By – Rhonda Costa
CARSON CITY, NEV. – The Supermodified Racing Association’s regular competitors of the 2009 season are making their way to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City this week for a two-race venture in the summer heat.
Drivers and teams will make their way from Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California and Massachusetts to take on two tracks of the three-eighth mile length, which produce higher speeds and exciting racing venues for the thousands of race fans expected to make the show.
The first of the two shows is Thursday, July 2 at The Bullring at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex. The second is on Saturday, July 4 at Rocky Mountain Raceways in West Valley City, Utah.
The SMRA last raced The Bullring on Nov. 1 for the final race of the 2008 season, which also determined the champion of the 2008 season.
Jeff Russell was leading the points race by 38 entering the finale. However, with a determination never to be doubted, the S&S Motorsports team with driver Troy Regier pushed themselves to the limit and succeeded in overtaking Russell by just 5 points to win the season.
Coming into Las Vegas, Regier (879) holds a 104-point lead over Clovis, Calif. driver AJ Russell (775), with Jeff Russell holding in third place with 698.
Joining the regulars will be Ray Stebbins of Kent, Wash., along with Justin Belfiore, a regular ISMA driver from Ipswich, Mass. Other SMRA regulars scheduled to race include Bobby Dalton, Jim Birges, who is bringing two cars to the two-race weekend, along with Kirk Wartman, Bryan Warf, Kenny White and Pat Whittet.
Several Nevada and California teams hoping to be ready with their racing machines are still unsure of their participation in the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City run.
An open practice will be held at The Bullring Wednesday with racing action held Thursday evening with a fireworks show planned.
Rocky Mountain Raceways, the premier, larger racetrack on the SMRA 2009 schedule, will also have a fireworks spectacular show after main events are completed Saturday.
Results from each race will be sent the following day for posting along with some pictures of racing action from The Bullring and Rocky Mountain Raceways.
Each SMRA team welcomes race fans to stop by their haulers in the pit area after each race.
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