The Modified Tour Inc.

CONGRATULATIONS TO REX KING, JR  ON WINNING THE INAUGURAL HUMMINGBIRD SPEEDWAY RACE AND CLINCHING THE " THREEPEAT"                                   SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP !...........

AND TO RODNEY BELTZ FOR WINNING THE NEW BICKNELL RACING PRODUCTS OPTION 1 MODIFIED CHASSIS FROM AMONG 19 PERFECT                                      ATTENDANCE DRIVERS.

      SEE THE TOP 10 POINT LEADERS BELOW OR THE FULL LIST ON                                                      OUR POINTS PAGE

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        Rex King, Jr. captures the first ever BRP Modified Tour race at Hummingbird Speedway                                                     and the 2020 BRP Modified Tour Championship

BY: Pam Baker

September 5, 2020……Marble, PA….. Rex King, Jr. had a flawless night for the first time to ever race at the 1/3 mile clay oval at Hummingbird Speedway, winning his heat race, the feature and the 2020 BRP Modified Tour Championship title.

There were 29 BRP Modifieds filling the crowded pit area at Hummingbird Speedway for the first ever visit to the track. Before the feature ever started, the fans were given to the chance to see the top 19 drivers that had perfect attendance do a reverse draw for the 2021X Bicknell chassis, sponsored by Pete Bicknell, Randy Williamson and Bob Slack of Bicknell Racing Products out of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It came down to the final two of Rex King, Jr. and Rodney Beltz and Rodney Beltz ended up the winner of the brand new chassis. This chassis was worth approximately $5,600.

The 26 car starting field of ground pounding Modifieds took to the speedway for their 35-lap feature event with Garrett Krummert and Rex King, Jr. by the luck of the redraw that also took place in front of the crowd at Hummingbird Speedway on the front row. Rex King, Jr. jumped out into the lead at the drop of the green flag and the first caution flag waved after the completion of lap one when Dillon Barr got into the outside guardrail in turn two.

On the restart, King, Jr. once again got the jump over Krummert and brought the field around with Krummert in second, Chad Brachmann third and Chris Rudolph fourth. A couple caution periods slowed the action, but King, Jr. used lapped traffic successfully and by the end of the feature had a 10 car length lead over second place Brachmann. Rex King, Sr. who started seventh worked his way into third over Krummert on the twenty-eighth lap and last weeks winner at Tri City Raceway Park, Jim Rasey advanced from his ninth starting position into fifth by the end.

At the checkers, Rex King, Jr. won over Chad Brachmann, Rex King, Sr., Garrett Krummert and Jim Rasey. Paul Kot came from the eleventh starting position to finish sixth over Ryan Susice, Chris Rudolph, Phil Vigneri, III and Kyle Fink.

Heats were won by Dave Murdick, Garrett Krummert, Rex King, Jr. and Jim Rasey. The B-Main was won by JR McGinley. Brad Rapp was sidelined from the nights activities with ignition problems.

Rex King, Jr. also picked up his fourth BRP Modified Tour Championship and his third Championship in a row. He collected championship titles in 2014, 2018, 2019 and now in 2020. Unofficially Rex King, Jr. won with 438 points, a 19 point difference from second place Garrett Krummert with 419 points. Third in the points went to Rex King, Sr. with 416 and fourth was Jim Rasey with 413 points. Fifth in points went to Chad Brachmann with 396 points. Sixth through tenth in points went to Rick Regalski, Dave Murdick, Paul Kot, Brad Rapp and Phil Vigneri, III.

                                    The 2020 BRP Modified Tour Racing Series has now come to a close, and we would like to thank all our drivers, fans and sponsors for having the best season that we could despite everything that is going in the world this year. We will not be having a banquet this year, due to the COVID -19 restrictions that are in place right now, but we will send the drivers their point fund money the first part of November. The point fund will be determined once we determine the total of the money we have collected this season from our races and our wonderful sponsors.

                                  The BRP Modified Tour will be starting our 24th season in 2021 and are working on plans to make our 25th season in 2022 on our biggest and best seasons ever. We hope this world gets back to somewhat normal, and that our 2021 season will be a good for us. We have started negotiations with race tracks for 2021 and as soon as we have commitments from speedways we will pass the word on to you through emails, Facebook and our website .

Thank you so very much to everyone, drivers, race tracks, sponsors and our loyal fans that made this crazy season a successful one, and Congratulations to our 2020 Season Champion Rex King, Jr.

Feature Finish: Rex King, Jr., Chad Brachmann, Rex King, Sr., Garrett Krummert, Jim Rasey, Paul Kot, Ryan Susice, Chris Rudolph, Phil Vigneri, III, Kyle Fink, Tom Glenn, JR McGinley, Shawn Kozar, Mark Frankhouser, Steve Slater, Greg Martin, Rick Reglaksi, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Kevin Hoffman, Jeff Schaffer, Jr., Skip Moore, Dave Murdick, Eric Gabany, Travis Shingledecker, Dillon Barr, Steve Barr DNQ: Rodney Beltz, Ryan Riffe, DNS: Brad Rapp

            Rodney Beltz wins the 2021X Bicknell chassis, sponsored by  Bicknell Racing Products !

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             RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY OFFICIALLY CANCELS REMAINDER OF 2020 SEASON

RANSOMVILLE, NY (August 11, 2020) – The continued extension of Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order number 202.32, which prohibits spectators at auto racing events, has forced Ransomville Speedway management to announce the cancellation of its 2020 racing season. The order, which has been continually extended for the past two months, was extended recently to August 29. With so few scheduled events remaining on the schedule after that date, and with the unlikely scenario Cuomo will not extend his order yet again, the speedway is forced to make this decision.

Sadly, like many other businesses throughout the state of New York, the speedway was ready to open effectively in late June when the Governor’s Phase 4 rollout was to begin. Phase 4 was to include low-risk outdoor activities and entertainment but it was not to be.

“Like many other tracks and businesses across the state, we waited patiently in the spring for phase 4 to begin and used that time to develop the appropriate safeguards at the track to be CDC compliant,” said general manager Jenn Martin, “We have been prepared to open with a safe environment for our racing family for two months, unfortunately, the Governor’s ‘phase 4’ appears to be little more than fiction.”

Ransomville Speedway is one of approximately 50% of the motorsports facilities in the state that has not hosted an event in 2020. Several tracks have opened for a limited number of events with varying success. While Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order that was released on June 1 permits racing without fans, it simply was not appealing to most New York State tracks, including Ransomville.

“Hosting successful events is dependent on three major components – participants, fans and sponsorships. It is challenging to successfully operate when fans aren’t permitted and sponsorships are so dependent on crowds,” said Martin. “Short tracks like ours need all things to work in unison to be successful. Plus racing at Ransomville is just not complete without all the excited fans joining us every Friday Night. It just wouldn’t be the same”
Track Management would like to thank all the competitors, fans, sponsors, officials and staff for their patience, understanding and support during this time of uncertainty. Most of all, for all to remain healthy and safe as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to wind down. Speedway management will begin planning for the 2021 racing season, with announcements to be released as they become available.

                                                                                                                                   REPRINTED COUTESY OF RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY WEBSITE

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                                                                      RECENT  RESULTS

                                                                                                                                               PHOTO BY JIM BALENTINE

       Jim Rasey captures the BRP Modified Tour Rick Hall Memorial Race at Tri City Raceway

By: Pam Baker

August 30, 2020……Marble, PA …… Jim Rasey captured his first BRP Modified Tour race of the 2020 season on the night which he honored two special people. First his sponsor, George Poschner, Jr. who passed away during the week and second the late Rick Hall who passed away from cancer on November 11, 2019.

The family of Rick Hall was in attendance at this special race which honored our former BRP Modified Tour board member, our Race Director over the past few years, a race car driver, a business man owning both Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Hall’s Safety Equipment in Grove City, PA and last of all a friend to all. Rick was taken from us way too early, but he fought a great battle right up to the end.

There were 34 cars registered in the pit area and Tri City Raceway promoter, Merle Black decided that he would start all cars in the feature. When feature time came, the drivers brought their cars out to the speedway for a driver introduction session and then a group picture. Unfortunately, JR McGinley was unable to make the call due to ignition problems in his Ryder Racing owned machine. Thirty-three cars paced the field, and using the missing man formation thrilled the fans with their four-abreast formation before the start of the feature. History was made as this was the largest starting field of Big Block Modifieds ever to start in Western PA.

When the green flag dropped Jim Rasey and Chad Brachmann led the full field to the green flag, but before a completed lap could go down in the record books Brian Swartzlander spun in turn four in front of the field. The red flag was displayed and several cars sustained damage in the accident including Rick Regalski who flipped over the top of the Swartzlander machine. Regalski was helped to the ambulance by the EMT’s, but would come back out onto the track eight laps down to run several laps before his crew called him back to the pit area. Other drivers involved in the accident were Steve Slater, Dave Murdick, Eric Gabany and Erick Rudolph. Murdick and Gabany were able to restart while Swartzlander, Rudolph and Slater were towed to the pit area.

The green flag waved for the second start of the race and Jim Rasey took off into the lead ahead of Brachmann, Rex King, Jr. and Garrett Krummert. The caution flew on lap eight for Shawn Kozar who spun in turn four. On the restart, Rasey once again took command of the race and within five laps started encountering lapped traffic. Rasey worked his way through the lapped cars and had stretched out a four car length lead before the caution flew once again on lap twenty-one when the lights on the front stretch went out.

Once the lights came back up, two laps were completed before the caution flew once again for Tom Holden who lost a driveshaft. The race resumed, with Rasey in the lead, but once again the caution flew for Jeremiah Shingledecker who stopped on the track in turn two.

The final ten laps were run caution free with Rasey in command the entire time. He went on to pick up the win. Rex King, Jr. who started in seventh position finished second ahead of

Chad Brachmann, Garrett Krummert and Rex King, Sr. Brad Rapp finished sixth ahead of Phil Vigneri, III, Paul Kot, Robbie Johnston and Dave Murdick. Heats were won by Jim Rasey, Rick Regalski, Chad Brachmann and Phil Vigneri, III.

Rick Hall’s car number when he drove a Modified was B-4, so we presented some special awards for this event with the first being $250 from the BRP Modified Tour for the driver who was in 4th place at the halfway point of the feature. That award went to Rex King, Sr. The second award was $200 for the driver that finished 4th in the feature, which went to Garrett Krummert. $100 went to the driver who had Hard Luck and that award went to Rick Regalski. The Hard Charger award of $100 went to Mark Frankhouser who started in the 32nd position and finished 17th advancing 14 positions during the feature. Every driver that started the race was guaranteed at least $200 to start.

The final race of the 2020 BRP Modified Tour season will be held on September 5, 2020 at Hummingbird Speedway. This is the first ever appearance by the BRP Modified Tour at Hummingbird Speedway and the drivers are excited to run at this track as it has a great history behind the speedway. We will also be doing the reverse draw for the nineteen drivers that hold perfect attendance in front of the fans at Hummingbird for the 2020 Bicknell Chassis.

Feature Finish: Jim Rasey, Rex King, Jr., Chad Brachmann, Garrett Krummert, Rex King, Sr., Brad Rapp, Phil Vigneri, III, Paul Kot, Robbie Johnston, Dave Murdick, Eric Gabany, Steve Feder, Chris Rudolph, Rick Richner, Shawn Kozar, Richard Whitney, Mark Frankhouser, Kevin Green, Max Smoker, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Tom Holden, Kevin Hoffman, Clyde Gump, Rodney Beltz, Dillon Barr, Rick Regalski, Ray Bliss, Thomas Urey, Greg Martin, Steve Barr, Brian Swartzlander, Erick Rudolph, Steve Slater, JR McGinley – DNS.

Chad Brachmann picks up the BRP Modified Tour Feature Victory at the 2nd Michaels Memorial 

By: Pam Baker

August 8, 2020……..Marble, PA…. Chad Brachmann was the class of the field on Saturday night for the BRP Modified Tour event held in memory of the Edward Michaels family at Michaels Mercer Raceway Park.

There were 28 cars registered in the pit area for the event, but Kevin Hoffman and Shawn Fleeger had mechanical problems during the heat races that ended their evening early. The 26 car starting field was led to the green flag by Tom Glenn and Chad Brachmann. The first five laps were uneventful until Rex King, Sr. brought out the yellow on lap five. After this caution, two red flag periods took place when eleven cars both times blocked the track after the restarts. No one was injured but after these two red flag periods, the field was reduced to 18 cars for the restart of lap six.

Chad Brachmann who had led the first five laps found Rex King, Jr. right on his back bumper followed by Jim Rasey and Paul Kot after the restart. A caution on lap nine for JR McGinley who spun in turn three grouped the field back together and after the restart, King, Jr. bobbled just enough to let Jim Rasey and Garrett Krummert make the pass for second and third. The caution flag flew once again on lap fourteen for Rodney Beltz who came to a stop on the apron on the front straightaway.

Once racing resumed, Brachmann was in charge and started to pull away from Rasey and Krummert. Rex King, Jr. started his charge back towards the front again and by lap twenty-eight had made his way into second, but was unable to catch and pass Brachmann who held on to lead every lap and pick up the $5,000 top prize money. Chad Brachmann also was awarded $50 for the Fastest Lap award compliments of Competition Carburetion of Sun Valley, NV. On top of that Brachmann also received $100 compliments on Alex Snyder, a fan of the Modified division at Michaels Mercer Raceway Park.

Finishing second behind Brachmann was Rex King, Jr. followed by Garrett Krummert, Jim Rasey and Brad Rapp. Brad Rapp will receive an extra $10 in his check in loving memory of Ed Hallstein, grandfather of Sue Kane and Steve Barr and Great Grandfather of Dillon Barr, who raced at Mercer many years ago and passed away last season. Also receiving a $10 bonus will be 20th place finisher Tom Glenn, in memory of Ed Hallstein.

Bob Oliver of Competition Carburetion also awarded $250 to the driver that towed the farthest distance to get to Michaels Mercer Raceway Park and collecting that money is Greg Martin who traveled 193 miles from his home in New York.

Heat races were won by Rex King, Sr., Dave Murdick and Jim Rasey. The next race on the BRP Modified Tour schedule will be the Rick Hall Memorial Race at Tri City Raceway Park on Sunday, August 30, 2020. The way it is looking right now, the season ender will take place at Hummingbird Speedway on Saturday, September 5, 2020 in our first ever visit to the Bird!

Feature Finish: Chad Brachmann, Rex King, Jr., Garrett Krummert, Jim Rasey, Brad Rapp, Paul Kot, Steve Slater, Greg Martin, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Phil Vigneri, III, JR McGinley, Chris Rudolph, Rick Regalski, Mark Frankhouser, Eric Gabany, Rex King, Sr., Dillon Barr, Rodney Beltz, Dave Murdick, Tom Glenn, Steve Barr, Shawn Kozar, Kyle Fink, Scott Kay, Dave Reges, Ryan Riffe, DNS: Shawn Fleeger, Kevin Hoffman

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Revised 08/12/20

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