The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Rock Concrete; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

The Bill Emig Memorial presented by Rock Concrete will be held on Saturday, August 14.

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

“I’ll tell you what,” Rasey said choking back the emotions, “this was the most important race of the year for me; this one’s for Lou.” Rasey continued,“I followed that man probably thousands of laps around this place, hot laps, heat races, losing on the last lap.”

The luck of the draw put local favorites, Jim Weller, Jr. and Rasey on the front row, with another local hotshoe, Rob Kristyak, right behind. Rasey got the advantage on the start, but a flip by Mike Turner on the backstretch halted action before the lap was completed. Turner was unhurt. Although he was able to drive his battered mount from the track, he could not return to competition.

On the second attempt to start the 30 lapper, Weller took the lead as the field thundered into turn one. He led the first five circuits, followed closely by Rasey, Rob Kristyak, Modified rookie Rod Jones, New Yorker Paul Habeck and Kevin Bolland.

A flip by Gary Smoker in the third turn caused the second stoppage in the race. Smoker was unhurt in the incident, but the same could not be said of his car.

The double file restart gave Rasey another opportunity to assume command of the event. He did, but a quick caution for Rex King, Sr. and Ryan Hall realigned the filed. Once again, Weller held off Rasey’s charge. Rasey pressured Weller for two laps, with Kristyak still holding down the third position. Jones continued his impressive run, but now he was under attack from Kevin Bolland and Paul Habeck.

Rex King, Jr. brought out a caution with seven laps down. This put Weller and Rasey on the front row for another double file restart. This time, Weller fired first, but another caution brought the field back to the original starting positions. This proved to be Weller’s undoing, as Rasey took command on the restart.

Two laps later, the filed slowed again for Steve Feder, who came to a halt in turn one.

Rasey powered into the lead at the drop of the green, but Jeremiah Shingledecker made a tremendous restart as well, gaining third and pressuring Weller for second.

While Rasey led, the battle raged for the second position. With twenty laps down, Shingledecker executed a slide job on Weller as the pair went through turn three. Weller did not check up and tagged Shingledecker as the cars came off turn four. Both competitors spun and had to rejoin the tail of the field.

That incident moved Dave Murdick into the second position. Although Murdick has been impressive of late, he was no match for the high-flying Rasey.

Rasey led the remaining laps to capture the win over Murdick. A hot three-car battle for third place over the last three laps ended with Bolland taking the position over Shingledecker, who rallied from that incident with Weller on lap 20. Rex King, Sr. completed the top five.

Habeck, one of two invaders on hand, took sixth, followed by R. Kristyak, Mark Frankhouser, J.R. McGinley, and Jones.

Rasey earned $540 in lap money, while Weller gathered $140 for leading seven laps. Lap donors were: Kristyak Racing, King Brothers Ready Mix, Wedge Motorsports, The Waffle Guy, Bud’s Towing & Recovery, Debbie & Me at Midnight, Casey Racing, Cassie Brown, Carpenter’s Towing (Lou’s Lap), Burns Motorsports, John O’Brien, Oyler Photos & More, Darla EBIE, Bootie’s Race team, Rapp Racing, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, King Motorsports, Hassey Motorsports, Quality Aut Body, B & D Chicken Farm, King Brothers Septic Installation, King Brothers Driveway Material, Leah & Ashley Blaney, Emma, Ryan & Erin Blaney, John Hinely Photo, Tim Burns Racing, and Milk Barn Drive In.

The $100 hard charger award went to Rex King, Sr.

In heat race action, Kevin Green hit the utility tire located at the turn two entry and violently flipped his car. Green climbed from the demolished racer and later went to a local hospital for a check-up. Although he suffered no broken bones, he was stiff and sore from the ordeal.

Heat wins for the 36 car field went to Rob Kristyak, Weller, Bolland, and Dave Murdick.

The B Mains were taken by Kyle Fink and Mike Turner.

The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be held at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday, August 14. The Bill Emig Memorial will be presented by Rock Concrete, of Monaca, PA.

Then, the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will present the Hillbilly Hustle, a special two-day event at West Virginia Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend, September 3-4, 2010. Complete programs will be held on each night. West Virginia Motor Speedway is located in Mineral Wells, WV. Remember that hotel reservations for this event can be made with the International Hotels Group, a 2010 Modified Tour marketing partner. Just click on the icon appearing on the Modified Tour’s website, www.modifiedtourinc.com.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Six: July 7, 2010: Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH: 30 Laps: 1. (32) Jim Rasey, Southington, OH ($2540); 2. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock, PA ($1000); 3. (777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton, PA ($800); 4. (37MD) jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk, PA ($600); 5. (65) Rex King, Sr., Bristolville, OH ($550); 6. (25) Paul Habeck, Fairport, NY ($500); 7. (00) Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, OH ($450); 8. (03) Mark Frankhouser, Phillipsburg, PA ($400); 9. (66) J.R. McGinley, Fairmount, PA ($350); 10. (820) Rod Jones, West Middlesex, PA ($325); 11. (11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville, PA ($300); 12. (X) Jeremy Paup, Polk, PA ($290); 13. (77) Steve Barr, Mercer, PA ($280); 14. (31) Jim Weller, Hubbard, OH ($270); 15. (75) Jeff Miller, Sarver, PA ($260); 16. (17M Skip Moore, Jackson Center, PA ($250); 17. (45) Steve Feder, Butler, PA ($240); 18. (B4) Ryan Hall, Stoneboro, PA ($230); 19. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville, PA ($225); 20. (17H) Kevin Hoffman, Franklin, PA ($220); 21. (165) Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($210); 22. (26Z) Tommy Kristyak, Stoneboro, PA ($205); 23. (516) Gary Smoker, Mercer, PA ($200); 24. (99) Charlie Donk, Palmyra, NY ($200); 25. (66F) Kyle Fink, Strattanville, PA ($200); 26. (96) Mike Turner, Butler, PA Fombell ($200).

DNQ (all $100): Eric Gabany; Carl Murdick; Ron Eperthener, Jr.; Don Brown; Kevin Green; Kevin Hoffman; Chris Haines; Shawn Fleeger; Rodney Beltz; Dillon Barr.

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

“I know the whole Graham family, so this means something special to me,” said the happy winner. Adding to the festivity of the occasion was the fact that Dave’s father, Carl Murdick, was inducted into the Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame earlier in the evening.

Late in the race, Murdick had to fight off the strong challenge of Kevin Hoffman, whose “big” Small Block hooked up well on the slick but racy surface. “I knew that Kevin was racing hard, (but) he gave me room,” Murdick added.

Rookie Chris Haines and veteran Skip Moore lit the fuse for the July 4 holiday event. Haines shot out into the lead like a skyrocket and led the first two laps. J.R. McGinley slipped into second with his fresh Big Block, followed by Moore and Murdick.

Action was slowed on lap two for a spin by Don Brown. On the restart, Haines maintained control, but Murdick was on the move. He gained second on lap four and took off after the leader. Using the outside line, Murdick swept past Haines to lead lap 9.

Haines did not give up, though. He caught Murdick in traffic and used a lapped car as a pick to regain the lead on lap 11. He would lead but two more laps before Murdick would again swoop past on the outside.

Meanwhile, there was intense action all over the speedway, as drivers fought for position.

Through the first half of the race, Hoffman used the low groove to advance from his eleventh place starting spot to sixth.

Shawn Fleeger brought out the second caution on lap 18. By then, Hoffman was into fourth spot. On the restart, he dove under Jeremiah Shingledecker to claim third. Two laps later, Hoffman worked into second and began chopping away at Murdick’s lead.

Hoffman, a hometown favorite, had the crowd cheering him on as he closed in on the leader. With Hoffman on the bottom and Murdick on the outside, the pair raced side by side for the final laps.

Hoffman mad his final bid for the win as the duo entered turn three. However, Murdick was able to use the momentum off the top of turn four to grab the win.

Hoffman was a close second, followed by Shingledecker, Rex King, Sr. and Kevin Bolland.

New York invader Charlie Donk advanced from fourteenth to sixth. McGinley, Haines, Del Rougeux, Jr. (from twenty-first) and Mike Turner completed the top ten.

Heat wins for the 31 car field went to Shingledecker, Mark Frankhouser, D. Murdick, and Bolland.

The B Main winner was Del Rougeux, Jr.

The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be the Lou Blaney Memorial on Wednesday, July 7, at Sharon Speedway, in Hartford, OH.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Five:  July 4, 2010:  Tri-City Speedway, Franklin, PA:  30 Laps:  1. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock, ($2000); 2. (17H) Kevin Hoffman, Franklin ($870); 3. (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk ($650); 4. (65) Rex King, Sr., Bristolville, OH ($550); 5. (777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton ($500); 6. (99) Charlie Donk, Palmyra, NY ($420); 7. (66) J.R. McGinley, Fairmount City, PA ($400); 8. (35H) Chris Haines, Sandy Lake ($380); 9. (20D) Del Rougeux, Jr., Frenchville ($360); 10. (96) Mike Turner, Butler ($330); 11. (165) Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($320); 12. (3E) Eric Gabany, Mercer ($310); 13. (X) Jeremy Paup, Polk ($300); 14. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville (290); 15. (03) Mark frankhouser, Phillipsburg ($280); 16. (516) Gary Smoker, Mercer ($260); 17. (333) Ron Eperthener, Jr., Grove City ($240); 18. (6) Carl Murdick, Butler ($230); 19. (B4) Ryan Hall, Grove City ($220); 20. (88) Shawn Fleeger, Butler ($200); 21. (71B) Don Brown, Butler ($200); 22. (17M) Skip Moore, Jackson Center ($200); 23. (74) Kevin Green, New Castle ($200); 24. (41) Andy Priest, New Castle ($200); 25. (2) Mark Flick, Apollo ($200); 26. (77) Steve Barr, Mercer, PA ($200).

DNQ (all $100 unless indicated):  Jeff Miller; Steve Feder; Dillon Barr; Duane Botelho; Brad Rapp ($50).

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors:  Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund.  It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

“It was extra special,” King said of his thirteenth career Mod Tour win. “It was during the fair.”

King has strong ties to Expo Speedway. He lives but five miles from the track and his business is also located nearby. He started his racing career at Expo in the early 1980’s and he even promoted four races there during the 1995 season.

“We had a lot of local people there, and I heard a lot of good comments,” he said. He heard even more of them afterwards, when he and runner-up Kevin Bolland took their cars out onto the carnival midway so the fans could see them.

There were plenty of first-time spectators in the audience. “I think everybody there enjoyed it,” King said. “We put on a good show, a little bit of passing back and forth,” he explained. “That’s what we need to do (to get new fans interested in the sport). Maybe they liked what they saw and they will come out to Sharon (Speedway) or Mercer (Raceway Park) to see us again.”

King, who raced from twelfth to second in the early stages of the race, made strong outside moves on two restarts to grab the lead away from Kevin Bolland. As to the first lead change, King said with a laugh, “I went into one on the outside (and) I was either going to win it or I was going out to the ferris wheel or something because we went in there pretty good and it held and that is what we needed.” Then after Bolland returned the favor on an intervening restart, King was able to repeat the feat. “Kevin got a good run on me for five or eight laps (and) I was chasing him pretty hard. Then, on the next restart the tire came back, had a little heat generated in it, seemed like it came back to life for me,” King added.

But, with just five laps remaining in the race, he had to fight off Bolland’s final challenge. “I thought that he might be able (to pull it off), but we got into one really good that time,” King said. “I hit my marks and I was just where I needed to be.” King was able to drive off the bottom of turn two, got some good bite, and managed to get in front of Bolland as they pair entered turn three. However, King explained that the key was his entry into the first turn. “I focused a lot on the very first entry. I wanted to make sure that I was where I needed to be.” He explained, “if I was up too high, the car was going to hang and get loose.” So, he drove in straight and then “bent” it to get around the corner.

Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland garnered front row starting spots for the feature, which was shortened to 30 laps due to approaching darkness. Bolland fired first and led the thundering Modifieds down the long front stretch. The crowd roared with approval as Rex King, Jr. slipped into second, followed by rookie Chris Haines and his teammate, Shingledecker. King Sr. got a great start as well, moving from twelfth to eighth on the first circuit.

While Bolland continued to lead, King Sr. methodically worked his way to the front. When the field realigned after the second caution of the race, Bolland had the pole and King Sr. was on his flank. On the restart, King Sr. made that strong outside move and gained the lead as the veterans came off turn two.

King Sr. led the next six laps, until caution slowed the field once again. This time, it was Bolland’s turn to use the outside lane to wrestle the lead away from him. Bolland would lead the next three laps, but he was pressured by King Sr. During this stage of the race, Del Rougeux, Jr. worked his way into third, while Jim Rasey, Brad Rapp, Shingledecker, and Dave Murdick fought for other top five positions.

Then, it was déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra would say. King used the outside line to take the lead away from Bolland on the lap 17 restart. Bolland kept pace with the new leader, while Rougeux, Rasey, Rapp continued to run in formation.

Bolland would get one last shot to overhaul the leader on a lap 25 restart. However, King was better prepared for the outside challenge, and held off Bolland the remainder of the way.

Rougeux closed in on the lead pair as the laps wound down, but he could not get close enough to pose a serious threat to them. Rasey rode home in fourth and D. Murdick finished fifth.

Tommy Kristyak came from fourteenth to sixth, followed by Gary Smoker, Shingledecker, Mark Flick and Kevin Hoffman.

Heat wins for the 31 car field went to King Sr., King, Jr., and Bolland.

There was no B Main, as the Trumbull County Fair Board graciously allowed all racers to start the feature event.

Shawn Fleeger, Rex King, Jr., Tommy Mattocks, Eric Gabany, Rob Kristyak, Ryan Hall, Don Brown, Mike Miller, Jason Longwell (DNS), Dave Reges (DNS), J.R. McGinley (DNS).

The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be at Tri_City Speedway, Franklin, PA, on Sunday, July 4. The Kodiak Memorial will be presented by Atkinson Fire Safety Equipment and it will pay $2,000 to the winner. A very busy week for the Mod tour concludes with the Lou Blaney Memorial on Wednesday, July 7, at Sharon Speedway, in Hartford, OH.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Three:  July 1, 2010:  Expo Speedway, Cortland, OH:  30 Laps:  1. (65) Rex King, Sr., Bristolville, OH ($1500); 2. (777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton, PA ($1000); 3. (20D) Del Rougeux, Jr., Frenchville, PA ($800); 4. (32) Jim Rasey, Southington, OH ($600); 5. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock ($550); 6. (26Z) Tommy Kristyak, Stoneboro, PA ($500); 7. (516) Gary Smoker, Mercer, PA ($450); 8. (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk, PA ($400); 9. (2) Mark Flick, Apollo, PA ($350); 10. (17H) Kevin Hoffman, Franklin, PA ($325); 11. (03) Mark Frankhouser, Phillipsburg, PA ($300); 12. (11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville, PA ($290); 13. (35H) Chris Haines, Sandy Lake, PA ($280); 14. (333) Ron Eperthener, Jr., Grove City, PA ($270); 15. (6) Carl Murdick, Butler, PA ($260); 16. (75) Jeff Miller, Sarver, PA ($250); 17. (96) Mike Turner, Butler, PA ($240); 18. (45) Steve Feder, Butler, PA ($230); 19. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville, PA ($225); 20. (X) Jeremy Paup, Polk, PA ($220); 21. (88) Shawn Fleeger, Butler, PA ($210); 22. (165) Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($205); 23. (69) Tommy Mattocks, Franklin, PA ($200); 24. (3E) Eric Gabany, Mercer, PA ($200); 25. (00) Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, OH ($200); 26. (B4) Ryan Hall, Grove City, PA ($200); 27. (71B) Don Brown, Butler, PA ($200); 28. (72) Mike Miller, Chicora, PA ($200). DNS Jason Longwell ($100), Dave Reges ($100) and J.R. McGinley ($50).

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors:  Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund.  It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

Admission to the fair is just $7, which includes the races at no additional charge in the 4,000 seat covered grandstands built in 1970. Pit access is by Gate A on Hogland-Blackstub Road right past the church. A reminder that ATVs and golf carts must be kept in the pits and cannot go outside this area.

Expo Speedway at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds is located north of Warren, Ohio minutes from Route 11 just off Route 305 at 899 Everett Cortland Hull Road in Cortland, Ohio. For more information check out www.trumbullcountyfair.com or call (330) 637-6010.

For exact directions from your location, click the red marker on the map and enter your starting address.

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Wood, a real Modified enthusiast, has broadcast several Modified Tour events in the past. “I have had the pleasure of working with Shawn on Modified Tour broadcasts and at the Hagerstown Speedway, and he always gives the fans an exciting and informative show,” said Mod Tour President Lou Long. “Adding Shawn and The Dirt Track Channel to this event will make it even more special.”

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.

Shingledecker may have benefited from a rare tactical error by the three-time and defending Modified Tour Champion. Facing a green-checker finish, King Sr. chose the inside line for the final restart. Previously, King had used the outside lane to maintain his advantage on restarts. With regard to the lane switch, Shingledecker said “I thought he might give me the top. The caution before the last worked well for me allowing me to restart on the inside. He was running the bottom the last couple laps, so I thought the outside was worth a try.”

The luck of the draw placed Rob Kristyak and Del Rougeux, Jr. on the first row for the feature event. With storm clouds gathering overhead, Rougeux thundered into an early lead. His good fortune was short-lived, however. While racing through the first and second turns after the first caution in the thirty-lapper (for a spin by Gary Smoker), the flywheel of Rougeux’s battered Modified shattered. Pieces pierced the body panels and severed a fuel line. Rougeux was not hurt, but he nursed his car off the turn three exit and into the pits. For the popular driver, it was the second night in a row that he encountered misfortune while leading. Friday, at Lernerville Speedway, Rougeux tangled with a lapped car, and his trusty mount still showed the battle scars when it rolled out of the trailer at the Park.

With Rougeux limping down the backstretch, veteran Tommy Kristyak slipped past Dave Murdick to gain the lead. Kristyak, one of the biggest winners in the history of Mercer Raceway Park, led four circuits before surrendering the lead to King Sr. King Sr. had methodically worked his way up from the ninth starting spot. To get to the front, King Sr. used the inside line.

Once in the lead, King Sr. moved around on the speedway, searching for more speed. He maintained a comfortable margin over T. Kristyak, D. Murdick, R. Kristyak, and Jeremy Paup.

On lap 20, the race was red flagged due to a fire aboard Carl Murdick’s car. The veteran of 51 years of racing expertly maneuvered his car to the infield, where fire crews knocked down the flames. Although the scene was quite scary, C. Murdick was unhurt.

On the restart, King Sr. resumed command over T. Kristyak and D. Murdick. Brad Rapp took advantage of the restart and broke into the top five.

As the laps clicked off, Shingledecker came to life, and now he, too, was in the top five. He worked his way into third by lap 28 and second by lap 29.

It did not appear as though Shingledecker would be able to challenge for the win, however, as King Sr. seemed to be running on rails. However, a final caution set up the one-lap dash for the cash. As noted above, King dropped to the inside for the restart, putting Shingledecker on the high side.

Shingledecker mustered the power on the outside on the restart and took the win away from King Sr.

T. Kristyak held on for third, followed by Rapp and D. Murdick.

R. Kristyak, Paup, Kevin Hoffman, Jimmy Holden and Tommy Mattocks rounded out the top ten. Holden was the highest-placing regular from mercer raceway Park.

Heat wins for the 45 car field went to Shingledecker, D. Murdick, Rougeux and R. Kristyak.

The B Mains were taken by Rod Jones (making his first Big Block Modified start) and Smoker.

Mike Leone contributed to this story.

The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be at Expo Speedway, Cortland, OH, on Thursday, July 1, highlighting the Trumbull County Fair. The ground-pounding Big Block Modifieds will be back at Tri-City Speedway, Franklin, PA, for the Kodiak Memorial on Sunday, July 4. A very busy week concludes with the Lou Blaney Memorial on Wednesday, July 7, at Sharon Speedway, in Hartford, OH.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Three: June 19, 2010: Mercer Raceway Park, Mercer, PA: 30 Laps: 1. (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk ($1300); 2. (65) Rex King Sr., Bristolville, OH ($870); 3. (26Z) Tommy Kristyak, Soneboro ($650); 4. (11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville ($550); 5. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock ($500); 6. (00) Robby Kristyak, Bristolville, OH ($420); 7. (X) Jeremy Paup, Polk ($400); 8. (17H) Kevin Hoffman, Franklin ($380); 9. (28H) Jimmy Holden , Tiona ($360); 10. (69) Tommy Mattocks, Franklin ($330); 11. (Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($320); 12. (58) Lonnie Riggs, Volant ($310); 13. (3E) Eric Gabany, Mercder ($300); 14. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrsville (290); 15. (19) Joe Kubiniek, Lockport, NY ($280); 16. (66) J.R. McGinley, Fairmount City ($260); 17. (516) Gary Smoker, Mercer ($240); 18. (66F) Kyle Fink, Starttanville ($230); 19. (820) Rod Jones, West Middlesex ($220); 20. (96) Mike Turner, Butler ($200); 21. (75) Jeff Miller, Sarver ($200); 22. (333) Ron Eperthener, Jr., Grove City ($200); 23. (17M) Skip Moore, Jackson Center ($200); 24. (6) Carl Murdick, Butler ($200); 25. (20D) Del Rougeux, Frenchville ($200); 26. (10) Jeff Schaffer, Fombell ($200).

DNQ (all $100): Mark Frankhouser; Kevin Green; Shawn Fleeger; Richard Whitney; Dave Shook; Dillon Barr; Frank Guidace; Steve Feder; Ryan Hall; Dillon McElrath; Chris Haines; Steve Barr; Matt Reeher; Greg Unrue, Jr.; Arnie kent; Dustin Martin; Dave Reges; Mike Miller; Don Brown.

The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.

The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.