RGeeProductions
08-22-2011, 05:13 PM
The annual Ollie Silva Memorial ISMA Supermodified Classic was the
headline attraction at Lee USA Speedway on Friday night, and the traveling
series put an impressive, caution-free 75-lap main event into the record
books in less than 18 minutes.
Russ Wood, winner of the inaugural ISMA event at Lee USA back in October
1988, broke out to the early lead, and set the pace for the first 29 laps
before losing the top spot to Jeff Locke, a former Small Block Supermodified
competitor at Lee. Wood retired to the pits with mechanical issues two laps
later.
Locke remained at the head of the field for the next 19 laps before another
Lee alumnus, ISMA rookie Dan Bowes, took his turn out front. Bowes, the
2009 champion in the Small Blocks, moved out to a healthy lead, but as
always, Chris Perley was waiting in the wings.
Bowes worked heavy lapped traffic as the race wore on, and Perley eventually
ran him down, ducking to the low side coming off turn four to make the pass
and leading the final three circuits to collect his second straight Ollie
Silva Memorial checkered.
It was Perley's third straight ISMA win at Lee, and the fourth in his six
starts on the ISMA trail this season. Bowes scored his best ISMA finish to
date in the runner-up slot, with Justin Belfiore filling out the podium in
the third spot.
2009 race winner Mark Sammut finished fourth, with Locke a car length behind
at the checkers to collect fifth. Sixth spot went to former NEMA Midget
champion Ben Seitz, with Rob Summers, former Lee Small Block champ and 2010
ISMA Rookie of the Year Joey Scanlon, Jon Gambuti, and Mike Lichty the rest
of the top ten.
The Benson Lumber and Hardware Small Block Supermodifieds lined up 16 strong
for their feature event, with Ben Tinker moving quickly from the outside
pole to the lead. After a couple of tough weeks in a row, Tinker was hoping
to catch a break this time out.
2010 Small Block champ Tommy Tombarello, Jr. would have no part of that, as
he knocked Tinker off the point a couple of laps later, and took command of
the race. Tombarello was the class of the field once again, leading the
rest of the way to pick up his third checkered flag of the 2011 season.
After being greeted by an army of well-wishers in the post-race victory lane
celebration, Tombarello was presented the Frank Callahan Memorial trophy for
his win, with the Callahan family joining him in victory lane for the awards
presentation.
Tinker held onto the second spot until a spectacular late-race, three-wide
pass by Mike Ordway, Jr. dropped him back to third, where he eventually
finished the night. Polesitter Tony Carroll was fourth across the stripe,
with Sparky MacIver rounding out the top five.
Super Dave Sanborn collected sixth in the Howdy Clapp machine, with points
leader Wayne Helliwell, Jr. seventh in the Witkum Brothers Racing entry.
Leslie Keyser finished eighth, with George Perreault, Jr. ninth, and Matt
Seavey rounding out the top ten.
The David's Race Cars and Components Hobby Stocks continued their chase for
the 2011 championship, with Jim Shorey running a strong race to take down
his second win of the season over Patrick Tanguay and Eric Hoffman.
Veteran Brian Thompson grabbed a fourth place finish, with Mike Williams,
points leader Mark Parenteau, Jim Piaseczny, Rookie of the Year contender
Brian DeStefano, Sean Nordin, and Kenny Scott closing out the top ten.
The NEMA Lites made another special appearance as part of the Ollie Silva
Memorial program, with Paul Bigelow capturing the win over Jim Santa Maria,
Carl Medeiros, David Moniz, Andy Barrows, Ryan Bigelow, Seth Carlson, Russ
Wood, Jr., Anthony Nocella, and Randy Cabral.
Bob Watson
headline attraction at Lee USA Speedway on Friday night, and the traveling
series put an impressive, caution-free 75-lap main event into the record
books in less than 18 minutes.
Russ Wood, winner of the inaugural ISMA event at Lee USA back in October
1988, broke out to the early lead, and set the pace for the first 29 laps
before losing the top spot to Jeff Locke, a former Small Block Supermodified
competitor at Lee. Wood retired to the pits with mechanical issues two laps
later.
Locke remained at the head of the field for the next 19 laps before another
Lee alumnus, ISMA rookie Dan Bowes, took his turn out front. Bowes, the
2009 champion in the Small Blocks, moved out to a healthy lead, but as
always, Chris Perley was waiting in the wings.
Bowes worked heavy lapped traffic as the race wore on, and Perley eventually
ran him down, ducking to the low side coming off turn four to make the pass
and leading the final three circuits to collect his second straight Ollie
Silva Memorial checkered.
It was Perley's third straight ISMA win at Lee, and the fourth in his six
starts on the ISMA trail this season. Bowes scored his best ISMA finish to
date in the runner-up slot, with Justin Belfiore filling out the podium in
the third spot.
2009 race winner Mark Sammut finished fourth, with Locke a car length behind
at the checkers to collect fifth. Sixth spot went to former NEMA Midget
champion Ben Seitz, with Rob Summers, former Lee Small Block champ and 2010
ISMA Rookie of the Year Joey Scanlon, Jon Gambuti, and Mike Lichty the rest
of the top ten.
The Benson Lumber and Hardware Small Block Supermodifieds lined up 16 strong
for their feature event, with Ben Tinker moving quickly from the outside
pole to the lead. After a couple of tough weeks in a row, Tinker was hoping
to catch a break this time out.
2010 Small Block champ Tommy Tombarello, Jr. would have no part of that, as
he knocked Tinker off the point a couple of laps later, and took command of
the race. Tombarello was the class of the field once again, leading the
rest of the way to pick up his third checkered flag of the 2011 season.
After being greeted by an army of well-wishers in the post-race victory lane
celebration, Tombarello was presented the Frank Callahan Memorial trophy for
his win, with the Callahan family joining him in victory lane for the awards
presentation.
Tinker held onto the second spot until a spectacular late-race, three-wide
pass by Mike Ordway, Jr. dropped him back to third, where he eventually
finished the night. Polesitter Tony Carroll was fourth across the stripe,
with Sparky MacIver rounding out the top five.
Super Dave Sanborn collected sixth in the Howdy Clapp machine, with points
leader Wayne Helliwell, Jr. seventh in the Witkum Brothers Racing entry.
Leslie Keyser finished eighth, with George Perreault, Jr. ninth, and Matt
Seavey rounding out the top ten.
The David's Race Cars and Components Hobby Stocks continued their chase for
the 2011 championship, with Jim Shorey running a strong race to take down
his second win of the season over Patrick Tanguay and Eric Hoffman.
Veteran Brian Thompson grabbed a fourth place finish, with Mike Williams,
points leader Mark Parenteau, Jim Piaseczny, Rookie of the Year contender
Brian DeStefano, Sean Nordin, and Kenny Scott closing out the top ten.
The NEMA Lites made another special appearance as part of the Ollie Silva
Memorial program, with Paul Bigelow capturing the win over Jim Santa Maria,
Carl Medeiros, David Moniz, Andy Barrows, Ryan Bigelow, Seth Carlson, Russ
Wood, Jr., Anthony Nocella, and Randy Cabral.
Bob Watson