Jim Rasey picked a good time to snare his first win of the season, taking the Twenty-fourth Annual Russ King Memorial at Sharon Speedway. It was his third triumph in the classic that was part of the Second Apple Fest Nationals featuring the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour.
The luck of the draw placed Carl Weatherby and Joe Crawford on the front row. Weatherby got an early start, forcing the field to regroup for another try. This time, he got away cleanly, leading Crawford, Ryan Hall, and Rasey into turn one. On lap two, rookie Ryan Hall slid high in turns one and two, as did Rex King, Jr. They lost many positions, but were able to blend back into the field and the races stayed under green flag conditions.
The first caution appeared on lap 3 for a spin by Kyle Fink in turn four. While the field circulated under the yellow, Rex King, Sr. and Dave Murdick pitted with engine problems. Both contestants for the BRP/Modified Tour Championship were able to rejoin the field. However, Murdick would make a number of additional pit stops, as his engine problems seemed to worsen as the race progressed.
On the restart, Rasey made a bold move, taking the lead away from Weatherby, and earning the Red Bear Hand Cleaner “Clean Move of the Race” award. Another driver showing some muscle on the restart was Lonnie Riggs, the winner of this race in 2008. Riggs slid into third, ahead of Jim Weller, Jr.
On lap 6, bad luck hit Joe Crawford, another contender for the Modified Tour crown. He struck the wall coming through turns three and four, getting a flat right rear for his troubles. He pitted for new rubber, but lost two laps in the process.
Rasey again led the field to the green ahead of Weatherby, Riggs, Weller and Eric Gabany. They ran in that order until another caution flew on lap 8 for a spin by Jason Longwell. Ryan Hall and Andy Preist were collected. All three cars sustained heavy damage and were eliminated from the event.
Rasey again jumped out front on the restart, but a dandy three-wide battle was raging for the second spot. Weatherby regained control of the spot, but he was still getting pressured by Riggs and Weller. Del Rougeux, Jr. took over fifth and Kevin Bolland sixth, followed by Jeremiah Shingledecker.
At the halfway mark, Rasey had a comfortable lead over Weatherby, Riggs, Weller and Rougeux.
By lap 20, Jeremiah Shingledecker continued his climb through the top ten, reaching fifth place.
As the final laps clicked off, Jim Weller, Jr. passed Weatherby for second and he set out after Rasey. Weller closed the gap quickly and it appeared as though he may have a shot for a last-lap pass for the win because Rasey was jammed up behind some lapped cars that were fighting for position.
With Rasey taking the high groove, Weller ducked low entering turn three. However, his bid for the win came up a little short, as he lost power as the leaders raced off turn four.
Rasey took the win, with Shingledecker sneaking into second as the field got jumbled due to Weller’s misfortune. Weatherby finished third, for a career best on the ModifiedTour. Weller limped across the finish line in fourth, followed by Riggs. Eric Gabany rallied for sixth. Positions seven through ten went to Rougeux, Rex King, Jr., Kevin Bolland and Brad Rapp.
King Sr. finished fourteenth to stretch his points lead, while Murdick was twenty-third.
The heat races for the 41 car field were presented by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The winners were Jim Rasey, Ryan Hall, Del Rougeux, Jr., and Carl Weatherby.
The twin B Mains were captured by Andy Preist and John Buchanan.
The top six in BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour points squared off for an Australian Pursuit, paying $100 to the winner. Rex King, Jr. led the entire way to scoop up that cash. Jeremiah Shingledecker started and finished second, grabbing $75. Joe Crawford started and finished third, taking $50. Rex King, Sr. picked off two cars to finish fourth. Del Rougeux, Jr. and Dave Murdick completed the field. The final three finishers each received $25. The purse for the Australian Pursuit was provided by Mike Schimley Kontracting.
Sharon Speedway also presented a Winners Circle Dash for all feature race winners in 2009. Taking the $200 win was the “wild card” entry, Rex King, Sr. Finishing second, and earning $100, was Brad Rapp. Third place and $75 went to track champion Rob Curtis. Jim Weller and Rob Kristyak completed the field, each receiving $50.
A collection raised $1,174 for New York Modified star Jack Johnson, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Johnson won the Modified portion of the 2009 Lou Blaney Memorial.
The final BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour event of 2009 will be completed on Friday, October 23, at Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA. That will be the big 75 lap challenge between the DIRTcar Modifieds and the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. It will pay a cool $6,000 to the winner. Wrist bands and rain checks will be honored from the September 11 program. The action will pick up with twin B Mains. New cars will be allowed to tag the tail of those races. The Modifieds will also compete in a non-sanctioned race as part of the inaugural Steel City Stampede.
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 8): Sharon Speedway: 30 Laps: September 20, 2009
1. Jim Rasey $1,500; 2. Jeremiah Shingledecker $1,000; 3. Carl Weatherby $800; 4. Jim Weller, Jr. $600; 5. Lonnie Riggs $550; 6. Eric Gabany $500; 7. Del Rougeux, Jr. $450; 8. Rex King, Jr. $400; 9. Kevin Bolland $350; 10. Brad Rapp $325; 11. Rob Kristyak $ 300; 12. Gary Smoker $290; 13. J.R. McGinley $280; 14. Rex King, Sr. $270; 15. Shannon Whaley $260; 16. John Buchanan $250; 17. Kyle Fink $240; 18. Mark Frankhouser $230; 19. Rob Curtis $225; 20. RTommy Kristyak $220; 21. Rodney Beltz $210; 22. Joe Crawford $205; 23. Dave Murdick $200; 24. Jason Longwell $200; 25. Ryan Hall $200; 26. Andy Preist $200.
Did not Qualify (all $100, unless indicated): Skip Moore; Steve Feder; Tommy Mattocks; Mike Miller; Carl Murdick; Kevin Green; David Cogswell; Ted Ryan; Rick Hall; Mike Turner; Jeff Miller; Brian Bailes; Chris Dye; Steve Barr ($50); Kevin Hoffman ($50).