The inaugural edition of the Apple Festival Nationals provided area race fans with plenty of “wheel to wheel” racing action and when the final checkered flags of the 2008 season flew Modified veteran Lonny Riggs had captured the biggest win of his career as he brought home the $3,000 first place prize and the coveted Russ King Memorial trophy at the Sharon Speedway on Sunday evening.

Joe Crawford and newly crowned Sharon Speedway Gibson-Governor Insurance Agency Modified Champion Dave Murdick led the 26 car field to the green flag. Murdick immediately moved in to the lead with Crawford riding in the second spot. Murdick weathered two cautions early in the 40 lap event as held off the challenges of Crawford. By lap 16 fourth place starter Jeremiah Shingledecker has gotten by Crawford for the second spot and began closing in on Murdick.

The handling on Murdick’s Armstrong Zoom Internet/Troyer has gone away by lap 20 and Shingledecker was able to overtake Murdick for the lead on lap 22.

The event’s final caution waved on lap 23 for the spinning car of Randy Brown. The ensuing restart placed veteran Lonny Riggs on Shingledecker’s rear bumper. Shingledecker was able to maintain his lead when the green flag flew and appeared to be headed to his second consecutive BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour ’08 victory. Riggs however has other ideas and perseverance paid off as the duo entered lapped traffic on lap 35. Shingledecker was unable to maneuver around the slower cars and Riggs capitalized on this error and motored into the lead. The Volant, PA veteran would then lead the final four circuits of the event to capture his first ever Russ King Memorial victory. It was also Riggs’ first BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour victory of the 2008 season and his first on the 3/8 mile Sharon Speedway configuration.

Shingledecker was able to hold on to the runner-up spot with Joe Crawford, Kevin Hoffman and Del Rougeux Jr. completing the top five. Jim Rasey, Tim Doran, newly crowned Mod Tour Champion Brian Swartzlander, Murdick and Tommy Kristyak finished sixth through tenth.

Heat events for the 43 card field were won by Murdick, Rasey, Swartzlander and Gary Smoker. Steve Feder and Rougeux captured the B-Main victories with Kristyak capturing the dash. Carl Weatherby brought home the victory in the Australian Pursuit.

The 2008 Modified Tour season is now complete. Leechburg, PA veteran Brian Swartzlander, ended the King Family’s dominance of the series‘ title as he captured his third BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Mod Tour title in the Precise Racing/McCutcheon Enterprises/Ender’s powered Teo Chassis. The youngest member of the King Family, Rex Jr. held on for the runner-up position in the series’ points battle.

The BRP Modified Tour 08 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, Priest Enterprises, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting, Hands on Concepts and Wedge Motorsports.

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.

Modified Feature Finish: Lonny Riggs, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Joe Crawford, Kevin Hoffman, Del Rougeux, Jim Rasey, Tim Doran, Brian Swartzlander, Dave Murdick, Tom Kristyak, Skip Moore. Dave Schrader, Travis Shingledecker, Tom Mattocks, Rob Kristyak, JR McGinley, Gary Smoker, Rodney Beltz, Rex King Jr., Steve Feder, Carl Murdick, Garrett Krummert, Rick Hall, Randy Brown, Kyle Fink, Carl Weatherby, Russell King, Rick Ryder.

Lap Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available For All Divisions And Are Priced At Just $10.00; Contact The Speedway Office And Get Yours Today! More Than $500.00 In Lap Sponsorships Have Already Been Collected For the Pure Stock Feature Event, With One Lap Paying $130.00!

Pit Gates Will Open at 3:00PM and Grandstand Admission Gates Will Open at 4:00PM On Saturday And All Campers Must Register At The Speedway Office Prior to Setting Up Their Campsite. No ATVS or Motorized Vehicles Permitted in Camping Area And/Or Parking Areas!!

There will be a Pit Party on Saturday Night. All Fans Will Be Able To Visit Their Favorite Drivers In The Pit Area For One Half Hour. Get a “Behind The Scenes” Look As The Area’s Top Drivers Prepare For Competition!

The Band Tie (1) One Will Be Playing After The Racing Action Saturday Night!

Breakfast will be served at the track on Sunday morning. Also on Sunday morning at 11 am, there will be a special chapel service led by Motor Racing Outreach and Modified Tour chaplain, Pastor Bill Beck.

And please keep Modified Driver Dean Pearson in your thoughts and prayers as Dean recently underwent surgery. Please send Get Well wishes to:
Dean Pearson
P. O. Box 204,
Harrisville, PA 16038

Get Well Soon Dean!!

Lernerville Speedway became the latest victim on Friday when General Manager Gary Risch Jr. was forced to pull the plug in the early morning hours as overcast skies unloaded over the Sarver, Pennsylvania oval with little clearing in sight.

“We’re extremely disappointed the weather wouldn’t cut us a break,” said Risch, after reluctantly canceling the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘North-South 100’ headliner on day one of Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest Modified Madness. The event is not scheduled to be made up.

“The Advance Series stars coming to town certainly generated a lot of interest around the area from our fans and all the racers. We’re already looking into a possible date for next season as we want to grow this event for years to come,” Risch noted.

Congratulations to Brian Gurdak who won the Pocket Rocket bike at Eriez Speedway and Jason Reagle who won the Pocket Rocket bike at Tri-City.

BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Mod Tour ‘08 Finish
Eriez Speedway

(Scott Whipple has photos posted of the Eriez racing action)

1. Jeremiah Shingledecker
2. Brian Swartzlander
3. Del Rougeux Jr.
4. Brad Rapp
5. Rick Hall
6. Kevin Hoffman
7. Steve Barr
8. Steve Feder
9. Bill Dorman
10. Kyle Fink
11. Ron Eperthener Jr.
12. Rex King Jr.
13. Mike Turner
14. J.R. McGinley
15. Gary Smoker
16. Mike Kinney
17. Dave Murdick
18. Brian Sadler
19. Tom Mattocks
20. Chris Dye
21. Joe Crawford
22. Phil Vignari
23. Carl Murdick
24. Kevin Bolland
25. Skip Moore
26. John Buchanon

The Prince of Bristolville, Russell King, captured his first BRP/Hoosier Modified Tour win of the season (second overall) on Hall’s Safety night at Mercer Raceway Park. His triumph marked the fourth straight victory for King Brothers Racing at the Park. Patriarch Rex King, Sr., still sidelined due to surgery, won the last three Big Block Modified races at the track.

Photos now added to our Photo Page

Russell King and Dave Murdick paced the field for the start of the event. At the drop of the green, Murdick led the pack into turn one, with King nipping at his heels. Tim Doran, Eric Gabany and Garrett Krummert rounded out the top five.

While Murdick and King battled for the lead, Krummert slipped by Gabany for fourth on the next circuit. Tommy Kristyak, second on the all-time Big Block win list at Mercer, bumped Gabany from the top five on the third lap.

Murdick, King, Doran, Krummert and Kristyak ran in that order until lap seven, when Mod Tour points leader, Brian Swartzlander, brought out the first yellow. Swartzlander retired from action at that point.

On the restart, King blasted past Murdick in turns one and two. Krummert overtook Doran for third, while Gary Smoker moved into the top five.

They maintained that order until lap 12, when the next caution flew for J.R. McGinley. On the restart, King jumped the cushion in turn one, but the defending Tour champion powered through the rough stuff to keep the lead over Murdick.

Another yellow for a tangle involving Krummert and Doran knocked them from the top five on the very next lap. Doran dropped out, but Krummert pitted for repairs and returned on the lead lap. Smoker was not as fortunate, though, as he lost a lap in the pits.

The final caution of flew on lap 14. King got the jump on the restart and led Murdick, Kristyak, Kevin Hoffman and Lonny Riggs into the first corner.

While King and Murdick ran one-two for the last 16 circuits, there was plenty of action behind them. Riggs moved into fourth on lap 15 and began to press Kristyak for third. He worked past the veteran on lap 21.

Meanwhile, King started to stretch his lead over Murdick as the leaders encountered lapped traffic. Riggs continued to hold third over Kristyak and Hoffman.

On the white flag lap, Hoffman overhauled Kristyak for fourth.

At the checkers, it was King, Murdick, Riggs, Hoffman and Kristyak. The next five were Tommy Mattocks, Eric Gabany, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Rex King, Jr., and race sponsor Rick Hall.

Heat race wins went to Frank Guidace, Gary Smoker, Eric Gabany and Tommy Kristyak.

Brian Swartzlander and Rexie King won the twin B Mains.

The Pit Stop Pub Dash pitted the top three points leaders in Modified Tour points against the top three drivers in track points. Gary Smoker claimed top honors for the home towners. Tour drivers Dave Murdick and Rexie King followed. Frank Guidace, Brian Swartzlander and Garrett Krummert completed the field.

It was a difficult night for three of the top five in Modified Tour points. Leader Swartzlander was an early drop-out from the feature. Kevin Bolland, who entered the race tied for second, and Joe Crawford, who was fourth at the start of the night, failed to finish their heat races and neither could start in their B Mains.

The fourth heat race had a lengthy red flag due to a crash by Dean Pearson in turn one. Pearson backed his mount into the guardrail and the car got caught in the Armco barrier. Track crews had a difficult time removing the car and then they had to repair the fence. Pearson reported that the damage to his car was severe and may require replacement of his chassis.

The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour ’08 will take place on Sunday, August 31, at the Eriez Speedway, Hamot, PA.

The BRP Modified Tour 08 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, Priest Enterprises, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting, Hands on Concepts and Wedge Motorsports.

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.

Modified Feature Finish: 1. 65 Russell King $1,300; 2. 61 Dave Murdick $870; 3. 58 Lonny Riggs $650; 4. 17H Kevin Hoffman $550; 5. 26Z Tommy Kristyak $500; 6. 69 Tommy Mattocks $420; 7. 3E Eric Gabany $400; 8. 37MD Jeremiah Shingledecker $380; 9. 165 Rex King, Jr. $360; 10. B4 Rick Hall $330; 11. 20D Del Rougeux, Jr. $320; 12. 67R Randy Brown $310; 13. 25B Steve Barr $300; 14. 29 Garrett Krummert $290; 15. 23D Chris Dye $280; 16. 66 J.R. McGinley $260; 17. 45 Steve Feder $240; 18. 516 Gary Smoker $230; 19. 74 Kevin Green (prov.) $220; 20. 1G Frank Guidace $200; 21. 12 Tim Doran $200; 22. 72 Mike Miller (prov.) $200; 23. 6 Carl Murdick $200; 24. 83 Brian Swartzlander $200; 25. 17M Skip Moore $200; 26. 333 Ron Eperthener $200.

DNQ: Mark Rossey $100; Joe Crawford $50; Brian Sadler $100; Rodney Beltz $50; Les Myers $100; Howard Duff $100; Mark Frankhouser $100; Randy Chronister $100; Shawn Kozar $100; Dean Pearson $50; Rick Ryder $100; Brad Rapp $50; Kevin Bolland $50; Mike Turner $100.

DNS: John Buchanan $50

Join us at Mercer Raceway Park for The Return of Big Block Modified racing action!

This will be an night of excitement and special activities, featuring:

Fireworks!

Meet Your Heroes Modified Autograph Session!

Modified Legends Reunion!

Big Blocks vs. Small Blocks Dash For Cash
Presented by Pit Stop Pub

$500 Bonus to Any Small Block Modified for Winning the Feature!
Presented by Approved Toilet Rentals

Halls Safety Equipment Night at the Races

Meet many of Mercer Raceway Park’s Modified feature winners from 1966 to the present. Plus see vintage race cars from the past.

Free Fan Giveaways Courtesy of:

Ray’s Racing Collectibles
Halls Safety Equipment
Pit Stop Pub
The Modified Tour Inc.
Approved Toilet Rentals
McCool’s Sign and Graphics

Join us after the races at The Pit Stop Pub for The Return Party. Located on Rt 19 one half mile south of Mercer, the kitchen will remain open late after the races. All drivers and fans are invited!

Brian Swartzlander came from deep in the pack to capture the Second Annual Mountaineer 40 for the BRP/Hoosier Modified Tour at Tyler County (WV) Speedway.

The evening got off to a bad start for the veteran from Leechburg, PA. While battling for position in his heat race, Swartzlander spun in turn four and Mike Turner could not avoid him. The resulting damage sidelined both cars. Because Swartzlander caused the yellow, he was credited with last place. That put him in twenty-third for the feature.

Congratulations to Don Gallagher of Butler, PA, who won the pocket rocket that was raffled off at Tyler County. Due to the approaching bad weather, our Victory Lane ceremonies were moved to the area behind the grandstand, where the winning ticket was drawn. The winning number was announced, but it was during racing action and some fans reportedly did not hear the number. We apologize for circumstances beyond our control.

Rex King, Jr. and Tommy Mattocks paced the field for the start. King fired into the lead, with third-place starter Del Rougeux, Jr., Mattocks and Brad Rapp close behind. A yellow for Jeremiah Shingledecker and Joe Crawford slowed the race, with Crawford retiring from the action.

On the restart, King jumped into the lead again, with Rougeux and Rapp giving chase. By lap five, Rapp climbed into second place and the two young drivers amazed the crowd. Rapp overhauled King on lap 8 as the leaders were now starting to contend with lapped traffic.

Meanwhile, veterans Andy Priest and Swartzlander were making their presence felt. Priest, the night’s event sponsor (Priest Enterprises. Inc.), worked his way into third and was mixing things up with the younger set. Swartzlander continued picking off cars and was up to ninth on lap nine.
A caution on lap fourteen bunched up the pack and sent the lapped cars to the rear of the field. This gave the leaders a few laps to maneuver on an open track.

When the green flag flew again, Rapp was still in command, but he was now being pressed by Priest. King, Kevin Bolland, defending race winner, and Swartzlander rounded out the top five.
Another caution quickly followed, however. When racing resumed, Rapp again led, but King slipped by Priest for second and Swartzlander swept by Bolland for fourth.

Within a few laps Swartzlander worked by Priest for third. Another caution on lap nineteen interrupted an intense three-car battle for the lead among Rapp, King and Swartzlander.
As the leaders wove their way through traffic, Swartzlander made a bold move on the outside of turn four to pass both of the younger racers to lead lap 24. King slipped back to fourth, and was now in a dogfight with Priest, Bolland and Rougeux when the caution waived again on lap 25. When racing resumed, King started to move forward again.

The caution waived again on lap 27 for a four-car tangle that included second place runner Rapp, Dan Taylor (subbing for Rex King), Shingledecker and Skip Moore. Taylor and Moore were unable to continue.

Swartzlander maintained the lead through the twelve-lap run to the checkers. Rex King, Jr. held off a persistent Priest to earn his best career Mod Tour finish. Bolland crossed the line fourth and Rougeux in fifth.

Positions five through ten were being swapped continuously during the stretch run. Kevin Hoffman, who started last in the event, took sixth, followed by Mattocks, Gary Smoker, ageless Les Myers, and Matt Baker.

Heat race wins went to Rapp, Mark Flick, and Smoker.

The BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour ’08 will now take several weeks off before they head to the Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday, August 16th.

The BRP Modified Tour 08 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, Priest Enterprises, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting, Hands on Concepts and Wedge Motorsports.

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.

Modified Feature Finish: Brian Swartzlander, Rex King, Jr., Andy Priest, Kevin Bolland, Del Rougeux, Jr., Kevin Hoffman, Tom Mattocks, Gary Smoker, Les Myers, Matt Baker, Mike Miller, Mark Flick, Brad Rapp, Mike Turner, Steve Feder, Brian Sadler, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Dan Taylor, Skip Moore, Steve Barr, Dave Murdick, Carl Murdick, Dave Reges, J. R. McGinley, Ron Eperthener, Joe Crawford

Qualifying heats and b-mains will be run on Saturday, September 2th with the 40-lap, $3,000 to win feature will be run on Sunday, September 21st.

There will be a one time (two-day) pit pass of $32.00 for the weekend. There will also be a dash for cash run during the Saturday night event.

Those who do not qualify for the feature will not have to attend the Sunday event unless they want to go watch the feature.

There will be further information forthcoming on the Sharon Speedway web site at www.sharonspeedway.com

Please change your calendars to reflect this date change for the Modified Tour event at Sharon Speedway.

Directions to Tyler County:
I-70 west to I-470 at Wheeling. Cross the river at Wheeling and Exit onto Ohio 7. Follow Ohio 7 South to Hannibal, OH and cross the bridge into New Martinsville WV. Follow WV 2 south through New Martinsville. Just south of New Martinsville, turn left onto WV 180. Follow WV 180 until it ends at WV 18. Turn left, and follow WV 18 south through Middlebourne. The track is about 5 miles south of Middlebourne at the fairgrounds.

As a word of warning, watch your speed on all roads to and from the track!