ISMA cars HOPE TO SHATTER jennerstown speed mark

JENNERSTOWN, PA (May 15, 2005) … ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fastest of them all?’ That’s the question that will be answered at Jennerstown Speedway Saturday evening when the Somerset County half-mile asphalt oval hosts the winged-warriors of the International Super Modified Association (ISMA).

Billed as the fastest short-track drivers in the world, The ISMA supermodified competitors have their sights set on Chris Perley’s one-lap track record mark of 15.239 (123.32 MPH average), which was established way back in 1995.

“My track record will be history, for sure, after Saturday evening,” said Perley, a Rowley, Mass. marina owner, who captured last years 50-lap ISMA contest. “Not only have the cars gotten faster over the past 10-years, but so has the race track.

“When I set the record in ’95 the track was bumpy, patched, and had lost most of its traction,” he said. “The new track surface that was applied there last year has more bite than anyplace else we race. The place is just awesome. We had some issues with tires last year, but we should be set to run flat-out this time around.”

The establishment of a new Jennerstown track record will be different from the norm that has been established in the past.

“We’re bowing to modern technology,” said Jennerstown General Manager Larry Mattingly. “The ISMA cars no longer do individual time trial runs, which has always been the standard for establishing ‘official’ track records. The cars are, however, equipped with electronic transponders which record times and speeds when the cars are on the track.

“We have decided to honor the fastest time set that night as our track record, providing it is faster than Perley’s old mark. This procedure is used in Formula One and other open wheel groups. It’s a sign of the times.”

Aside from Perley, Pat Abold, Pennellville, NY; Russ Wood, Pelham, NH; and Lou Ciconni Jr., Aston are considered the top candidates for the winners circle in the 50-lap feature. Ciconni was victorious in the ISMA season opener at the Waterford (Mass.) Speedbowl in early May.

Joining the supermodifieds on the race card will the Grand American modified class, and the regular five-division Jennerstown NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series divisions.

Spectator gates will open at 2:00 PM, with the first race set to push off at 6:30.

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