By Lou Long, VP and PR Director, and Pam Baker, Secretary
Jeremiah Shingledecker, of Polk, PA, romped home with the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour win at Mercer Raceway Park. The victory, worth $2,000, was his first of the Modified Tour season and second of his career.
The luck of the draw put Mercer regulars, Jimmy Holden and Eric Gabany, on the front row for the start of the feature event. At the drop of the green, Gabany took the lead, seeking the $1,000 Small Block bonus offered by promoter Vicki Emig. Gabany led the first two circuits before action was halted for the disabled car of Jeremy Paup in turn four.
On the restart, Jeremiah Shingledecker used the brute horsepower of his Big Block to take the lead as the field raced through turn one. He was unable to open any lead because the caution flag flew on lap three for Gary Smoker and Matt Reher, both of whom stopped on the back stretch.
The line-up for the restart showed Shingledcker on the point, followed by the Small Blocks of Gabany and Holden and the Big Block of Del Rouguex, Jr. However, the surprise was Brian Swartzlander, who advanced six spots in the early going.
A series of cautions occurred on lap four. The first was for a spin by Eric Gabany in turn four. Fortunately, the rest of the field was able to negotiate around him. During this stoppage, Jason Longwell was towed to the pit area. The second caution was for Joe Crawford, who came to a rest just off the second turn. Crawford ducked into the pits and was able to restart the event, as did Jeremy Paup. On the third try to complete the lap, a three car crash in turn four produced a red flag. The cars of Skip Moore, Rex King, Jr. and Brad Rapp took heavy damage, and were unable to continue the race. None of the drivers were injured in the melee.
Shingledecker and company finally got past lap four. During the five-lap run, Rougeux worked his way into second and Rex King, Sr. raced up to third. Holden was still hanging onto the fourth spot. Ron Cartwright caused the next caution when his engine blew up and caught fire.
The remaining 21 laps were completed without incident. With that long run, Shingledecker was able to open a full straightaway lead over Rougeux. Rex King, Sr., Kevin Hoffman and Brian Swartzlander rounded out the top five. Positions six through ten went to Dave Murdick, Frank Guidace, Dean Pearson, Joe Crawford and Tommy Mattocks.
The heat races for the 37 car field were presented by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The winners were Kevin Hoffman, Dean Pearson, Brian Swartzlander, and John Buchanan.
B-Mains were captured by Brad Rapp and Gary Smoker.
The Red Bear Hand Cleaner “Clean Move of the Race Award” was conferred on Brian Swartzlander for his quick ascent to sixth in the first three laps of the race.
The next BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour events will be on Friday, September 4, at Tri-City Speedway, Franklin, PA; and Saturday, September 5, at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.
For more information, check our website at www.modifiedtourinc.com.
The BRP Modified Tour ’09 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Bilstein Shocks, Keizer Racing Wheels, Landrum Spring, ISC Racerstape, Wrisco Aluminum, Fast Axle, LLC, Smokey’s, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc., 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, Red Bear Hand Cleaner, 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.
Official Order of Finish: BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour (Round 6): Mercer Raceway Park: 30 Laps: August 15, 2009
1. Jeremiah Shingledecker $2,000; 2. Del Rougeux, Jr. $870; 3. Rex King, Sr. $650; 4. Kevin Hoffman $550; 5. Brian Swartzlander $500; 6. Dave Murdick $420; 7. Dean Pearson $400; 8. Frank Guidace $380; 9. Joe Crawford $360; 10. Tommy Mattocks $330; 11. Ron Eperthener $320; 12. Lonnie Riggs $310; 13. John Buchanan $300; 14. Jimmy Holden $290; 15. Eric Gabany $280; 16. Mike Miller $260; 17. Jeremy Paup $240; 18. Mike Turner $230; 19. Tommy Kristyak $225; 20. Ron Cartwright $220; 21. Rex King, Jr. $200; 22. Skip Moore $200; 23. Brad Rapp $200; 24. Jason Longwell $200; 25. Gary Smoker $200; 26. Matt Reher $200.
DNQ (all $100): Kevin Green, Mark Frankhouser, Steve Barr, Shawn Fleeger, Jeff Miller, Steve Feder, Rick Hall, Ryan Hall, Carl Murdick, Rick Kress, and Scott Strok.