Published: July 14, 2016
ISMA RETURNS TO JENNERSTOWN AFTER ALMOST TEN YEAR HIATUS
By Carol D. Haynes, ISMA PR
Oswego, NY (July 7, 2016) – When the International SuperModified Association first ventured to Jennerstown Speedway, set in the Laurel Mountains of Western Pennsylvania, it was 1988 and Irish Jack Murphy was president of the association at the time.
Two races a season were scheduled for ’88 and then again in 1989. One taking place in June and one in September. Three of those four events in the first years were dominated by the legendary Bentley Warren, driving the 61Jr., who won three of the four with another legend, Eddie Bellinger Jr. taking the June 3rd race in 1989.
The schedule was changed entering new decade with eight races in the 1990s slated to run, usually later in the season. Bentley Warren would pick up two more of those wins, relative newcomer to the ranks Pat Abold, laid claim to two features, as did Mike Ordway Sr., with Canadian Gary Morton, and another new guy on the block, Chris Perley, each garnering a win each.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck ISMA and the racing community in August 1999 when 25-year old Randy Witkum lost his life in a Jennerstown crash.
There were five races slated for the years between 2004 and 2008, but the aforementioned was cancelled and never rescheduled. The ISMA era at Jennerstown pretty much ended there due to various reasons. Of those last four races run “The Rowley Rocket” Chris Perley took home three features and Pat Abold picked up a career third win.
Now, in 2016, after almost 30 years has passed since the great Bentley Warren drove to victory that first year, the ISMA contingent will once again venture to the Jennerstown .522 mile asphalt with many new names ready to etch their names in the winner’s log. With the16 previous ISMA feature winners now retired or only running a limited schedule (Perley), there should most certainly be a new winner. There should also be a lot of new fans who haven’t quite experienced the speed and excitement of a winged supermodified race.
Jennerstown Speedway is located at 206 Somerset Street, Jennerstown, PA 15547. For information call 814-703-8009 or check out the website at www.jennerstown.org. A new Jennerstown Speedway Complex site is still under construction.
The schedule for July 16 finds pit gates opening at 1:00 pm, main gates at 2 pm and opening ceremonies begin at 6 pm. There are five racing weekly racing divisions plus the International SuperModified Association in competition.
