Rex King Sr. Regains Winning Form In Mod Tour Opener
By LOU LONG, PR Director
Rex King, Sr. showed no ill effects of last-season’s surgery, as the two-time BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour Champion dominated the season opener at Mercer (PA) Raceway Park.
“I feel great,” King Sr. said before the night started. “It makes me wonder why I waited so long to have it (hip replacement surgery) done.”
King Sr. and Del Rougeux, Jr. paced the field for the start of the feature event. King seized the lead entering turn one and held control throughout the thirty lapper.
Rougeux had eight shots to overtake him, as track race procedures used double file formations for all restarts. Rougeux could never capitalize on his opportunities, but he had to be pleased nonetheless with his runner-up finish on what may be the toughest track for him on the circuit.
Rougeux got his first crack at the leader when the caution was displayed for a second lap skirmish in turn two involving Rex King, Jr., Brian Swartzlander, Jim Rasey, Randy Brown and Gary Smoker. This shook up the field considerably, as all of the involved cars were in the top ten at the time.
King, Sr. and Rougeux maintained their relative positions on the restart, but Dave Murdick and Joe Crawford got into a battle for third that would continue for the rest of the race. The two veterans would swap places numerous times as the race wore on.
Behind the two lead pairs, another struggle was going on among Dean Pearson, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Tommy Kristyak, Tom Mattocks, Lonny Riggs, James Friesen, Kevin Hoffman, and others for positions in the top ten.
A caution on lap 12 sent Hoffman pitward for a new tire. He was able to rejoin the field on the lead lap. Soon thereafter, Pearson and Riggs retired from the race.
On the lap 18 restart, a big wreck occurred on the frontstretch, eliminating Brown, King Jr., Friesen, Rodney Beltz, Mark Frankhouser and Greg Yourkin. Rookie Ryan Hall was also involved. Although he was able to continue, his maiden voyage in a Modified ended a couple of laps later.
Kristyak got going after the big melee, and worked his way up to fourth. However, he could not hold the spot and he gave back a couple of positions as the laps wound down.
The final caution came on lap 29, wiping out King Sr.’s big lead over Rougeux. King Sr. led the one-lap dash for the cash.
Finishing behind King Sr. and Rougeux were D. Murdick, Crawford and Shingledecker. Rounding out the top ten were Kristyak, Mattocks, Hoffman, Brachman and Rick Hall.
King Sr. served early notice that he would be a factor, taking his heat win from the ninth starting spot. Other heat winners were defending and three-time Tour Champion Swartzlander, past Tour Champion D. Murdick, and New York invader Chad Brachman.
The two B Mains went to past Tour Champion Beltz and Friesen.
The next BRP/Hoosier race Tires Modified Tour events are: May 24, 2009 at Tri-City (PA) Speedway; and May 29, 2009 at Lernerville (PA) Speedway.
Official Order of Finish: BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour (Round 1): Mercer (PA) Raceway Park: 30 Laps: March 28, 2009
1. Rex King $2,000
2. Del Rougeux, Jr. $870
3. Dave Murdick $650
4. Joe Crawford $550
5. Jeremiah Shingledecker $500
6. Tommy Kristyak $420
7. Tom Mattocks $400
8. Kevin Hoffman $380
9. Chad Brachman $360
10. Rick Hall $330
11. Jim Rasey $320
12. Brian Sadler $310
13. Ryan Hall $300
14. Kevin Green $290
15. James Friesen $280
16. Rex King, Jr. $260
17. Lonny Riggs $240
18. Rodney Beltz $230
19. Mark Frankhouser $220
20. Randy Brown $200
21. Greg Yourkin $200
22. Dean Pearson $200
23. Jeremy Paup $200
24. Brian Swartzlander $200
25. Gary Smoker $200
26. Skip Moore $200
DNQ (all $100 except Ryder $50): Ron Eperthener, Steve Feder, Carl Murdick, Brad Rapp, Richard Whitney, Kyle Fink, Randy Chronister, Eric Gabany, Mike Turner, Rick Ryder (DNS B).
The BRP Modified Tour ’09 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Keizer Racing Wheels, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rental, Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hometown Pharmacy, Wedge Motorsports, Motorsports World, and Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP.
The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. 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.