By: Jay Pees

Conneaut, OH (June 26, 2015): The BRP Big Block Modified Tour made its annual visit to Raceway 7 with a full field of 32 ground-pounders signing into the pit area. After four heats to set the starting lineup, 30 of the 32 present took to the track for their 35-lap feature, the first event on the tour schedule for 2015.

After a redraw of the top three in each heat on the front straight by kids in attendance, Rex King Sr started from the pole with Shayne Pierce on the onside front row. Caution struck as the cars entered turn one on the first lap when Rex King Jr spun. On the next try eight cars got together at the drop of green and came to a halt with the track nearly blocked, bringing red over the event. Dust was deemed to be excessive so the track was watered before another attempt was made to restart.

Shayne Pierce led with caution again flying at two laps complete for three cars spinning in turn one. Pierce again led at green with King right behind and Rick Richner third. King got by for the lead on lap six. Mat Williamson looped his mount as lap seven was starting, again slowing the event.

Dave Murdick who started in tenth position at the drop of the green, came from fourth on the restart to second by the end of the first lap under green. King caught the back of the field at halfway with Murdick about five lengths back.

Yellow bunched the cars at lap 21 and gave the leaders clear track again. Murdick took the lead at a lap 24 restart and began to open a big lead, a quarter lap by thirty circuits complete. At lap 33 Murdick got way wide in turn one but gathered it up, not losing much ground, and went on to the win over King, Brad Rapp, Rick Richner, and Kevin Bolland. Finishing sixth through tenth were Rex King, Jr., Jimmy Weller, III, Eric Gabany, Jim Weller, Jr., and Jim Rasey.

Modified Tour Notes: Brian Swartzlander had motor problems after winning his heat that kept him from competing in the feature. Jeremiah Shingledecker suffered front end damage on the first lap caution. Kevin Hoffman had mechanical problems and dropped out of the feature on the first lap. Brad Rapp broke a rearend just as he took the checkered flag. He also started eighteenth in the feature and finished third.

Finish: Dave Murdick, Rex King, Sr., Brad Rapp, Ricky Richner, Kevin Bolland, Rex King, Jr., Jimmy Weller, III, Eric Gabany, Jim Weller, Jr., Jim Rasey, Garrett Krummert, Doug Fleeger, Steve Feder, Mark Frankhouser, Rick Regalski, Steve Barr, Max Smoker, Bob Warren, Shayne Pierce, Shawn Kozar, Justin Wright, Dillon Barr, Rodney Beltz, Carl Murdick, Mat Williamson, Tommy Mattocks, Randy Chronister, Tom Glenn, Kevin Hoffman, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Brian Weaver – DNS; Brian Swartzlander – DNS.

The next event of the BRP Modified Tour will be on Thursday, July 2nd at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, WV and will pay $5,000 to win!