Story By: CAMDEN PROUD / ISMA – LEE, NH – The International Supermodified Association will continue its 2019 season tomorrow at New Hampshire’s Lee USA Speedway for the 15th running of the fan favorite Ollie Silva Memorial 75.
A unique field of drivers is assembled to take on the high banked ⅜ mile in Lee, New Hampshire including both of ISMA’s all-time winningest competitors Chris Perley and Russ Wood, who combine for over 120 victories.
Defending Ollie Silva Memorial champion Mike Ordway Jr. hopes to repeat in 2019. Ordway knows his way around Lee as well as anyone and is still searching for his first win of the season with car owner Clyde Booth.
New Englanders Jon McKennedy, Ben Seitz, Dan Bowes, Mike Netishen, and Dave Duggan have also confirmed their plans to compete in Friday evening’s event. McKennedy won back to back Ollie Silva Memorial shows in 2012 and 2014.
Two drivers that certainly will be exciting to watch are the pair of teenage rookies, Jeffrey Battle in the Howie Lane Racing No. 9 and second generation driver Ryan Locke, who will be making his Supermodified debut piloting grandfather Ken’s No. 37.
If there was an award for the longest drive to race on Friday, it would go to defending champion Kyle Edwards. Edwards is a threat to win at every track, and following some Hy-Miler hard luck, the Tennessee racer would love nothing more than to rebound at Lee.
Also making long tows from New York and Ontario will be Michael Muldoon, Mark Sammut, and Mike Lichty. Muldoon earned his first ISMA win in the’ 17 Silva Memorial and Sammut won it in 2009. Lichty has yet to reach victory lane at Lee USA Speedway.
A surprise entrant for the Ollie Silva Memorial, scheduled to make his first ISMA start in over four years is Dracut, Massachusetts native Bobby Chartier. Chartier has purchased the former Star Classic winning Jimmy Bodnar No. 76 and plans to compete several times this season.
Pit gates will open at 1:00pm for tomorrow’s show. The ISMA driver’s meeting is scheduled for 2:30pm with practice sessions at 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm. ISMA heat races will take the green at 8:00pm with the 75-lap Ollie Silva Memorial to follow.
Grandstand gates will open for practice at 3:15. Adult GA is $30, children 13-16 will be admitted for $25, and kids age 12 and under are FREE.