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[[Image:ISMA Supermodified9.jpg|thumb|right|An ISMA
'''Supermodifieds''' are a class of [[Open
==Design==
Nearly all competitors on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] choose to run aluminum small blocks ranging from {{Convert|410 to 430|cuin|L|1}}, whereas [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] cars run mandatory cast-iron big blocks with aluminum [[Cylinder head|heads]] bored to the allowable maximum displacement of {{Convert|468|cuin|L|1|abbr=unit}}. Cars in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] can run small blocks up to {{Convert|412|cuin|L|1|abbr=unit}} or big blocks up to {{Convert|481|cuin|L|1|abbr=unit}}.<ref name="hotrod.com" /> Separate classes of supermodifieds utilizing small block {{Convert|350|cuin|L|1|abbr=unit}} engines also run on the East Coast (e.g. at [[Oswego Speedway]]).
Modern era supermodifieds run a radical offset chassis that is up to 18 in. to the left of center. The engine and driveline components themselves are mounted in a specially-fabricated area placed outside the left side frame rails. The engine is thus a stressed member of the chassis. This allows weight distribution to favor the left side (often as much as 70%) and thereby aid cornering around the left-hand turns of an oval track. The giant wings, (generally {{convert|24|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}' max), mounted on the roll cage of the cars bear a resemblance to those found on [[Sprint car racing|sprint cars]] and serve a similar purpose, designed to produce down force and allow them to make tight turns at high speed. The west coast style cars of ERA and SMRA run a fixed wing, whereas the cars of the east generally run a wing mounted to the suspension or chassis by pneumatic struts. The racing slick tires used on a supermodified are among the widest used in pavement oval racing.▼
▲Modern era big-block supermodifieds
Like sprint cars, supermodifieds do not have starters, batteries, or transmissions and are push-started.▼
▲Like sprint cars, supermodifieds do not have [[Starter (engine)|starters]], [[Automotive battery|batteries]], or [[Transmission (mechanical device)|transmissions]], and are push-started.
The combination of high power, light weight, and high cornering ability allow supermodifieds to average over {{Convert|120|mi/h|km/h}} on a 1/2-mile oval and {{Convert|150|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} on a {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} oval, with top speeds over {{Convert|190|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.▼
▲The combination of high power, light weight, and high cornering ability
==Sanctioning bodies==
===ISMA===
The largest of the four major sanctioning bodies is the [[Liverpool, New York]]-based [[International Supermodified Association]] (ISMA)
Starting in 1976, ISMA developed a point fund with tracks contributing $500–
▲Tom Heveron as president, with the help of Vice President, Jim Shampine and Secretary/Treasurer Fred Graves, led ISMA through its developmental stages. ISMA negotiated with Lancaster for a 40 lap race held on July 3, 1974, which Todd Gibson of Richwood, OH won. The following year ISMA booked races at Fulton Speedway with a $5,000 purse and $1,000 to win.
ISMA continues to be at the forefront of supermodified sanctioning bodies,
▲Starting in 1976, ISMA developed a point fund with tracks contributing $500– $1,000 per race to this fund. Unlike most other point systems, ISMA awards points to the car owners as ISMA is an owners club rather than drivers. Joining the Heveron, Shampine and Graves team, Shirley Letcher took over the responsibility for the point system. In just three seasons, ISMA had accomplished sanctioning over $96,000 in purse money and races, adding a point fund of $4,400 paid by promoters, having tow money at all of the ISMA sanctioned races, having insurance certificates from each promoter on file, and working with other promoters for more races in 1977. With races at Fulton (NY), Delaware (Ont. CAN), Star(NH), Flamboro(Ont. CAN), and Thompson(CT), Steve Gioia, Jr. became ISMA's first points Champion.
ISMA has generally sanctioned between 13 and 17 shows a year. Major events on the ISMA schedule
▲ISMA continues to be at the forefront of supermodified sanctioning bodies, pioneering the franchise system, in which teams purchase a franchise at the beginning of the season. Creating a win-win situation for both the teams and promoters, each of the 19 franchise teams are allowed to miss up to 3 shows during the race season while being guaranteed a minimum starting purse of $1,000 at each event. This system helps to ensure solid, stable car counts and a successful event for the promoter.
In 2023, ISMA merged with the Midwest Supermodified Series (MSS; see below). In 2024, ISMA/MSS scheduled events in the states of New York, Ohio, [[Michigan]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[North Carolina]].
The cars in this series use wings that are designed to move with the airflow over the car, lying almost level with the ground on
▲Major events on the ISMA schedule include leg one of the supermodified 'Triple Crown' the Hy-Miler Supermodified Nationals, held annually at [[Sandusky Speedway|Sandusky (Ohio) Speedway]] since 1978, and leg three of the Triple Crown, the Star Classic 150 held at Star Speedway in Epping, NH for over 40 years. Races are also run at other tracks across the Northeast and [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]], including [[Delaware Speedway]] in [[Ontario]], Canada.
Notable ISMA competitors, past and present, include Russ Wood (eight championships), Chris Perley (six championships), [[Bentley Warren]] (four championships), [[Doug Heveron]] (four championships), Steve Gioia Jr. (four championships), Pat Abold (three championships), [[Joe Gosek]] (two championships), and Mike Ordway Sr. (two championships).
▲The cars in this series use wings that are designed to move with the airflow over the car, lying almost level with the ground on straightaways creating less aerodynamic drag, and standing up in the turns to increase down force. The only allowable engine with ISMA is a cast iron big block up to 468 cu. in. Aluminum heads are allowed and the cars must weigh a mandatory {{Convert|1850|lb|abbr=on}} post race.
▲Notable ISMA competitors, past and present, include Russ Wood (eight championships), Chris Perley (six championships), [[Bentley Warren]] (four championships), [[Doug Heveron]] (four championships), Steve Gioia Jr. (four championships), Pat Abold (three championships), [[Joe Gosek]] (two championships) and Mike Ordway Sr. (two championships). Canadian champions include Dave McKnight Jr. (2001) and Mike Lichty (2012 & 2019). As of the end of the 2020 season, the top five drivers for all-time ISMA feature wins are Chris Perley (74), Russ Wood (54), Bentley Warren (45), Mike Ordway Sr. (36) and Joe Gosek (30).
===MSS===
Established in 2001, the [[Sandusky, Ohio]]-based Midwest Supermodified Series (MSS; formerly the Midwest Supermodified Association
Notable MSS champions include Tim Jedrzejek (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009), Trent Stephens (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), and Dave Shullick Jr. (2005, 2006 and 2007). ===SMRA===
The Super Modified Racing Association (SMRA) governed supermodified racing in the [[Western United States]] during 2008–2011.
The SMRA had a much more liberal
The SMRA ceased operations in early 2011 and no sanctioning currently exists in California. Nearly half the races scheduled for 2011 were cancelled due to a shortage of entries.
===ERA===
The oldest of the four sanctioning bodies for supermodified racing is the [[Colorado]]-only Englewood Racing Association, which was formed in 1965 at Englewood Speedway.
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==References==
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