“THE AFFORDABLE MODIFIED CLASS”
Built By
REYNOLDS' RACE CARS
WEST LEBANON, IN

VISITORS TO THIS SITE

2001 SEASON WILL BEGIN AT SHADY HILL

As the fifth season for the Midwest Modified Association rolls around, there will be a
new fan base for the drivers and possibly exposure to more interested drivers.

MMA President, Joe Reynolds, has sealed an agreement with Promoter John Smitter of
 Shady Hill Speedway in Northwestern Indiana for weekly Saturday night racing at the track.

This agreement will allow the MMA drivers the opportunity to continue racing on a 
regular basis in the economy class. Reynolds also said he is attempting to negotiate
 with several other area tracks for occasional Friday and Sunday appearances.

Reynolds also said that his driver base of 20 or more cars that have been loyal on a weekly
program is intact and he feels by racing weekly at Shady Hill, more drivers from that area
will show an interest in the MMA cars.

He requested that any driver feeling the need to sell his car due to the longer travel time
to Shady Hill contact him and he will keep a list for potential new drivers for the new track.  

 HISTORY OF THE MIDWEST MODIFIED ASSOCIATION
By Jack Taylor

In the Fall of 1996, veteran stock car driver, Joe Reynolds of West Lebanon, Indiana made a monumental decision. The 37 year old hard charger had spent his lifetime at race tracks winning championships in Street Stocks and Late Models at Benton County Speedway in Western Indiana and also competing at several Illinois tracks in UMP Modifieds.

His decision was one that, along with his father, Darrell, would take him on a new approach to racing on the local Midwestern scene. With his ambition and driving skills and Darrell's knowledge of engines and setups, Reynolds began building an economical Modified for the weekend racer who could not afford to move up to the very competitive and costly UMP Modifieds and Late Models. At  Benton County Speedway and the nearby Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois, Reynolds knew there were drivers interested in his new series, but were there enough to make it worthwhile.

Throughout the Winter of 96-97 Reynolds was able to talk to enough interested parties to begin the 97 racing season at both tracks with his weekly series of MMA Modified racing. He had built over 30 cars during the Winter and was able to field an inaugural campaign with enough cars for both tracks on a regular weekend basis. The flame had been lit and fans and drivers alike were aware that there was a new kid on the block. Acceptance was not nearly 100% in that first year. There were comments of no speed, follow the leader, they look just like the UMP Mods, and other not for print comments.

But Reynolds and the drivers persisted weekly that first season, and by the end the year they had begun to receive some rather encouraging words from die-hards who earlier had said it wouldn't work. Rules and restrictions were tolerated and lived by that first year and the MMA class has survived into the year 2000.

Four years later, Reynolds has over 70 MMA Modified cars that have rolled out of his West Lebanon shop and the two- track weekly shows continue. There have been special appearance shows at Farmer City Raceway, Charleston Speedway, Shady Hill Speedway, and several others. Short Track and Road Racing Magazine has written a feature article on the class, along with Hot Laps Monthly.

For more information on the Midwest Modified Association, go to the Tech Page on this site and visit the Photo Page, Driver Page, and Champion Page. Call Joe at 765-893-4621 for information on starting an MMA Class at your track.

OR EMAIL US AT
[email protected]

BACK

         site designed and maintained by