Supermodifieds are a class of

open wheel An open-wheel car is a car with the wheels outside the car's main body, and usually having only one seat. Open-wheel cars contrast with street cars, sports cars, stock cars, and touring cars, which have their wheels below the body or inside fend ...

race car that compete on paved short tracks throughout

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

. The class was founded in the 1950s and is especially popular in the

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

Northeast The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A '' compass rose'' is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—eac ...

, and

Great Lakes The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes spanning the Canada–United States border. The five lakes are Lake Superior, Superior, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Lake Huron, H ...

regions. Supermodifieds have been called the fastest short track race cars in the world.

Design

The frame of a supermodified is generally constructed from aircraft-quality thick

chromium Chromium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6 element, group 6. It is a steely-grey, Luster (mineralogy), lustrous, hard, and brittle transition metal. Chromium ...

molybdenum Molybdenum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Mo (from Neo-Latin ''molybdaenum'') and atomic number 42. The name derived from Ancient Greek ', meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. Molybdenum minerals hav ...

chromoly 41xx steel is a family of SAE steel grades, as specified by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Alloying elements include chromium and molybdenum, and as a result these materials are often informally referred to as chromoly steel (common v ...

") tubing with steel and aluminum components, and the body is fabricated from

fiberglass Fiberglass (American English) or fibreglass (English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English) is a common type of fibre-reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened i ...

and aluminum. The cars are powered by American fuel-injected

V8 engines A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. Origins The first known V8 was the Antoinette, designed by Léon Levavasseur, and ...

that run on

methanol fuel Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines, either in combination with gasoline or independently. Methanol (CH3OH) is less expensive to sustainably produce than ethanol fuel, although it is more toxic than ...

and can produce in excess of . At a weight of around , the cars achieve an enormous

power-to-weight ratio Power-to-weight ratio (PWR, also called specific power, or power-to-mass ratio) is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement ...

. Nearly all competitors on the West Coast choose to run aluminum small blocks ranging from , whereas East Coast cars run mandatory cast-iron big blocks with aluminum heads bored to the allowable maximum displacement of . Cars in the

Midwest The Midwestern United States (also referred to as the Midwest, the Heartland or the American Midwest) is one of the four census regions defined by the United States Census Bureau. It occupies the northern central part of the United States. It ...

can run small blocks up to or big blocks up to . Separate classes of supermodifieds utilizing small block engines also run on the East Coast (e.g. at

Oswego Speedway The Oswego Speedway is a 5/8 mile race track in Oswego, New York. It was built in 1951 and was paved with asphalt since the 1952. The track has held dates on several national tours - the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ASA National Tour, and USAC ...

). Modern era big-block supermodifieds use a radically offset chassis that is up to to the left of center. The engine and

drivetrain A drivetrain (also frequently spelled as drive train or sometimes drive-train) or transmission system, is the group of components that deliver mechanical power from the prime mover to the driven components. In automotive engineering, the driv ...

components are mounted in a specially-fabricated area placed outside the left side frame rails. The engine is thus a

stressed member A motorcycle frame is a motorcycle's core structure. It supports the engine, provides a location for the steering and rear suspension, and supports the rider and any passenger or luggage. Also attached to the frame are the fuel tank and battery. ...

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

oval track Oval track racing is a form of motorsport that is contested on an oval-shaped race track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, and the direction of traffic is almost univ ...

. The giant

wings A wing is a type of fin that produces both lift and drag while moving through air. Wings are defined by two shape characteristics, an airfoil section and a planform. Wing efficiency is expressed as lift-to-drag ratio, which compares the bene ...

, generally a maximum of ' in area, are mounted on the frame in a manner resembling

sprint cars Sprint cars are open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval, circular dirt or paved tracks. Historically known simply as "big cars," distinguishing them from "midget cars," sprint car racing is popular primari ...

and serve a similar purpose, designed to produce

downforce Downforce is a downwards lift force created by the aerodynamic features of a vehicle. If the vehicle is a car, the purpose of downforce is to allow the car to travel faster by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more gri ...

and thus increase cornering capabilities at high speed. West Coast (ERA/SMRA) cars run a fixed wing, whereas East Coast (ISMA/MSS) cars generally run a wing mounted to the suspension or chassis by pneumatic struts. The

racing slick A racing slick or slick tyre is a type of tyre that has a smooth tread used mostly in auto racing. The first production slick tyre was developed by M&H Tires in the early 1950s for use in drag racing. By eliminating any grooves cut into the tre ...

tires used on supermodifieds are among the widest used in pavement oval racing. Like sprint cars, supermodifieds do not have starters, batteries, or transmissions, and are push-started. The combination of high power, light weight, and high cornering ability allows supermodifieds to average over on a 1/2-mile oval and on a oval, with top speeds over .

Sanctioning bodies

ISMA

The largest of the four major sanctioning bodies is the

Liverpool, New York Liverpool is a lakeside village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,242. The name was adopted from the city of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. The village is on Onondaga Lake, in the weste ...

-based

International Supermodified Association The International Super Modified Association (ISMA) is a sanctioning body of Short track motor racing, short track auto racing in the United States. It is the largest sanctioning body of supermodified racing, super modified racing, an Open-wheel ...

(ISMA), founded in 1974 by multi-time

champions Jim Shampine and Nolan Swift to ensure the future of supermodified racing. With the help of local businessman Tom Heveron, they formed ISMA as a forum for owners and drivers to express their ideas and opinions as they felt that they were not allowed to do so under Oswego Speedway management. Their goals were to upgrade supermodified racing with better safety conditions, hold more events per season to insure sufficient purses, and aid drivers with race-related issues. The association worked with track management in making decisions and in discussing ways of improvement. The club encouraged new drivers and owners, involved other tracks in supermodified racing, and helped to make the division stronger and more well known to a wider audience. As president, Heveron, with the help of Vice President Jim Shampine and Secretary/Treasurer Fred Graves, led ISMA through its developmental stages. ISMA negotiated with Lancaster National Speedway for a 40-lap race held on July 3, 1974, which Todd Gibson of

Richwood, Ohio Richwood is a village in Union County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,222 at the 2020 census. History Early history, 1820–1860 Union County was organized on January 10, 1820, from territory previously contained in Franklin, Ma ...

won. The following year, ISMA booked races at

Fulton Speedway Fulton Speedway is a 3/8th mile high bank Dirt track racing, dirt Oval racing, oval Stock car racing, raceway in Fulton, Oswego County, New York, Volney, New York (state), New York. The track was built into a hilly area on the banks of the Osweg ...

with a $5,000 purse and $1,000 to win. Starting in 1976, ISMA developed a point fund with tracks contributing $500–$1,000 per race to this fund. Unlike most other point systems, ISMA awards points to the car owners, as ISMA is an owners' club rather than a drivers' club. Joining Heveron, Shampine, and Graves, Shirley Letcher assumed responsibility for the point system. In just three seasons, ISMA had accomplished sanctioning over $96,000 in purse money and races, adding a point fund of $4,400 paid by promoters, having tow money at all of the ISMA sanctioned races, having insurance certificates from each promoter on file, and working with other promoters for more races in 1977. With races at Fulton Speedway,

Delaware Speedway Delaware Speedway is a paved race track that is one of the oldest continuously operating tracks in Canada. It is located a few minutes west of London, Ontario northeast of Delaware, Ontario. It hosts stock car racing every Friday night during ...

Star Speedway Star Speedway is a short-track oval race track located in Epping, New Hampshire. It hosts a tour-type modified stock car racing division under the management of the Webber family. History Star Speedway opened in 1966, having been primarily bu ...

Flamboro Speedway Flamboro Speedway is a semi-banked asphalt short track motor racing oval, located twenty minutes northwest of Hamilton, in the rural community of Millgrove, Ontario, Canada. The track was established in 1962. Overview The track hosts a weekl ...

, and

Thompson Speedway Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP), formerly Thompson Speedway and Thompson International Speedway, is a motorsports park in Thompson, Connecticut, featuring a asphalt oval racetrack and a road racing course. Known as the "Indianapolis ...

, Steve Gioia Jr. became ISMA's first points champion. ISMA continues to be at the forefront of supermodified sanctioning bodies, having pioneered the franchise system, in which teams purchase a franchise at the beginning of the season. Creating a mutually beneficial situation for both teams and promoters, each of the 19 franchise teams are allowed to miss up to 3 shows during the race season while being guaranteed a minimum starting purse of $1,000 at each event. This system helps to ensure solid, stable car counts and a successful event for promoters. ISMA has generally sanctioned between 13 and 17 shows a year. Major events on the ISMA schedule have included leg one of the "supermodified Triple Crown", the Hy-Miler Supermodified Nationals held annually at

Sandusky Speedway Sandusky Speedway is a half-mile automobile race track located south of the city of Sandusky in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio, United States. The track features low banking in the turns and long straightaways. It has a layout similar to ...

since 1978, and leg three of the Triple Crown, the Star Classic 150 held at Star Speedway for over 40 years. Races have also been run at other tracks across the Northeast and

, including Delaware Speedway in

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, Canada. In 2023, ISMA merged with the Midwest Supermodified Series (MSS; see below). In 2024, ISMA/MSS scheduled events in the states of New York, Ohio,

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

New Hampshire New Hampshire ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

, and

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

. The cars in this series use wings that are designed to move with the airflow over the car, lying almost level with the ground on straights and standing up in turns to increase downforce. The only engine allowed by ISMA is a cast-iron big block with a maximum displacement of . Aluminum heads are allowed. The cars must weigh at least post-race. Notable ISMA competitors, past and present, include Russ Wood (eight championships), Chris Perley (six championships),

Bentley Warren Bentley Warren (born December 10, 1940, in Kennebunkport, Maine) is an American racecar driver. He is best known for racing in the USAC Championship Car series, and for some New Englanders, even more so for his racing in the Supermodified winged ...

(four championships),

Doug Heveron Douglas Wayne Heveron (born March 29, 1961) is an American race car driver from Liverpool, New York, Liverpool, New York (state), New York. He has driven Supermodifieds, modifieds, IndyCars, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Winston Cup cars, NASCAR Xfini ...

(four championships), Steve Gioia Jr. (four championships), Pat Abold (three championships),

Joe Gosek Joseph Edward Gosek (born March 11, 1956, in Oswego, New York), is a Supermodified race car driver. He also raced in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, finishing 22nd. Gosek was nicknamed 'Double-O Joe' for his traditional use of car number '00'. Gosek ha ...

(two championships), and Mike Ordway Sr. (two championships). Canadian champions include Dave McKnight Jr. (2001) and Mike Lichty (2012 & 2019). As of the end of the 2023 season, the top five drivers for all-time ISMA feature wins are Perley (74), Wood (54), Warren (45), Ordway Sr. (36) and Gosek (30).

MSS

Established in 2001, the

Sandusky, Ohio Sandusky ( ) is a city in Erie County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Sandusky is located roughly midway between Toledo, Ohio, Toledo ( west) and Cleveland ( east). At the 2020 United Stat ...

-based Midwest Supermodified Series (MSS; formerly the Midwest Supermodified Association or MSA) ran primarily in

Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...

. MSS drivers frequently took part in ISMA races and vice versa. MSS merged with ISMA in 2023 (see above). Notable MSS champions include Tim Jedrzejek (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009), Trent Stephens (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), and Dave Shullick Jr. (2005, 2006 and 2007). Shullick Jr. has also won two ISMA championships (2015 and 2016) and three Oswego Speedway championships (2017, 2021 and 2023).

SMRA

The Super Modified Racing Association (SMRA) governed supermodified racing in the

Western United States The Western United States (also called the American West, the Western States, the Far West, the Western territories, and the West) is List of regions of the United States, census regions United States Census Bureau. As American settlement i ...

during 2008–2011. The SMRA grew from the defunct Western States Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL), which ran one season in 2007 at tracks in

Arizona Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain states, Mountain West subregions of the Western United States. It borders Montana and Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington (state), ...

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

and

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

before disbanding. Of these tracks, only Rocky Mountain Raceway in Utah and Madera Speedway in California have returned, with a third track, Magic Valley Speedway in Idaho, making up the 2008 SMRA schedule. The SMRA had a much more liberal rule book than its eastern counterparts, with fewer restrictions on engine placement (rear-engine cars were universally banned in the 1980s) and allowing other such advancements as

independent suspension Independent suspension is any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others. This is contrasted with a beam axle or deDion axle system in ...

. The SMRA ceased operations in early 2011 and no sanctioning currently exists in California. Nearly half the races scheduled for 2011 were cancelled due to a shortage of entries.

ERA

The oldest of the four sanctioning bodies for supermodified racing is the

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

-only Englewood Racing Association, which was formed in 1965 at Englewood Speedway. That track closed in 1979 and following its closure, the series ran a 9-race schedule, all of which were run at

Colorado National Speedway Colorado National Speedway is a paved oval in Dacono, Colorado, spanning . The track is currently a member of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series and hosts the ARCA Menards Series West (former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), thKing of the Wi ...

(CNS) in Dacono until May 29, 2016. A technical inspection for the May 29th race revealed that one car in the Supermodified class had an incorrect muffler installed. This did not offer a competitive advantage and the car was allowed to run by CNS, but the correct muffler would have to be installed if the car wanted to compete on a future race date. The ERA's supermodified club, however, intended to disqualify it or leave the race, a move which would cost them the rest of their races at CNS for the 2016 season. After a number of club members left in protest, CNS removed the supermodified division from the 2016 schedule. Following this disagreement, there have been very few supermodified races at CNS. ERA supermodifieds now primarily race at I-25 Speedway, a 1/4-mile high-banked asphalt oval in

Pueblo Pueblo refers to the settlements of the Pueblo peoples, Native American tribes in the Southwestern United States, currently in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. The permanent communities, including some of the oldest continually occupied settlement ...

. Some regular Colorado ERA supermodified drivers have raced their cars at the

Meridian Speedway The Meridian Speedway is a span of railroad track between Shreveport, Louisiana and Meridian, Mississippi. An important rail link between the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, it is operated as a joint venture of Canadian Pacific ...

in non-ERA-sanctioned races.

References

External links

International Supermodified Association (ISMA)Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA)Supermodified Racing Association (SMRA)Englewood Racing AssociationSupermodified Scorecard
a supermodified fansite {{Class of Auto racing Auto racing by type Open wheel racing