ISMA LUCAS OIL – HELPING HANDS SUPER SERIES WASHES OUT AT SEEKONK
By Carol D. Haynes
Seekonk, Mass – The International Supermodified Association will have to wait a few weeks to get their season on track. After three heats were run on Sunday at Seekonk Speedway’s slated opener for the winged Supermodifieds, showers began to fall. After it was evident that the rain was not about to let up anytime soon, the Seekonk officials called it quits for the day. The ISMA 75-lap feature will now be run on Saturday, May 22nd with times to be announced.
Three heats were completed for the ISMA Supermodifieds with Mark Sammut going wire to wire to win the first checkered of the 2004 season. Sammut was trailed by Dave McKnight, Pat Abold, Mike Ordway, Jamie Timmons, and Jen Chesbro. Lou Cicconi exited the race before the end for some bug shakeouts. The 07 of newcomer Mike Badessa did not start.
In the second heat, Russ Wood came home the winner with Scott Martel, Rick Wentworth, Bentley Warren, Joe Petro, Dan Osmeloski, Mike Buyck and John Payne trailing. Payne had pulled out a little early also with some first event woes.
In the final heat second generation driver and rookie of the year contender Mike Lichty grabbed his first ever checkered flag coming home in first ahead of 2003 champion Chris Perley, Bobby Santos III, Nokie Fornoro, Kevin Torigney, Justin Belfiore, Jonathan McKennedy and Joey Payne, who did not start the event. Payne had some fuel problems that were corrected in the Chapman-owned supermodified prior to the rains.
With qualifying finished, the feature lineup will now be set for the May 22md date with Mike Lichty and Rick Wentworth to lead the 24-car field to green. All ISMA competitors and crews are reminded that they must keep their tickets and wristband to gain entry on that date. Failure to do so will result in repaying the admission fees.
The first ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands America Stunt Bike giveaway for kids was also postponed until the May 22nd and new tickets will be issued so those who held tickets do not need to save them.