Modified racing
Encyclopedia
Modified stock car racing, also known as Modified racing or simply Modified, is one of the oldest types of racing in the United States
, dating back to the days of the post-World War II
coupes. The name for modified racing cars come from the fact that they are not stock but, rather, modified passenger cars. This differentiated them from Stock cars, that were based on production vehicles, in the early history of NASCAR
. There are as many different sanctioning bodies for modifieds with each sanctioning body having different body styles and engine sizes.
Modified racing began as race drivers modified their car
s to gain a competitive advantage over their fellow competitors. What started out as minor modifications to the cars has now grown to the point that some modified classes are no longer based on any current production vehicles. NASCAR
was instrumental in modified racing's beginnings. Some of NASCAR's pioneers were veteran modified racers long before NASCAR's inception in 1949. As time progressed, modifieds grew away from "Strictly Stock" or "Stock Cars," and became akin to both stock cars, and open-wheel cars. Today's SuperModifieds have more in common with Indy cars
than they do stock cars.
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These modifieds are found mostly in the Eastern half of the US. Both of the sanctioning bodies (NASCAR and ASA) listed here use the same rules, but do not race on the same tracks. The cars are easy to identify. These modifieds sit on large slick tires that are exposed on all four corners of the car. The roofs of these cars are more rounded than the other types of modifieds listed in this article, their bodies look somewhat squashed, and have large, 8 inches (203.2 mm), Lexan spoilers on the rear of the cars. The driver sits on the left side of the car, and most of the time will have some type of small plastic windshield in front of him/her. All of these cars will sport small NASCAR or ASA stickers on the doors.
The largest builder of modifieds in the U.S. is former driver Maynard Troyer
, who (after retiring in 1982) set up shop and in the 1980s was turning out 100 asphalt modifieds annually.
is the only remaining NASCAR
series remaining from the sanctioning body's original season in 1948. The original style of NASCAR modifieds actually pre-dates NASCAR's existence by many years. Though it is now known as an asphalt-oval-only series, this was not always the case. The series originally started on dirt, and as more and more asphalt tracks opened, the series migrated to racing on the newer tracks. The series also had previously made forays into road racing with stops at Watkins Glen International
in New York
. Many NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have come from this series, including Jimmy Spencer
, Geoff Bodine
and Steve Park.
, near Martinsville, Virginia
.
Southern Modified Tour. The ASA Southern Modified Tour came about as some tracks that were part of the NASCAR buyout of SMART were unable, or unwilling to join NASCAR. The American Speed Association
(ASA) was contacted, and the new series was formed. Although both sanctioning bodies use the same rules (much as NASCAR
and ARCA
did with the Sprint Cup series and the ARCA Re/Max Series
), they do not share a single race date, nor do they race at any of the same tracks.
The Super DIRTcar Series
modifieds are the easiest to identify. The driver sits in the middle of the car, with high-downforce, wind-channeling tunnels on either side of him. The roofs are very flat, and tilted to catch additional air. The front suspension is usually a coil-over setup, with a torsion-bar set-up for the rear suspension. They utilize full tube chassis, which to the untrained eye, looks to be a sprint car chassis, but is much different in reality.
The IMCA-style modifieds are easy to identify as a whole, but distinguishing between the sanctioning bodies is all but impossible. The bodies are very flat on the sides, and lack the downforce generating tunnels the DIRTcar modifies sport. The driver sits on the left side. One of the most notable differences between the IMCA-style modifieds and other modified series cars, is the use of stock production car frame sections as part of the racing chassis. These cars also race on smaller tires than the other types of modifieds, with most sanctioning bodies specifying the same tire. The IMCA Sportmods appear very similar to their brethren, but have distinctly different engines. The Afco KidModz appear the same as the others, but sport full tube chassis, and by rules, have to have Ford 2300 cc inline 4 cylinder engines.
in February of that year. In November 2004, Boundless Racing changed its name to DIRT Motorsports. In December of the same year, DIRT Motorsports bought Midwestern sanctioning body UMP
.
The former DIRT big-block (and small block) modified series has seen many changes in their car designs since the 1970s, but the competition and will to win has remained the same. The ultra-fast, super nimble cars race primarily in the Northeastern US and in Canada
, but have had a race added in the Midwest on the 2007 and the 2008 schedules. NASCAR and World of Outlaws Late Model driver Tim McCreadie
came from this series, as did World of Outlaws Late Model drivers Tim Fuller and Vic Coffey. All of those drivers still race in the series on a part-time basis, between 10-30 times a year. Notable drivers having competed in DIRT modifieds include Tony Stewart
, Andrew Ranger
, Dave Blaney
, Carl Edwards
, JJ Yeley and David Reutimann
.
(IMCA) is the oldest racing sanctioning body in the US. IMCA invented the "E-Mod" (or Economy Modified) in 1979. It has become one of the most popular dirt racing classes due to its simple design, light-weight, high power, and ability to adapt to varying track conditions easily. Most IMCA-style classes also boast a "claim rule," wherein a racer may buy a competitors engine for a small amount of money (usually around $500). This rule was intended to keep engine prices from skyrocketing. Sanctioning bodies WISSOTA and United Midwestern Promoters
(UMP) also have classes that are almost identical to IMCA's modifieds, with a few small exceptions. The AMRA, or American Motor Racing Association also follows this popular formula for modifieds. NASCAR drivers Ken Schrader
and Kenny Wallace
own and race UMP Modifieds on off weekends from NASCAR. Some tracks sanction modifieds with IMCA-like specifications, such as Slinger Super Speedway
.
s, and UMP
Late Models
. These cars have nearly the same hand-made aluminum bodies as their UMP Late Model counterparts (without front fenders), feature tubular chassis, and sport unrestricted engines with aluminum engine blocks and heads. They also are allowed to utilize quick-change rear ends and aluminum wheels, whereas the IMCA modifieds are forced to race with heavier cast-iron engines, partial stock frames, steel wheels and Ford 9 inches (228.6 mm) rear ends.
, Louisiana
, and Texas
area. Oddly enough, they are called Ark-La-Tex Winged Modifieds. These outlaw modifieds sport full tube chassis, and bodies that look like the Advanced Auto Parts Super DIRTcar racers, with the exception of the sprint car-like wing affixed to the roofs of the cars.
, Canada
, races on both dirt and asphalt, with the same cars. Started in the mid 1980s, the Alberta Outlaw Modified Racing Association (AOMRA) races in Alberta
, British Columbia
, and Saskatchewan
. They look like a cross between IMCA modifieds, and old NASCAR modifieds.
, Toyotas and even an odd Nissan are common, however the Ford 2300's are the favored motor. Motor rules have stayed very stable over the last 10 years with the only rule change coming in 2008 which allowed the Esslinger aluminum d-port head, due to the declining availability of the cast iron cylinder heads. One thing that sets these cars apart from most modified racing series, is that these cars do not utilize roofs on the cars.
Another type of modified popular in the Southwestern
, and Northeastern
parts of the US, is the "SuperModified." Super Mods are low-slung, almost body-less modifieds that utilize wings to achieve enough downforce to take turns at extremely high speeds. They also feature engines that are offset to the driver's side, also, to aid in taking turns at high speed. There are 4 sanctioning bodies in the US that sanction supermodified racing. The New York-based International SuperModified Association, or ISMA, is the largest of the four and a true touring series. The Western States Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL) is ISMA's west coast counterpart. The ISMA SuperMods are a bit more technologically advanced, in that the wings attached to the roofs of the cars move. When racing down the straightaways, the wings are almost level. When the car gets to the corners, the back of wing tilts upward, adding downforce to the car.
created the Legends series (while they were named 600 Motorsports) as a way of getting more and younger people into racing with affordable cars. The cars were designed to be 5/8-scale 1930s and 1940s coupes and sedans cars raced in the past in the NASCAR
Modified Tour
. They all feature a tube chassis, and spec 1250 cc Yamaha Motorcycle engines. They are the largest mass producer of race cars in the world.
There is also a class of Dwarf Cars that race on dirt called the Vintage Lite Series. They race a mixed field of cars that resemble the vintage cars and some that resemble a scaled down version of the current dirt modified (these cars are often referred to as the MiniMods).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, dating back to the days of the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
coupes. The name for modified racing cars come from the fact that they are not stock but, rather, modified passenger cars. This differentiated them from Stock cars, that were based on production vehicles, in the early history of NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. There are as many different sanctioning bodies for modifieds with each sanctioning body having different body styles and engine sizes.
History
Čar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
s to gain a competitive advantage over their fellow competitors. What started out as minor modifications to the cars has now grown to the point that some modified classes are no longer based on any current production vehicles. NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
was instrumental in modified racing's beginnings. Some of NASCAR's pioneers were veteran modified racers long before NASCAR's inception in 1949. As time progressed, modifieds grew away from "Strictly Stock" or "Stock Cars," and became akin to both stock cars, and open-wheel cars. Today's SuperModifieds have more in common with Indy cars
American Championship Car Racing
Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level, single-seat open wheel race cars. The championship has been under the auspices of several different sanctioning bodies since 1909. Since 1911, the Indianapolis...
than they do stock cars.
Asphalt modifieds
The largest builder of modifieds in the U.S. is former driver Maynard Troyer
Maynard Troyer
Maynard Troyer is a retired NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver who raced in the 1971 and the 1973 Winston Cup seasons.-Summary:...
, who (after retiring in 1982) set up shop and in the 1980s was turning out 100 asphalt modifieds annually.
Northern Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified seriesWhelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
is the only remaining NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
series remaining from the sanctioning body's original season in 1948. The original style of NASCAR modifieds actually pre-dates NASCAR's existence by many years. Though it is now known as an asphalt-oval-only series, this was not always the case. The series originally started on dirt, and as more and more asphalt tracks opened, the series migrated to racing on the newer tracks. The series also had previously made forays into road racing with stops at Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Many NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have come from this series, including Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer is a current television commentator, and a former NASCAR driver. He formerly hosted the NASCAR inspired talk show, “What’s the Deal?”, on SPEED. He is the former co-host, with John Roberts and Kenny Wallace, of the SPEED's pre-race and post-race NASCAR shows NASCAR RaceDay and...
, Geoff Bodine
Geoff Bodine
Geoffrey Eli Bodine is an American motorsport driver and bobsled builder. He is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers . Bodine currently lives in Cornelius, North Carolina....
and Steve Park.
Southern Tour
In late 2004, NASCAR bought out the Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams (SMART), and promptly re-named it the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. The Southern Tour uses exactly the same set of rules as the Northern Tour, but races primarily in the southeastern section of the US. Once per year, the Northern tour and the Southern tour race at Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
, near Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville is an independent city which is surrounded by Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,821 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes...
.
ASA Southern Modified Tour
NASCAR's Whelen Southern Modified Tour has a direct competitor in the ASAAmerican Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
Southern Modified Tour. The ASA Southern Modified Tour came about as some tracks that were part of the NASCAR buyout of SMART were unable, or unwilling to join NASCAR. The American Speed Association
American Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
(ASA) was contacted, and the new series was formed. Although both sanctioning bodies use the same rules (much as NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and ARCA
Automobile Racing Club of America
Automobile Racing Club of America is an auto racing sanctioning body in the United States, founded in 1953 by John Marcum. The current president of ARCA is Ron Drager. The ARCA RE/MAX Series races stock cars similar to those seen in past years in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and indeed most cars...
did with the Sprint Cup series and the ARCA Re/Max Series
ARCA RE/MAX Series
-History:The series started as a local touring group. Led by John Marcum, the Midwest Association for Race Cars was formed with drivers like Iggy Katona and Nelson Stacy being early drivers.The series became a part of the Daytona Speedweeks in 1964...
), they do not share a single race date, nor do they race at any of the same tracks.
Dirt modifieds
Dirt modifieds are probably the most popular type of racing in the US. Almost every dirt sanctioning body has a class of modifieds. Identifying these cars gets a little tricky at times.The Super DIRTcar Series
Super DIRTcar Series
The Super DIRTcar Series is a modified racing series in the United States. It races primarily in the Northeastern United States with a few dates in the Midwestern United States, Florida, and Canada. Advance Auto Parts has been the series' title sponsor since 1999.The series is sanctioned by World...
modifieds are the easiest to identify. The driver sits in the middle of the car, with high-downforce, wind-channeling tunnels on either side of him. The roofs are very flat, and tilted to catch additional air. The front suspension is usually a coil-over setup, with a torsion-bar set-up for the rear suspension. They utilize full tube chassis, which to the untrained eye, looks to be a sprint car chassis, but is much different in reality.
The IMCA-style modifieds are easy to identify as a whole, but distinguishing between the sanctioning bodies is all but impossible. The bodies are very flat on the sides, and lack the downforce generating tunnels the DIRTcar modifies sport. The driver sits on the left side. One of the most notable differences between the IMCA-style modifieds and other modified series cars, is the use of stock production car frame sections as part of the racing chassis. These cars also race on smaller tires than the other types of modifieds, with most sanctioning bodies specifying the same tire. The IMCA Sportmods appear very similar to their brethren, but have distinctly different engines. The Afco KidModz appear the same as the others, but sport full tube chassis, and by rules, have to have Ford 2300 cc inline 4 cylinder engines.
Super DIRTcar Series
Founded in 1976, the Driver's Independent Race Tracks (DIRT) was acquired by Boundless Racing in June 2004 which had purchased the World of OutlawsWorld of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
in February of that year. In November 2004, Boundless Racing changed its name to DIRT Motorsports. In December of the same year, DIRT Motorsports bought Midwestern sanctioning body UMP
United Midwestern Promoters
United Midwestern Promoters is a short track racing sanctioning body in the United States that sanctions short track racing on dirt race tracks from 1/5 mile in length to in length. UMP currently sanctions eight different racing divisions on over 100 tracks in 19 states and one province in Canada...
.
The former DIRT big-block (and small block) modified series has seen many changes in their car designs since the 1970s, but the competition and will to win has remained the same. The ultra-fast, super nimble cars race primarily in the Northeastern US and in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, but have had a race added in the Midwest on the 2007 and the 2008 schedules. NASCAR and World of Outlaws Late Model driver Tim McCreadie
Tim McCreadie
Tim McCreadie is an American Dirt Late Model racing driver. He currently drives the #39 Sweeteners Plus Late Model. In 2007 he ran a partial schedule in NASCAR West Series, ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and World of Outlaws Late Model Series.-Racing career:As a youth, McCreadie raced go...
came from this series, as did World of Outlaws Late Model drivers Tim Fuller and Vic Coffey. All of those drivers still race in the series on a part-time basis, between 10-30 times a year. Notable drivers having competed in DIRT modifieds include Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
, Andrew Ranger
Andrew Ranger
Andrew Ranger is a Canadian racing driver driving in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the #27 Ford Fusion for Jacombs racing and the #35 Waste Management Chevy in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East...
, Dave Blaney
Dave Blaney
David Blaney is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. He currently drives the #36 Golden Corral/Big Red Chevrolet Impala for Tommy Baldwin Racing. Blaney was a successful sprint car driver before he started racing in NASCAR...
, Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards
Carl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
, JJ Yeley and David Reutimann
David Reutimann
Emil David Reutimann is the driver the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine/Tums/Best Western Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series...
.
IMCA/WISSOTA/UMP Modifieds
Organized in 1915, the International Motor Contest AssociationInternational Motor Contest Association
The International Motor Contest Association was organized in 1915 by J. Alex Sloan, and is currently the oldest active auto racing sanctioning body in the United States. IMCA is currently headquartered in Vinton, Iowa, and features several classes and divisions of weekly racing in six geographical...
(IMCA) is the oldest racing sanctioning body in the US. IMCA invented the "E-Mod" (or Economy Modified) in 1979. It has become one of the most popular dirt racing classes due to its simple design, light-weight, high power, and ability to adapt to varying track conditions easily. Most IMCA-style classes also boast a "claim rule," wherein a racer may buy a competitors engine for a small amount of money (usually around $500). This rule was intended to keep engine prices from skyrocketing. Sanctioning bodies WISSOTA and United Midwestern Promoters
United Midwestern Promoters
United Midwestern Promoters is a short track racing sanctioning body in the United States that sanctions short track racing on dirt race tracks from 1/5 mile in length to in length. UMP currently sanctions eight different racing divisions on over 100 tracks in 19 states and one province in Canada...
(UMP) also have classes that are almost identical to IMCA's modifieds, with a few small exceptions. The AMRA, or American Motor Racing Association also follows this popular formula for modifieds. NASCAR drivers Ken Schrader
Ken Schrader
Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
and Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
own and race UMP Modifieds on off weekends from NASCAR. Some tracks sanction modifieds with IMCA-like specifications, such as Slinger Super Speedway
Slinger Super Speedway
The Slinger Speedway is a quarter mile paved oval automobile race track with a 33-degree bank located in Slinger, Wisconsin....
.
IMCA SportMods
IMCA designed a new lower cost class of SportMod cars in 2004 to complement their Modified division. The division is divided into Northern SportMods and Southern SportMods divisions. The Northern SportMods have a few small differences from the Southern SportMods in the body of the car. These cars are a somewhat smaller and have less powerful engines. They can be differentiated from IMCA Modifieds because the car has a break in the body that extends from the rear roof to the spoiler at the rear.Afco KidModz
This relatively inexpensive (when compared to their "adult" counterparts) racing series is aimed at getting children into racing. It closely follows UMP's Modified rules, with the exception of a few areas. The engine must be a 2300 cc Ford inline 4 cylinder, and the drivers can be no younger than 12, nor older than 18. Some tracks will allow kids 10 or 11 to race, if the track's insurance will allow. The KidModz are also allowed to run tubular chassis, whereas the IMCA/WISSOTA/UMP Modifieds have to have sections of frames from stock production automobiles, with other sections being steel tubing. These cars are offered for sale completely assembled and ready-to-race for under $20,000. The unassembled price is lower.GLOM
Found throughout the Midwest, the Great Lakes Outlaw Modifieds (GLOM) are a cross between IMCA ModifiedIMCA Modified
IMCA Modified is the top division sanctioned by the International Motor Contest Association. The series began in 1979.The car bodies are a hybrid of an open wheel car and a stock car. The front tires have no body around them like an open wheel car, and the back wheels have a body around them like a...
s, and UMP
United Midwestern Promoters
United Midwestern Promoters is a short track racing sanctioning body in the United States that sanctions short track racing on dirt race tracks from 1/5 mile in length to in length. UMP currently sanctions eight different racing divisions on over 100 tracks in 19 states and one province in Canada...
Late Models
Late model
A "late model car" is a car which has been recently designed or manufactured, often the latest model. The term is broadly used in car racing, and often appears in common use, as in "The officer was driving an unmarked, late model sedan."There is no precise...
. These cars have nearly the same hand-made aluminum bodies as their UMP Late Model counterparts (without front fenders), feature tubular chassis, and sport unrestricted engines with aluminum engine blocks and heads. They also are allowed to utilize quick-change rear ends and aluminum wheels, whereas the IMCA modifieds are forced to race with heavier cast-iron engines, partial stock frames, steel wheels and Ford 9 inches (228.6 mm) rear ends.
Ark-La-Tex
One type of Outlaw Modified can be found in the ArkansasArkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
area. Oddly enough, they are called Ark-La-Tex Winged Modifieds. These outlaw modifieds sport full tube chassis, and bodies that look like the Advanced Auto Parts Super DIRTcar racers, with the exception of the sprint car-like wing affixed to the roofs of the cars.
AOMRA
One type of outlaw modified in AlbertaAlberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, races on both dirt and asphalt, with the same cars. Started in the mid 1980s, the Alberta Outlaw Modified Racing Association (AOMRA) races in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. They look like a cross between IMCA modifieds, and old NASCAR modifieds.
Outlaw Modified Racing Series
Organized in Florida in the 1970s, these Outlaw Modifieds are fairly unique. They are built on tube chassis with coil over shocks. 10 inches (254 mm) tires and a 76 inches (1,930.4 mm) track make these cars are fast and nimble. 2300 cc, Four cylinder power plants from FordsFords
Fords may refer to:* Fords, New Jersey* Ford * Ford Motor Company...
, Toyotas and even an odd Nissan are common, however the Ford 2300's are the favored motor. Motor rules have stayed very stable over the last 10 years with the only rule change coming in 2008 which allowed the Esslinger aluminum d-port head, due to the declining availability of the cast iron cylinder heads. One thing that sets these cars apart from most modified racing series, is that these cars do not utilize roofs on the cars.
SuperModifieds
Another type of modified popular in the Southwestern
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
, and Northeastern
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
parts of the US, is the "SuperModified." Super Mods are low-slung, almost body-less modifieds that utilize wings to achieve enough downforce to take turns at extremely high speeds. They also feature engines that are offset to the driver's side, also, to aid in taking turns at high speed. There are 4 sanctioning bodies in the US that sanction supermodified racing. The New York-based International SuperModified Association, or ISMA, is the largest of the four and a true touring series. The Western States Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL) is ISMA's west coast counterpart. The ISMA SuperMods are a bit more technologically advanced, in that the wings attached to the roofs of the cars move. When racing down the straightaways, the wings are almost level. When the car gets to the corners, the back of wing tilts upward, adding downforce to the car.
Legends car racing
US Legend Cars International of Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
created the Legends series (while they were named 600 Motorsports) as a way of getting more and younger people into racing with affordable cars. The cars were designed to be 5/8-scale 1930s and 1940s coupes and sedans cars raced in the past in the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Modified Tour
Whelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
. They all feature a tube chassis, and spec 1250 cc Yamaha Motorcycle engines. They are the largest mass producer of race cars in the world.
Dwarf cars
Dwarf cars are similar to the Legends cars, in that they are scale replicas of vintage race cars. The similarity ends there, as Dwarf cars are true open "modified-style" cars without fenders, and have a 1250 cc limitation on the engine size.The Western States Dwarf Car Association, began in 1993, has become one of the most successful racing organizations in history, boasting an average of 80-100 Dwarf Cars at 4 National, and several regional, events a year.There is also a class of Dwarf Cars that race on dirt called the Vintage Lite Series. They race a mixed field of cars that resemble the vintage cars and some that resemble a scaled down version of the current dirt modified (these cars are often referred to as the MiniMods).
External links
- NASCAR
- American Speed Association (ASA)
- United Midwestern Promoters (UMP)
- International Motor Contest Association (IMCA)
- 600 Racing
- dwarfworld.com
- DwarfCarRacing.com
- DwarfCar.com
- Modliteresource.com - Dwarf Car and Modified Lite Resource
- Western States Super Modified Racing League
- International SuperModified Association
- Ark-La-Tex Winged Modified Association
- Alberta Outlaw Modified Association
- Outlaw Modified Association
Further reading
- SK Modified by Jack Arute, Sr. (Jack AruteJack AruteJack Arute, Jr. currently covers the NFL and college sports for Sirius XM Radio. He is the president of the Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut...
's father) - Orange County, East Coast Modifieds plus history
- Stock car history, has mentioning about East Coast and IMCA modified histories
- Midwest Modified Association, an interesting local division
- USMTS a National tour