This event was the forerunner of the return of winged supermodified racing to Oswego Speedway with 1992 ISMA wing show and set the stage for ISMA’s 1992 East vs West series and ultimately the 1995 East vs West Shootout at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Vukovich III was also a part of the storied return of winged supermodified racing to Oswego Speedway, competing there in an exhibition race against Eddie Bellinger, Steve Gioia, Jr. He was also a two-time winner of the prestigious Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway and was a threat to win when he competed at Madera Speedway in the Vernon Reitz “Spirit of Madera” machine. In 1987 alone he won an incredible 12 of 17 races with a string of seven consecutive victories. He quickly moved through the ranks to the supermodifieds and competed for famed supermodified car builder Jim Belfiore before moving to larger, better funded teams in California’s Central Valley.ĭuring his supermodified tenure, Vukovich III claimed the 1986-87 USAC Supermodified Championship. Starting out just like Bill Vukovich and Bill Vukovich II, Billy got his start in midgets in his home state of California and was a champion in that division. While many in the mainstream motor sports arena will remember Billy III as a rising star of the Ind圜ar ranks, the supermodified community will always claim him as one of their own. When asked what it would mean to claim a Billy Vukovich III Classic victory four-time SUPRS Champion Myles Maxon said, “It would be a great honor to win this race in memory of Billy Vukovich.” Maxon went on to explain why, “Individuals such as he were taken from his family and the racing community far too soon and it would be special to win this event that we, (SUPRS), hold in his honor.” “The Vuky Classic is another classic race to honor a supermodified hero that left us way too early.”

“I miss the racing but most importantly the group of great guys who share and understand what SUPRS is all about ,” he explained. He’s also the only three-time winner of the event and would love nothing more than to be able to run this race again. SUPRS co-founder John Davidson, of Sacramento, CA, has sponsored this race through his Supermodified Scorecard business since it’s start. īilly Vukovich III was a three-time starter of Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, the first third generation racer to compete in the race and like his father and grandfather before him was named the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Rookie of the Year. Fresno, CA – February 21, 2016…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), continues their three-week long trek through the west with the 12 th Annual running of the Billy Vukovich III Classic 100 presented by Supermodified Scorecard on February 23 at Mesa Marin Raceway.

Drivers killed at oswego speedway