The OSCAAR Modifieds return to Delaware Speedway this weekend for the first of three 50-lap feature events of the 2013 campaign. Ontario’s premier open-wheel tour will be joined by the ISMA (International Super Modified Association) Super Modifieds on Friday night as the world’s most powerful asphalt short track cars compete at the London-area ½-mile.
Friday night marks the first time OSCAAR has used time trials to setup Klotz Canada qualifying heat races this season for the Modified tour. Time trials have only been used one other time in the series’ 21 race history, taking place last September for the Rick Woolner Memorial.
Starting position will certainly be key for the extended event as drivers will be competing for a double purse and $800 to win. The starting lineup will be determined through a combination of time trial results and heat race points.
A full field of OSCAAR Modifieds is expected in attendance for the double-shot weekend after 17 modifieds made the trip to the high-banked 3/8-mile at Kawartha Speedway last weekend, where part-time driver Darren Kearnan earned his first career tour win.
Several drivers gained useful knowledge for high-speed tracks last Sunday at Kawartha which will be applied to this weekend at Delaware. Significant changes are in order to setups, however, as drivers prepare their cars in a short four day window for a much flatter track at Delaware. Drivers will be allowed two new Hoosier 1040 slicks for Saturday’s feature, up from the usual one tire limit.
Delaware Speedway FT Garage Late Model regular Justin Demelo (No.82) had an impressive second-place finish last weekend at Kawartha. Demelo said following the race he planned to save his new tires for the series’ final event of the season at his home track. The London native has two runner-up finishes this season (Delaware, Kawartha) and one win at Sunset Speedway on June 30. Demelo is exceptionally hungry for his first career OSCAAR win at his home track, so expect the part-time entry to be at the top of his game.
Sophomore pilot Davey Terry (No.14) quietly had a very competitive sixth-place finish at Kawartha last weekend. After starting 12th, Terry progressively made his way through the field and likely was five laps shy of earning a top-five finish. ‘The Erin Express’ has historically been at a disadvantage at Delaware with a 602 GM crate motor powering his Wasteco entry, but look for him to overcome the hump in his fourth-career start at the big ½-mile.
Series point leader Gary McLean (No.8) enters this weekend fresh off a fourth-place finish at Kawartha, a rare finish off the podium. McLean finished third at Delaware earlier this year on old tires and is likely to have managed his tires well in preparation for Saturday’s main event. The Conn, Ont. driver will be without his crew chief Greg Gibson, but the McLean Industrial Design sponsored team has plenty of experience to work from anyhow.
Matt Barton (No. 2) returned to the tour last weekend after a three race hiatus. The New Hamburg, Ont. driver survived motor issues at Kawartha to finish 10th, an impressive result considering a start seemed a long shot early on last Sunday. Barton will be in good position to grab a top-five finish this weekend.
Rookie points leader Branden Bullen (No.67jr) had a rough entry last week at Kawartha. The third-generation driver has not started at Delaware in a modified, so look for him to overcome the learning curve quickly with the help of father Phil Bullen for a top-10 finish.
Fellow rookie Shane Stickel (No.39) had a strong ninth-place outing at Kawartha, his first trip to the speedway. Stickel also runs the smaller 602 crate motor, but has previous experience at Delaware in the Canadian Vintage Modified division. The Kitchener, Ont. native spoke earlier this week to say he has never competed in a feature longer than 30 laps in length, so Stickel will face new circumstances for the first time in his career.
Don’t count out former Delaware regular David McCullough (No.39M) either. McCullough’s looked strong in a win at Sauble Speedway on July 13 and more of the same is in order.
Rodney, Ont. native Ryan Dick (No.88) makes his second career start at Delaware with the OSCAAR Modified tour. Dick earned his first Klotz Canada heat race win last Sunday at Kawartha with an impressive pass around the outside of Demelo. If the rookie dirver can replicate that success in anyway this weekend, he will be battling on the cusp of a top-five result.
Speedway officials announced this week the top-three drivers in Saturday’s A-Main event will each receive $100 Petro-Canada fuel gift cards.
OSCAAR Modified time trials are scheduled to begin Friday night at 7:00pm while the first green flag of the night is set to fly at 8:00pm. Spectator gates will open at 5:00pm, allowing full access to both ISMA and OSCAAR practice. Delaware Speedway’s Coca-Cola Super Stocks will also be in attendance for a 35-lap feature Friday night.
The green flag for the Saturday main event is scheduled to drop at 2:00pm. Spectator gates will open at 1:00pm ahead of an OSCAAR driver autograph session scheduled for 1:20pm.
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Directions: For directions to Delaware Speedway, please visit https://delawarespeedway.com/fan-guide/directions.
Tickets: Advance tickets are available online for Friday night’s event featuring the ISMA Super Modifieds. For more information, visit https://delawarespeedway.com/tickets/delaware-classic-isma.
ISMA Super Modifieds: For more information on the International Super Modified Association, find them online at www.ismasupers.com.
The OSCAAR Modified tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.
Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
OSCAAR Media and Public Relations
Photo Credit: Dan Little Jr.
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