Latest News Stories - Updated 09/03/13

King Family In Thick Of V8 Modified Race At Lernerville

08/09/13 – By Thomas Zuck (posted with permission of author)

Any fan who has spent time wandering the pits at Lernerville Speedway would be hard-pressed to find a more colorful group than Bristolville, Ohio's King Brothers Racing.

The team started in 1973 when Rex King's mother, Marlene, and father, Russ, bought a car from Sally and Grover Faulk. In 1983, Rex Sr. began his career as a driver at the age of 16.

Friday, the team includes Rex Sr., Rex Jr. and Junior's older brother Russell.
Both King Sr. and his son race V-8 Modifieds. Russell has spent the past few seasons in a Late Model, which included a stint as a touring member of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. He was named Rookie of the Year of that series in 2009.

At this point in the season, Senior and Junior are regulars at Lernerville and Sharon Speedways.

Russell, prior to last week's victory at Lernerville, had parked his Late Model because the results were just not there.

“I think we are just running medium,” King Sr. said. “We've had a few wins and a few bad finishes. We even flipped once. It seems like I am running better at Sharon — just look at the results and that is pretty obvious — than I am at Lernerville.

“I think a lot of that is due to having run so much more at Sharon,” King Sr. said. “We never really went to Lernerville a whole bunch, but this year Rex wanted to go to Lernerville, so we have been doing our best to get there each week.”

The results point to both Kings performing better at Sharon this season. Jim Weller Jr. leads the Big Block Modified championship at Sharon, but he's only 25 points in front of King Jr., and 27 points in front of King Sr.

At Lernerville, Mat Williamson leads the championship race, King Sr. is sixth, while his son is eighth.

Both drivers have won three features at Sharon, and King Jr. has won once at Lernerville this season. The elder King also won Lernerville's Uncle Sam 30 as part of the World of Outlaws Firecracker 100 weekend.

“My season has been up and down,” King Jr. said. “I'd say 60 percent up so far. We started off pretty strong and had a couple wins at Sharon. We flipped over at Lernerville but came back a couple weeks later and won at Lernerville.”

During the week, King Sr. and his son work in family businesses, which include concrete, excavating and building supplies. King Jr. even has his own septic and portable toilet venture. Russell has been serving as the crew chief for his father and brother along with taking care of his own car.

“Russ is focused on the cars during the week,” King Sr. said. “That's is what he is doing right now for us. He's always talking to Bicknell and the shock people as well as the spring people and tire people. He's right in the middle of it, so he is alert to all the stuff that is going on.

“It can get pretty comical in the garage, and we do have some moments. But if it isn't fun, then it is time to quit. Russell is more serious about it than Rex or myself.”

That seriousness, partly due to his time on the road as a touring driver, provides a few tense moments.

“It's tough at times, because I work really hard and give 100 percent, but I have to remember that they are doing this for fun,” Russell said. “At times, I am just too aggressive about this and so wrapped up in it.

“I had to change. I realize that if I had kept up the way I was, I probably would have had a stroke.”

Part of the plan this season is for King Jr. to take his Modified and race at Syracuse for Super DIRT Week XLII on Oct. 9-13. The family is hopeful this trip is better than the last time all three took part.

“In 2007 dad, Russell and me all went up there and had the worst time of our lives,” King Jr. said. “We destroyed motors and cars. We even won the Hard Luck Award. So, anything better than that will be an improvement.”

There have been many father-and-son racing teams, so the Kings are not unique in that regard. But even though they have heated moments like any family, one gets the idea they are doing exactly what they want.

“Sometimes, Russell will jump back into a Modified, and all three of us can go racing together,” King Jr. said. “It's really great, and I think if you asked any of the other father-and-son teams, they would tell you the same thing. It's a good time. But you know when we are out on the track and we're battling for position Dad will run us a little harder.

“Thankfully I have not taken dad out. There are times when we have both been caught up in accidents, and that led to the other getting taken out. But I have never just taken Dad out. One night at Sharon, Russell did run right into Dad, and that didn't end well.”

Thomas Zuck is a freelance writer. This story originally appeared in the Tribune.

Lerrnerville, Wayne County, Sharon Speedway & McKean.....King Motorsports Invaded Them All!

04/23/13 – By Ashley Nichole King

Modifieds ~ Lernerville
It was a long week and a fast weekend for the King Compound as the modifieds headed to Lernerville Speedway for the season opener. After the Stampede, Bandit just doesn't feel like his car was at 100 percent, so he thought he would give the #65 another shake down at the Sarver PA Speedway.

The evening was cold and crisp with a full moon. Bandit started 9th position when it came to feature time. A loose race car brought the driver to the 4th position crossing the finish line, but with the lead car #83 coming up light at the scales, the Bristolville Bandit was scored for 3rd. Cooter took the green in the 6th position, but during one of the restarts he shuffled back to 10th. He then rallied back to 7th, but was scored 6th. The young driver stated that he was too loose through the corner with not enough side bite. The race turned out to be a R&D (research & development) evening.

Latemodel ~ Wayne County
After rain and cold shot down NAPA Wayne County Speedway's WoO Late Models and Renegades of Dirt opener two weeks ago, everyone was chomping at the bit to see some racing action on the 3/8 mile oval.

Since the transponders and scoring system went into place, no laps have been turned as fast as they were in qualifying for the Lias Tire Late Models as Russ King turned two laps in the 16 second bracket with the fastest at 16.737.

Russ picked up the heat win over Corey Conley and Rick Bond. The pill draw landed Russ in the 7th starting spot, but with only 7 laps in, the #56 Rocket chassis was in 4th. Bond, Conley, & King raced hard for the 3rd place position. Bond and King ran tightly together with some contact at the halfway mark and ended with King taking over the 2nd spot. King had a lot of track to make up to track down Duncan. With four to go, the lapped car of Jerry Aber and King touched and left Aber spinning to slow the action. On the restart King was all over Charlie Duncan, but could not slip past. On the last lap going into turn three, King and his King Brothers Ready Mix Concrete, All Star Performance and Michael Schimmley Kontracting #56 powerslid into Duncan with contact and rolled out of turn four with the lead and win. Russ stated that it was unfortunate that contact was made and he thought he would be able to clear the Wayne county fan favourite.

Modifieds ~ Sharon Speedway
The King Family made it two-for-two in the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. On opening night, Rex King, Jr. led all 20 laps for the win. After a rainout and a special event, the big blocks were back for week two and this time, it was the elder Rex King leading wire-to-wire in the 20-lap Governor Insurance feature adding to his all-time active-leading division win total.

"I didn't want to have to listen to that all week," joked the Bristolville, Ohio veteran about getting beat by his son the first week. "We touched right here, but then when I came around I saw him (Dave Murdick) up there, so I don't know what he broke or what happened. I hope it's nothing too serious. I like racing with Davey. He and I have been doing it for the same amount of time."

King and Murdick, who own five of the last six division championships, brought the field to green. The two made contact on the front stretch with Murdick getting sideways and eventually finding the turn one wall and ending his night.

McKean County Raceway - ULMS Race 3
Saturday night came and it was off to McKean County Raceway, the track we fondly refer to as "You can't get there from here". For once, the team made the 3 1/2 hour tow without any threat of rain in the forecast. Bright blue skies made it T-shirt weather, a welcome change from the first few weeks of racing, where no matter what you were wearing, it was COLD!

This was the first race we went to this season without the security of a spare car. The blue car sustained enough damage Friday night, including an inoperative clutch, that the plan was revised to debut the brand new orange front end car at MCR.

The first visible change the new management team has made was to have the haulers now enter the fairgrounds at the first turn rather than the fourth. After paying, the haulers are now routed around the access road outside turns 1&2, and behind the backstretch into the pit area.

With track construction still underway, the track transponder system was not in place, making this a pure "luck of the draw" race. Our luck wasn't too good, drawing 29 out of a possible 50(no names-OK it was Bobby!). We got lucky only because many of the teams drew even worse numbers than that! Russ rolled off 4th in the second heat and got quickly to the point with smooth sailing until a yellow with 2 to go. This allowed point's leader Mike Knight, who came from the last row, within striking distance, and he took advantage powering under Russ with one to go. Finishing second assured Russ a place in the redraw.

Mark demonstrated he knows his way around a Coors Light can as he stepped up and drew the #1 Coors Light can, putting Russ on the pole for the feature. While in the line-up area for the A-main, it became apparent we had gone one step harder on tires than most of the field. Russ got a great start, but by turn 2, the field was all over him, as his tires just weren't ready to go. For the first time this ULMS season Russ succumbed to a pass from the rear, with Bob Close, Ron Davies, and Dave Hess slipping by. Davies was clearly the class of the field, and basically ran off in a race that went caution-free. Close ended up fading and pulled off. Russ and Dave Hess ran together the entire race, with Russ getting alongside in traffic, but never able to make the pass. The finish ended up Davies-Hess-King 1-2-3.

Russ was disappointed over losing the lead, but happy the new car ran good, and was loaded up without a scratch, and the team journeyed the 3 1/2 hours back to the house.

The Compound will head to Lernerville on Friday May 3rd with all three cars.

A Family Affair At The Steel City Stampede / 20th Annual Kodiak Graham Memorial

04/14/13 – By Ashley Nichole King

Sarver, PA: The King Compound rolled in the same direction this past weekend to Lernerville Speedway for the Steel City Stampede makeup show from October 2012. Various elements gave rise for some excitement.  

The first reason was simply due to being the Kodiak Graham Memorial race for the modified division. Bob & Connie Graham had some of the finest machines of that time, in addition to some of the best drivers such as Dick Rankin and Ralph Spithaler. In later years, the family purchased and operated Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, PA. Tri-City was one of the largest dirt track speedways left in the area and was a beautifully manicured facility.

Russ, Rex Jr. and the crew took the haulers over to the speedway early that morning to make sure they had plenty of time to unload and go through tech. Bandit and Sis arrived later to find that Rhino (Mark Bates) had cut his head open on the Jack post of the #166 backup car which Russ would be racing. Rhino didn’t realize that he had cut himself until blood started to run down his face. Not to worry! With a mad dash to the Urgent Care and seven staples later, he arrived back just prior to race time!

JLMF Dream Racer Helmet Collection

In 2012 Sis King partnered up with the founder of the Jacob Lewis Memorial Fund, JoAnne Lewis, for the Dream Racer Project. The Dream Racer is a race simulator that children, who have to receive IV’s/Chemo, can play on while receiving treatment. There are approximately 750 Children’s Hospitals in the United States, but there are only 26 Dream Racers in place. In 2012 the Dream Team was able to purchase one of the $10,000 simulators and donate it to Akron’s Children’s Hospital.

This was possible with the help of race fans donating money through the helmet collections through the co-operation of The World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Wayne County Speedway,  BRP Mod Tour, Sharon Speedway and Mercer Raceway Park. Lernerville’s General Manager, Gary Risch, learned of the charity and he immediately contacted Sis to offer any help possible for the cause. Drivers of various divisions participated in the helmet collection at the Stampede and resulted in a $2360.00 donation towards the next Dream Racer, which will be delivered in mid May 2013.

Late Model

Russ took the early lead from the outside pole, but Dave Hess, Jr. garnered the lead with a slide job through turns one and two of the lap 13 restart. Hess and Russ traded wicked slide jobs again late in the race, with Hess scoring the final slider in turn two of lap 22 and held on to win his first Steel City Stampede feature win in the Precise Late Models. Russ came in second, while Doug Eck passed Jared Miley late in the race for third and Garrett Krummert rounded out the top five.

Russ would play double duty as he was set to start on the outside pole of both the Modified and Late Model features. “The car (late model) could not have been any better, but I could have been a little better driver. You have to be when running against Hess. He is just plain good! The modified was a little tight and due to lack of seat time I went backwards, but over all I was happy with my finish!” said Russ.

Modifieds

 The Bristolville Bandit was set to start in the 9th position. Sr. said his was car was pretty good, but would have liked to have a few more laps to see if he could make the car work a little better. Cooter had to drive his way in the feature by winning the B main. Cooter was visibly disgusted as he could not get the car to roll the way he had hoped. He also thought that he may have missed on the gear a little.
  
The King Compound late model will be at Sharon on Saturday April 20th 2013 for the UMLS series. The mods will make their next apearance at Sharon on Saturday April 27th.

Young King Shows Dad Fast Way Around Sharon To Win DIRTcar Mod Opener

04/06/13 – By Ashley Nichole King

The Sharon Opener is a race that all racers look forward to all winter long. None the less, the King Compound was full of excitement as this particular day approached. The first night of racing lets you know if all of your hard work and dedication through the winter months pay off. In late February, it had dawned on us that in 2013, we would be celebrating our 40th anniversary of racing!

“As Rex and I headed to Sharon Speedway, I was busting on Sr. to kind of set the mood. So you’re not going to be grumpy all weekend after chasing your son around the speedway tonight are you? That mischievous smile came across his face. That smile meant if it happens, Cooter had to earn it!,” stated Sis King.

As we rolled up to the pit gate, we were greeted by the Pit girls; they always make you feel welcome. It was nice to see some new faces working in the registration booth, but we were immediately reminded of some of the more familiar faces that were not in attendance. Lee & Shirley Aiken, we will miss those smiling faces and pray for their speedy recovery.

Generally, as we pull through the pit gate, our eyes are geared towards the #58 Gabrielson pit. Big Bill Gabrielson would always throw up a wave. That is sure a wave that will always be near and dear to our hearts. We know that Bill will be watching over his youngest son, Joe Gabrielson and the rest of the Gabrielson crew this race season.

Heat Races:
The two - 6 car heat races ended with a King finishing second. When the cars came in, there were some minor changes came into play in order to get them ready for feature conditions.

Feature Time:
An invert four in the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds made it an all King front row, but it was the youngster, Rex Jr. that had the advantage on the start. "Cooter" went on to hold off his father, Rex Sr., for the 20-lap duration.

The only caution occurred with eight laps scored when Greg Unrue, Jr. slowed on the track. When racing resumed, "Cooter" was able to pull away from the #65. Rex King Sr. closed the gap on "Cooter" on lap 13, but soon after on lap 17, "Cooter" began to open up some ground and drove his KMB, Inc.-owned Jim Brown Seed Sales/Bristol Disposal/Cedar Steel Services/Professional Heating & Cooling/Reese Services/King Sanitary Service/Jet Wastewater Treatment Solutions/Mahan Welding/VP Race Fuel/Schaeffers Racing Oil/Integra Racing Shocks/Woods Contracting-sponsored #165 to the front with a triumph by 1.031 seconds. "Cooter's" $1,100 victory was the fourth of his career.

"The track went away a little up top, but we were good enough to stay up there," explained the 22-year-old Bristolville, Ohio driver. "I'm real fortunate to have everyone behind me and all of the sponsors on the car. That was pretty cool! I like this a lot better when dad's chasing me”, said King.

The RKR Compound At The Park!

04/06/13 - By Ashley Nichole King

With all the racers eager to display their hard work and dedication throughout the winter months, there were a total of 24 super dirt late model drivers that made the tow to Mercer Raceway Park for the “Chiller Thriller.”

The #56 Late Model pulled a 34 pill which started King deep in the pack for the upcoming heat race. With necessary adjustments made, King felt confident as he rolled up for the heat race event. Unfortunately, as the pack took the green flag, a slow car on the front row resulted in a melee off of turn four. The 24 year old driver ended up riding the front stretch wall to the extent you could see the roof numbers from the back stretch pits.

Although the car suffered heavy suspension damage to the front and rear, as well as right side destroyed wheels and tires, the team was able to replace the entire RF suspension and rear panhard bar in order to get the car ready for the A-main.

After a DNF in the heat, Russ was relegated to starting 18th in the feature on an extremely dusty track. Despite several close calls due to low visibility, Russ soldiered on for a 10th place finish.

“It was just one of those nights where effort did not equal result,” said King. “On the positive side of things, at least we were running at the finish, and could still roll the car in the trailer.”

With the first ULMS race in the books, the #56 machine will be heading into next weekend's $20K to win Buckeye 100 WoO race at Wayne County Speedway on Saturday, April 13th. King will start 2nd in both the Super Late Model Feature as well as the Big Block Modified Feature during make up race for the 2012 Steel City Stampede hosted by Lernerville Speedway on Sunday, April 14th.

Kid's Bikes To Be Given Away Nightly Thanks To King Bros. And Sharon Speedway

04/05/13 - By Mike Leone

Hartford, OH: While Sharon Speedway continues to let children 13 and younger in free every night during the 2013 season, these children will also be eligible for a nightly giveaway. At every event during the 2013 season beginning this Saturday night (April 6), one lucky boy and girl will leave the speedway with their choice of a bicycle or scooter thanks to King Bros. in conjunction with Sharon Speedway! Children will simply take their ticket stub to the souvenir stand to be eligible.

"King Bros. will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in racing in 2013," stated Sis King. "Once the realization came to mind it was wow, what can we do to celebrate this milestone!? Rex, Sr., the patriarch of the King Compound, said I want to give away bikes- not just when we win, but every night. We gave a call to general manager Dave Willoughby and he accepted the offer with open arms."

"Racing is what has kept our family such a tight knit unit," continued King. "Rex, Sr. spent every weekend at the races since a very young age. As you go into adulthood you realize that the folks at the race track are your racing family. We wanted to share the joy of racing with other families and prompt families to bring their kids to the race track to start a tradition of their own. King Bros is looking forward to spending another year behind the wheel at Sharon Speedway!"

The 84th anniversary season will get underway at 7 p.m. on Saturday night .

King, Jr. Tops Dad For First Modified Tour Victory

08/13/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By BRP Media Contact: Lou Long
Story Content Provided by Jim Dutko and Pam Baker

Mercer Raceway Park celebrated its 60th Anniversary Saturday night, and the track paid respects to the late Debbie Oyler, but the date will long be remembered for a first, Rex King, Jr.’s first BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour victory. Joining him in victory lane were Brandon Spithaler in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. Dillon Kineston in the Big Dog R/C Center Mini Stocks feature, and Michael Bauer picked in the ti22 Performance Outlaw Sprint Warriors. Meanwhile, Trusty Rusty Moore continued his dominance in the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars.

The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour race was named in honor of Debbie Oyler, a former Board Member and former track employee. She passed before the 2011 season got underway.

With many of her friends and family looking on, Rex “Cooter” King, Jr. and Kevin Bolland led the 27 car starting field to the green flag for the start of the 30-lap Debbie Oyler Memorial Modified Tour event. At the drop of the green flag, Cooter King jumped into the lead with his father, Rex King, Sr., right on his rear bumper.

Coming past the start finish line, both Kings were running side by side but Cooter had just a little bit of advantage to take the lead. On lapfour, the first of several caution flags waved. John Buchanan and Tommy Mattocks retired from the event with damage to their mounts.

On the restart, both Kings started side by side with Cooter chosing the outside. He was able to pull away once again and by lap eight he had a six car length advantage over his father. By lap seventeen the leaders started working lapped traffic, with Cooter maintaing his advantage.

On lap 21, it appeared as though Rex King, Sr. would lose second place, as he came into contact with a lapped car, but the caution flag waived for Shawn Fleeger instead.

Cooter once again chose the outside for the restart and he used the high side of the speedway to drive away from his father. His lead vanished once again when the red flag was displayed on lap 26 for Ron Eperthener, who had the transmission break and the parts of the driveline hit the back of his legs. He was checked out by ambulance personnel and later released from their care.

The final restart of the night found Cooter with the advantage. But now Rex King, Sr. with his hands full with Eric Gabany, who had started in the sixteenth starting position. Gabany had been carefully working his way to the front of the field and pressured King, Sr. the final four laps.

Cooter King went on to pick up the checkers, his third overall, as he claimed his first pair of wins at another area speedway. Rex King, Sr. finished second, with Eric Gabany in a close third. Fourth place went to Brian Weaver and Frank Guidace rounded out the top five.

Interestingly, Gabany and Guidace also finished in the top five earlier in the season with their Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds. Sixth place went to Jeremiah Shingledecker, who started twenty-seventh. Seventh through tenth went to Kevin Bolland, Kevin Hoffman, Brad Rapp and Rick Hall.

Cooter King received a special award from R2C Performance for his first Modified Tour win, while Jeremiah Shingledecker picked up the Landrum Spring Racer of the Race prize.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour: 1. Rex King, Jr. (165); 2. Rex King, Sr. (65); 3. Eric Gabany (3G); 4. Brian Weaver (1A); 5. Frank Guidace (1G); 6. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD); 7. Kevin Bolland (777); 8. Kevin Hoffman (17H); 9. Brad Rapp (11R); 10. Rick Hall (B4); 11. Chris Haines (35H); 12. Skip Moore (17M); 13. Shannon Whaley (44W); 14. Joe Kubiniec (19); 15. Mike Turner (96); 16. Mark Frankhouser (03); 17. Carl Murdick (6); 18. Shawn Fleeger (88); 19. Rick Ryder (189); 20. Ron Eperthener (333); 21. Donny Minor (22M); 22. Steve Feder (45); 23. Kevin Green (74); 24. Dave Murdick (61); 25. John Buchanan (44B); 26. Matt Reeher (711); 27. Tom Mattocks (69). DNS: Don Brown (71B).

King Comes From 11th To Win #4 In Mods!

08/06/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By Mike Leone - Sharon PR

Despite a 70% chance of storms throughout the day and night at Sharon Speedway on Saturday, sunshine graced Hartford, Ohio and only a few sprinkles fell during the heat races. It was the annual Bill Kirila Memorial Fan Appreciation Night and Autograph Night presented by Quaker Steak & Lube. One hundred nine cars filled the pit area.

Celebrating with wins in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Rex King-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Mike Pegher, Jr.-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Scott Stiffler-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Alan Dellinger-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Jamie Scharba-Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods, and Scott Gilliland-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks.

Rex King has certainly been the driver to beat in 2011 in the Big-Block Modifieds; however, King hadn't been in victory lane since June 4. On Saturday night, King charged from the 11th starting spot to pass Rob Kristyak to win his division leading fourth 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency feature. The defending three-time champion was also able to extend his point lead over Kevin Bolland, who was unable to finish the event.

"I didn't want to listen to Cooter (Rex King, Jr.) again," quipped the Bristolville, Ohio veteran. "Last week I told him that a couple more laps it might have been a different outcome and he said nah I would have crashed you! I had some good runs tonight coming off the bottom. It was working so we were staying there. The restarts were working to my advantage."

Kristyak raced to the early lead past Carl Murdick as Mark Flick, Kevin Bolland, and Dean Pearson followed in second through fourth. Flick held the second spot until Bolland was able to make the pass on lap four following a restart for a spin by Justin Rasey. King made it to the top five on lap five when he passed Pearson for the spot. King gained another spot when Jim Rasey, who was running fourth, brought out the caution with seven laps completed.

When racing resumed, Bolland was slow on the restart and then a six-car melee ensued on the backstretch collecting the top runners of Flick and Pearson. King and 12th starting Jim Weller, Jr. now lined up second and third on the restart. King would chase Kristyak until making the winning move on lap 11.

King went unchallenged in the second-half of the event for his 38th career win in his Bristol Disposal/Midway Garage Door/RD Banks Chevrolet/Hunyady Auction/Cedar Steel/Auntie V's Pizza/GS Engine Power-sponsored #65. King now trails retired Bob Kraus by just one win for second place on the division's all-time win list.

Kristyak edged out Weller for second. Weller's third was just his fourth top five of the season and best finish since his runner-up on May 7. John Buchanan made just his sixth start of the season, but was able to record his third top five in fourth place after starting 10th. Rex King, Jr. was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Jim Rasey, Flick, Mike Turner, Rick Ryder, and Donny Minor. Heat victors were Bolland and King over the 17-car field.

Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. REX KING (65) 2. Rob Kristyak (00) 3. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 4. John Buchanan (44) 5. Rex King, Jr. (165) 6. Jim Rasey (32) 7. Mark Flick (Baker 2) 8. Mike Turner (96) 9. Rick Ryder (Snider 189) 10. Donny Minor (22M) 11. Carl Murdick (6) 12. Justin Rasey (32X) 13. Kevin Bolland (777) 14. Dean Pearson (8J) 15. Don Brown (71B) 16. Bob Warren (96B) 17. Tom Shaffer, Jr. (34).

King Wins.......Cooter, That Is!

06/18/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By Mike Leone - Sharon PR

Despite a chance of rain again in the forecast all weekend long, Sharon Speedway was able to wrap up the doubleheader weekend on Saturday night with a beautiful evening on Dreves Insurance Night. It was also Twin-State Auto Racing Club Night as all members received free admission into the grandstands.

Celebrating "Steel Valley Thunder" wins in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Rex King, Jr.-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Tom Snyder, Jr.-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Alan Dellinger-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Paul Davis-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Bill Fuchs-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks, and Max Wilkinson & Levi Spinneweber-Mini Late Models.

After four years of trying and being close on numerous occasions, Rex King, Jr. finally captured his career first win. The Bristolville, Ohio youngster passed race-long leader John Buchanan on lap nine and held him off for the $1,100 win in the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency feature.

King, Jr. and Buchanan made up the front row with Buchanan taking the lead at the start using the outside groove. King, Jr. settled into second over his father Rex King, Sr., Rob Kristyak, and Jim Rasey. The top three pulled away leaving Kristyak and Rasey to battle for fourth.

The younger King, nicknamed Cooter, took a peek inside Buchanan on lap six, but was unsuccessful. Buchanan slipped high in turn one working lap seven, but recovered to hold on to his lead. Later, working lap eight, he wasn't as lucky after a slip high in turn four. Cooter dove to the inside and swept past to become the new leader on the ninth circuit.

One caution period slowed the event on lap 13 for third running King, Sr. with a spin in turn four. Cooter regained the lead when racing resumed, as he held it flawlessly through the remaining laps in earning the popular win by 1.034 seconds in the King Bros-owned, Jim Brown Seed Sales/Arrowhead/Cintas/Schaeffer Oil/Reese Services/Mahan Welding & Fab Professional Heating Services-sponsored #165.

Buchanan turned in a career best big-block finish in second. Rasey taking third over 11th starting Jim Weller, Jr. and Last week's winner Kristyak. Skip Moore, Brian Swartzlander, Kevin Bolland, King, Sr., and heat race winner Dean Pearson rounded out the top ten.

Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. REX KING, JR. (165) 2. John Buchanan (44) 3. Jim Rasey (32) 4. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 5. Rob Kristyak (00) 6. Skip Moore (17M) 7. Brian Swartzlander (83) 8. Kevin Bolland (777) 9. Rex King (65) 10. Dean Pearson (8J) 11. Donny Minor (22M).

King Keeps On Winning In Sharon Mods

06/04/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By Mike Leone - Sharon PR

It was another typical Saturday night with scattered thunderstorms all around Sharon Speedway, but not a drop of rain fell as the "Steel Valley Thunder" program was able to spin off without a hitch. Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were John Volpe-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Rex King-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Joel Watson-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Steve D'Apolito-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, and Bill Fuchs-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks. Newt Tackett won the special FASTRAK "Futures Cup" race.

Rex King came back from an early spin and made a last lap, turn four pass of Kevin Bolland to win the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modified thriller to the delight of his local, hometown fans. King's victory also allowed two youngsters to win bikes with the weekly drawing when one of the Kings win.

"That was pretty good and a lot of fun," expressed the veteran after climbing out of his mount. "We needed that caution. When I spun out and restarted, everyone was on the top and I had nowhere to go. We had to make something on the bottom and it worked out. I have a lot of great people that help out. I have to thank them and everyone at Sharon Speedway."

Rex and Rex, Jr. along with Rob Kristyak tangled in turn one on the first lap bringing out the caution. When racing got underway, Dean Pearson took off in the lead with Kevin Bolland passing Skip Moore for second. The caution was displayed with six laps completed when Donny Minor's car slowed in turn three.

On the ensuing restart, Bolland used the outside to drive around Pearson in turns one and two; meanwhile, King was on the charge taking fourth from Mark Flick on lap eight. A four-car battle for the lead ensued with Bolland trying to hold off Pearson, Jim Rasey, and King. Carl Murdick came to a rest to bring out the third and final caution with 13 laps in.

When green replaced yellow, King made a bonsai move into turn one to pass both Rasey and Pearson for second and got alongside Bolland, but Bolland had the momentum to hold the lead. King stayed right with Bolland pulling even again on lap 14. The two then would race side-by-side every successive lap right to the finish.

Coming down for the white flag, King tried a new line going to the top off four trying to get a run to the inside. It worked as he kept his momentum driving hard into turn one. The two battled side-by-side on the final lap. Bolland tried to dive low to block King's run, but King had too much bite this time coming off turn four and out-dragged Bolland to win by 0.317 seconds. King's third win of the season was his 37th of his career in the KMB Inc-owned, Bristol Disposal/Midway Garage Door/RD Banks Chevrolet/Hunyady Auction/Cedar Steel/Auntie V's Pizza/GS Engine Power-sponsored #65.

Bolland, Pearson, Rasey, and Moore in his first start of the season were second through fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Flick, King, Jr., Jim Weller, Jr., Kristyak, and Minor. Heat victors were Rasey and Pearson.

Rasey Holds Off King, Jr. & Homan For 2nd Sharon Mod Victory

05/21/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By Mike Leone - Sharon PR

It took eight tries until Sharon Speedway was finally able to complete the first doubleheader weekend of the season on Friday and Saturday night. After the second "Friday Night Thunder" program was completed, Sharon was back in action on a beautiful Saturday night for "Steel Valley Thunder" on Armed Forces Night presented by Warehouse Sales in Sharon, Pa.

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Jim Rasey-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Joe Martin-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Robbie Blair-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Paul Davis-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, and Bill Fuchs-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks. One hundred eleven race cars were in the pit area for the five-division program.

While the score sheets will show Jim Rasey leading all 20 laps of the Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modified feature, it was far from an easy second victory of 2011 as Rasey had to fend off Rex King, Jr. and New York invader Chad Homan in a down-to-the-wire finish.

"I probably used up a little more tires than I needed to," explained the 39-year-old Southington, Ohio veteran. "Cooter (King, Jr.) is running good. I used Mike Turner as a pick. I tried doing it earlier, but almost got caught in that one. There was some rubber that laid down on the bottom and had some traction in it. I have to thank all of my sponsors and everyone that helps out on the car."

Rasey bolted to the lead, while King, Jr. passed Rob Kristyak for second on lap one. Homan started fourth and made the pass of Kristyak for third on lap two. Brian Swartzlander, who started sixth, followed Homan taking fourth away from Kristyak on lap two as well. Rasey, King, Jr., and Homan pulled away from the field as it appeared to be a three-car race for the win.

Rasey maintained a steady lead, but King, Jr. and Homan remained in striking distance. On lap 16, lapped traffic came into play. Rasey struggled to lap newcomer Ron Eperthener, Jr. allowing King, Jr. and Homan to close in. On lap 19, King, Jr. nosed under Rasey in turn two. The two raced side-by-side, but Rasey had enough momentum to continue to lead.

On the final lap, Rasey used the lapped car of Turner to his advantage as he snuck low under Turner. King, Jr. fought past Turner and was right on Rasey at the finish, but Rasey held on by 0.137 seconds in his Alcon Mechanical/Dad's Pet Food/Minor's Performance/Wedge Motorsports-sponsored #32. Rasey's 18th career victory moved him into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time win list surpassing New York great Ron Smoker. The event went non-stop in 6:10.515.

After a slow start with no top fives in his first three starts, King, Jr. has turned in back-to-back impressive runs in third and now second. Homan was a close third. Swartzlander was another three seconds back in fourth. Kevin Hoffman was fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were point leader Rex King, New York's Brian Weaver, who started 12th, Bolland, Dean Pearson, and Brad Rapp. Heat wins over the 21-car field went to King and Weaver.

King Rides Rim To Second Sharon Mod Win

05/07/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By Mike Leone - Sharon PR

Sharon Speedway was once again able to sneak in their "Steel Valley Thunder" program on Saturday night. Scattered thunderstorms hit many areas throughout the region cancelling numerous racing programs once again; however, Sharon only had three brief showers late afternoon and skies cleared for a beautiful evening allowing the sixth Saturday night show out of seven tries to be completed on Trumbull County School Night.

Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Rex King-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Mike Pegher, Jr.-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Alan Dellinger-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods and Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, and Bill Fuchs-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks. One hundred four race cars were in the pit area for the five-division program.

Opening night winner Rex King passed his son "Cooter" on lap nine and rode the cushion to the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modified win. The elder King has yet to finish worse than third in any feature this season as the defending champion has now opened up a 20-point lead on 59-year-old Dean Pearson.

"Cooter had a good run," acknowledged the Bristolville, Ohio standout. "He got a little bit of a jump on me on the start and I thought 'damn what I am going to do'. Then on that restart I got a good drive off the bottom and I run him down in there and seen him get up over the cushion. I knew he was done right then. The track is smooth up on top and it's a momentum deal. Whoever gets to the top from the get go is probably going to win."

The two Kings drew the front row with "Cooter" grabbing the early lead in hopes of his career first win. Seventh starting Jim Weller, Jr. was on the move in just his second start of the season. The veteran passed both Kevin Hoffman and Rob Kristyak for fourth on lap six. A caution for a spin by Scott Strock with eight laps completed turned into a game changer.

On the ensuing restart, King got under "Cooter" and with "Cooter" jumping the cushion, the elder grabbed the lead and instantly moved to the top. Meanwhile, Weller had a great restart getting by Pearson for third then put a slider on "Cooter" in turn four for second all on lap nine. The event's final caution came for a spin by Donny Minor with 13 laps scored.

Weller stuck with King, but King was too much in the KMB Inc-owned, Bristol Disposal/Midway Garage Door/RD Banks Chevrolet/Hunyady Auction/Cedar Steel/Auntie V's Pizza/GS Engine Power-sponsored #65. King now has 36 career wins moving him just three back of retired Bob Kraus for second on the all-time win list.

Weller and King, Jr. turned in their season best performances in second and third. In fact, it was "Cooter's" first top five of the season. Pearson recorded in his third fourth place finish in four tries. Hoffman was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Jim Rasey, Kristyak, Kevin Bolland, Mike Turner, and Carl Murdick. Heat winners were Rasey and Weller.

King Charges Past Kristyak To Win Mods At Sharon

04/09/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– By Mike Leone - Sharon PR

Though it was only in the 50s on Saturday for the "Steel Valley Thunder" kickoff, it felt like a heat wave of sorts compared to the past three events this year at Sharon Speedway. After another rainy, cool week that left the grounds a soggy sponge, Saturday dawned dry as the sun finally returned late in the day.

Track conditions were excellent for the first full night of racing and were sung the praises by all of the racers. Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Rex King-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Joe Martin-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Joel Watson-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Bruce Redman- Gibson Agency Stock Cars, and Randy Sprouse-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks.

Rex King- the all-time active leading Sharon Big-Block Modified winner, added another victory to his resume snatching the win away from Rob Kristyak in the final laps to win the non-stop 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency feature. King's victory was the 35th of his illustrious career moving him within four of retired racer Bob Kraus for second on the all-time Modified win list.

"It took us awhile to get going there then once we did we drove up on Kevin then I could get under Rob," explained the Bristolville, Ohio veteran. "We just kept digging and got where we needed to be. When I got out there it didn't feel like we were going fast on the top. I could gain ground on the bottom and it seemed to work. That was a lot of turning! I could have used a break or two in there."

Though Mike Turner and Jim Rasey sat on the pole for the feature, neither of them would lead the first lap as Rasey slipped high in turn one slamming the fence and exiting the event, while third starting Kristyak ducked under Turner for the lead. Lap two saw three-wide action between Turner, King, and Kevin Bolland with Bolland getting third. One lap later, Bolland drove under Turner for second, and King followed in third on lap four.

Dean Pearson started back in seventh and was turning the quickest laps of the event. The 58-year-old made a nice move to sweep around both Brad Rapp and Turner with a three-wide move in turn two on lap seven to grab fourth. At the halfway point, Bolland and King began to close on Kristyak and by lap 12 it was a three-car race for the lead.

King and Bolland resumed their battle racing side-by-side for runner-up on lap 15. King drove hard under Bolland coming out of turn four and taking Bolland's line away from him with contact at the flag stand. King then was quickly right on Kristyak. King pulled even with Kristyak on lap 16 and the two raced side-by-side for nearly two laps before King got a strong run off the bottom of turn one to lead lap 17.

King would pull away to win by 2.665 seconds over Kristyak in the KMB Inc-owned, Bristol Disposal/Midway Garage Door/RD Banks Chevrolet/Hunyady Auction/Cedar Steel/Auntie V's Pizza/GS Engine Power-sponsored #65. Bolland edged the hard charging Pearson for third. Rapp was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Rex King, Jr., Turner, Del Rougeux, Jr., Rick Ryder, and Rasey, who won the heat race.

Mod Tour Pays Homage To Its King

02/06/11 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BRP Modified Tour Press Release
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LOU LONG, PRESIDENT AND PR DIRECTOR

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. 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.

King Masters Mercer Again

09/13/10 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BRP Modified Tour Press Release
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LOU LONG, PRESIDENT AND PR DIRECTOR

Neither rain, nor an inordinate number of cautions, nor an unexpected challenger could keep Rex King, Sr. from notching the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour win at Mercer Raceway Park.  The race presented by Rock Concrete was his second Tour win of the season, the 14th of his career, and the fifth in the last seven Tour events held at the Park. 

The weather was a factor in the race.  Just after completing heat races for the Modifieds Saturday night, rain swept over the track.  Speedway officials decided to complete the program on Sunday, with an early start time.  All but a handful of the Modified Tour drivers returned for the completion of the program under warm and sunny conditions.  Understandably, the track slicked off quickly and some competitors had difficulty negotiating the always tricky third mile oval.

"That was a duration race," the frustrated winner said in his post-race interview.  He lamented the number of cautions and the repeated failures of his fellow drivers to listen to race control while setting line-ups for the restarts.  King Sr. then apologized to the crowd for the performance before thanking his many sponsors and race team.  He then gave special mention to his son for the signals that he gave from outside the third turn during the race.  "I thought that Russell was going to have a stroke the way that he was giving me signals," he said with a laugh. 

The race got off ot an unusual start.  When track stalwart Frankie Guidace failed to heed commands from race control during the four-abreast pace lap, officals quickly surmised that he did not have the mandatory RACEceiver radio.  The device is used as a safety measure to warn drivers of on-track incidents and to assist the officials in realigning the field.  When all of the racers were checked on the frontstretch, it was confirmed that Guidace did not have the radio and he was sent to the pits to get one.  He was allowed to rejoin the field, but he forfeited his fourth place starting spot.

Although King Sr. fired first as the pole-sitter, track regular Lonnie Riggs blasted into the lead as the duo raced through the first and second turns.  Brad Rapp was close behind, followed by Del Rougeux, Jr. and New York invader Chad Homan. 

The frequent, early cautions set up a number of side-by-side restarts pitting Riggs' 358 Modified against King Sr.'s potent Big Block.  The veterans traded the lead several times before King Sr. assumed command for good  on lap 6.  Nevertheless, Riggs proudly carried the colors for Mercer, remaining in second place through lap 14. 

Although King and Riggs pulled away somewhat, the action was intense throughout the pack.  There were several three-wide and two-wide battles for position.  Jeremiah Shingledecker, the points leader enetering the race, advanced from tenth to fourth and was challenging for third when a driveline failure ended his march to the front.  That left Rapp, Rougeux and Homan to mix it up with Jeff Schaffer, Andy Priest and Jeremy Paup for positions three through eight.

By the halfway mark, 2001 Modified Tour champion and three-time winner Dave Murdick climbed all of the way from 25th on the grid to second.  Although Murdick was fast, King Sr. was just a little bit faster, and he was able to maintain his advantage.  Riggs began to fade in the final ten laps of the race, and he dropped out on lap 27 while still running in the top ten.

While Riggs was sliding back in the field, another Mercer regular, Guidace, was coming forward.  He reached the to five with three laps remaining, and was challenging Homan and Rapp for position.

At the checkers, it was King Sr., D. Murdick, Rapp, Homan and Guidace.  Mercer point champion Jimmy Holden finished sixth, followed by Eric Gabany, Skip Moore, Rougeux and Priest.

Heats for the 42 car field went to Gabany, Rougeux, Riggs and King Sr.

Kevin Hoffman and Tommy Kristyak captured the twin B Mains.

The next events for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on September 17 (Tri Star Pittsburgher) and at Sharon Speedway on September 18 (Russ King Memorial/Applefest).

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round 9:  Mercer Raceway Park, Mercer, PA;  Sepetember 11-12, 2010:  1.  65 Rex King, Sr., Bristolville, OH ($1,300); 2.  61 Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock, PA ($870); 3.  11r Brad Rapp, Shippenville, PA ($650); 4.  91 Chad Homan, Macedon, NY ($550); 5.  1G Frankie Guidace, Mercer, PA ($500); 6.  28H Jimmy Holden, Tiona, PA ($420); 7. 3E Eric Gabany, Mercer, PA ($400); 8.  17M Skip Moore, Jackson Center, PA ($380); 9.  20D Del Rougeux, jr., Frenchville, PA ($360); 10.  41 Andy Priest, New Castle, PA ($330); 11.  X Jeremy Paup, Polk, PA ($320); 12  96 Mike Turner, Butler, PA ($310); 13.  10 Jeff Schaffer, Fombell, PA ($300); 14.  03 Mark Frankhouser, Phillipsburg, PA ($290); 15.  516 Gary Smoker, Mercer, PA ($280); 16.  26Z Tommy Kristyak, Stoneboro, PA ($260); 17.  66 J.R. McGinley, Fairmount City, PA ($240); 18.  58 Lonnie Riggs, Volant, PA  ($230); 19.  165 Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($220); 20.  17H Kevin Hoffman, Franklin, PA ($200); 21.  8J Dean Pearson, Harrisville, PA ($200); 22.  66F Kyle Fink, Strattanville, PA ($200); 23.  37MD Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk, PA ($200); 24.  25B Steve Barr, Grove City, PA ($200); 25.  45 Steve Feder, Butler, PA ($200); 26.  69 Tommy Mattocks, Franklin, PA ($200).

DNQ (all $100, unless indicated):  2B Ron Cartwright, Portageville, NY ($50); 189 Rick Ryder, Mercer, PA; 88 Shawn Fleeger, Butler, PA; 820 Rod Jones, West Middlesex, PA; 75 Jeff Miller, Sarver, PA; 74 Kevin Green, New Castle, PA ($50); 34 Tom Shaffer, Mercer, PA; 71B Don Brown, Butler, PA; 51 Clyde Gumpp, Slippery Rock, PA; 6 Carl Murdick, Butler, PA; 21 Boyd McTavish, St. Catherines, ONT ($50); 5 Greg Unruh, Jr., Fredonia, PA ($50); 35H Chris Haines, Sandy Lake, PA ($50); Dillon Barr, Volant, PA; Rich Whitney, Corsica, PA; 76 Ted Ryan, Karns City, PA ($50).

Russell King Makes Home Track Stop At Sharon Speedway On Wednesday Night (July 28)

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Looks To Shake Sophomore Struggles In Tour’s Annual Visit To Ohio Oval

HARTFORD, OH – July 25, 2010 – In a perfect world, Russell King would enter the seventh annual World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Sharon Speedway this Wednesday night (July 28) brimming with the confidence of a young driver enjoying a breakout season.

But as King, 21, of Bristolville, Ohio, knows all too well, the learning curve in professional dirt Late Model racing is a steep one. So it is that the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year will head out on his home track’s three-eighths-mile surface for Wednesday night’s 50-lap, $10,000-to-win Ohio-Pennsylvania Speedweek show hoping that some familiar surroundings will help him shake his sophomore struggles on the national tour.

“After you do the whole World of Outlaws schedule for a season you naturally think it’s going to get easier,” said King, the scion of a family with a rich dirt-track racing history in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. “But the reality is that it just gets harder. Just because you have a year of experience doesn’t mean a thing.”

King’s second year as a regular on the grueling WoO LMS, which in 2010 is scheduled to contest 47 races at 40 tracks in 19 states and two Canadian provinces, has been a humbling test of his personal mettle. After making a giant leap in ’09 to follow the series with his family-owned team – a DIRTcar big-block Modified competitor since the age of 15, he had less than two-dozen dirt Late Model starts under his belt when he became an Outlaw traveler – he registered eight top-10 finishes en route to the rookie title and a 10th-place finish in the points standings. King was expecting improved results this season; instead, he’s experienced nothing but frustration, managing just two top-10 finishes while using 14 provisional spots to start A-Mains through 28 events.

A burly, hard-nosed competitor who wears his emotions on his sleeve, King got off to an extremely disappointing start this season – he relied on a provisional to gain entry in 11 of the first 16 A-Mains, including the first four – that sunk his morale.

“It’s been real tough to keep my mood and confidence up with the way we’ve been running,” said King, whose top finish of 2010 is a 10th on May 13 at Delaware International Speedway and June 15 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in Lafargeville, N.Y. “Every day this is what I do. I don’t drive trucks or pour concrete (for his family’s business). I work on race cars – my cars, and the (big-block) Modifieds that my father (Rex Sr.) and brother (Rex Jr., aka ‘Cooter’) run – so when we’re running bad it’s all I think about. I don’t even get that mental break of doing something else during the day to take my mind off it all.

“I’m lucky enough to be able to do this fulltime, but you can get yourself in a bad circle when you’re young and you’re struggling like we’ve been. You run bad and all week you’re in a bad mood and hate yourself, and then you think, ‘I’ve got to get in the shop to get better,’ so you work even harder and when you still don’t get the results it makes you feel even worse.

“It takes a lot to get out of the rut,” he added. “You can really beat yourself up, so I’ve tried to listen to what veteran guys like Chub (Frank) tell me. He’s been in it long enough and says, ‘Don’t let yourself get down too much or over-think the situation. Just keep working and one day it’ll just turn around. Something will go your way.’”

King has seen an uptick in his performance recently, qualifying five times through a heat and once through a B-Main (which he won) in the six WoO LMS events run so far in July. He recorded consecutive 11th-place finishes at Wartburg (Tenn.) Speedway, Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway and Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., and during the four-race ‘Wild West Tour’ he turned heads with season-best time-trial efforts of fourth at Deer Creek and second at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., where he also nearly won the first heat race of his WoO LMS career.

“It’s better lately – at least I don’t want to hang myself,” cracked King, who recently obtained the services of former Chub Frank and Clint Smith mechanic Brad Baum to enhance his existing crew that includes fulltimer Craig (‘Snowman’) McCrimmon and loyal volunteer Bobby Bachman. “We decided to just stick with our blue front-end (Rocket) car and get on the same page with more guys and we’ve had some better results.

“But even though we’ve qualified better, we’re not running good for 50 laps. We’ve run in the top 10 for most of the race a few times, but we’re falling apart at the end and finishing 11th or worse. We have to figure out how to maintain until the end.”

King would certainly like to put together his best outing of the season on Wednesday at Sharon, the top-notch facility co-owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup veteran and former WoO Sprint Car Series champion Dave Blaney. He brings in a little momentum after authoring several solid runs during his mid-summer break from the WoO LMS, including 10th-place DIRTcar Summer Nationals finishes on July 16 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park and July 17 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio, and a fifth-place performance in a weekly show on July 18 at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

With his shop less than a 20-minute drive from Sharon, King will have the support of a large group of family and friends. He’s hoping to give them a good show at the track where he won his first big-block Modified feature in 2005.

“I’m excited about it,” said King, whose previous WoO LMS finishes at Sharon are 14th (2009) and 21st (2008). “We were sixth-quick at an All-Star (Late Model Series) show there last month (he didn’t start the feature due to mechanical trouble) and tested there after that, so I feel like we have a general idea about what we need to do. I don’t have to worry about figuring out how to get around the track.

“I’m not saying we’re gonna be an upset winner, but I would like to finish top-five at my home track.”

King will face an all-star cast of characters at Sharon, one of three tracks to host a WoO LMS event every year since the tour’s reincarnation in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

The roster of Outlaws regulars includes former champions Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (2005 tour winner at Sharon), Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., as well as Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (2009 tour winner at Sharon), Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (2007), Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (2006), Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., rookie sensation Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and rookie Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Regional talents expected to challenge the WoO LMS regulars include defending O’Reilly All-Star Late Model Series champion Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., who won Sharon’s All-Star event on June 8, Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., and Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa.

Sharon’s Wednesday-night WoO LMS program, which is scheduled for a midweek date after running on Saturday for the past four years, is set to begin with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and time trials at 7 p.m. The FastTrack Touring crate Late Model division will also be part of the evening’s action.

General admission is $27, with kids ages 9-13 admitted for $12 and those 8-and-under free of charge. Pit passes will be $38.

Additional info on the event is available by logging on to www.sharonspeedway.com or calling 330-772-5481 (info) or 330-772-1186 (tickets).

In addition to Wednesday’s show at Sharon, the WoO LMS Ohio-Pennsylvania Speedweek also competes on Tues., July 27, at Central PA Speedway in Clearfield, Pa.; Fri., July 30, at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park; Sat., July 31, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio; and Sun., Aug. 1, at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Rex King, Sr. Leads Big Block Feature To Sharon Win

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Katie Libecco klibecco@gmail.com
WEBSITE: sharonspeedway.com

Hartford, Ohio July 19, 2010 6 PAK Saturday at the 3/8-mile dirt oval at Sharon Speedway saw Jack Sodeman Jr. win his third Gibson Insurance Agency 410 Sprint feature, Rex King Sr. earn a Governor Insurance Inc. Big Block Modified victory, Jim Weller Jr. come up with an E-Mod win, Bill Fuchs charge to a Hobby Stock win and Alan Dellinger get his third straight Pro Stock win.

Division points leader Rex King Sr. went straight to the lead in the 20-lap Governor Insurance Inc. Big Block Modified 20-lap feature, putting up some distance between him and Kevin Bolland in second. Del Rougeux was running third as Tommy Mattocks held off Rob Curtis to stay in fourth.

A sixth-lap, double-file restart saw Mattocks jump into fourth and Rex "Cooter" King Jr. move into fifth, making a pass for fourth on the eighth lap and running side-by-side with Rougeux for several laps. King Sr. remained in control to earn the Big Block victory and stay atop the points standings.

Rougeux and Bolland went wheel-to-wheel on the last three laps with Rougeux finishing second over Bolland, with Cooter King finishing fourth and Tommy Mattocks rounding out the top five.

Jim Weller Jr. and Mattocks were the heat winners in Governor Insurance Inc. Big Block Modifieds.

Governor Insurance Inc. Big Block Modifieds: 1. Rex King Sr. 2. Del Rougeux 3. Kevin Bolland 4. Rex “Cooter” King Jr 5. Tommy Mattocks 6. Dean Pearson 7. Jim Weller Jr. 8. Skip Moore 9. Rob Kristyak 10. Brad Rapp 11. Carl Weatherby 12. Rob Curtis 13. Tommy Kristyak 14. Carl Murdick 15. Tom Shaffer 16. Brian Bailes DNF: Scott Strock

King Thrills Partisan Crowd At The Fair

07/05/10 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BRP Modified Tour Press Release
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LOU LONG, PRESIDENT AND PR DIRECTOR

Before a near capacity crowd at the 164th Trumbull County Fair, Rex King, Sr. scored his first win of the 2010 BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. It was his second career Modified Tour win at Expo Speedway, the track where he cut his racing teeth.

“It was extra special,” King said of his thirteenth career Mod Tour win. “It was during the fair.”

King has strong ties to Expo Speedway. He lives but five miles from the track and his business is also located nearby. He started his racing career at Expo in the early 1980’s and he even promoted four races there during the 1995 season.                          

“We had a lot of local people there, and I heard a lot of good comments,” he said. He heard even more of them afterwards, when he and runner-up Kevin Bolland took their cars out onto the carnival midway so the fans could see them.

There were plenty of first-time spectators in the audience. “I think everybody there enjoyed it,” King said. “We put on a good show, a little bit of passing back and forth,” he explained. “That’s what we need to do (to get new fans interested in the sport). Maybe they liked what they saw and they will come out to Sharon (Speedway) or Mercer (Raceway Park) to see us again.”

King, who raced from twelfth to second in the early stages of the race, made strong outside moves on two restarts to grab the lead away from Kevin Bolland. As to the first lead change, King said with a laugh, “I went into one on the outside (and) I was either going to win it or I was going out to the ferris wheel or something because we went in there pretty good and it held and that is what we needed.” Then after Bolland returned the favor on an intervening restart, King was able to repeat the feat. “Kevin got a good run on me for five or eight laps (and) I was chasing him pretty hard. Then, on the next restart the tire came back, had a little heat generated in it, seemed like it came back to life for me,” King added.

But, with just five laps remaining in the race, he had to fight off Bolland’s final challenge. “I thought that he might be able (to pull it off), but we got into one really good that time,” King said. “I hit my marks and I was just where I needed to be.” King was able to drive off the bottom of turn two, got some good bite, and managed to get in front of Bolland as they pair entered turn three. However, King explained that the key was his entry into the first turn. “I focused a lot on the very first entry. I wanted to make sure that I was where I needed to be.” He explained, “if I was up too high, the car was going to hang and get loose.” So, he drove in straight and then “bent” it to get around the corner.

Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland garnered front row starting spots for the feature, which was shortened to 30 laps due to approaching darkness. Bolland fired first and led the thundering Modifieds down the long front stretch. The crowd roared with approval as Rex King, Jr. slipped into second, followed by rookie Chris Haines and his teammate, Shingledecker. King Sr. got a great start as well, moving from twelfth to eighth on the first circuit.

While Bolland continued to lead, King Sr. methodically worked his way to the front. When the field realigned after the second caution of the race, Bolland had the pole and King Sr. was on his flank. On the restart, King Sr. made that strong outside move and gained the lead as the veterans came off turn two.

King Sr. led the next six laps, until caution slowed the field once again. This time, it was Bolland’s turn to use the outside lane to wrestle the lead away from him. Bolland would lead the next three laps, but he was pressured by King Sr. During this stage of the race, Del Rougeux, Jr. worked his way into third, while Jim Rasey, Brad Rapp, Shingledecker, and Dave Murdick fought for other top five positions.

Then, it was déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra would say. King used the outside line to take the lead away from Bolland on the lap 17 restart. Bolland kept pace with the new leader, while Rougeux, Rasey, Rapp continued to run in formation.

Bolland would get one last shot to overhaul the leader on a lap 25 restart. However, King was better prepared for the outside challenge, and held off Bolland the remainder of the way.

Rougeux closed in on the lead pair as the laps wound down, but he could not get close enough to pose a serious threat to them. Rasey rode home in fourth and D. Murdick finished fifth.

Tommy Kristyak came from fourteenth to sixth, followed by Gary Smoker, Shingledecker, Mark Flick and Kevin Hoffman.

Heat wins for the 31 car field went to King Sr., King, Jr., and Bolland.

There was no B Main, as the Trumbull County Fair Board graciously allowed all racers to start the feature event.

Shawn Fleeger, Rex King, Jr., Tommy Mattocks, Eric Gabany, Rob Kristyak, Ryan Hall, Don Brown, Mike Miller, Jason Longwell (DNS), Dave Reges (DNS), J.R. McGinley (DNS).

The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be at Tri_City Speedway, Franklin, PA, on Sunday, July 4. The Kodiak Memorial will be presented by Atkinson Fire Safety Equipment and it will pay $2,000 to the winner. A very busy week for the Mod tour concludes with the Lou Blaney Memorial on Wednesday, July 7, at Sharon Speedway, in Hartford, OH.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Three:  July 1, 2010:  Expo Speedway, Cortland, OH:  30 Laps:  1. (65) Rex King, Sr., Bristolville, OH ($1500); 2. (777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton, PA ($1000); 3. (20D) Del Rougeux, Jr., Frenchville, PA ($800); 4. (32) Jim Rasey, Southington, OH ($600); 5. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock ($550); 6. (26Z) Tommy Kristyak, Stoneboro, PA ($500); 7. (516) Gary Smoker, Mercer, PA ($450); 8. (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk, PA ($400); 9. (2) Mark Flick, Apollo, PA ($350); 10. (17H) Kevin Hoffman, Franklin, PA ($325); 11. (03) Mark Frankhouser, Phillipsburg, PA ($300); 12. (11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville, PA ($290); 13. (35H) Chris Haines, Sandy Lake, PA ($280); 14. (333) Ron Eperthener, Jr., Grove City, PA ($270); 15. (6) Carl Murdick, Butler, PA ($260); 16. (75) Jeff Miller, Sarver, PA ($250); 17. (96) Mike Turner, Butler, PA ($240); 18. (45) Steve Feder, Butler, PA ($230); 19. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville, PA ($225); 20. (X) Jeremy Paup, Polk, PA ($220); 21. (88) Shawn Fleeger, Butler, PA ($210); 22. (165) Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($205); 23. (69) Tommy Mattocks, Franklin, PA ($200); 24. (3E) Eric Gabany, Mercer, PA ($200); 25. (00) Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, OH ($200); 26. (B4) Ryan Hall, Grove City, PA ($200); 27. (71B) Don Brown, Butler, PA ($200); 28. (72) Mike Miller, Chicora, PA ($200). DNS Jason Longwell ($100), Dave Reges ($100) and J.R. McGinley ($50).

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.

Murdick And King Lead Modified Tour Into PPMS

05/23/10 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BRP Modified Tour Press Release
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LOU LONG, PRESIDENT AND PR DIRECTOR

It is not unusual to see the names of Murdick and King atop the point standings of the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. After all, Dave Murdick is a former Champion (2001) and he was leading the series points when the Big Block Modifieds last appeared at Dirt's Monster Half Mile. Rex King, Sr. (2005, 2006 and 2009) and Russell King (2007) are former Champions, as well. However, what is different this time around is that the driver tied with Murdick is Rex King, Jr. Cooter, as he is affectionately called, is off to a great start with the Modified Tour in 2010 and he would like nothing better than to claim sole possession of the points lead at the conclusion of Saturday's action.

Murdick opened the Modified Tour season with a big win at Lernerville Speedway last Friday. To do so, he had to survive a skirmish with a lapped car and withstand the charges of King Jr. and Brian Swartzlander over the final nine laps of the race. When the Modifieds last raced at PPMS in September, Murdick crashed on the frontstretch, destroying his 2007 Troyer chassied car. Remarkably, he will be back at PPMS with the same car Saturday. Murdick and company rebuilt the car over the winter and brought it up to 2010 specifications. The way it sailed around the top of Lernerville after the near disaster may be a signal to all that the bad luck he encountered at PPMS last year is behind him.

Although King Jr. took second spot in Friday's feature, his dominating win in a heat race tied him with Murdick in the Mod Tour's seasonal points. King Jr. is driving a 2010 Bicknell chassis. At Lernerville, his car used Late Model set-ups supplied by older brother Russell, who is now competing with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Maybe the same tricks will bring Cooter that elusive first win.

Murdick and King Jr. will face a tough field Saturday. Among the certain entries will be Jeremiah Shingledecker, the defending champion and current point leader at Tri-City Speedway, and his new teammate, Chris Haines. Shingledecker is undefeated at Tri-City so far this year. His final win came after a breathtaking battle with Rex King, Sr., who has yet to tame the Monster. Haines already has has a pair of top fives to his credit at Tri-City and has been impressive in his first season in a Modified. Brad Rapp, who is now sporting a Big Block under the hood of his bright orange Modified, will join consistent vets Mike Turner and Dean Pearson. J.R. McGinley, Gary Smoker and Mark Frankhouser will lead the Small Block Brigade. If the track slicks off, watch these fellows come to the front! Indeed, despite tacky conditions Friday night, Frankhouser passed thirteen cars on his way to a top ten finish. Also expected at PPMS will be three-time Champion Brian Swartzlander (1998, 1999, 2008), winner of the fall show in 2009.

Rejoining the Mod Tour will be New Brighton's Kevin Bolland. Revin Kevin passed up the opener at Lernerville to visit friends in Las Vegas. Ed Lynch, Jr. drove Bolland's potent Modified to a sixth place finish, showing that the 777 will be ready for action. Bolland took the win in Modisaurus X last season.

"We are really looking forward to the return of the Big Blocks to PPMS," said Modified Tour President Lou Long. "Our guys get excited about racing there and they want to get the bragging rights for taming the Monster."

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

2009 News Stories ________________________________

The BRP Triple Header Plus Two

Prepared by Joe Secka-JMS ProPhoto - www.jmsprophoto.com

BRISTOLVILLE, OH – June 10, 2009 – As the month of May wound down the schedule heated up for the modified teams as the BRP Tour was set for three events in seven days. The total expanded to five races in sixteen days with two more events in the first week of June.

The BRP Tour started out at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS) monster half mile oval on Saturday May 23. Thirty-seven cars signed in and all but five started the feature. Rex and Cooter mixed it up with other drivers in the Top 10 until a bad accident on the twenty-second circuit. Rex went on to finish third while Cooter brought home his #165 in the tenth position. Rex added in a heat race win earlier in the evening. The team felt they picked up useful setup information should the modifieds return to PPMS again next year.

Before heading to Franklin, PA’s Tri-City Speedway on Sunday, the family made a stop at Bristolville High School. Graduation exercises were in order for Rex, Jr. and racing would just have to wait albeit briefly.

Congratulations to our new graduate!

The hauler and race cars had been taken to the track by the crew earlier in the day while Rex Sr. and Jr. pulled into the track just a few minutes before the driver’s meeting.
Cooter grabbed the checkered flag in his heat race while Rex’s racer seemed to be a little off with on the setup. The crew made adjustments before the feature and was anxiously looking for a good night. Unfortunately, Rex felt a change in the pitch of the motor on Lap 13 and his night was finished due to a part failure.  A red flag was thrown for a nasty accident with two laps to go. On a positive note, no drivers were injured at either Tri-City or PPMS although the same could not be said for the equipment.

Cooter went on to finish tenth somewhat disappointed although he was able to avoid on track accidents and equipment problems.

The following Friday, King Motor Sports headed to Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, PA. Cooter was excited to be at Lernerville and said, “I really love this place.” sometimes referring to it as his sand box. Rex drove from a seventh starting slot to win his heat race. Not to be outdone, Cooter also took the win in his heat race.

A new motor had been installed into Rex’s mod after the problems at Tri-City. They felt there were still some carburetor tuning problems but still went on to a Top 5 finish in the feature.

Cooter felt his car was great and was confident when the green flag flew for the feature. He said, “I could feel the tires warming up and the right rear was really starting to work about Lap 8.”  He had charged from eleventh up to fifth by Lap 19. Cooter felt he had a chance to win but a few untimely cautions set him back and he had to pass several cars twice. When the checkers flew, Cooter was in second place less than a second behind the race leader.

Sharon Speedway was next up on June 6. Heat race action saw Rex with a victory while Cooter’s power plant developed a miss causing him to drop off of the track. Back in the pits, Russ made some adjustments to the carb before the feature. Starting on the tail of the field, Cooter charged up to eighth by Lap 6 and managed a fifth place finish.

Rex started ninth and quickly worked his way up to second. He challenged Brad Rapp for the lead on a restart but went into the turn too hard and was shuffled back several positions. He then battled mostly track conditions and rallied back through the rutted track until breaking a rear axle. He ended the night being scored thirteenth.

The following day, June 7, King Motor Sports headed for Tri-City Speedway. Cooter was quickest in the hot lap session at 93.907 mph, however both teams had bad pill draws putting them near the back of the same heat race. Not to be deterred, Cooter masterfully drove through traffic to win the heat with dad close in tow and finishing second.

Starting the feature “heads-up” put Cooter on the front row and Rex one row back. Cooter was unable to grab the preferred line at the start and ultimately had to settle for a third place finish in a great race. Hard luck continues to follow Rex as he lost power on Lap 16 causing an end to his racing for the night with a fourteenth place finish.

Up Next:
The next event on the modified teams’ schedule will be Sharon Speedway on June 20. The next event on the BRP Modified Tour is set for Eriez Speedway in Hammett, PA on June 28.

Depending on the scheduling, you can also expect to see the King modifieds in action at Tri-City Speedway and Lernerville Speedway during the 2009 racing season.

Wrap Up:
Rex is currently third in BRP Tour points, just six points behind the leader. Cooter is in seventh, twenty-six points out of the lead. Rex and Cooter are tenth and eleventh respectively in Sharon Speedway points.