The ISES Performance Group displayed their dominance again with Rookie Sensation David Stremme at the helm of the 35 Super Late Model during the 1998 M-40 Motorsports Arena Border Wars. For those of you unfamiliar with Lower Michigan, the M-40 Motorsports Arena is a new 3/8 mile facility (1998 being their second season) located in Jones, Michigan.

The second annual Border Wars was held September 25 - 27. Competitors traveled from Indiana and Michigan to compete for the right to bring the trophy and prize money to their home state. Qualifications were held on Friday and Saturday with the feature races being held on Sunday. Having been one of the fastest cars in practice, David Stremme elected to qualify during the Friday evening session. With a lap time of 11.51 seconds, David and the team were guaranteed a starting position in the second annual Border War competition. After all was said and done, David qualified second fastest and was transferred directly to the feature event.

After the inversion of the feature race had been set, David would start on the seventh row inside. Although towards the back, David and the team knew they had what it took to go to the front. This was one of the most competitive races we've seen considering that the average Super Late Model lap speed was approaching 120 mph.

Within 12 laps, David had worked from the 13th starting position to 3rd place honors. After a brief caution flag, at around 28 laps, David was at the "head of the pack". A great race was sure to be seen when the always fast number 83 of Andy Bozell had worked his way to the front to challenge David for the lead. After some great racing action, David gave up the lead to the 83 car piloted by Andy Bozell. With this being a long race, David just followed behind and allowed the 83 car to "show the way" through lapped traffic. The ISES Performance Group Chevrolet Camaro was set up for a long distance race and would definitely prove for a good match with the 83 car when it counted.

While winding their way through traffic, the 83 car was involved in a two-car incident which David was able to avoid. This incident brought out the caution flag with 38 laps remaining in the race. From that point on, David Stremme and the ISES Performance Group Chevrolet Camaro were out in front to stay capturing the checkered flag first.

Once again, we would like to thank all our sponsors for allowing us to bring home this prestigious award. You can see the ISES Performance Group back in action at the Jasper Engines 250 to be held October 10-11, 1998 at the Salem Motor Speedway. David will be piloting the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix sponsored by AMPCOR II, Inc., La Porte, Indiana and Industrial Safety and Environmental Services, Osceola, Indiana.