Attention All Drivers
Please complete and submit the Driver Info Form below. PPMS would like to have information on each driver that can be used in the weekly program for the Tour events at their track. This will also give their announcer information on each driver. We will also use this information to update our Driver’s Page here on our site.
Thank you for your cooperation.
SUNOCO AGAIN FUELS MODIFED TOUR
With the opener just about a month away, the Directors of the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour announced the return of Sunoco Race Fuels as a series sponsor. “This is another cornerstone of our program,” said Mod Tour President Lou Long. “Sunoco Race Fuels and their local supplier, Bazell Oil Company have been with us since the beginning, and we sure do appreciate their loyalty.”
Once again, the mighty Mods will tackle Lernerville Speedway of the first event, on May 20. The holiday weekend will see the ground pounders in action at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and Tri-City Speedway.
The 2011 Modified Tour will likely consist of 14 races. Plans for the Labor Day weekend events at West Virginia Motor Speedway have yet to be finalized. Likewise, the return of the series to Eriez Speedway has yet to be confirmed.
The roster of 2011 sponsors for The Modified Tour, Inc. includes: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Sunoco Race Fuels – Bazell Oil Co.; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Bulldog Rear Ends – Diversified Machine, Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Rock Concrete; Slippery Rock Sportswear; T & D Machine; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc. Watch for further additions to the list of 2011 sponsors.
Now entering its fourteeth year of success, 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. It expands the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports throught the the tri-state area
MODIFIED TOUR RENEWS HOOSIER TIRE PACT
Ending weeks of speculation, the Board of Directors of The Modified Tour, Inc. voted Wednesday night to renew its arrangements with Hoosier Tire and DIRTcar. For the next three seasons, the action-packed racing series will be known as the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour.
“It was a difficult decision for us to make,” said Modified Tour President Lou Long. “Both companies (Hoosier Tire and American Racer) put forth significant proposals, showing their interest in our program.” However, the Board’s decision was aided by the considerable input given by the racers themselves. “We received great feedback from our competitors at our last two meetings, they provided helpful insights about both options,” he explained.
“The continuation of the Hoosier Tire and DIRTcar relationships lends stability to Big Block Modified racing in Western Pennsylvania,” Long added. “The Modified Tour has been a good partner for DIRTcar and Hoosier Tire,” said Joe Skotnicki, DIRTcar’s Director of Series and Sanctioning. “We look forward to building upon this foundation in the years ahead,” he concluded.
While some details of the program have yet to be finalized, one of the exciting features is the availability of a guaranteed starting spot in DIRTcar’s flagship event held on the Moody Mile in Syracuse in October. Once again, the Modified Tour points leader heading into Super DIRTweek will receive that benefit. Past champions who have availed themselves of that opportunity include Russell King, Dave Murdick and Brian Swartzlander.
The roster of 2011 sponsors for The Modified Tour, Inc. includes: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Bulldog Rear Ends – Diversified Machine, Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Rock Concrete; Slippery Rock Sportswear; T & D Machine; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc. Watch for further additions to the list of 2011 sponsors.
Now entering its fourteenth year of success, 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. It expands the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports through out the the tri-state area.
Debbie Oyler Funeral Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LOU LONG, PRESIDENT AND PR DIRECTOR
The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour mourns the loss of Debra A. Ault Oyler. Debbie was a member of the Board of Directors of The Modified Tour, Inc. and the wife of fellow Board Member and Webmaster Paul Oyler.
Debbie succumbed to cancer on Monday, February 28, at the age of 51. She was hospitalized at UPMC Shadyside, in Pittsburgh, at the time of her death. She put forth a valiant struggle, but the ravages of the disease were too far advanced when she was diagnosed just a few short weeks ago. She also had medical complications unrelated to her cancer. Through it all, Paul remained by her side, just as she nursed him through health problems in the recent past.
Debbie was born in Akron, OH, but lived in Altoona, PA, before relocating to Mercer, PA with Paul several years ago. After their wedding in 1999, they started coming to the Mercer area to watch and photograph races at Mercer Raceway Park and other venues. They enjoyed the experience so much that they moved there to be closer to the action.
Paul became track photographer at Mercer and he also served in that capacity at Tri-City Speedway and Slippery Rock Speedway. Debbie was his trusty assistant and operated their photo stand. Later, she became an office employee at Mercer Raceway Park.
The love of racing that Debbie and Paul shared brought them both to The Modified Tour. On race nights, Debbie would often be found at the trailer, assisting with registrations and lineups before grabbing her camera to shoot action photos or her favorites, victory lane ceremonies. Debbie also had a knack for putting together wonderful gift baskets that the Modified Tour would use for its fundraising efforts.
“The racing family of Western Pennsylvania lost a loyal supporter in Debbie,” said Modified Tour President Lou Long. “She was like a sister to us all, helping in whatever way she could; you could always count on her to pitch in and get a job done.”
In addition to her racing endeavors, Debbie was active in her church, Fellowship Community Church in Grove City. She enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors. Indicative of her giving and caring nature, Debbie had also been a long time worker with Red Cross, working with the Disaster Relief program and teaching CPR. In addition, she had volunteered with Family Services of Blair County, working on their rape crisis hotline. She also would dote on nine Van Gent children, as she served as their nanny. She loved them dearly.
Debbie was survived by her husband (Paul), her mother (Carol J. Long), two step-daughters (Erin and Katelyn Oyler), three siblings (A. Kay Shaw, Donald L. Ault, and Amy J. Long) and numerous nieces and nephews, and nine Van Gent children. A broher (William A. Ault) preceded her in death.
Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Friday, March 4, at the Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Ave., Altoona. Immediately thereafter, a funeral service will be presented by her dear friend and Modified Tour Chaplain, Pastor Bill Beck. Assisting will be Modified Tour racer, Pastor Kevin Green. Interment will be made at Alto Reste Park, also in Altoona.
There will be a memorial service at 1 pm on Saturday March 12 at the Mercer Baptist Church, 908 Butler Pike Road · Mercer, with Rev Byron Harvey officiating.
With the kind and generous support of the racing community at the Lernerville Speedway banquet held last Saturday, The Modified Tour raised some much needed funds to help defray the enormous medical bills for Debbie’s final illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be sent in care of Carol J. Long, 145 Greenwood Road, Altoona, PA 16602.
The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Rock Concrete; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.
The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.
MOD TOUR PAYS HOMAGE TO ITS KING
The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour officially closed the books on the 2010 season Saturday evening when it celebrated its thirteenth annual awards ceremony and banquet at Big Daddy’s Speed Center in Grove City, PA. Gathering the most attention and taking home the lion’s share of the loot was Rex King, Sr.
“It is easy to summarize Rex King’s 2010 season in one word: consistency,” said Modified Tour President Lou Long. In capturing his second consecutive title and fourth point championship overall, the patriarch of the Bristolville racing clan finished in the top five of every race comprising the series. His average finish in the twelve races was an astonishing 3.5! What is even more remarkable is that King also received the Hard Charger Award, meaning that he passed the most cars in A Main action.
On the road to the championship, King won feature events at two of his favorite tracks, Expo Speedway and Mercer Raceway Park. He racked up ten other top five finishes, including second place runs in two of the most exciting races of the year. When Jeremiah Shingledecker made a daring last lap pass of King coming off turn two at Mercer, the crowd roared so loudly that their adulation could be heard over the throaty Big Blocks. Then, the slam-bang finish at Lernerville Speedway’s Second Steel City Stampede had the fans rise to their feet as New York invader Chad Homan barely edged King at the wire. “I am proud to be part of two thrilling races,” King said, “it just sucks that I lost them both.” His glib resonse brought down the house.
For his achievements, King received $4,100 in cash and a prize package worth more than $1,250. His bounty included gift certificates from T & D Machine, Pietragallo Gordon Alfano, Bosick & Raspanti, LLP, Wrisco Industries, Inc. and Big Daddy’s Speed Center and product from ISC Racers Tape.
King’s team immediately put the money to good use, purchasing a brand new Bicknell chassis while the boss chatted with banquet guests after the event.
Jeremiah Shingledecker tied Dave Murdick for most wins on the circuit, at three apiece, but he barely edged the 2001 Champion in the final points tally. Shingledecker took home $2,500 in cash, while Murdick pocketed $1,500. They each received identical prize packages worth nearly a thousand dollars. Their packages included hubs supplied by Bert Transmission, gift certificates from the PGABR law firm, Wrisco and Big Daddy’s, and product from ISC.
Del Rougeux, Jr. finished fourth in the championship standings and he received cash and prizes valued in excess of $2,000, including a brand new helmet courtesy of RaceQuip. Fifth place finisher Brad Rapp received cash and prizes amounting to over $1,800, including new seat belts courtesy of RaceQuip. Kevin Hoffman earned a similar reward for his sixth place run.
Newly elected Modified Tour Board Member, Jeremy Paup, gathered up cash and prizes worth more than $1,500, including new Racequip shoes. He also was named the Most Improved Driver on the Tour. New papa Rex King, Jr. scooped up almost as much money and prizes, but he may have to hold onto some of that money to pay the dowery for the arranged marriage proposed for his young son, Carston Ross King, and Miah Shingledecker, the new addition to that racing family.
Rounding out the top ten were Gary Smoker and J.R. McGinley, each of whom also received cash and prizes amounting to more than $1,500. In their packages were RaceQuip gloves.
Positions eleven through fifteen went to Chris Haines, Mike Turner, Mark Frankhouser, Dean Pearson and Steve Feder. Their packages were worth approximately $1,200 apiece and included fire retardant shirts courtesy of Pyrotech. Haines also received the Rookie of the Year Award and a cash prize for that accomplishment.
Three Butler pilots, Jeff Miller, Carl Murdick amd Shawn Fleeger, earned packages worth in excess of $900, including shirts furnished by DMI. Fleeger was one of two recipients of the President’s Award, a special recognition bestowed for his dedication to the Modified Tour. The other recipient, Don Brown, netted almost $900 for his first effort on the Tour.
Despite running only a part-time schedule, Kevin Bolland completed the top twenty in points. He notched one win to remain atop the career victory standings, along with four other top five finishes. Bolland also racked up six heat wins, the most of any driver in 2010. His cash and prized were also valued near $900.
Mod Tour President Lou Long reviewed the 2010 season, one of the most successful in the history of the organization. Seventy-two different drivers participated in the dozen races, with three programs drawing 40 or more competitors. On average, 33 racers appeared for each event. Purse, point money and cash awards approached $160,000 and prizes exceeded $10,000. “The motorsports industry is taking notice of numbers like these,” Long told the banquet guests. “This is truly remarkable for a working man’s series like this, run by volunteers,” he added. “You have a lot to be proud about; thank you for making it all possible,” he concluded.
Long presented the results of the Tour’s first ever survey of its competitors. Survey forms were distributed at the season’s final race and others were mailed to those drivers who did not enter that program. The information gathered will be used by the Board to develop rules and determine the direction of the organization for 2011.
Long also previewed the tentative schedule for 2011. Currently, the Tour anticipates having fifteen races, with engagements at all the usual stops. A return to Eriez Speedway is in the works, along with the Highly successful Hillbilly Hustle two-day event at West Virginia Motor Speedway. Joining the Modified Tour in 2011 will be Dog Hollow Speedway, with a race date of October 1. Further events are still in the discussion stages. A formal announcement will be issued soon.
The Modified Tour, Inc. would like to thank the 2010 series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; Sunoco Racing Fuel – Bazell Oil Co., Inc.; World Racing Group – DIRTcar; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Behrent’s Speed Center, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy’s Speed Center Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; Fast Axle, LLC; Frankland Racing Supply; ISC Racers Tape; Hall’s Safety Equipment Corp.; Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool’s Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; RaceQuip; Ray’s Racing Collectibles; Red Bear Hand Cleaner; Rock Concrete; Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants; Slippery Rock Sportswear; Smokey’s; SpeedBear Fasteners; Turbo Start Batteries; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Wedge Motorsports, LLC; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc.
The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It has had great success at bringing the local cars together at tracks throughout the tri-state area and in expanding the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports.
For more information about The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour, check the website at www.modifiedtourinc.com.
Modified Tour Inc. Annual Tour Party and Social Gathering
The Modified Tour Inc. is proud to announce its annual Modified Tour Party and Social Gathering to be held on February 5, 2011. The event will be open to all Modified Tour racers and their families as well as the general public. In order to save you the racer money——–admission is simple: bring a large covered!!! Bring as many people as you like……….admission is Free.
No need to dress up, as dress will be causal for a very relaxed atmosphere. No suits, ties or formal wear will be permitted. Point money for the 2010 Modified Tour Racing Series will be distributed at this time. A 10% handling fee will be charged for any driver who is not represented at the party. So bring your sponsors, your family, and your friends for an evening of fun and relaxation. There will be no alcohol or smoking permitted on the premises.
Mandatory!!!! RSVP to 814-229-3837 no later than January 16, 2011 with number of people attending.
WHERE: Big Daddy’s Speed Center
139 Gasper Road
Grove City, PA 16127
WHEN: Saturday, February 5, 2011
6:00 pm Party Starts
7:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Point Money Distribution
Recognition of Sponsors
Chinese Auction and 50/50 drawings will be held during the evening.
RSVP: To 814-229-3837 no later than January 16, 2011
Parts Counter at Big Daddy’s will be open until 5:00 pm