Kyle Edwards wins 2018 ISMA championship

THOMPSON, Conn. (WWLP) – Kyle Edwards took down the 2018 ISMA Supermodified championship back at the Sunoco World Series of Racing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in October. 

Edwards told 22News that it is a pretty awesome deal. 

“I grew up watching Supermodifieds when I was a little kid. To be able to win a championship is a dream come true. It’s an awesome deal. I am honored to be able to go out and race these cars and to win a championship is really special,” said Edwards.

At first, Dan Bowes won the championship. Edwards had led a lap during the 50 lap season finale at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.  ISMA officials came and told Edwards after the race that he had officially won the championship. 

“It’s an unfortunate situation but I mean it is what it is. I wasn’t going to be disappointed either way. We knew we had to go into Thompson and just run pretty much one of our best races and we did that. We had a really good car. We finished second. We kept the 25 car (Bowes) behind us the whole race and we did what he had to. I got out front and led a lap early. I knew that was obviously it could come down to that. We executed everything we were supposed to do except win the race. I was really more disappointed for Dan and his team, his family That’s a tough deal thinking you won it and having the race director come up and tell you we made a mistake,” Said, Edwards.

The ISMA Supermodifieds this past year raced with a new Hoosier Tire compound. Edwards felt there was more passing.  In 2017, they ran a different compound on the right rear and Edwards felt it was difficult to maneuver around different cars. 

“When you’re out there by yourself, your fine. It was pretty much a high-speed parade. I don’t know who’s idea it was but they got it right. Hoosier got it right. ISMA got it right over the winter. They got together and there was a couple teams that did some testing last year and they felt this was the best tire for us.  It really was a good tire. We didn’t have any tire problems all year. Hoosier already brings a reliable tire. It definitely was an improvement from a year ago. As far as the racing, I thought it was great all year,” Said Edwards.

Edwards scored his first win at Delaware Speedway in Ontario back in June with the season. Edwards told 22News that anytime you win is a big deal. It was a big deal for him because it gave him the boost for the season and rode the wave for the first half of the season. 

“We knew we had a good car and the good thing about it was it was the first race of the year. We unloaded with really good speed and we kept it up. We didn’t have the best car every single weekend,” Said Edwards. 

The ISMA Supermodifieds have some tough competition with drivers such as Ben Seitz, Mike Lichty, Mike Ordway, Jr, Dan Bowes, Timmy Jedrzjek and others. 

“There is really a good amount of race car drivers with an immense amount of talent. It’s second to none. There is guys on this series that should be competing at the next level,” Said Edwards.

ISMA went to some new tracks this past season as they went to Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH and Jukasa Motor Speedway in Canada.  

Edwards told 22News that they struggled at Monadnock Speedway right off the bat and they made some changes. When qualifying came around, they had good speed. They had to take the changes they made. Edwards felt it was a racy place. 

“Fun little race track. Little bullring. We had a decent finish. I think we finished eighth. It was a new track for us. Took a little bit to get used to.  It was a new track for everyone,” Said Edwards.

They visited Jukasa Motor Speedway this past July. Edwards thought it was a world-class facility. The track used to be called Cayuga in Canada. 

“Probably the nicest facility we ran at all year and I am not taking anything away from the other race tracks. Thompson is a beautiful facility too. It’s second to none.  Jukasa used to be Cayuga Speedway. It’s beautiful. It’s smooth as glass. Extremely fast,” Said Edwards.

Edwards’ father is the car owner.  Edwards and his father are the only crew members that work on the car. It has been like that for them when they have been in racing for a long time. 

“It’s a family deal. My uncle he used to help back in the day when I was growing up. When I came up through go-karts and the late models. Nowadays it’s just me and my dad. Were the only two that touch the race car. It’s a special deal because it’s a family deal,” Said Edwards.

Edwards told 22News that winning a race is a big deal and winning a championship is a bigger task. 

“I am blessed to have him on my side. We enjoy it,” Said Edwards.

Edwards’ believe his father was happier than he was. Edwards was happy for his father. 

“He’s put a ton into it. This last year a lot of things have went our way and we have had some years where they haven’t gone our way. It makes even more special. He was pumped up. He never gonna forget it and I won’t forget it,” Said Edwards. 

Edwards was honored as champion at the 2018 ISMA Supermodified Awards Banquet earlier this month.