International Supermodified Association

Last updated
International Supermodified Association
International Supermodified Association logo.jpg
Sport Auto racing
Jurisdiction United States, Canada
AbbreviationISMA
Founded1974
Headquarters Oswego, New York
Official website
www.ismasupers.com
Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg

The International Super Modified Association (ISMA) is a sanctioning body of short track auto racing in the United States. It is the largest sanctioning body of super modified racing, an open wheel discipline. [1]

Contents

History

2006 ISMA SuperModified ISMA Supermodified9.jpg
2006 ISMA SuperModified

The International Super Modified Association (ISMA) was founded in 1974 by Jim Shampine and Nolan Swift, with support from Tom Heveron and Jacob Speck. It aimed to improve safety and increase race events for better driver support. Heveron served as president while Shampine and Fred Graves were also in key roles. [2]


ISMA negotiated with the Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway in Lancaster, New York, to hold its first-ever race at the track. It was a 40-lap event on July 3, 1974. Todd Gibson of Richwood, Ohio, emerged as the winner, marking a key moment in the association’s expansion into new venues. The following year, ISMA booked races at Fulton Speedway with a $5,000 purse and $1,000 to win. [3]

Starting in 1976, ISMA developed a point fund. Tracks contributed $500–$1,000 per race to support this fund. [3] ISMA awards points to car owners, not the drivers. Joining the Heveron, Shampine, and Graves team, Shirley Letcher took over the responsibility for the point system. In just three seasons, ISMA had sanctioned over $96,000 in purse money [3] and races, adding a point fund of $4,400 paid by promoters, providing a tow fund at all races, requiring all promoters to hold insurance, and working to expand the race schedule to other tracks. Steve Giola Jr. became the first point-based champion that year. [4]

Current

ISMA has recently introduced a franchise system in which teams purchase a franchise at the beginning of the season. Each of the 19 franchise teams may miss up to 3 shows during the race season while being guaranteed a minimum starting purse of $1,000 at each event.[ citation needed ]

ISMA typically approves 13 to 17 events annually, which includes two races from the Super modified Triple Crown Series held on paved short tracks ranging from one-quarter to five-eighths of a mile in length, situated across six states and Canada. In 2023, ISMA merged with the Midwest Super modified Series (MSS), focusing on events in New York, Ohio and Michigan. The 2024 schedule includes races at Oswego, Evans Mills (New York), Sandusky, Lorain County (Ohio), Lee, Claremont (New Hampshire), Berlin (Michigan) and Caraway (North Carolina).

Champions

Bracketed numbers denote a cumulative number of championships:

2013 ISMA cars at L'Autodrome Chaudiere in Canada Isma chaudiere 220613.jpg
2013 ISMA cars at L'Autodrome Chaudière in Canada
SeasonDriver
1976Steve Gioia Jr. (1)
1977 Jim Shampine (1)
1978Steve Gioia Jr. (2)
1979 Doug Heveron (1)
1980 Doug Heveron (2)
1981 Doug Heveron (3)
1982 Doug Heveron (4)
1983Den Wheeler (1)
1984 Bentley Warren (1)
1985Steve Gioia Jr. (3)
1986Steve Gioia Jr. (4)
1987 Joe Gosek (1)
1988 Bentley Warren (2)
1989 Bentley Warren (3)
1990 Bentley Warren (4)
1991Russ Wood (1)
1992Pat Abold (1)
1993Pat Abold (2)
1994Russ Wood (2)
1995Mike Ordway Sr. (1)
1996Russ Wood (3)
1997Russ Wood (4)
1998Mike Ordway Sr. (2)
1999Russ Wood (5)
2000 Joe Gosek (2)
2001Dave McKnight Jr. (1)
2002Russ Wood (6)
2003Chris Perley (1)
2004Chris Perley (2)
2005Pat Abold (3)
2006Chris Perley (3)
2007Chris Perley (4)
2008Chris Perley (5)
2009Chris Perley (6)
2010Russ Wood (7)
2011Russ Wood (8)
2012Mike Lichty (1)
2013Lou Cicconi Jr. (1)
2014Ben Seitz (1)
2015Dave Shullick Jr. (1) [5]
2016 Dave Shullick Jr. (2) [6]
2017 Jonathan McKennedy (1)
2018Kyle Edwards (1)
2019Mike Lichty (2)
2021Otto Sitterly (1)
2022Otto Sitterly (2)
2023Mike McVetta (1)
2024Otto Sitterly (3)

Competitors notable outside of ISMA:

References

  1. Fisher, Rob. "Supermodified Racing - Super Secrets". HOTROD.
  2. Writer, Dick O'Brien | Contributing (2022-05-25). "Oswego Speedway opens 71st season Saturday with Jim Shampine Memorial 150". syracuse. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  3. 1 2 3 "ISMA Story". ISMA-MSS Supermodified Racing Series. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  4. "OVER 40 YEARS OF SUPERMODIFIED RACING" . Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  5. "DAVE SHULLICK JR. TAKES THOMPSON WORLD SERIES WIN AND CLINCHES FIRST ISMA TITLE". Archived from the original on 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  6. "DAVE SHULLICK REPEATS AS WORLD SERIES ISMA WINNER AND TAKES SECOND STRAIGHT ISMA CHAMPIONSHIP". Archived from the original on 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-02.