RASEY ROARS TO VICTORY IN MOD TOUR FINALE
Posted by Flash McDirt on
September 16, 2007
By: Louis C. Long
Photo courtesy of Joe Secka/JMS Pro Photo
The BRP/Hoosier Racing Tires Modified Tour completed its 2007 season with the final 34 laps of the Russ King Memorial at Sharon (OH) Speedway. Capturing the win was Jim Rasey, of Southington, OH. Russell King’s second-place finish was enough for the eighteen-year-old college freshman to clinch his first Tour Championship.
The finale was halted with one lap in the books when heavy rains hit the speedway last week. Twenty of the original twenty-six car field returned.
The restart found Rob Kristyak and Del Rougeux, Jr. on the front row. Chris Dye and Jeremy Paup were in row two and Rasey and Brian Swartzlander were in row three.
At the drop of the green, Kristyak wrestled the lead away from Rougeux. However, a caution on lap three allowed Rougeux to take command on the double-file start. Meanwhile, Rasey clawed his way into third.
The Modifieds were struck with yellow fever in the early stages of the race, with contenders Ron Smoker and Rex King, Sr. being among those sent to the rear for spins.
Through this phase of the race, Rougeux continued to lead, followed by Rasey, Swartzlander, Russell King and Paup.
After a lap eight caution, the Modifieds ran off a string of thirteen continuous green flag laps. Toward the end of that skien, the battle for the lead really tightened up. Rasey pulled beside Rougeux as the field completed lap 20 and took command on lap 21 as he and Rougeux were working past lapped cars. Closely following were Swartzlander and Russell King. Unfortunately the caution for Paup’s flat right rear put the damper on a thrilling four-car battle for the lead.
By lap 25, Russell King worked his way into second and took off after leader Rasey. Although the automotive major at the University of Northwestern Ohio was able to close in, he could not mount a serious challenge for the lead. Russell got a final shot at the win after his father, Rex Sr., brought out an uncharacteristic third caution. However, Rasey got away cleanly on the final restart and led the rest of the way.
The field spun off the final three laps without incident
At the checkers, it was Rasey claiming his second Russ King Memorial over Russell King, Swartzlander, Rougeux, and Kevin Bolland. Rick Hall, Dave Murdick, Chris Schiffer, Smoker and Skip Moore completed the top ten.
—
The BRP/Hoosier Racing Tires Modified Tour 07 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rental, Lowry Auto Body, Lake Erie Speed Specialties, Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Precise Racing Products, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Hooter Chassis and Hobby, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting, Oyler Action Photos and King Brothers.
The Modified Tour Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area a chance to compete with one another for a higher purse structure and for a point fund for the races that are run. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker and Randy Myers the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.
Finish: 1. 32 Jim Rasey; 2. 56 Russell King; 3. 83 Brian Swartzlander ; 4. 20D Del Rougeux, Jr.; 5. 777 Kevin Bolland; 6. B-4 Rick Hall; 7. 61 Dave Murdick; 8. 7S Chris Schiffer; 9. 62R Ron Smoker; 10. 17M Skip Moore; 11. 007 Dwayne Clay; 12. 00 Rob Kristyak; 13. 18B Matt Baker; 14. 6 Carl Murdick; 15. 23D Chris Dye; 16. 189 Rick Ryder; 17. 45 Steve Feder; 18. 65 Rex King, Sr.; 19. X Jeremy Paup; 20. 165 Rex King, Jr.; 21. 3 Chanda Leibold; 22. 31 Jim Weller, Jr.; 23. 66 J.R. McGinley; 24. 13Jr. Lenny Leibold; 25. 37MD Jeremiah Shingledecker; 26. 22X Alex Anderson.
ATTENTION All Drivers Who Qualified For The Feature At Sharon
Posted by Flash McDirt on
September 10, 2007
We have been working with the management of Sharon Speedway regarding the postponement of our feature race and it’s scheduled make-up this Saturday.
As a result, there will be a list of all qualified drivers at the pit gate, and drivers will get in at no cost to complete our feature event. Only the drivers that qualified and started the feature are included in this.
Our feature will start with one lap completed and thirty-four laps yet to run.
Thanks to Speedway management for their help with this matter. It is greatly appreciated.
Modified Tour ’07 Finale Postponed
Posted by Flash McDirt on
September 9, 2007
The BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour 07 and Sharon Speedway officials put forth a gallant effort however Mother Nature’s persistent rain showers forced the 35 lap Russ King Memorial feature event to be postponed until Saturday, September 15th. The event will be resumed with Rob Kristyak in the lead as there was one completed before the evening’s events were cancelled.
Heat races for the 36 car field were won by Russell King, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Jim Rasey and Jeremy Paup. The 10 lap B-Main was captured by Kevin Bolland. Russell King also captured the Matt and Joe Harklerode five lap dash that was run in benefit of the Bristolville, OH family.
Upon the completion of the 35 lap feature event the 2007 BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour 07 champion will also be crowned. King, the 18 year old teenager star is currently leading the points chase over Ron Smoker and Del Rougeux Jr.
Join the stars of the BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour as they close out the 2007 season on Saturday, September 15th at the Sharon Speedway. Gates are scheduled to open at 4:00 with the first green flag to wave at 6:00. For additional information stop by the Speedway’s website at www.sharonspeedway.com.
As always you can visit www.modifiedtourinc.com for all of the latest information on the BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour ’07.
In addition the BRP Modified Tour 07 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rental, Lowry Auto Body, Lake Erie Speed Specialties, Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Precise Racing Products, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Hooter Chassis and Hobby, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting and King Brothers.
The Modified Tour Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area a chance to compete with one another for a higher purse structure and for a point fund for the races that are run. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker and Randy Myers the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.
