Waterford Speedbowl is Site of 2008 ISMA Opener on May 24th
Oswego, NY – The ISMA Super Series is in the final preparation stages for their first race of the season on Saturday May 24 at the Waterford Speedbowl. Last year was Chris Perley’s season as he started 2007 with a win and ended it with a win, sandwiching 9 other feature victories in between. Lou Cicconi won the ISMA inaugural at the Connecticut oval while Justin Belfiore picked up the 50-lapper in 2006. While Perley has dominated the win column for the past two years, he’ll be the first to admit the opener is anyone’s ballgame.
This season should see another stellar field coming to the “Bowl” with not only Perley ready and willing to win, but also a slew of others, some who have been knocking hard on The Rowley Rocket’s back door.
The Canadian PATCO racing team owned by Brad Lichty has two such drivers in Dave McKnight and Mike Lichty. Both were ahead or chasing behind the Vic Miller-owned 11 many times last season. McKnight was finally able to beat Perley at Delaware Speedway (Ont.) in September of last season. Lichty had a couple bouts of bad luck or he would have been in the winner’s circle several times.
Justin Belfiore, All-Star Classic winner, Mike Ordway Jr., ISMA runner-up and Rookie of the Year, Robbie Summers, Ray Graham Jr., and Dave Shullick Jr., also had single feature wins in 2007 besides McKnight, and are all assuredly ready to get right back to winning in 2008. Ordway Jr. has left the Rick Wentworth 10 ride that he brought to victory at M-40 last season but is behind the Bruce Budnick 88 – a proven winner.
Last season Perley brought his name to the top of the ISMA All-Time Win List knocking off Russ Wood and Bentley Warren in so doing. Wood, however, is back in 2008 to possibly reclaim his top spot. He’s driving a Holbrook-owned, Allegresso-designed 29 full time this year. Supermodified legend Bentley Warren is behind the wheel of the Ed LaPrade 68, a seat vacated by the retiring Doug Heveron. Warren will divide his time between his expanding Bentley’s Saloon and Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine and his racing, but he still is a threat to put a marker or two in the record books. Then there is Mike Lichty, Mark Sammut, who finished a career-high third in points last season, Maine’s 2007 ISMA Most Improved driver, Vern Romanoski; Team Holbrook, which now includes Russ Wood, and many, many more looking for win.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American divisions will compete with the ISMA Super series on Saturday at the Speedbowl. The pits open for the super competitors at 11 am with their practice starting at Noon a.m. Grandstands open at 4 pm, Heats begin at 5:00 and features begin at 7:00 p.m.
Waterford is located by taking Route 395 South to Exit 77. At the end of the exit take a right. The Speedbowl is approximately 1/8 mile on the left. www.speedbowl.com for further information.
Sources:ISMA PR