that ISMA no longer uses. Luckily we made it through but I wasn't really pressured. I could take my time coming up through.

"I'd like to thank R&R Motors, Shea Concrete, my mom and dad and family, Perley's Marina, New England Motor Racing Supply, Barrett Transportation, Hardy Transportation, Jack Cook Enterprises, and KidsFirstUSA.com This is great. It's awesome to win here. Thanks so much for coming out and watching this deal."

Charlie Schultz, winner of Friday night's show, was only down one notch when the race ended Saturday for his second podium finish.

"I am thrilled to be here. I can't thank everybody who helped me get here. It's been a blast. I thought I could race with Perley there for a while but man he just turned up the wick and took off. The next thing I knew we were into lap traffic and he was out of sight. I just tried to work the traffic as well as I could. I didn't have as good a car toward the end of the race as I did at the beginning and I didn't have a thing for Chris. But another podium finish is great. Thanks to Dave and Lori May, Hempel International Transport, DEI, Cintas, Burke's Home Center, Frank May Garage, Bell Helmets, Fisher Performance and all the guys who help me each and every week. And thanks to the fans… it's not a race without the fans."

Mike Lichty ran perhaps the most exciting race of the night. After driving by leader Dave Shullick Jr. on lap 28, Lichty appeared to be on his way to that elusive first ISMA and first Hy-Miler win. A jingle with a lap car on lap 42 sent the 84 back to the rear and for the next 58 laps he drove in, out and around cars to get back into the top three much to the fan's delight.

"Second last night and third tonight. Last night we just got out-driven. We missed the setup a hair in that one. Tonight I'm satisfied. We definitely had a really good car. I think we had the car to beat. When I took over the lead there I thought it was mine tonight. It was just one of those deals with lap traffic – a car shoved up on the racetrack and three wide doesn't work there. We came back up through and the car was great on the outside. The car is where we want it to be, the crew, Duane Kells and everybody worked really hard on it.  To come from the back and finish third makes me happy. It was a good weekend. Thanks to my father with PATCO Transportation, my mother and everybody in the family. Also to Stage Door Transportation, and Paul and Glen Forrest who give me awesome motors. Their motors really shine at this place."

Before the start of the event, the supermodified drivers passed their helmets throughout the stands for contributions to Terry Gibson's family. Gene Lee Gibson, carrying the 00 wing of his brother brought the field around in a tribute lap before retaking his race position. Honorary flagman was another Gibson, Larry, who waved the green over the Hy-Miler field.

Dave Shullick Jr. took command from his pole position alongside Johnny Benson Jr. who fell in right behind the 61.

Things were just beginning to sort out when yellow fell for Jon Henes who looked to be spinning but recovered as fast as the flag fell. He rejoined the field at the end. Bobby Haynes Jr. caused another quick flag as his 44 stopped just shy of the pit access on the restart.

Shullick Jr. was able to put some distance on his challengers Benson, Dave Trytek, Dave McKnight and his dad, Dave Shullick Sr. as the race resumed its rapid pace.

Just behind the lead five were Timmy Jedrzejek, Mike Lichty, Perley, Charlie Schultz, Tim Ice, Moe Lilje and Russ Wood working on each other in order to move forward.

On lap 25 a yellow fell for a spin by Dave Trytek. Dave Shullick Sr. had nowhere to go and drove over the nose of the 70. Trytek was hooked and Dave Shullick Sr. continued on with a broken nose wing.

On the restart of this yellow, Kyle Edwards, driving the Reed Salvage 71, went over the first turn bank. He was taken to the pits.

The field bunched behind Shullick Jr. with Benson Jr. now being pressured by his two teammates Mike Lichty and Dave McKnight. Perley was fifth ahead of Shullick Sr.

Lichty was on the move and by lap 28 he was by the 61 in turn one. One lap later an inadvertent yellow flew when Dave McKnight bounced off the inner rail in turn one but, as veteran observers will attest to seeing on more than one occasion, he recovered nicely and was able to keep going. He did not lose his spot.

Back in action, Perley soon moved by Shullick Jr. for second, relegating Benson to fourth ahead of McKnight, Schultz, Shullick Sr., Timmy J and Russ Wood.

By lap forty, things got hotter as Lichty and Perley moved in on the tail of the field, which was still pretty healthy front to back.

On lap 42, Lichty met his demise as he tried the outside of Howard Page's 18 and Perley went low as the crowd gasped. As aforementioned by Lichty, there wasn't room for three in the turn and Lichty paid the price with a yellow and a trip over the bank. He was able to restart and begin his march to the front.

Perley was now the leader trailed by Shullick Jr., Benson, McKnight and Schultz. But on lap 46 the 61 of Shoe II slowed suddenly. Something broken in the rear end was an early diagnosis. A red was called here as the allotted caution laps had been run and a quick refueling transpired.

As the race now approached the halfway mark, Perley had command but Schultz and Benson were able to maintain sight of the 11, but when the "wick" turned up, the Rowley Rocket was gone, leaving the pack behind. And what a pack. Schultz, Benson, McKnight, Jedrzejek, Wood, Shullick Sr., Ice, Gosek and lo and behold, Mike Lichty.

On lap 59, Shullick Sr. joined his son in the pits when the wing finally gave way. The 30-plus year veteran said later, "The nose wing was dragging after we hit Dave Trytek. It kind of broke it off and it was hanging there. Jack Murphy and Steve Stout checked it during the red. They weren't sure it would hold but we continued. Then it turned and stuck straight up in the air. I just didn't want it to fly off and hit me or somebody else. I knew it was time to leave."

As race progressed Perley was gingerly moving through traffic as the battle continued a distance behind. Schultz moved into second with Benson, McKnight, Wood, Jedrzejek, Gosek and Lichty all doing what they do best – race hard.

With 15 to go, Perley was in his own time zone while Schultz still had Benson right behind as McKnight, Lichty, Wood and Timmy J continued in the top seven spots.

Ten laps remained as Perley was snaking up behind the 8 of Jedrzejek who soon felt the wrath of Perley, going down a lap near race end. Ahead the Patco team of Lichty, Benson and McKnight trailed Schultz as Russ Wood held onto his lead lap status by a narrow margin.

Things were still changing as the race neared the end. McKnight suddenly pitted out of fourth while Wood moved up past Jedrzejek pushing Gosek and Benson just out of the top five.

Perley was crossing the line for lap 100 as the rest of the cars were still swapping spots ahead of him but really behind. It was Perley, Schultz, Lichty Wood and Jedrzejek completing the tough top five.

The last man to win three straight Hy-Milers (1995-97), Russ Wood was happy with fourth. "Our car was loose from the start and it never got better. We just kept picking away and salvaged a fourth. Those guys were really fast up front. The track changed drastically from the day before. There was no outside groove between one and two it seemed so everybody stayed down low. It was a whole different race from Friday night. We'll take the fourth, throw the car in the trailer and go to Mansfield."

Timmy J was likewise content with fifth in one of the most competitive long distance races seen, "It was a long hard night. The pace was awful fast from the start to the end. We didn't have a bad balance but we had a fifth place car and that's where we came in. Hats off to these guys on my team. They did a tremendous job working all weekend on all the problems we had. Then we battled a tight car early through qualifying and the heat races. They seemed to get it going it going pretty well for me in the feature. We'll take the fifth and load it up and come back another day."

Joe Gosek, Johnny Benson Jr., Tim Ice, Vern Romanoski and Jon Henes completed the top ten.

SUMMARY
Time Trials (top 12 inverted into the heats): Fast time Chris Perley, 14.715
Heat 1: Moe Lilje, Russ Wood, Dave McKnight Jr., Dave Shullick Sr., Jeffrey Abold, Kyle Edwards, Bobby Haynes Jr., Bobby Bond, Bobby Dawson
Heat 2: Dave Trytek, Johnny Benson Jr., Dave Shullick Jr., Tim Ice, Jon Henes, Joe Gosek, Mark Sammut, Howie Page
Heat 3: Charlie Schultz, Chris Perley, Timmy Jedrzejek, Mike Lichty, Jeff Holbrook, Vern Romanoski, Dave Mumaw, Gene Lee Gibson, Robbie Summers
31st annual Hy-Miller 100:  1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Charlie Schultz (7), 3. Mike Lichty (84), 4. Russ Wood (29), 5. Timmy Jedrzejek (8), 6. Joe Gosek (0), 7. Johnny Benson Jr. (74), 8. Tim Ice (77), 9. Vern Romanoski (5), 10. Jon Henes (36), 11. Mark Sammut (78), 12. Bobby Dawson (28), 13. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 14. Bobby Bond (25), 15. Howie Page (18), 16. Jeff Holbrook (35), 17. Rob Summers (97), 18. Dave Shullick Sr. (49), 19. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 20. Jeff Abold (05), 21. Moe Lilje (19), 22. Kyle Edwards (71), 23. Dave Trytek (70), 24. Gene Lee Gibson (00), 25. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 26. Dave Mumaw (14).

CHARLIE SCHULTZ TAKES FIRST CAREER ISMA WIN AT SANDUSKY'S FRIDAY NIGHT 40-LAPPER

Sandusky, OH – Charlie Schultz was certainly not a stranger to victory lane at Sandusky Speedway having won several times before in MSA action. But, Friday night's 40-lap victory was his first victory in ISMA competition in his successful career. Schultz acquired the lead just after a lap 11 incident, which saw leader Dave Shullick Jr., lose a wheel nut on the 61, creating a massive pileup in turn three. Schultz was able to build a healthy lead, survive several other yellows, one of which was a near miss for the May Motorsports 7 with just 10 laps to go.

Schultz exclaimed in victory lane, "This is awesome. I want to thank the entire crew and everyone who came out here tonight. I hope this is a preview of things to come tomorrow night. I want to thank Hempel Int'l Transport, Frank May Garage, DEI, Cintas, Bell Helmet, Burke's Home Center, Fisher Performance– everybody in this whole deal. Everybody puts in 100 percent.

"This first ISMA win means a whole lot. It's really special. You have guys here who are some of the best supermodified racers in the country. We've won races in MSA but this means we've just stepped up our program enough to win some ISMA shows too. There were guys out there tonight who have won a lot of ISMA races and hopefully this is a prelude for tomorrow - that we can run strong and be around at the end of 100 laps."

Taking over second on lap 27, Mike Lichty was a distant challenger to Schultz. Said the young Canadian who narrowly missed winning both legs of the 2006 Hy-Miler weekend, "We were close tonight. Charlie drove away from us but we were definitely close. We just missed the setup a bit tonight. But we have our baseline for tomorrow. I've got three wins here in the MSA racing but we're still looking for that first ISMA win. We've run here good in the past. Tonight's pace was real good. Everyone ran strong. But tomorrow is going to be a little different. Everybody will be more cautious in the first 40 laps or so and then step it up for the next part. We'll see what happens."

Four-time Hy-Miler winner Russ Wood looked to be back in form as he battled by his teammate Dave Trytek to take third with five laps to go. "We have to be happy with this finish in the second race out in a brand new car, said Wood.  "It's a good tune up for tomorrow's race. These guys are running hard. We had to work pretty hard for a third. My car was great but obviously a couple guys were a little better. This track has been good to us in the past. It must like my driving style. I like this track. The car is really good and we'll work on tonight's setup and try to make it better for the long run tomorrow. Congratulations to Charlie and the team for a fine win."

Twenty-six supers hit the track for the traditional tune up for the Hy-Miler Nationals and it was Dave Shullick Jr. taking charge from the start in the Booth 61. A quick yellow on lap six slowed Shullick when the 71 of Kyle Edwards and the 25 of Bob Bond brushed. Another stoppage came on lap 10 when Randy Burch blew a motor taking Howard Page and Bob Dawson with him. Dave McKnight also was towed away here in an unrelated incident.

Shullick Jr. pulled away on the restart, but unfortunately he would be the cause of the next stoppage before a circuit was complete. The red flew for this one, which took out many of the top runners along with the 61. Shullick described the incident, "The left rear wheel nut came off. I went down the back straightaway like sideways – left right, left right. When I finally caught it I moved down but it was too late. I had already caused a big wreck."

Perley, the defending race champion, quipped later while talking to Romanoski about what had happened, ":  I saw the nut come off earlier and then I forgot about it. Then a lap later it all happened in turn three. I yelled at Kevin Jaycox afterwards and told him that he has to put a no parking sign in turn three. There just isn't enough space for that amount of cars over there."


The big wreck took out or affected Chris Perley, Shullick's dad Dave Sr., driving the Stout 49, Shullick's teammate, Moe Lilje, Mark Sammut, Jeffrey Abold, and Timmy Jedrzejek. Lilje and Jedrzejek were able to return to the fray, but Lilje was later called back into the pits by his crew and did not return.

Out in front after the lengthy cleanup was Baldwinsville, NY driver Dave Trytek in one of the three Holbrook cars in the field. Trytek was only able to hold off Charlie Schultz for two laps before the 7 shot by for the point.

Lap 15 saw yet about yellow for the afore mentioned Holbrook whose 35 spun after losing a wheel center. Jeff was on the hook and out of the race.

Schultz was riding high now after this restart as Trytek, Lichty and Wood put on a show right behind just a few car lengths ahead of Vern Romanoski and Joe Gosek who fought for fifth. Lichty grabbed second from Trytek on lap 26 and tried to close on Schultz to no avail.

A wheel to wheel battle developed between Russ Wood and Dave Trytek for third. A battle, which Wood, won eventually. Said Dave later in the Holbrook pit, after a fourth place finish.  " It was a good run considering the fact that in hot laps the car was awful. The crew made it better for the heat and in the feature it was really good. It was still a little tight but it was a strong car. I felt a little bad battling Russ. I didn't realize it was him on the outside there. But I was fighting anybody who was trying to get by."


The final race caution could have easily taken Schultz' win away when Gene Lee Gibson slowed to pit causing a spin by Tim Ice in Schultz' team car 77 and a near miss by the 7 who was coming up to pass. "It was pretty close in that caution. I had to go three-wide there to miss it."

Schultz, Lichty and Wood ran under the checkers some distance away from Trytek and Romanoski for the top five. For the Maine driver of the bright green 5, it was great race.

"We had a lot of help today from Brad Lichty and Vic Miller. I've had a fuel problem for a while apparently. We kept thinking we were getting it fixed every race and we weren't. With their help and the changes done to it, the car ran well. We almost had fourth at the line. On one of the restarts we had a little bit of stuff on my right front tire and I couldn't get it off. I shoved up and a couple guys got by. But we stayed steady and kept clicking off the laps. We are very, very happy with our finish. It's our best finish to date. And, I do feel bad about Chris Perley and all the guys getting wrecked. But we had a great finish. My crew, my wife – everybody's happy. Thanks to everybody for their moral support. ISMA gives me so much support. We're looking forward to tomorrow.
Our hearts go our tonight to the family of Terry Gibson."

Joe Gosek, Jon Henes, Timmy Jedrzejek, Tim Ice and Bobby Bond completed the top ten, the only cars remaining on the track in the attrition-filled prelude to the 100-lap Hy-Miler on Saturday.

Note: Gene Lee Gibson ran as the 00 as a tribute to his late brother Terry and Joe Gosek swapped numbers running the 0 of one of his former heroes, Todd Gibson.

Summary
Heat 1: Dave Shullick Jr., Russ Wood, Dave Shullick Sr., Vern Romanoski, Bobby Dawson, Jon Henes, Tim Ice, Bob Bond, Bobby Haynes Jr.
Heat 2: Mike Lichty, Charlie Schultz, Moe Lilje, Joe Gosek, Gene Lee Gibson, Jeff Holbrook, Howard Page, Randy Burch
Heat 3: Chris Perley, Timmy Jedrzejek, Dave Trytek, Jeffrey Abold, Tim Ice, Mark Sammut, Robbie Summers, Dave Mumaw, Dave McKnight
Denny Fisher (81) and Larry Lehnert (92) both out due to motor problems.
Hy-Miler Fast 40: 1. Charlie Schultz (7), 2. Mike Lichty (84), 3. Russ Wood (29), 4. Dave Trytek (70), 5. Vern Romanoski (5), 6. Joe Gosek (0), 7. Jon Henes (36), 8. Timmy Jedrzejek (8), 9. Tim Ice (77), 10. Bobby Bond (25), 11. Rob Summers (97), 12. Dave Mumaw (14), 13. Gene Lee Gibson (00), 14. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 15. Jeff Holbrook (35), 16. Moe Lilje (19), 17. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 18. Dave Shullick Jr. (61), 19. Chris Perley (11), 20. Jeff Abold (05), 21. Dave Shullick Sr. (49), 22. Mark Sammut (78), 23. Bobby Dawson (28), 24. Randy Burch (52), 25. Howard Page (18), 26. Kyle Edwards (71). 

 
PERLEY REPEATS AT ISMA WATERFORD SHOW; SETS RECORD LAP

Waterford, CT – Chris Perley had won the Waterford ISMA 50 last season after two previous dnfs.  It wasn't really a surprise that he pulled off a repeat win after the season he had last year. But, he put a little icing on the cake this year by turning the fastest lap (12.489) ever seen at this Connecticut three-eighth's mile bullring since it opened in 1951. And, it came on lap 44 of the feature to boot. Perley definitely is picking right up from his past two record seasons. Perley and the Vic Miller crew are entering a third season  of wondering when it's all going to end - if it's going to end.

"I don't know what this year is going to give us. To start off the year this way with the car as good as it is .. it's unbelievable.  I can't ask for any more. The crew worked so hard over the winter. To be able to unload and just pull this off is great. As for that pass of Jeff Holbrook for the lead, I didn't think I was going to get it.  I kept on creeping up and creeping up. He was using a lot of track. I worked everywhere and couldn't find a way by and when I did make it by I didn't think I was going to stick. I can't thank my sponsors and motor builder enough. Tonight was just a FUN race. I thought it might be a more exciting race if I'd got the lead on the last lap but I have to take what I can and get away. I think someone's after me."

Second place finisher, Holbrook, who had led from lap 20 until Perley got by, said of his podium finish, "The car is awesome. Robbie wiggled there and gave me a chance at second and I took it. I knew Chris would be along any time but second to Chris Perley is awesome anytime. This is great."

Robbie Summers, who also had a strong lead at first commented in victory lane,  "I've got to thank Howie Lane and the whole crew. We had a good car but we had an engine problem. I don't know if it was ignition or fuel. It started skipping around lap 15, but we were able to finish third. I'll take it.

Twenty-two ISMA cars were slated to start the 50-lapper but before the green the 61 of Michael Barnes sat in the infield unable to start. Car owner Clyde Booth said later that he felt the spool was spun on the axle. "It's actually a rear end problem which we can fix."

At the green, former SK Waterford champion-turned-super driver, Robbie Summers took off in the lead from the outside front row. Jeff Holbrook, Dave Sanborn and Jamie Timmons tucked in behind.

Only three laps in the yellow flew for a nasty hit as the 22 of Eric Emhoff bounced off the wall pretty much destroying his car. The 92 of Larry Lehnert also was stopped in two and he would not restart.

Summers was off again on the green and he and Holbrook began pulling away from the pack of Timmons, Mike Lichty, Mike Ordway Jr., Perley, Sanborn and Dave McKnight.

Perley patiently made his way up through. He described his race to the lead, "I didn't know what we had for the first couple laps. I passed a couple people because I got lucky. I was riding around and I got loose a couple of times. The tires started heating up and the thing started sticking. Then I knew I had a decent enough car if I could get lucky enough to get through all the traffic. I had a couple deals where I had to take my time. The walls come off pretty quick here and if someone is not paying attention you can get in trouble. I got under a couple going into the corners and I backed out of it because I didn't want to wreck anybody."

But during most of the first half of the race, the eyes were up front on Summers and Holbrook. On lap 20, with a slower car facing the lead duo, Jeff Holbrook made a low move and took over the lead. Summers car was apparently slowing here as Perley moved by for second.

On lap 27 Holbrook finally could not hold off the formidable 11. Perley who had been looking for a way around the 35, made a spectacular move as the crowd gasped. "Jeff was running a good groove, right in the middle," said Perley. " I couldn't get enough on the bottom and I didn't think I was going to get enough on the top. I needed to show him a wheel to try to hold him in his lane. I went around on the outside. I mean it was high outside. I didn't think the car was going to stick. I knew I had to show a wheel and go. It stuck and I just got on it. I didn't want to hang around and maybe get pinched into the wall."

Perley once again took command out front as Holbrook stayed second. Summers, Timmons and Lichty ran top five.

On lap 37 all hell broke loose behind Perley and Holbrook who had the cushion of a couple lap cars separating them from the rest. Mike Lichty's 84 was coming into turn 3 when an oil line broke spewing fluid on his tires and sending him around in front of Jamie Timmons, Scott Martel and Mike Ordway Jr. Red flew and the crash scene was not pretty. All the cars received some heavy damage. Mike Ordway Jr. was taken to a local hospital after he complained of a bad headache and some other pains. He was reported to be fine, albeit sore, after the check over.


On the lap 37 restart, yellow flew again when third place runner Summers brushed with slower car of Bobby Haynes Jr. and the two got out of shape. Just behind Russ Wood was facing the scene in the Holbrook 29.  "They got sideways in front," said Wood. "I had to lock them up to miss his motor and ended up in infield. I came back in the line back further. I think I might have third."

It was smooth sailing from here on in for Perley and the remaining cars. Perley crossed under the checkered well ahead of Holbrook who was holding off Summers, Ray Graham Jr. and Bobby Bond who grabbed the spot from McKnight in the waning laps, for the top five.

Ray Graham Jr., whose beautiful 99 emerged from the hauler for its initial run earlier in the day, said later. "This is the first time the car has been on the track this year. It's in one piece! We were tight all night but we stayed consistently tight so I think we know what we need to do and move on to Toledo and try and make it a little faster, Any time you can get a top five racing against these guys you take it."


Bond, who has taken to the ISMA trail this season commented with a smile, "We're happy on our first time here to come away with fifth. We did gain a couple spots after the accident toward the end there. We are just trying to hang in there and get a little experience and stay in once piece. I'd like to thank my crew  - they work their butts off and to all my sponsors. I think we're going to like this. It's going to be fun."

Dave McKnight Jr., Vern Romanoski, Russ Wood, Dave Sanborn and Mark Sammut finished top ten.

ISMA's next series run is at Toledo Speedway on Friday,  June 13.


Summary ISMA Event #1
Waterford Speedbowl, May 24, 2008
Heat 1: Mike Lichty, Ray Graham Jr., Bobby Bond, Dave Sanborn, Russ Wood, Michael Barnes, Dave Iosue (91)
Heat 2: Robbie Summers, Jeff Holbrook, Dave McKnight, Scott Martel, Larry Lehnert, Bobby Haynes Jr., Eric Emhoff
Heat 3: Dave Trytek, Chris Perley, Jamie Timmons, Mike Ordway Jr., Vern Romanoski, Mark Sammut, Artie Russeau
Waterford-ISMA 50: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Jeff Holbrook (35), 3. Robbie Summers (97), 4. Ray Graham Jr., (99), 5. Bobby Bond (25), 6. Dave McKnight Jr. (94), 7. Vern Romanoski (5), 8. Russ Wood (29), 9. Dave Sanborn (24), 10. Mark Sammut (78), 11. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 12. Mike Lichty (84), 13. Jamie Timmons (27), 14. Mike Ordway Jr. (88), 15. Scott Martel (14), 16. Dave Trytek (70), 17. Artie Rousseau (616), 18. Dave Iosue (91), 19. Larry Lehnert (92), 20. Eric Emhoff (22), 21. Michael Barnes (61).