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For Additional Information, Please Contact Lou Long, Pres. and PR Director
Modified Tour Back in Action at PPMS and Sharon

The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour roars back into action this weekend with two exciting events.

First up will be the return of the ground pounding big blocks to Dirt's Monster Half Mile, Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. The mighty mods will be the headline event for night number one of the Tri Star Pittsburgher. The race will pay $1,500 to win and every one of the 32 starters will receive at least $200.

Plus, every fan that buys a program and a sandwich will get a free t-shirt courtesy of Cintas! The limitted edition T's will be themed specifically for the modified portion of the event. Come out early to make sure that you get one of these beautiful shirts.

Then, Saturday, the Modified Tour caravan will head up the road to Sharon Speedway, for the Russ King Memorial. The event will be the only Tour stop at the Ohio oval this season. The race will once again pay $2,000 to the winner, and there will be $100 on the line for the driver who sets the fastest time in qualifications.

The younger fans will enjoy the traditional Tonka truck give-away provided by event sponsor King Brothers!

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; 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.

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 throughout the the tri-state area.

Modified Tour Announces WVMS Race Cancellation‏

Officials of West Virginia Motor Speedway and the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour regret to announce that the races sceduled for Labor Day Weekend, September 2-3, 2011, have been cancelled due to the failure to complete reconfiguration of the race track. "We are greatly disappointed by this development, as last year's show was a tremendous success," said Modified Tour President Lou Long. "We are hopeful that the construction will be completed in due course and that we can regain our spot on the WVMS schedule for 2012." The Modified Tour is presently exploring its options to replace the race dates.
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.; All Metals Recycling; 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.
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 throughout the the tri-state area.

BOLLAND MASTERS MONSTER HALF MILE
Kevin Bolland likes racing in his back yard. Pittsbrgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is the closest stop on the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour to his home in New Brighton. His victory was the second since the mighty Big Blocks returned to the track after a long absence.
Bolland turned a potential strategic error into an advantage. He set the car up to run on a slick track, but the track prep crew applied some water before the features got started. He was able to get a decent start and he ran with the lead group in the early going. As the race progressed, the track came to him and he was able to build a sizable lead.
Lapped cars were almost his undoing. "The lapped traffic played a role tonight," Bolland said. "Some of the lapped traffic slid up on the track and we really had to wait it out to get around them," he explained. Bolland countered by coming down off the cushion and using a low line to pick off the lapped cars. While this maneuver proved to be effective, it enabled Jeremiah Shingledecker to close in on him over the final ten laps. Shingledecker may have been more of a factor in the final outcome were it not for his own run-in with a lapped car with about five laps to go. Bolland was confident that he could have held off the challenge. "They might have caught us, but I don't think they would have gotten around us."
Lady luck put Brian Weaver and Jeremiah Shingledecker on the front row for the start of the 30 lapper. Weaver fired first and led the field into turn one. However, he was unable to hold the low line and that left the dooor open for Kevin Hoffman. His potent Big Block Ford powered off turn two with the lead. Shingledecker swooped by Weaver on the outside and it was soon apparent that Weaver was in trouble. He fell back due to a fuel feed problem that corrected itself somewhat as the race went on.
While Hoffman lead Shingledecker in the early going, the man on the move was Chad Homan. The New York invader was using the low line to great advantage. He worked into third by lap five and slipped under Shingldecker on the next circuit. He even challenged Hoffman, but Hoffman used a lapped car as a pick to maintain his lead. Hoffman was not as lucky the next time around. With the bottom lane open, Homan charged off turn two to grab the lead running down the long back chute.
Homan started to stretch his lead as the laps clicked off. However, the race took a dramatic turn on lap 11. Brad Rapp struck the wall in turn two to bring out the only caution in the race. Rapp was battling Brian Swartzlander for position at the time. Swartzlander slid up and Rapp had nowhere to go. "I didn't even know he was there," Swartzlander said apologetically. "I felt bad for him to get caught up in something like that."
While the field was circulating under the yellow, some cars kicked mud up from the apron into Homan's groove. He did not realize what happened and used his usual line entering turn one on the restart. He got into a four-wheel skid and surrendered the lead to Shingledecker. While Homan was scrambling to regain control, Hoffman slowed and soon retired from the race with a broken rocker arm.
Bolland went to the whip and raced past Shingledecker to lead lap 13. At the halfway mark, he led Homan, Shingledecker, Murdick, King and Swartzlander.
Shingledecker swapped places with Homan by lap 20 and he set out after the leader.
Bolland continued to lead, but Shingledcker was reeling him in. Shingledcker's charge was slowed briefly by a shunt with a lapped car, and that may have preserved the win for Bolland.
While the fans were ready for a two-car battle to the checkers, the race ended in a most unusual fashion. On the final lap, one of the flagmen inadvertently hit the red light switch. He immediately put the green light on again. But, in that fleeting moment, some of the racers slowed their pace. None came to a complete stop, however.
Bolland was one of the racers who slowed and he passed under the ceckers for the apparent win. Fortunately for him, Shingledecker also reacted to the flash of red and he crossed the line in second. Homan was a close third.
Behind the leaders, some positions did change. Dave Murdick, who took the white flag in fourth, was shuffled back to sixth. Brian Swartzlander advanced two spots. Mudick and company quickly lodged a protest.
After learning what happened, track and series officials agreed to hold the finish pending a review of transponder scoring records. A comparison between laps 29 and 30 showed, surprisingly, that Murdick and Swartzlander were the only affected racers.
The speedway stepped up to make up the difference in pay between fourth and sixth position. That left series officials to decide what to do about the points to be awarded.
After getting input from the speedway and from the involved drivers, series officials decided to revert to lap 29 scoring for the purposes of points.
Murdick was restored to fourth and Rex King Sr. held his fifth place finish. Swartzlander was scored in sixth, but paid for fourth as well.
Rounding out the top ten were Mark Flick, Rex King, Jr., Brian Weaver and Chris Haines.
Heat race wins went to Bolland, Swartzlander and Murdick. Bolland broke the track record four times during his heat, but Swartzlander lowered the mark even further in his heat. The record now stands at 19.377. .
There was no B Main.
No provisionals were needed to complete the field.
The Landrum Racer of the Race award was presented to Mark Flick for his smooth and steady run from fourteenth to seventh.
As the feature winner, Bolland also took home a prize from new series sponsor, R2C Performance Products.
BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Two: Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Imperial, PA: May 28, 2011: 1. Kevin Bolland ($1,500); 2. Jeremiah Shingledecker ($1,000); 3. Chad Homan ($800); 4. Dave Murdick ($600); 5. Rex King, Sr. ($550); 6. Brian Swartzlander ($600); 7. Mark Flick ($450); 8. Rex King, Jr. ($400); 9. Brian Weaver ($360); 10. Chris Haines ($330); 11. Mike Turner ($320); 12. Shannon Whaley ($310); 13. Mark Frankhouser ($300); 14. Steve Feder ($290); 15. Shawn Fleeger ($280); 16. Tommy Mattocks ($260); 17. Carl Murdick ($240); 18. Randy Chronister ($230); 19. Don Brown ($225); 20. John Bichanan ($220); 21. Skip Moore ($210); 22. Kevin Hoffman ($205); 23. Brad Rapp ($200).
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; R2C Performance Products; 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.
RAIN INTERRUPTS KODIAK MEMORIAL AT TRI-CITY
Just two laps shy of the halfway mark, a sudden downpour halted the Kodiak Memorial presented by Atkinson Fire Safety Equipment. The event will be completed when the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour returns to Tri-City Speedway on Sunday, July 3.
The evening's action kicked off with one-lap time trials for the 23 car field. Brian Swatrzlander, a three-time Modified Tour champion, circled the track faster than the rest, earning $250. His time of 18.906 was only .008 better than that of Dave Murdick, another former champion. Also advancing to the fast car heat were Kevin Bolland, Rex King, Sr., Jeremiah Shingledecker and Mark Flick. These drivers were locked into the top six positions for the 35 lap feature, but their heat race finish would set the starting line-up for the feature..
The remainder of the cars made up a pair of heat races that would set the rest of the starting line-up. Taking home those wins were Kevin Hoffman and New Yorker Shannon Whaley.
The fast car heat was captured by Rex King, Sr. He received $200 for that accomplishment.
King Sr. and Bolland were on the front row for the start of the feature. King fired first and led his arch rival into the first turn. Bolland challenged, but King opened up a slight advantage as they completed the first lap. With King riding the cushion, Bolland used the low line to close in again. Bolland pulled alongside the four-time champion as the duo raced through turns three amd four on lap three, but he could not make the pass. Realizing that Bolland was quicker on the bottom of the big half-mile, King switched lanes on the next circuit and thwarted the challenge. King pulled out to a lead of 3.319 seconds before the rains came.
Tri-City and Modified Tour officials debated their options while the rains fell. Eventually, the decision was reached to suspend the race and to complet it on July 3.
The line-up for July 3 will be as follows: 1. Rex King, Sr.; 2. Kevin Bolland; 3. Jermiah Shingledecker; 4. Dave Murdick; 5. Brian Swartzlander; 6. Kevin Hoffman; 7. Shannon Whaley; 8. Eric Gabany; 9. Mark Flick; 10. Jeff Schaffer; 11. Chris Haines; 12. Mike Turner; 13. Rex King, Jr.; 14. Mark Frankhouser; 15. Brian Weaver; 16. Steve Feder; 17. Carl Murdick (-1 lap); 18. Randly Chronister (-1 lap); 19. Shawn Fleeger (-1 lap); 20. Billy Myers (-1 lap); 21. Don Brown (-2 laps); 22. Tommy Mattocks (-16 laps).
Chad Homan blew his engine during time trials and was scratched for the night.
The next scheduled race for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be Saturday, June 25, at Mercer Raceway Park.
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; R2C Performance Products; 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 addThe itions 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 Results Story Lernerville Speedway‏


SWARTZLANDER TAKES OPENER
 
Brian Swartzlander began his quest for a third BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour championship in convincing style, sweeping his heat and capturing the feature. The victory was a record-setting achievement for the veteran from Leechburg, PA. It was win number 70, which means that he is now the winningest Big Block Modified driver in the history of Lernerville Speedway.
 
Swartzlander surpassed the late, great Lou Blaney. “He was my hero,” Swartzlander said. “It is truly an honor to be mentioned with him.”
Swartzlander added “I learned so much racing with Lou, L couldn’t carry his shoes to the track.”
 
Swartzlander started the thirty lapper in tenth spot and he was the one who took the other drivers to school. He mastered a difficult track surface and found a line that few others would dare to use. With the traditional grooves through turns three and four getting rough due to the extreme moisture, Swartzlander went above the cushion to find a smoother line. To make his winning pass of leader Brian Weaver, Swartzlander turned inside the New Yorker as the cars came off the corner and he dove to the inside as they raced side-by-side down the frontstretch. That gave Swartzlander the preferred low line entering turn one. Weaver tried to close the door on him, but was unable to do so.
 
The heavy hitters populated the front rows for the start of the Mod Tour’s first feature of 2011. Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland occupied row one, with Jeff Schaffer and Weaver in the second row. Behind them were Chad Homan and Brad Rapp. A pair of Kings took row four.
 
Bolland got the initial advantage at the start, but the field was three-wide as they entered the first turn. Bolland came off the second corner with a scant lead over Shingledecker, Weaver and Schaffer. Weaver muscled his way past Shingledecker for second on lap two and repeated the maneuver to take the lead away from Bolland.
 
Weaver seemed to be a man on a mission, stretching his lead as he quickly closed in on the rear of the field. He put his first competitor down a lap on the sixth circuit. A few laps later, he started picking off others with some regularity. In the process, however, Weaver made contact with the lapped car of Doug Fleeger and that fleeting moment would loom large in the final outcome of the race.
 
While Weaver was stretching it out, Shingledecker worked his way past Bolland for second. He was unable to mount a serious challenge to Weaver, however. Shingledecker retired from the action on lap 10, while still running second. He sustained a flat left rear, which he attributed to some early race contact with another car.
 
Shingledecker’s misfortune put two-time defending champion Rex King, Sr. into the second position, but he was a full straight behind the streaking Weaver.
 
The first caution of the event occurred on lap 16, due to Chirs Haines stopping off turn two. During the caution, Carl Murdick, now in his fifty-third year of racing, left the track with a severe oil leak.
 
Weaver lined up for a double file restart beside the lapped car of Fleeger. King Sr and another lapped car, that of Jeff Miller, made up row two. Weaver got away with the lead, but King Sr. had an amazing restart, and was challenging Wever coming off turn two. Weaver pulled out to a slight advantage as they roared down the back chute.
 
While Weaver was able to maintain his lead over King Sr. and Swartzlander, who had quietly but steadily advanced from his tenth place start, his car was showing some signs of damage to the right rear suspension from his earlier contact with Fleeger.
 
Another yellow slowed the pace on lap 18, when Trucker Don Brown spun between turns three and four. The restart put King Sr. and Swartzlander  in position to challenge the bright yellow car of Weaver. It was King Sr. who would mount the first attack. When Weaver was unableto control his broken car bouncing off turn four, King Sr. would actually sneak ahead. However, he washed high coming off turn two and gave the lead back to Weaver.
 
Now Swartzlander picked up the pace and the fans were treated to a three-car battle for the lead. Unfortunately, another caution on lap 20 for Jeff Miller stopped the action.
 
On the restart, Brad Rapp blasted from fourth into second, and it appeared that he may have something for Weaver. His bid for a career first Mod Tour win ended one lap later, when Rapp spun between turns one and two. Weaver and Rapp seemed to check up in the corner, but King Sr. was fighting hard with Swartzlander for position. King Sr. had momentum around the top and tapped Rapp. The contact was enough to turn the orange racer.
 
The ensuing restart, the last one of the night, put Swartzlander to the outside of Weaver. Weaver again fired first and opened a slight advantage. That was when Swartzlander found something on the far outside of turns three and four. As mentioned above, Swartzlander make a classic lane change move coming off turn four to gain the advantage and the lead.
 
Swartzlander opened up an insurmountable lead over the final five circuits. However, the action was hot and furious behind him. Weaver still maintained second, but the rest of the pack was closing in on him. Positions were being swapped, along with some paint, all over the speedway in the final laps! When the checkers fell, Weaver was shuffled back several spots.
 
Swartzlander took the win, followed by King Sr. Kevin Hoffman benefitted most from the bump and grind over the last few circuits. He was able to scoot past it to take third in his Ford powered machine. Former champ Dave Murdick and Rex King, Jr. rounded out the top five.
 
Weaver held on for sixth, a disappointing end to is night. Mike Turner logged a solid seventh, followed by Mark Frankhouser, Chad Homan (who was victimized by a poor restart mid-race), and Kevin Bolland.
 
Heat race wins went to Bolland, Rapp and Swartzlander.
 
There was no B Main.
 
No provisionals were needed to complete the field.
 
In addition to his cash, Swartzlander picked up two valuable contingencies. He received the Landrum Performance Springs Racer of the Race award for his drive to the front from tenth. He also got a prize from new series sponsor, R2C Performance Products.
 
BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round One:  Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA:  May 20, 2011:  1. Brian Swartzlander ($1,300); 2. Rex King, Sr. ($870); 3. Kevin Hoffman ($650); 4. Dave Murdick ($550); 5. Rex King, Jr. ($500); 6. Brian Weaver ($420); 7. Mike Turner ($400); 8. Mark Frankhouser ($380); 9. Chad Homan ($360); 10. Kevin Bolland ($330); 11. Brad rapp ($320); 12. Shannon Whaley ($310); 13. Phil Evans ($300); 14. Doug Fleeger ($290); 15. Tommy Mattocks ($280); 16. Don Brown ($260); 17. Jeff Miller ($240); 18. Eric Gabany ($230); 19. Jeff Schaffer ($220);  20. Carl Murdick ($200); 21. Chris Haines ($200); 22. Jeremiah Shingledecker ($200); 23. John Buchanan ($200) (no laps complete); 24. Steve Feder ($100)(did not start).
 
 
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; R2C Performance Products; 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 addThe itions 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.
 

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 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.
 
For more information about The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour, check the website at www.modifiedtourinc.com
 
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.