2012modifiedtourinc

The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour celebrated its fourteenth year of operations by distributing a record amount of cash and contingencies at its annual, family-style, covered dish banquet and awards ceremony. The lion’s share went to “the granddaddy of the BRP Tour,” Rex King, Sr., who chalked up his third consecutive and fifth career point championship. Add in another crown for son Russell, now a budding Late Model star, and it is easy to see why King proclaimed the Modified Tour as “the best thing going.”

“We had a few setbacks during the year,” said Modified Tour president, Lou Long, “but overall, we had a successful season.” Indeed, the Big Block circuit completed ten of its scheduled programs, losing two races to the incomplete track renovation at one facility and two other shows to scheduling complications. Despite this, the Modified Tour paid out combined purses in excess of $105,000 over the course of the season. And, thanks to its loyal sponsors, the point fund and other prizes distributed at the awards ceremony topped $65,000. “We presented competitive, entertaining and economical races for our fans, our racers and our promotional partners,” Long added. “The 2012 season promises to be even bigger and better!”

The points chase came down to the final event of the year, the Steel City Stampede held at Lernerville Speedway. On the strength of his three feature wins, Kevin Bolland had a mathematical shot at the championship. However, an uncharacteristic poor heat race performance on Bolland’s part, combined with a point-earning preliminary run by King, gave the Ohio veteran enough breathing room to lock up the title by starting the A Main. King was relieved to clinch the title the night before, as he suffered a DNF in the finale when he had a flat tire and, then, a broken power steering belt send him pitside.

King’s lone win came at the Sharon Speedway, where he took the Russ King Memorial, a race named in honor of his late father. “I’m tickled,” said King after that win. He picked a perfect time to register a dominant performance, as many friends, family members, neighbors, sponsors and employees were on hand for the gala event. He was somewhat concerned when the number 3 flashed up in second on the scoreboard, as New York invader Chad Brachmann had tracked him down to take the win away the night before at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and he did not want to have that happen again. “He was much faster down there in Pittsburgh,” King said of his challenger, but, in the end, it was King’s vast experience at Sharon that made the difference.

King earned $4,000 for his point championship and, like all of other drivers in the top twenty in points, his prize package included gift certificates from Ultra-Shield, Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP. In addition, like all others, King received product from Wrisco Aluminum and ISC Racers Tape. King also received a Kirkey Racing Fabrication gift certificate. Completing his record haul was a Contingency Connection Perfect Attendance Award worth more than $2,000. A total of fourteen perfect Attendance Awards were doled out, along with four Contingency Connection Wild Card Awards

For his runner-up finish, Bolland received a check for $2,500 and a prize package that also included the Fast Axle Top Qualifier Award. Bolland earned that for his six heat wins and fast time at the Russ King Memorial, the only event run under a time trial format in 2011.

Dave Murdick was a model of consistency in 2011, using eight top five finishes to solidify his hold on the other podium spot. His point fund check was $1,500 and he got the second Kirkey Racing Fabrication certificate.

Jeremiah Shingledecker and Rex King, Jr. tied for fourth, each earning $1,055. Shingledecker was the series Hard Charger Award winner, receiving a Bert Hub for the effort. King Jr. was the first of four Bilstein Shocking Performance Award recipients. His came for his first Tour win at Mercer Raceway Park.

Sixth in the standings was the only New Yorker to complete the entire grind, Shannon Whaley. His point fund check was worth $1,040, the most he’d ever earned in Modified racing. He, too, was a Bilstein Shocking Performance Award winner.

Kevin Hoffman finished seventh, good for $1,030 and Frankland Rear Ends gift certificate. Hoffman also received a gag prize, ten pounds of lead for the Flyweight Award, due to coming up light at the scales a few times in 2011.

Rounding out the top ten was Mark Frankhouser. Mark received $1,000. However, he was also named the first ever recipient of the Debbie Oyler Memorial Award for his professionalism and positive attitude. His special prize was a fire suit compliments of RaceQuip.

Tom Mattocks finished just outside the top ten in his first full season on the Tour. His point check was for $790. He also received a set of seat belts from RaceQuip and a gift certificate from R2C Performance Products.

Brian Weaver, a first-time winner on the Tour, placed fourteenth after missing some races due to work commitments in the Binghamton area during the summer flooding. Brian earned $760 and a R2C Performance Products gift certificate. He was one of the Wild Card winners of a Contingency Connection prize package.

Brad Rapp placed seventeenth, despite starting the year strongly. His title hopes were dashed in a wreck at PPMS, which knocked him out of the next race at Tri-City Speedway. For that, Brad was named the Hard Luck Award winner. That carried with it a RaceQuip helmet. His point check was for $530. He also was a Contingency Connection Wild Card winner.

Next was Eric Gabany, the fourth and final recipient of a Bilstein Shocking Performance Award. His came for two outstanding runs with his 358 Modified at Mercer Raceway park. His point check was $520. He was the final Contingency Connection Wild Card winner.

Finally, Long announced two rules changes designed to make the race programs a bit more exciting. The Modified Tour will now utilize point average handicapping for the top twelve starting positions in the A Main. “We think that this will give more racers a shot at the win,” he said. “It will also produce more passing for the fans, as the top runners will have to claw their way to the front each night.” And, to spice things up in the pits, drivers will be able to play Mulligans if they do not like their pill draw, which is used for heat race line-ups. For $5, the driver can buy a second chance in the pill draw.

The roster of 2011 sponsors for The Modified Tour, Inc. included: 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; R2C Performance Products; RaceQuip; Ray's Racing Collectibles; Rock Concrete; Rod End Supply; 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.

Completing 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 throughout the the tri-state area.