Kevin Bolland Becomes 4th Different Modified Winner In Lou Blaney Memorial While Holding Off King
(Hartford, OH)…A huge crowd turned out on a beautiful Tuesday evening at Sharon Speedway to remember the legacy of the great Lou Blaney, who amassed more than 600 victories in his five-decade career of racing. The fourth annual “Lou Blaney Memorial” Alzheimer’s Association Benefit presented by Ollie’s Bargain Outlet saw Brad Sweet (410 Sprint Cars) and Kevin Bolland (DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds) win their first features in this prestigious event. Lou’s wife Kate gathered over $10,000 in contingencies for the racers.
After splitting the first four events at two a piece, Kevin Bolland and Rex King have been shutout of victory lane the last four races. On Tuesday night, it was King and Bolland battling for the 25-lap win with Bolland getting by in the closing stages of the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modified event. Bolland’s third win of the season at Sharon was his biggest anywhere on the 2012 circuit, worth $2,000.
“I raced a lot of years with Lou (Blaney),” explained the 52-year-old New Brighton, Pa. veteran. “He was the guy I always looked at. I’d always sneak around his cars to see how to go fast. I finally got to a point in my career where I could compete with him. We miss Lou- he was a great racer!”
King bolted from his third starting spot into the lead on the opening circuit with Tom Mattocks and Kevin Hoffman in pursuit. Hoffman and ninth starting Chad Brachmann dropped Mattocks back to fourth on lap two. Kyle Fink looked strong making a three-wide move on lap four to steal third, but Fink would spin one lap later collecting Brad Rapp, who was making his 2012 Sharon debut.
Bolland entered the mix from his eighth starting position driving under and by Brachmann for third on lap five. By lap seven, the top five of King, Kevin Hoffman, Bolland, Brachmann, and Shingledecker pulled away from the field. Fink slowed and brought out another caution with eight laps scored.
When green replaced yellow, Bolland’s forward progress continued as he raced by Hoffman for second. A long green flag run took place from laps 9-23, which allowed King to distance himself from the field as the battle raged for second. Brachmann began to put the heat on Hoffman as he closed in on lap 17 and tried every move possible to get by on the 19th circuit.
King had his hands full with lapped traffic on lap 22. Bolland was right on King as the battle heated up for second. The two raced side-by-side on lap 22 racing off turn two. King held on until he got bottled up in lapped traffic on lap 23 as Bolland used the momentum on the outside to power into the lead. King really got blocked in on lap 24 due to his son “Cooter” slowing on the backstretch and getting caught behind traffic; this allowed Hoffman and Brachmann to blow by, but “Cooter” was unable to get off the track necessitating the caution with 23 laps completed.
Bolland survived a scary restart for his 21st career Sharon win by a margin of 1.34 seconds in the Bol-Tech Motorsports-owned, Boundary Systems | CREO/Bolland Machine/Cintas/BudisakBoys/TurboStart/MyWay Mobile Storage/Bickenell Racing Products/Bilstein/Car Cleen/Matheson Valley Gas/Cranberry Coin & Currency-sponsored #777. “It seems like ever since I’ve left the winners’ circle I’ve been coming from 12th,” continued Bolland. “We’re back here now. The track was great tonight. I got bumped on that last restart and nearly spun, and the first one they said I started too early, but I recovered and took the lead again. The third time was a charm and I took it to the flag.”
King barley held off Hoffman for runner-up. Brachmann was fourth over Jim Weller. Eric Gabany was sixth ahead of Rapp. Jimmy Weller III was eighth after starting 24th to earn the Hard Charger Award. Chris Haines was ninth as Tom Glenn rounded out the top 10. Heat winners were Shingledecker, Pearson, and Chrysler. The B main was cancelled after just six of the 10 original starters reported to the speedway.
Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps, $2,000 to-win): 1. KEVIN BOLLAND (777) 2. Rex King (65) 3. Kevin Hoffman (17H) 4. Chad Brachmann (3) 5. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 6. Eric Gabany (3E) 7. Brad Rapp (11R) 8. Jimmy Weller III (31W) 9. Chris Haines (35H) 10. Tom Glenn (83T) 11. Carl Murdick (6) 12. Tom Mattocks (69) 13. Dillion Barr (15B) 14. Don Brown (71B) 15. Bob Warren (96B) 16. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD) 17. Rob Curtis (McElhaney 6 7/8) 18. Rex King, Jr. (165) 19. Skip Moore (17M) 20. Justin Rasey (21) 21. Randy Chrysler (21K) 22. Dean Pearson (8J) 23. Steve Barr (25B) 24. Brian Fink DNQ: Rob Kristyak (00), Jim Rasey (32), Rick Ryder (Snider 189), Del Rougeux, Jr. (20D).
Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305. For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. Become a fan of Sharon Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.
Kevin's Victory Lane Interview at Lernerville [05.25.12]
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
Thanks to the crew for working over 200+ hours to get the Boundary Systems/CREO, Bicknell Racing Products, Bolland Machine, Cintas, Budisak Boys, Bilstein #777 back in the winners circle after the crash at Eriez Speedway!
Kevin Bolland scores a heartbreaking win over Steve Feder
The fine folks from Diehl Auto Group were on hand as the program’s weekly sponsor and they were almost treated to a career first Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modified feature win for young gun Steve Feder. Feder took the lead from the pole at the drop of the green flag and held off future Hall of Famer Kevin Bolland for 24 laps with the best run of his career in a caution-free race. But as the leaders approached turn one on the final lap, Feder hesitated for a fraction of a second as a pair of lapped cars raced side-by-side ahead of them and Bolland pounced, taking the bottom and the lead. Feder could only chase Bolland to the checkered flag and wait to fulfill his dream of scoring that sacred career first feature win at the Action Track. For Bolland, it was his second win of the season and 55th of his Lernerville career. The win was made all the more impressive by the 200+ man hours of labor required to get the #777 ready for action after a nasty wreck with Dave Murdick at the BRP Modified Tour opener at Eriez Speedway last Sunday Night.
Feder had to settle for a career best finish of second ahead of All Time wins leader Brian Swartzlander in third, Dave Murdick in fourth and NY invader Brian Weaver in fifth. Mike Turner, Dean Pearson, Eric Gabany, Carl Murdick and Phil Evans Jr. rounded out the Diehl Top Ten. Bolland and Swartzlander claimed heat race victories.
For the second feature in a row, Defending Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker was claimed by the gremlins as he broke on lap 21 exiting turn four running third and rolled into the infield; officially scored with a DNF in 16th.
Kevin Bolland Sets New Track Record at Sharon Speedway [15.919 seconds]
Milestone 20th Win for Bolland in the Modifieds
It’s been quite a start to the 2012 season for Kevin Bolland. Bolland raced to the April 7 opening night victory then worked his way through the pack to finish second last Saturday night to Rex King. On Saturday night, Bolland was back in victory lane this time holding off King in the 20-lap DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature for his milestone 20th career victory at the speedway. Bolland also has a victory at Lernerville Speedway this season.
“I knew he was going to be there,” stated the 52-year-old New Brighton, Pa. veteran when asked about King’s challenges. “The car was awesome up top. I have to thank God for following us and opening up those doors to tell us where to go. I’m thankful to be here. I couldn’t do it without Boundary Systems/CREO, all my sponsors and Bolland Machine for the good horsepower. We have a skeleton crew tonight, but we got it done!”
Bolland jumped into the lead past pole-sitter Jim Rasey and immediately began to pull away from the field. On lap three, it was three-wide for second with Kevin Hoffman taking the spot over Rasey and King. Following a restart, King overtook Rasey for third on lap four then one lap later drove under and past Hoffman for second in turn four.
King began eating away at Bolland’s lead until the next stoppage when Jimmy Weller III’s #31W went up in flames with 12 laps scored. Back under green flag conditions, King was all over Bolland looking for a way by. The two veterans went at it hard racing side-by-side for the lead between laps 14-16; meanwhile, as those two pulled away, the battle was on for third as Hoffman was trying to hold off seventh and 10th starting Dave Murdick and Rex King, Jr.
A caution for Bob Warren with 17 laps completed allowed King, Jr. to overtake both Murdick and Hoffman for the third spot on the restart before the final caution when rookie Jeff Monoskey spun with two laps to go. When racing resumed, Bolland was able to hold off King by 1.237 seconds for the $1,100 victory in the Bol-Tech Motorsports-owned, Boundary Systems/CREO/Bolland Machine/Cintas/Cranberry Coin & Currency-sponsored #777.
The battle over the final two laps for third was hot and heavy. Murdick passed both Hoffman and King, Jr. on lap 19, but on the final lap King, Jr. was able to nose back ahead for a season best third. Murdick edged Hoffman for fourth. Sixth through 10th were Jim Weller, Jr., Dean Pearson, Rasey, newcomer Tom Mattocks, and Carl Murdick. Heat victors over the season high 17-car field were Weller III and Dave Murdick.
Bolland Held Off Challengers for DIRTcar Mod Win at Opener
(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway officially began the 83rd anniversary season of auto racing at the famed facility on a sunny and cool Saturday evening. A great crowd watched 117 cars battle it out for the opening night accolades with the following drivers in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane: Kevin Bolland-Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, George Kowatic-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Brent Rhebergen-Summit Racing Equipment E-Mods, Paul Davis-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, Brad Blackshear-HTMA/Precise Racing Equipment Econo Mods, and Jim Haefke, Jr.-Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks.
Kevin Bolland led all 20 laps of the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature, but had to withstand a late charge by 10th starting Jeremiah Shingledecker for his 19th career win.
“The track was great,” stated the 52-year-old New Brighton, Pa. veteran. “I looked at it earlier and thought it was going to chunk out. Whatever was in it was binding and it worked out. Last night we were just bolting the heads on this thing. You’d think we would have had all winter, but winter never came! We thought we’d get snow and we never did so we figured we better get this back together. The car worked great. This one goes out to everyone that’s with us and helped us get here.”
Bolland started on the pole as Dave Murdick moved into second on the opening lap past Rex King, Jr. Murdick and the youngest King battled hard for second as King pulled even on lap seven, but Murdick maintained the position. Shingledecker became a factor when he cracked the top five taking the spot from Chris Haines just before halfway. King once again pulled alongside of Murdick on lap 10, but to no avail. The first and only caution of the event slowed competition with 13 laps scored when Dean Pearson broke while running fourth.
Shingledecker lined up fourth on the restart and made a great move to get by King for third and nearly took second from Murdick on lap 14. Shingledecker and Murdick put on a great side-by-side battle between laps 16-18. Finally on lap 18, Shingledecker made the bottom work in turns one and two for runner-up.
Shingledecker went after Bolland and was right there at the finish, but just couldn’t make the move as Bolland held on by 0.665 seconds for the $1,100 victory in the Bol-Tech Motorsports-owned, Boundary Systems|CREO/Bolland Machine/Cintas/Budisak Boys/Cranberry Coin & Currency-sponsored #777. Bolland now moves into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time win list just three wins behind the retired John Braymer.
Murdick held off King, Jr. for third. Haines was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Jim Weller, Jr., 13th starting Rex King, Mark Frankhouser, Carl Murdick, and Steve Feder. Pearson and Murdick captured the heat race wins.
Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds (20 laps): 1. KEVIN BOLLAND (777) 2. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD) 3. Dave Murdick (61) 4. Rex King, Jr. (165) 5. Chris Haines (35H) 6. Jim Weller, Jr. (31) 7. Rex King (65) 8. Mark Frankhouser (03) 9. Carl Murdick (6) 10. Steve Feder (45) 11. Bob Warren (96B) 12. Rob Kristyak (00) 13. Dean Pearson (8J) 14. Justin Rasey (21).
Bolland Repeats in Mods at Sharon Speedway
Kevin Bolland took full advantage of a pole position starting spot and led all 20 laps of an unusual caution-filled 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modified feature for his second win of the season.
“It’s always tough when you have to start at the back and earn your way up there,” acknowledged the 51-year-old New Brighton, Pa. driver. “It’s been a tough year for us and we’ve been trying to reach into the bag and pull out different tricks. The team is pulling together. We had a rough night two weeks ago here. When it rubbers up, it sure makes us quicker. I didn’t know where everyone else was at.”
Bolland quickly took off in the lead with two-time winner Rex King, Jr. following. Rob Kristyak passed Chris Haines and newcomer Carl Weatherby for third on the opening lap. Kevin Hoffman started in seventh and made his way up to fourth after two laps. Three cautions slowed action between laps three and five.
Kristyak had passed King for second on lap four, but on lap six Kristyak got a poor restart as King, Hoffman, and ninth starting Brian Weaver made their way by for second through fourth. King and Hoffman traded second spot back and forth during three cautions between laps nine and 12.
The last eight laps went non-stop. King got by Hoffman for good on lap 13, while Justin Rasey grabbed fourth from Weaver. King would have nothing for the leader as Bolland stretched his lead and margin of victory to 2.263 seconds. Bolland’s 18th career win came in the Boundary Systems/CREO/Bolland Machine/Cintas/Cranberry Coin & Currency/My Way Mobile Storage/Car Clean Products/Auto Body Works/Budisak Boys-sponsored Bicknell #777 Bicknell.
King, Jr. was second. Hoffman crossed the finish in third, but was light at the scales moving 17-year-old rookie Justin Rasey up to a career best third in just his fourth feature start! New York invader Brian Weaver was fourth over 14th starting Brad Rapp. Sixth through 10th were Jim Weller, Jr., Chris Haines, Mark Flick, Dean Pearson, and Mark Frankhouser. King, Jr. and Kristyak were heat victors over the 20-car field.
Bolland Edges King & NY’s Chrysler for 1st Mod Win
(Hartford, OH)…Sharon Speedway was finally blessed with a beautiful weekend as the fans and drivers responded with a great turnout on both ends Friday and Saturday. Some of the best racing of the season was witnessed with optimal track conditions. Saturday night’s “Steel Valley Thunder” program was presented by Greenville Savings Bank and Boundary Systems.
Celebrating with wins in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane were Kevin Bolland-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Josh Double-Barris Supply FASTRAK Late Models, Joel Watson-Ainsley 500 Heating & Cooling E-Mods, Mike Clark-Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, and Bill Fuchs-Presidential Lawn Care Mini Stocks. Over $500 was raised for Sprint Car driver Jack Sodeman, Jr., who was injured in an accident while competing with the All Star Sprint Cars in Canada on July 4.
It took over half of the season, but veteran Kevin Bolland finally hit the jackpot putting his Triple Seven in victory lane in the 20-lap Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modified feature in the final tune-up before Tuesday’s Lou Blaney Memorial. Bolland couldn’t have picked a better night to do it with his new sponsor Boundary Systems in attendance for their corporate night at the speedway. Bolland’s $1,100 win was the 17th of his career at Sharon.
“We’ve been working hard, but have been struggling,” acknowledged the 51-year-old New Brighton, Pa. driver. “We’ve had bad pill draws and redraws. We’ve messed setups thinking it’ll go slippery and it goes tacky and when it goes slippery we setup for the other way. We tried American Racer Tires tonight and I think that was good. We just reached in the bag and found something tonight. Tonight we tied one together for Boundary Systems/CREO. They invested here in the speedway too and if you see those guys give them a round of applause.”
Bolland found a great bite on the start as he raced low down the frontstretch into turn one and was able to get under and by Dean Pearson and pole-sitter Randy Chrysler for the lead. Rex King started sixth and was up to fourth after two laps. King caught Pearson the following lap and worked him over as the two raced side-by-side on laps six and seven with King making the move on the seventh circuit for third.
Lapped traffic came into play on lap nine right before the event’s first and only caution for a spin by Donny Minor with eight laps scored. On the ensuing restart, King and Brad Rapp passed Chrysler for second and third respectively, but Chrysler got back by Rapp for third on lap 10. King ran down Bolland on lap 12 and was right on the leader on lap 13.
Chrysler found speed as he tracked down King, while Bolland opened up some ground. Chrysler pulled alongside King on lap 17 as it was a three-car race for the win. King caught right back up to Bolland and tried to set himself up for another last lap pass of Bolland, but on this night Bolland wasn’t about to relinquish the top spot as he held off King by 0.481 seconds in his Boundary Systems/CREO/Bolland Machine/Cintas/Cranberry Coin & Currency/My Way Mobile Storage/Car Clean Products/Auto Body Works/Budisak Boys-sponsored Bicknell #777 Bicknell.
King was second for the second time this season to go along with three victories as he maintains his point lead. In his debut, Chrysler was a close third just 0.796 behind Bolland. Rapp was fourth after starting eighth and Pearson dropped to fifth for his fifth top five of the season. Rounding out the top 10 were Jim Weller, Jr., Jim Rasey, Rex King, Jr., Rob Kristyak, and Skip Moore. Bolland and Rapp won the heat races.
Bolland and Shingledecker Split Tri-City Loot
Kevin Bolland and Jeremiah Shingledecker each scored $2,000 wins at Tri-City Speedway in BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour action. Bolland’s triumph came in the completion of the annual Kodiak Memorial, which was halted after just 16 laps were run on May 29. Shingledcker’s victory came in the nightcap of the regularly scheduled holiday race.
Bolland, who was running second to Rex King, Sr. when the rains came, said that it was his goal to come out and win the Kodiak. He came to the track with a different set-up on his car than that which he used on Memorial Day weekend. “Every night is a new night, and we put a different package in the car and then we just adjusted from there.”
King Sr. had the point for the Delaware double file restart, but Bolland immediately began to apply pressure at the drop of the green. Bolland made a power move coming off turn two on lap 18 to take the lead and he never looked back.
King Sr. thought that he would get a shot at Bolland on lap 25, when the action was halted for the faltering car of Tommy Mattocks. During that stoppage, Jeremiah Shingledecker pitted for the first of his two flat tires. King Sr. did not capitalize on the opportunity, though, as he briefly surrendered second spot to Brian Swartzlander. King Sr. regained his momentum racing down the backstretch and took the position away from his challenger as they entered the third turn.
King Sr. would get another shot at the leader on lap 33, when the caution was displayed for his son, Rex King, Jr., who backed into the water barrels that sat atop turn one. The restart proved to be a bigger misfortune for King than the first one, as he drifted high in turns one and two, losing several positions.
Bolland won the two-lap dash for the cash. Dave Murdick took advantage of King’s miscue, and crossed in second. King Sr. came back for third. Swartzlander finished fourth. Eric Gabany, driving a 358 Modified, finished a strong fifth.
Shannon Whaley, Mark Flick, Brian Weaver, Chris Haines and Jeff Schaffer completed the top ten.
The Landrum Spring Racer of the Race award was conferred on Eric Gabany for his outstanding run with a 358 Modified.
Due to his prior win at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Bolland was ineligible for the R2C Performance award. It was conferred on runner-up Dave Murdick.
In the night’s full feature, Jeremiah Shingledecker had things working to perfection. He chased down early leader Brian Weaver and the two waged a monumental battle before Shingledecker pulled away for the win. Their struggle had the fans on the edges of their seats for several laps, as the drivers had to navigate around several lapped cars while dicing for the lead.
In victory lane, Shingledecker said of the intense battle with Weaver in lapped traffic: “I was just biding my time, they (the lapped cars) were racing for position, too. I was just glad that I could get through without any incident.” He added that the win was like a homecoming for him, as he lives just down the road from the track and was a staunch supporter of Tri-City when it ran Modifieds on a weekly basis. The partisan crowd obviously approved.
As noted, Weaver jumped out to a quick lead over pole sitter Les Myers. The Reno Rocket fought Weaver for the first few lap before surrendering second to Shingledecker. Weaver was looking for second Modified Tour win of the week. However, Shingledecker was racing in second and the two put on quite a show in the early going, just as they did two nights before in a non-sanctioned race at Lernerville Speedway.
Shingledecker pulled even as they raced down the front stretch to complete lap 9 and he entered turn one with the lead. Weaver rallied back and took the lead again coming off the second corner.
Weaver would hold his lead for a few more laps until Shingledecker dropped to the low side coming trough turn four. Shingledecker emerged with the lead. He then opened a slight margin over Weaver, but heavy lapped traffic gave the New Yorker the chance to reel him in again. The racing was intense for several laps as they tried to outmaneuver each other and the lapped cars! Shingledecker squeezed through a small opening coming down the front stretch and Weaver got hung up behind a lapped car as they entered turn one. That gave Shingledecker a little breathing room.
A caution on lap 20 gave Shingledecker a clean track and Weaver another opportunity to challenge for the lead. However, instead of fighting for the lead when the race resumed, Weaver was now in a battle to keep second spot for Brian Swartzlander entered the fray. Swartzlander could not hold the spot for long, though. Indeed, Dave Murdick benefitted the most from the caution, as he would soon slip past Swartzlander for third.
In the final ten laps of the race, Murdick was the fastest man on the speedway. He tracked down and passed Weaver and set out after Shingledecker. However, time ran out on Murdick.
Shingledecker got the popular win, followed by Murdick. Weaver held on for third, ahead of Swartzlander and Brad Rapp.
Rex King, Sr., Kevin Bolland, Shannon Whaley, Rex King, Jr. and Mike Turner finished sixth through tenth.
Jeremiah Shingledecker was awarded the Landrum Spring Racer of the Race award for his amazing run through traffic to keep his lead. He also received the R2C Performance award as a first-time winner for the season.
Rod End Supply heat race wins were scored by King Sr., Mark Flick and Bolland.
There was no B Main.
No provisionals were needed to complete the field.
The next event for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will be held at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday, August 13, 2011.
Bolland Takes Modified Tour Thriller
Victory Lane at Mercer Raceway Park (Photo: Deric Bolland)
Mercer, PA (June 25, 2011): Kevin Bolland made a daring last lap pass of leader Brian Swartzlander and went on to win the thrilling BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour race presented by All Metals Recycling of Rochester, PA.
“The traffic is always tough at Mercer, you just have to wait your turn,” Bolland said. On several occasions, the traffic thwarted Bolland’s ability to pass race leader Brian Swartzlander. However, in the final analysis, a lapped car figured prominently into his winning pass.
When the field was circulating under the final caution, Bolland said to himself, “I have 11 more laps, let’s get this project done.” At that moment, he was sitting third behind Swartzlander and Frank Guidace. Shortly after the race resumed, Bolland regained second position and he was rapidly closing on Swartzlander.
“I had to wait for the lap traffic to play in because Brian had the bottom end tied up for several laps.” Bolland explained that he kept trying the high side in turns one and two, “but every time I got a run on him, it seemed like a lapped car fell in front of me and I couldn’t capitalize again.” He kept working at it, though, and eventually he used the traffic to his advantage.
Although Swartzlander led from the start, he could not shake loose from Bolland. Bolland kept switching lines as the duo diced for the lead. When they approached heavy lapped traffic near the midpoint of the race, Bolland made his first bid for the lead. He dropped to the inside lane coming off turn two and Swartzlander remained in the middle groove. They swept past a pair of lapped cars in an astounding four-wide formation on the backstretch. Swartzlander entered turn three with the lead, as Bolland had to burp the throttle to set the car for the corner.
Bolland continued to apply the pressure until the race was slowed for its second caution. On the restart, track favorite Frank Guidace powered into second with his potent 358 Modified, and the fans were sensing that an upset could be in the making. No Approved Toilet Rental 358 Modified had ever beaten the Big Blocks at Mercer and Guidace wanted to be the first. He closed in on Swartzlander on several occasions, but he could never pull alongside the leader.
Meanwhile, Bolland regrouped and began to work on Guidace for second. Bolland went to the outside and took the position away as they raced through turns one and two on lap 21. Bolland once again took up the chase for the lead.
With the laps winding down, the leaders again found themselves in heavy lapped traffic. That gave Bolland the opportunity to challenge for the win. As the leaders came charging off turn four to take the white flag, Bolland squeezed between Swartzlander and a lapped car. At the scoring loop, Bolland had the lead by a narrow margin. The pair cleared the lapped car and they raced hard into turn one. There was contact. Swartzlander slid high, but kept moving despite suffering some damage to his car. Bolland managed to keep his car straight and pulled away for the win.
Swartzlander took the checkers in second. Eric Gabany, driving another Mercer 358, made a strong move on the outside in the final laps and climbed up to third. Guidace held on for fourth, followed by Dave Murdick.
Jeremiah Shingledecker finished sixth. Rex King, Sr. crossed in seventh, snapping a two-year streak of top five finishes with the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. His son, Rex King, Jr., grabbed eighth. Brad Rapp climbed all of the way to ninth after starting in row eleven. Kevin Hoffman completed the top ten.
BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour: 1. Kevin Bolland (777); 2. Brian Swartzlander (83); 3. Eric Gabany (3E); 4. Frank Guidace (1G); 5. Dave Murdick (61); 6. Jeremiah Shingledecker (37MD); 7. Rex King, Sr. (65); 8. Rex King, Jr. (165); 9. Brad Rapp (11R); 10. Kevin Hoffman (17H); 11. Jimmy Holden (28H); 12. Tommy Kristyak (26Z); 13. John Buchanan (44B); 14. Mark Frankhouser (03); 15. Mike Turner (96); 16. Tommy Mattocks (69); 17. Shannon Whaley (44W); 18. Carl Murdick (6); 19. Shawn Fleeger (88); 20. Scott Strock (15); 21. Don Brown (71B); 22. Howard Duff (812); 23. Kyle Fink (66F); 24. Skip Moore (17M); 25. Chris Haines (35H); 26. Rod Jones (820). DNQ: Kevin Green, Rich Whitney, Brian Weaver, Dave Reges, Donny Minor. Heat wins: Swartzlander, Gabany, Bolland. B Main win: Rapp.
Kevin Bolland adds to Hall of Fame resume with Diehl Mods win #53
Kevin Bolland takes the checkered flag - StivasonPhotos.com
The Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modifieds rumbled onto the Action Track next with veteran Dean Pearson and Mike Turner on the front row. Pearson jumped out to an early lead, but Kevin Bolland was on the move! After starting seventh, Bolland found himself on the same hot seat Satterlee did. And true to form from the outside of row two, Bolland powered to the lead down the backstretch to lead lap three. All Time Modified wins leader Brian Swartzlander came to second two laps later and while he kept Bolland in sight, he was never really able to mount a serious challenge as Kevin Bolland won his second race of the season and 53rd of his prestigious career at Lernerville Speedway.
Brian Swartzlander workin' the turn - StivasonPhotos.com
Swartzlander chased Bolland the whole way to the checkered flag to finish second ahead of Jeremiah Shingledecker in third. This trio has pulled away from the pack in the Budweiser point standings with just five points separating the three of them. Shingledecker leads with 148, followed by Bolland with 144 and Swartzlander with 143.
Early leader Dean Pearson turned in his best finish of the season in fourth ahead of last week’s feature winner Dave Murdick in fifth. Brad Rapp, Jeff Schaffer, Carl Murdick, Steve Feder and Jim Weller Jr. rounded out the Diehl top ten. Bolland and Shingledecker checkered National Guard Heat Races.
Extreme Pyrotechnics Fireworks - StivasonPhotos.com
Bolland Masters Monster Half Mile
Kevin Bolland likes racing in his back yard. Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is the closest stop on the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour to his home in New Brighton. His victory was the second since the mighty Big Blocks returned to the track after a long absence.
Bolland turned a potential strategic error into an advantage. He set the car up to run on a slick track, but the track prep crew applied some water before the features got started. He was able to get a decent start and he ran with the lead group in the early going. As the race progressed, the track came to him and he was able to build a sizable lead.
Lapped cars were almost his undoing. "The lapped traffic played a role tonight," Bolland said. "Some of the lapped traffic slid up on the track and we really had to wait it out to get around them," he explained. Bolland countered by coming down off the cushion and using a low line to pick off the lapped cars. While this maneuver proved to be effective, it enabled Jeremiah Shingledecker to close in on him over the final ten laps. Shingledecker may have been more of a factor in the final outcome were it not for his own run-in with a lapped car with about five laps to go. Bolland was confident that he could have held off the challenge. "They might have caught us, but I don't think they would have gotten around us."
Lady luck put Brian Weaver and Jeremiah Shingledecker on the front row for the start of the 30 lapper. Weaver fired first and led the field into turn one. However, he was unable to hold the low line and that left the door open for Kevin Hoffman. His potent Big Block Ford powered off turn two with the lead. Shingledecker swooped by Weaver on the outside and it was soon apparent that Weaver was in trouble. He fell back due to a fuel feed problem that corrected itself somewhat as the race went on.
While Hoffman lead Shingledecker in the early going, the man on the move was Chad Homan. The New York invader was using the low line to great advantage. He worked into third by lap five and slipped under Shingledecker on the next circuit. He even challenged Hoffman, but Hoffman used a lapped car as a pick to maintain his lead. Hoffman was not as lucky the next time around. With the bottom lane open, Homan charged off turn two to grab the lead running down the long back chute.
Homan started to stretch his lead as the laps clicked off. However, the race took a dramatic turn on lap 11. Brad Rapp struck the wall in turn two to bring out the only caution in the race. Rapp was battling Brian Swartzlander for position at the time. Swartzlander slid up and Rapp had nowhere to go. "I didn't even know he was there," Swartzlander said apologetically. "I felt bad for him to get caught up in something like that."
While the field was circulating under the yellow, some cars kicked mud up from the apron into Homan's groove. He did not realize what happened and used his usual line entering turn one on the restart. He got into a four-wheel skid and surrendered the lead to Shingledecker. While Homan was scrambling to regain control, Hoffman slowed and soon retired from the race with a broken rocker arm.
Bolland went to the whip and raced past Shingledecker to lead lap 13. At the halfway mark, he led Homan, Shingledecker, Murdick, King and Swartzlander.
Shingledecker swapped places with Homan by lap 20 and he set out after the leader.
Bolland continued to lead, but Shingledecker was reeling him in. Shingledecker’s charge was slowed briefly by a shunt with a lapped car, and that may have preserved the win for Bolland.
While the fans were ready for a two-car battle to the checkers, the race ended in a most unusual fashion. On the final lap, one of the flagmen inadvertently hit the red light switch. He immediately put the green light on again. But, in that fleeting moment, some of the racers slowed their pace. None came to a complete stop, however.
Bolland was one of the racers who slowed and he passed under the checkers for the apparent win. Fortunately for him, Shingledecker also reacted to the flash of red and he crossed the line in second. Homan was a close third.
Behind the leaders, some positions did change. Dave Murdick, who took the white flag in fourth, was shuffled back to sixth. Brian Swartzlander advanced two spots. Murdick and company quickly lodged a protest.
After learning what happened, track and series officials agreed to hold the finish pending a review of transponder scoring records. A comparison between laps 29 and 30 showed, surprisingly, that Murdick and Swartzlander were the only affected racers.
The speedway stepped up to make up the difference in pay between fourth and sixth position. That left series officials to decide what to do about the points to be awarded.
After getting input from the speedway and from the involved drivers, series officials decided to revert to lap 29 scoring for the purposes of points.
Murdick was restored to fourth and Rex King Sr. held his fifth place finish. Swartzlander was scored in sixth, but paid for fourth as well.
Rounding out the top ten were Mark Flick, Rex King, Jr., Brian Weaver and Chris Haines.
Heat race wins went to Bolland, Swartzlander and Murdick. Bolland broke the track record four times during his heat, but Swartzlander lowered the mark even further in his heat. The record now stands at 19.377. .
There was no B Main.
No provisionals were needed to complete the field.
The Landrum Racer of the Race award was presented to Mark Flick for his smooth and steady run from fourteenth to seventh.
As the feature winner, Bolland also took home a prize from new series sponsor, R2C Performance Products.
BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Two: Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Imperial, PA: May 28, 2011: 1. Kevin Bolland ($1,500); 2. Jeremiah Shingledecker ($1,000); 3. Chad Homan ($800); 4. Dave Murdick ($600); 5. Rex King, Sr. ($550); 6. Brian Swartzlander ($600); 7. Mark Flick ($450); 8. Rex King, Jr. ($400); 9. Brian Weaver ($360); 10. Chris Haines ($330); 11. Mike Turner ($320); 12. Shannon Whaley ($310); 13. Mark Frankhouser ($300); 14. Steve Feder ($290); 15. Shawn Fleeger ($280); 16. Tommy Mattocks ($260); 17. Carl Murdick ($240); 18. Randy Chronister ($230); 19. Don Brown ($225); 20. John Bichanan ($220); 21. Skip Moore ($210); 22. Kevin Hoffman ($205); 23. Brad Rapp ($200).
The roster of 2011 sponsors for The Modified Tour, Inc. includes: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; World Racing Group - DIRTcar; Sunoco Race Fuels - Bazell Oil Co.; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy's Speed Center Inc.; Bulldog Rear Ends - Diversified Machine, Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; ISC Racers Tape; Hall's Safety Equipment Corp.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool's Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; R2C Performance Products; RaceQuip; Ray's Racing Collectibles; Rock Concrete; Slippery Rock Sportswear; T & D Machine; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc. Watch for further additions to the list of 2011 sponsors.
Now entering its fourteeth year of success, The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It expands the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports throught the the tri-state area.
Drivers yearning to get things started
With a little luck, the BRP Modified Tour for Big Blocks will open its 2011 season tonight at Lernerville Speedway. It might take more than luck because the weather has decimated the start of the local racing season.
"It would just be nice to get some laps on the new car," said Jeremiah Shingledecker, Lernerville's 2009 V-8 Modified champion. "That's really what we want to do. This car is a 2011 Bicknell and the old one was a 2010, so there is some stuff we have to work on. We can't really complain about the old car because it won a lot of races."
It did not win the 2010 BRP Modified Tour. That distinction belongs to Rex King Sr. Dave Murdick finished second and Shingledecker was third. Murdick won Lernerville's BRP race last May, and Chad Homan won the race during last year's season-ending Steel City Stampede.
"The motor in this thing is one we broke out about halfway through last season, and it's a great motor," Shingledecker said. "We are hoping to get a few wins under our belt and make a run at the BRP championship."
The BRP Tour began in 1998. Locally, there are a lot of special events for Sprint Cars and Late Models, as well as the national and regional touring events.
The BRP Tour will follow the Lernerville race with events at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Tri-City Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park. In Ohio: Expo and Sharon Speedways, and West Virginia Motor Speedway. There are 14 races scheduled in 2011.
"The BRP is definitely a good thing," Shingledecker said. "It's not a lot of extra money every night, but the point fund at the end of the year is nice. It's also nice to do a little traveling around."
Drivers are looking to collect from the point fund. For winning the 2010 championship, King's share of the point fund was worth $5,350 in cash and prizes. Since 2000, the point fund has been at least $20,000 each season.
Kevin Bolland is one of the region's most successful V-8 Modified drivers, and he is hoping to get his share of the point fund.
"I think the big thing is the end of the year with the point fund," said Bolland, a three-time Lernerville champion. "We have never won the BRP championship. But we had three (second-place finishes) in a row. For a while, we were not even chasing the tour because there were some things we did not agree with. Now, they have some new management, so we are going to give it a run." Bolland would like to do more traveling, but there are budget constraints that limit how effective a driver can be at different tracks. "In Western Pa., this is all we have as extra for Modifieds and these cars are expensive to run, so every little bit helps," Bolland said. "The travel really doesn't bother us. We love those bigger shows, but our budget really doesn't allow us to do as much as we'd like. We don't have two cars, so that makes it hard to go run a big show and then come back and run a point race."
The slow start to the season hasn't been fun, but Bolland is not allowing that to impact his preparation for the race.
"It's just racing to us," Bolland said. "You set up all winter long to get ready for that first night and if you get rained out, it doesn't matter because you are still ready. Then, you just try to get better prepared."
The delays have not bothered Bolland. But drivers such as Phil Evans is anxious to get started.
"It's difficult to go out there when you are just trying to learn the car, especially with a bunch of guys like in a BRP race," Evans said. "Once you get the car right, it should not be too hard each week. But until we get it to where I am comfortable, we have a lot of work to do.
"I am a little rusty from last year and this is a whole new car. Everything is different. It's a new Bicknell. I planned on running last year but things didn't work out. It's a 2010, so we are starting fresh. We've only had one night on it. I am just going to run Lernerville until I get it figured out and get comfortable in the car."
Beaver County's Bolland opens big!
Kevin Bolland's 52nd win in a Big-Block Modified a week ago at Lernerville might be the biggest win of his career.
The come-from-behind win on opening night at Lernerville for this Beaver County Sports Hall of Famer ranks up there with Bolland's DIRT Modified Series win at the Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., in 2003.
Bolland was in fourth with two laps to go and used the whole track, including the opposite slope on the back straightaway, to challenge race leaders Dave Murdick and Jeremiah Shingledecker.
On the green-white-checkered flag restart, Bolland came from the outside of the second row to rocket himself around the leaders for the win.
"We just found some bite [moisture] up around the top," Bolland said. "The guy in the second row always has a better view and we were able to capitalize on that."
You don't usually see door-to-door racing on opening night. Most openers are filled with bumping and banging, drivers knocking the rust off skills they haven't used in more than six months.
It was more than just the start of another race season for the defending Big-Block champion at Lernerville, it was a new beginning.
Like others in the field, Bolland showcased a new sponsor on his modified.
Bolland doesn't have as much equipment and money behind him as people might think, his team just makes it look that way.
Uniforms, the organized pit vehicle, all of this makes the Bolland team stand out when it comes to fans and causal observers.
"The crew just does their homework in the garage and it pays off at the track, it's a combination of everything" he said.
Boundary Systems, a distributor of PTC Pro Engineering Software from Cleveland apparently liked the combination enough to have sought out the team for sponsorship for a new product, CREO.
"[Boundary Systems] sought us out, we didn't seek them," he said.
"Your character, your look, your team building skills, your image, those are what sell. People pay attention to organizations. This isn't the first time that we've been told that we have a nice looking car, look like a team, act like a team and present a professional image."
Don't think that landing a sponsor changes everything.
"Having a sponsor helps lessen our losses," he said. "As unfortunate as it is, we have one car and we are trying to win three championships this year. We just have to finish races and have a good dependable car to get us there."
"We have to keep doing the same thing we've been doing since 1999. We just keep working within our means. I don't know if it can be done but we are going to try," he said.
If the result at Lernerville's opener is any indication, Bolland is off to a good start.
Rockets at Lernerville
Fans will be admitted free to the grandstands Tuesday and May 31 as Rocket Chassis plays host to two practice sessions at Lernerville Speedway for local and regional late model drivers.
Lugnuts
Lernerville Speedway is in action at 7 p.m. today with four divisions in action. ... Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown begins its season at 7:30 p.m. today, featuring five divisions. ... Barry Awtey won the Super Late Model 50-lap event at Motordrome Speedway. The NASCAR weekly racing series is in action with all five divisions at 7:30 today at the paved oval in Smithton. ... Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway has "Cadet Frenzoid" at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Monster Half-Mile dirt oval near Imperial. Cadet division drivers will battle for 25 laps in their biggest feature of the year with the winner taking home $500. ... Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex opens for the season at 7:15 p.m. Saturday. The dirt oval near Markleysburg, Fayette County, features six divisions every Saturday. ... Mercer Raceway Park puts six divisions on the track at 7 p.m. Saturday. ... Pittsburgh Raceway Park in New Alexandria looks to open the season at 9 a.m. Saturday with a test-and-tune session along with a swap meet.
DJ Johnson can be reached at J1360rpm@aol.com">DJ1360rpm@aol.com.
First published on April 22, 2011 at 12:17 am
Bolland takes Opening Night Win
In the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Modifieds, Defending Track Champion Kevin Bolland welcomed a new sponsor to the fold with a pulse-pounding feature win in the CreoRacing.com #777 to score his 52nd career Modified win at the Action Track!
A future Hall of Famer never really “comes out of nowhere”, but even right up to the green-white-checker restart, Bolland wasn’t much of a threat to win the race. Dave Murdick run away with the first ten laps of the race until a caution slowed the field on lap 11. The restart slotted Jeremiah Shingledecker right alongside Murdick and they exchanged the lead twice before that fabled green-white-checker restart.
When the green flag waved for the final time, Kevin Bolland mashed the loud pedal and pulled alongside Murdick and Shingledecker down the backstretch sending them three-wide into turn three. Bolland used that same high groove exiting turn two to take the lead down the backstretch on the final lap and held of Shingledecker at the flagstand to score the Opening Night win in the Diehl Mods.
Shingledecker finished second, while Murdick (whom led 19 of 25 laps) crossed the stripe third. NY invader Brian Weaver overcame some bad luck in the heat race to finish fourth after starting the feature on the back row. Brad Rapp scored a strong fifth place finish ahead of Brian Swartzlander, Jim Weller Jr., Mark Frankhouser, Dean Pearson and Phil Evans Jr. Swartzlander and Shingledecker were National Guard heat race victors and Shingledecker leads the Bud Points over Bolland and Murdick.
Fab Four Racing is back next Friday, April 22 on Silver Jacket Night and Easter Egg Extravaganza! Then in two weeks, on Friday, April 29, the All Star Late Models roll into Sarvertown for a $5,000-to-win Showdown. The DIRTcar Pro Late Models and UMP Modifieds are also on the card that night.
The first-ever Action Track Podcast Race Recap is posted on our website www.Lernerville.com, as is the entire rundown of Budweiser points.
Contact: Lernerville Speedway
Eric J. Westendorf, Public Relations Director
(724) 664-1075 | ewestendorf@dirtcar.com
Kevin Bolland is the 2010 Lernerville Speedway Track Champion
Stivason Photos
Bolland entered last night with a comfortable lead in the Budweiser Points in the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modified division, but had three drivers within striking distance and standing between he and his third Track Championship. He mathematically eliminated Defending Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker and Del Rougeux Jr. after National Guard Heat Races were completed. As the Diehl Mods rolled onto the Action Track for the first feature of Championship Night, Bolland needed to finish just 17th or higher to clinch the title over longtime nemesis Brian Swartzlander. But Bolland wasn’t resting on his laurels nor simply counting down the laps. Instead, he was up on the wheel and heavy on the gas, as there are less possibilities of finding misfortune the more cars that are behind you!
Polesitter Jeremiah Shingledecker took the quick lead at the drop of the green flag and led the first 21 circuits. Bolland started seventh but quickly made his way to the front where he challenged Del Rougeux Jr. for second place on lap three. They swapped second place several times over the next 20 laps, but a late race caution set the table for Bolland to win the Track Championship in style! With four laps to go, Bolland took the lead from Shingledecker around the topside of turns one & two on the lap 22 restart. Once out front, Bolland would not be caught and he scored his 51st Lernerville Speedway Modified Victory and third Modified Track Championship.
Shingledecker held on to finish second. Brian Swartzlander saw his title hopes shredded on lap six when he rolled to a stop on the front stretch after contact with Dean Pearson shredded his left rear tire. Swartzlander charged back through the field to finish third in the race and second in the Budweiser Point Standings. Dave Murdick finished fourth, while J.R. McGinley ran a very strong race to finish fifth. Carl Murdick, Mark Frankhouser, Mike Turner, Jeff Schaffer and Steve Feder rounded out the Diehl Top Ten. Swartzlander and Murdick won National Guard Heat Races.
Final Points Results:
Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar
Pos # Modifieds Pts
1 777 Kevin Bolland 457
2 83 Brian Swartzlander 433
3 37 Jer. Shingledecker 426
4 20D Del Rougeux Jr. 424
5 61 Dave Murdick 408
6 96 Mike Turner 331
7 8J Dean Pearson 321
8 6 Carl Murdick 285
9 45 Steve Feder 273
10 88 Shawn Fleeger 244
11 29E Erik Martin 166
12 71D Don Brown 155
13 31 Jim Weller Jr. 149
14 28 Tom Winkle 145
15 74 Kevin Green 96
16 O3 Mark Frankhouser 84
17 27R Dave Reges 66
18 11R Brad Rapp 60
19 66 J.R. McGinley 58
20 65 Rex King Sr. 57
21 35H Haines/T.S'decker 52
22 333 Ron Eperthener Jr. 49
23 165 Rex King Jr. 48
24 17M Skip Moore 40
25 75 Jeff Miller 37
26 73 Mike Miller 35
27 11B Brian Bailes 34
28 516 Gary Smoker 29
29 10 Jeff Schaffer 22
30 66F Kyle Fink 21
31 69 Tommy Mattocks 21
32 71 Randy Chronister 16
Kevin Bolland collects his 48th Career Win at Lernerville Speedway, takes Bud Points lead
Stivason Photos
After the dust settled from an exciting DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series feature won by Defending Track Champion Rod George, Kevin Bolland, Chub Frank and Bob Egley each visited Sheetz Victory Lane during the second Fast Friday of Fab Four Racing.
The Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds feature rolled off with Steve Feder and Kevin Bolland on the front row. Bolland entered the event as the co-points leader along with Opening Night feature winner Brian Swartzlander. When the green flag waved, Bolland jumped out to a quick lead, while leadfooted Del Rougeux Jr. gave chase.
Despite Rougeux’s best efforts and a few laps of three wide racing when Brian Swartzlander joined the leaders, Bolland led every lap to secure his 48th career feature win at Lernerville Speedway. In the process, Bolland took sole possession of the Budweiser Points lead.
The battles behind Bolland for positions two through five were extremely competitive. Rougeux spent most of the race in second place, save for a few laps mid-race when Brian Swartzlander challenged for the lead. However on lap 14, Swartzlander entered turn one a little too hot and jumped the cushion, allowing Bolland and Rougeux to pull away. Rougeux finished second ahead of Dave Murdick (third) and Defending Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker (fourth). Swartzlander recovered to score another top five finish and sits second in points, trailing Bolland by nine points. The ever-improving Mike Turner had a great run and scored a solid sixth place finish ahead of veterans Dean Pearson (seventh), Jim Weller (eighth) and Carl Murdick (ninth), while Mark Frankhouser rounded out the Diehl Top Ten. Heat races were checkered Bolland and Dave Murdick.
Beaver County 'hall' comes calling for Bolland
Beaver County native Kevin Bolland was preparing for the 2010 DIRTcar Modified season when the call came to join the likes of Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Joe Namath and childhood friend Terry Francona in the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame.
"I was surprised when I got a phone call on a Sunday night about three months ago," Bolland said. "It was quite a surprise. I wasn't ready. I didn't even know that I was one of the nominees."
Bolland, 50, of New Brighton will become the first auto racing driver to be inducted Sunday into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame.
After a brief professional career racing motorcycles, Bolland turned to the dirt tracks, driving a family owned Big Block Modified in 1982 with good results. In his first year, Bolland won seven features at Lernerville and Sharon Speedways along with a track championship at Mercer Raceway Park.
Since that breakout year, Bolland has collected eight track titles, a few regional championships and 107 feature wins. His biggest win came in 2003 at the Super DIRTcar Series event at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.
Bolland plans to continue competing with the Modified locally and with the Super DIRTcar Series when the opportunity presents itself.
Ironically, Kevin isn't the first member of the Bolland family utilizing wheels to be inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame. Jan Bolland-Tanner, Kevin's sister, was inducted in 2003 after a long road-racing cycling career representing the United States Cycling Team, winning gold and bronze medals at the World and Pan-Am Games.
DIRTcar Big-Block Star Kevin Bolland To Join Beaver County Sports Hall DIRTcar Big-Block Star Kevin Bolland To Join Beaver County Sports Hall
Weedsport, NY – April 9, 2010 – DIRTcar Big-Block Modified standout Kevin Bolland has been chosen for induction into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame and will be honored Sunday, April 18, at the annual dinner to be held at The Fez, 2312 Brodhead Road, Hopewell Township, Aliquippa, Pa. with festivities beginning at 6 p.m.
As the Hall’s first-ever motorsports inductee, Bolland's recent selection unites him with 346 other honored men and women who have excelled in their chosen sport or sports-related activity. Among the elite list of athletes already enshrined are National Football League legends Mike Ditka ’77 (coach of 1986 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears), Joe Namath ’82 (quarterback of 1969 Super Bowl Champion New York Jets) and Tony Dorsett ’94 (running back for 1978 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys; 1976 Heisman Trophy winner), major league baseball notables Terry Francona ’95 (manager for 2-time World Series Champion Boston Red Sox) and Joe Beggs ’79 (relief pitcher for World Series Champions New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds), plus National Basketball Association sharpshooter ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich ’90 (5-time All-Star game selection).
On April 18, Bolland, 50, from New Brighton, Pa., will be joined with nine more honored athletes and sports personalities that comprise the Class of 2010. This newest group of outstanding individuals includes Keystone State stalwarts Bob Babich, Sig Brauch, Ellis Cannon, Joe DAlessandris, Mike Emrick, Scott Ensworth, Ginsburg Hyman, Jerald Ingram and Myron Walker.
A veteran of 27 years in racing, Bolland has captured hundreds of victories along with eight Big-Block Modified point championships at homestate ovals Tri-City Speedway (5) in Franklin, Lernerville Speedway (2) in Sarver, and Mercer Raceway in 1982 --- the same season he was named Western Pennsylvania Rookie of the Year. On the DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit, he has taken 60 checkered all in the new millennium, with the biggest win scored in Super DIRTcar Series competition at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in 2003.
The Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those who have brought fame and recognition to Beaver County through their contributions to the world of sports. Founded on Sept 18, 1975, the Sports Hall is housed in the Golden Dome of the Community College of Beaver County in Center Township, Pa. and the museum is open during regular college hours and dome events.
For further information, please contact Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame representative Jack Fullen at 724/846-6600x242.
DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event ---Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse runs annually in October featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging intowww.allstar100weekend.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.
The Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Hoosier Racing Tire www.hoosiertire.com and VP Racing Fuels www.vpracingfuels.com. Promotional partners include Rite Aid Corporation www.riteaid.com, Dig Safely New Yorkwww.digsafelynewyork.com and the University of Northwestern Ohio www.unoh.com and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks www.barsproducts.com, Bert Transmission www.berttransmission.com, Bicknell Racing Products www.bicknellracingproducts.com, Bilstein Shocks www.bilstein.com, Brodix Cylinder Headswww.brodix.com, Ferris Industries www.ferrisindustries.com, Integra Shockswww.integrashocksandsprings.com, Intercomp www.intercomp-racing.com, KSE Racing Products www.kse-racing.com, Motorsports Safety Systems www.motorsportssafetysystems.com, Penske Shocks,www.penskeshocks.com, Racing Electronics www.racingelectronics.com, Rislone Oil Stabilizerwww.barsproducts.com and Wrisco Industries www.wrisco.com.
Bolland focuses on more lucerative endeavor
The mass e-mailing was as blunt as it was surprising. In November, Kevin Bolland and his team sent out a notice that read that they were having a garage sale to empty the team's racing garage, a garage that has helped him win more than 100 V-8 Modified features — 47 at Lernerville Speedway — and eight track championships.
"We did have a big garage sale, and sold off a bunch of extra stuff we have accumulated over the years," Bolland said. "We had thoughts of getting a Late Model ride and after, I guess, 27 years running the Modified, we had a lot of stuff that was sitting around that was still good equipment."
Bolland's success on the track has not gone unnoticed. Later this month, he will become the first person associated with auto racing inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held April 18 at Fez in Hopewell Township.
"We had some inquiries from people about running their Late Model, but I don't want to just drive a Late Model," Bolland said. "I want to be in a car that is capable of being a top contender. I know it will take a little time, but I feel we bring enough to the table and have had enough success in the Modified that we could do it."
The bad economy that's still plaguing the country did not spare the local racing community. No matter what division, track or traveling series in which a driver wants to take part, economics dictate what a team can do each season. And the fact that Bolland has spent his entire auto racing career in a Modified makes it tougher.
"Things didn't pan out the way we had hoped to have happen," Bolland said. "When you look at it, it's really silly to be sitting here in Pennsylvania and not in New York, which is the home of Big Block Modified racing. It really is too expensive to run a Modified for what we get paid in this part of the country.
"As it stands right now, we are planning on running the Modified, but we will not be running for points anywhere. To do that, you have to commit to being there every night, and I just don't think right now that it is worth it for us. At Tri-City and Lernerville, we were second in points and I think we took home $1,000 for second from Lernerville and $1,100 from Tri-City. That was the check we got from the point funds.
"When you look at costs right now, there is a lot more than that," Bolland added. "I said to my guys that I could just take a night off and save myself $1,000 in wear and tear on the car. To run at one of these big shows, you have to run fast and run hard. When I do go to one of those big shows, I have to have equal or better equipment than the rest of the field."
That is one of the reasons Bolland and his team began to consider the Late Models, that and the amount of success the team has had makes this another challenge.
"The motor program in Late Models is a big-buck deal, but I feel our team brings a lot to the table. We have run both the Big Block and the smaller blocks in the Modified, so we can do it. In our Modified racing, we have primarily run the Big Block. I've never set foot in a Late Model, though, but we'd go for the Super Late Models."
Lernerville is the only track in the United State that runs the big three — Sprint Cars, Super Late Models and Big Block Modifieds — on a weekly basis and even though the track has a terrific Modified history, the Late Models have been the hot division for the past several seasons.
"I am not really sure what is the future of the local racing scene for the Modifieds," Bolland said. "I know that people can see me as a villain if that is what helps drive people to the stands, but they can't actually make me be a villain. We are certainly not getting out of racing, and we will be in the Big Block Modifieds this season, and not until someone wants to bring along a good Late Model package that we think can work."
There is another issue that has been subject to much misinformation since last season's running of Super DIRT Week at Syracuse. The issue is still not resolved but one aspect of the fallout is certain, according to a representative of Modified Tour Inc., Bolland has been given a lifetime ban from serving as the tour's representative at Super DIRT Week.
That does not mean Bolland is banned from Syracuse, just that he can't represent Modified Tour Inc. with its spot in the show. Bolland did not run for the Modified Tour championship last season, so he might again pick and choose which series races he wants to attend. The same is true in picking and choosing what local races he wants to attend.
"You know if we want to go up to New York and race in a couple of big shows and then not have to run back home and worry about points at a track, we will do that," Bolland said. "But we like to run locally, too, because our fans are always looking for us. Probably as many love me as hate me."
Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame
On April 18th, his name will be joined with the nine other honored athletes and sports personalities listed on the bottom of this letter. The Class of 2O10 is an outstanding group that we are pleased and proud to honor. The dinner, a grand event, is annually attended by four to five hundred relatives and friends of the honorees.
Click here for ticket information. It is recommended that you use the form to assure seating with other friends and relatives. Make additional copies if necessary and order your tickets early. A form is also available to purchase an ad for the professionally prepared Induction Dinner Program, which makes an excellent keepsake for Kevin's big night.
If you have any questions, please contact Jack Fullen at 724-846-6600 x242, Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame representative.
We look forward to seeing you on April 18, 2010.
Directions to the Fez
Yours in Sports, Will Dagen, President Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame *CLASS OF 2010" Bob Babich, Kevin Bolland, Sig Brauch, Ellis Cannon, Joe DAlessandris, Mike Emrick, Scott Ensworth, Ginsburg Hyman*, Jerald Ingram, Myron Walker
* deceased
Bolland contemplating leaving Modified racing
NEW BRIGHTON — Citing inconsistencies in rules and frustration over recent sanctions imposed by the BRP Modified Tour, Kevin Bolland is considering leaving Modified dirt track racing.
Bolland, who turned 50 on Friday, has won eight track championships during his career, including the 2002 and 2006 Modified titles at Lernerville Speedway. The New Brighton resident won his 100th-career feature April 24 of last season, but he was unable to compete at Lernerville's Steel City Stampede last weekend because of a two-race suspension levied by BRP. The suspension, which included a lifetime ban from the Syracuse National Modified Championships, occurred while Bolland was in Syracuse, N.Y., for the 2009 event. "I was there to watch. I didn't even bring my car with me," Bolland said. "There was a communication problem up there over an incident I wasn't involved in. "The whole thing just isn't right. It's very frustrating."
Bolland said a miscommunication at Tri-City Speedway resulted in him being black-flagged one night in June, ultimately costing him a fourth consecutive track championship there."I'm tired of confusion at tracks and with promoters," Bolland said. "BRP has a set of rules and specs that go with their races, yet tracks use their own rules when hosting those events.
"Everyone's not on the same page and that makes it tough to compete." Part of the Bol-Tech Motorsports ownership group, Bolland said racing is a business for him and he needs to finish among the top three consistently to keep his program going.
"Our purses around here dictate that," he said. Lernerville and other Western Pennsylvania tracks pay about $1,100 to their Modified feature winners each week. Tracks in New York and at Lebanon Valley pay as much as $2,500. "I know where Kevin's coming from because I'm in the same boat," said veteran Modified driver Brian Swartzlander. "If I don't finish among the top three, I don't get new tires on my car."
Swartzlander finished sixth at the Steel City Stampede and received $325. "We all do this as a business, in a way," he said. "You have to be able to keep your race program going. "The Modified division can't afford to lose Kevin. He's one of the top drivers we have. A lot of people pay their money to watch he and I go at it on the track. That's part of the show," Swartzlander added.
Bolland has put all of his equipment up for sale. It will be available at a Nov. 14 garage sale that will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bol-Tech Motorsports in Beaver Falls. Bolland's future in racing is anybody's guess including his own. "I'm not saying I'm retiring, quitting or anything," he said. "It's all up in the air right now."
Race Equipment Garage Sale–Everything is For Sale!
When: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Where: Bol-Tech Motorsports, Inc., 2718 Darlington Road - Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Time: 8AM-4PM
Phone: (724 846-1348 [M-F 8AM-5PM]
Directions: Click Here
Any questions, email me at kevin[at]kevinbolland[dot]com or call (724) 846-1348 [MON-FRI 8:00AM-5:00PM]
Revin' Kevin Bolland Hits Grand Slam
Kevin Bolland #777 pacing the field in a four-wide salute to the fans - Stivason Photos
While Bolland certainly did not run away with the win, the real race was behind him for second place. Jeremiah Shingledecker ran second most of the race but upstart youngster Rex King Jr. (#165 of Bristolville, OH) slid under Shingledecker in turns one & two to take second place on the back straightaway with two to go. One more caution slowed the field, but King Jr. (a.k.a. “Cooter&rdquo
crossed the stripe second behind Bolland. Dave Murdick (#61 of Slippery Rock) used the final restart to pass Shingledecker for third. Shingledecker finished fourth, followed by Rex King Sr. (#65 of Bristolville, OH) who rounded out the BRP Top Five. The rest of the top ten went to Jeff Hoffman in sixth, Mark Flick in seventh, Del Rougeux Jr. in eighth, Brad Rap in ninth and Dean Pearson in tenth. Mike Turner (#96 of Butler) won the B-Main, as Gary Smoker, Steve Feder and Tommy Mattocks also transferred into the 30 lap BRP/Diehl Modified Feature. Heat races winners were Rex King Sr., Rex King Jr., Jim Weller Jr. and Tom Winkle.Defending Lernerville Track Champion and BRP Modified Tour Champion Brian Swartzlander missed last night’s feature event as the result of a nasty accident at PPMS last weekend, but hopes to be back behind the wheel of his familiar #83 in two weeks when the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds return to the schedule after a hiatus next week for the O’Reilly All Star Sprint Show. We certainly wish Brian Swartzlander a quick and complete recovery!
Bolland Again!
www.modifiedtourinc.com
When you’re hot, you’re hot, and nobody is hotter than Kevin Bolland on the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. The veteran driver from New Brighton, PA scored his third Tour win in a row and fourth overall. The skien started at Lernerville Speedway last week and continued there on Friday. Sandwiched in between were wins at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and Tri-City Speedway.
Although Bolland would lead 24 of the 30 laps, he did not have an easy time of it. Because the Mods caught yellow fever, Jeremiah Shingledecker and company had many opportunities to overtake him. Ironically, it was a yellow flag that set up Bolland’s winning move. After that, he was up to the task each time. Bolland credited his good starts to the powerful engine prepared in his father’s shop. “That Bolland Machine horsepower; we work on cam shaft design and we’ve come up with a good combination; the thing pulls off the corners.”
Lady luck smiled on Bolland once again, as he drew a front row starting spot for the 30 lap feature. However, the current DIRTcar Western Regional points leader, Jeremiah Shingledecker, would flank him. At the drop of the green, Bolland surged to the outside lane and grabbed the early lead over Shingledecker and Rex King, Sr.
Shingledecker stayed close, and snuck by Bolland on the inside in turn three on lap six. He would lead for six circuits. However, when the aution waived for the first of two cautions charged to Jeremy Paup, Bolland got another chance to flex his muscle. He drove around Shingledecker coming off turn four and grabbed the lead for good as the duo swept through the first and second turns. King Sr. remained in third, followed by Dave Murdick and Jim Weller, Jr.
Despite several more interruptions for minor skirmishes, the lead quintet continued to run in formation until lap 19. On that lap. Rex King, Jr. entered the top five. He came from eleventh on the starting grid. Behind him was Del Rougeux, Jr., the Modified Tour points leader entering this race. Rougeux came from deep in the pack, twentieth.
While still running sixth, Rougeux pitted to replace a flat right front tire during a caution on lap 26. At that time, Bolland still led Shingledecker. But, King Jr. was now in third. King, Sr. held down fourth and D. Murdick rounded out the top five.
The leaders again stayed in position through a couple more cautions. Behind them, drivers were swapping positions. Like Rougeux before him, Brad Rapp also came from deep in the pack to crack the top ten. He held the sixth spot through the final several restarts. However, he gave back a few spots on the final lap. Rapp’s teammate, Kevin Hoffman, was one driver who benefitted from Rapp’s misfortune, as Hoffman gained several positions in the final laps.
Bolland took the checkers, followed by the fast-closing King Jr. D. Murdick climbed to third. Shingledecker and King Sr. rounded out the top five.
Kevin Hoffman, Mark Flick, Rougeux, Rapp and Dean Pearson completed the top ten.
Heats were won by King, Jr., King, Sr., Weller and Tom Winkle.
The B Main was captured by Mike Turner.
The Red Bear Hand Cleaner “Clean Move of the Race Award” was conferred on Rex King, Jr. for his charge from eleventh to second.
The next BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour event will be on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Eriez Speedway, Hammett, PA.
For more information check our website at www.modifiedtourinc.com.
The BRP Modified Tour ‘09 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Keizer Racing Wheels, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc., Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hometown Pharmacy, Wedge Motorsports, Red Bear Hand Cleaner, Motorsports World, and Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP.
The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker, and Randy Myers, the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.
Official Order of Finish: BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour (Round 4): Lernerville Speedway: 30 Laps: May 29, 2009
1. Kevin Bolland $1,300; 2. Rex King, Jr. $870; 3. Dave Murdick $650; 4. Jeremiah Shingledecker $550; 5. Rex King, Sr. $500; 6. Kevin Hoffman $420; 7. Mark Flick $400; 8. Del Rougeux, Jr. $380; 9. Brad Rapp $360; 10. Dean Pearson $330; 11. Tom Winkle $320; 12. Jim Weller, Jr. $310; 13. Tommy Mattocks $300; 14. Gary Smoker $290; 15. Jeff Miller $280; 16. Chris Dye $260; 17. Carl Murdick $240; 18. Steve Feder $230; 19. Gene Kirila $220; 20. Mike Turner $200; 21. Jim Rasey $200; 22. Joe Crawford $200; 23. Jeremy Paup $200; 24. Mike Miller $200; 25. Garrett Krummert $200; 26. Carl Weatherby $200.
DNQ (all $100): Mark Frankhouser, Ron Eperthener, Ryan Hall, Eric Martin, Rick Ryder, Bryan Sadler, Shawn Fleeger, Rodney Beltz.
Bolland Doubles on Tour
Kevin Bolland captured Tri-City Speedway’s first of three events for the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. It was Bolland’s second Tour win of the weekend and third overall.
Brad Papp and Dean Pearson led the way at the drop of the green flag for the 30 lapper. However, Crawford was the man with a plan, as he quickly worked his way to the front.
Close behind Crawford, who was seeking his first Tour win, Bolland executed a brilliant thread the needle move to go from sixth to fourth in one corner of the speedway. Bolland took second on lap 6 and started to track down Crawford.
Bolland got his chance on the restart after a caution on lap 9. Crawford took the high side, thinking that he could drive off the corner. When he hit the throttle, though, the tires broke loose and there may have been some contact between the leaders. Bolland got the better bite on the bottom and that allowed him to assume command. Bolland continued to lead Crawford through the middle stages of the race. However, action for positions in the top ten was hot and heavy. Rapp, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Del Rougeux, Jr., Kevin Hoffman, Gary Smoker, Dave Murdick and Rex King, Jr. were swapping positions lap after lap.
The race was marred by a major crash on lap 28. While fighting for position, Gary Smoker went three wide coming off turn two. He got into the backstretch fence. The car spun wildly several times and came to rest facing traffic. With the pack rapidly approaching his disabled mount, Skip Moore had no place to go. He went up over Smoker’s right front wheel and was launched high into the air. Moore flipped several times before coming to rest entering turn three. Moore’s new car was demolished. Smoker’s car sustained major crash damage as well and may require a new front clip. Fortunately, neither driver was injured in the melee.
This unfortunate event set up a two lap dash for the cash. Bolland got away cleanly and was chased to the checkers by Rougeux. Hoffman charged around the outside to take third, followed by Crawford and Shingledecker. Rounding out the top ten were Rapp, D. Murdick, Pearson, Tommy Kristyak and King, Jr.
The heat races were won by Bolland, King, Jr. and Andy Priest.
There was no B Main, as the speedway elected to start 29 cars. Jeremy Paup scratched from the B and was unable to start the feature.
The Red Bear Hand Cleaner “Clean Move of the Race Award” was conferred on Kevin Bolland for his amazing pass to move from sixth to fourth in turn four early in the feature.
The next BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour event will be held on May 29, 2009, at Lernerville Speedway, in Sarver, PA.
For more information, please check our website at www.modifiedtourinc.com.
The BRP Modified Tour ‘09 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Keizer Racing Wheels, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc., Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hometown Pharmacy, Wedge Motorsports, Red Bear Hand Cleaner, Motorsports World, and Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP.
The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker, and Randy Myers, the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.
Official Order of Finish: BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour (Round 3): Tri-City: 30 Laps: May 24, 2009
1. Kevin Bolland $1,300; 2. Del Rougeux, Jr. $870; 3. Kevin Hoffman $650; 4. Joe Crawford $550; 5. Jeremiah Shingledecker $500; 6. Brad Rapp $420; 7. Dave Murdick $400; 8. Dean Pearson $380; 9. Tommy Kristyak $360; 10. Rex King, Jr. $330; 11. Jim Rasey $320; 12. Mike Turner $310; 13. Jeff Miller $300; 14. Tommy Mattocks $290; 15. Mark Frankhouser $280; 16. Ron Eperthener $260; 17. Rick Ryder $240; 18. Ryan Hall $230; 19. Steve Feder $220; 20. Gary Smoker $200; 21. Skip Moore $200; 22. Mike Miller $200; 23. Carl Murdick $200; 24. Kyle Fink $200; 25. Garrett Krummert $200; 26. Rex King, Sr. $200; 27. Andy Priest $200; 28. Brian Sadler $200; 29. Rodney Beltz $200. DNS: Jeremy Paup $100.
Bolland Catches Modified Mania at PPMS
Kevin Bolland, of nearby New Brighton, PA, scored the win in the Modified Mania 30 presented by Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc., at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.
“When I picked that number (2), I knew that we would be OK,” Bolland said Saturday night after his win. He jumped to an early lead and led the entire distance on Dirt’s Monster Half Mile.
Bolland held control through the first caution, on lap 8, for Rick Ryder, Tommy Kristyak and Rodney Beltz. Behind Bolland, though, Mike Miller was putting on the race of his life. Miller briefly lost second to Rex King, Sr. at the drop of the green, but used the momentum coming off the high side of turn two to regain the position. He maintained it through the entire first half of the race. He slipped back one position, but pitted for a new tire while the race was halted on lap 22 for a major crash in turn one.
Battles trough the pack were furious as the 32 car field of Big Block Mods thundered around Dirt’s Monster Half Mile. Dave Murdick, Jeremiah Shingledecker, King Sr., Rex King, Jr., Del Rougeux, Jr., Joe Crawford and Brad Rapp were mixing it up lap after lap.
The action came to an abrupt halt on lap 22, when two cars tangled briefly in turn one. Brian Swartzlander was turned in the confusion and his car was hit hard on the left side by Phil Evans, who had no place to go to avoid impact. Others involved were Mark Flick, who backed into turn one’s wall, and Kevin Hoffman, who hit Flick. All four cars were unable to return, but, fortunately, the drivers did not require major medical attention.
When racing resumed, Jeremiah Shingledecker was positioned to take a run at the leader. Shingledecker had been turning quicker laps than Bolland before the red and many thought that he could take the lead away from Bolland. However, Shingledecker’s mount broke a drive flange and he retired from the event.
Racing was stopped again briefly for Jeremy Paup’s flat tire. He cut it down on some debris from the lapp 22 crash.
The heat races for the 37 car field were won by Kevin Bolland, Mike Turner, Kevin Hoffman and Rex King, Sr. The B Mains was captured by Dean Pearson, the Harrisville Hustler.
The Red Bear Hand Cleaner “Clean Move of the Race Award” was conferred on Mike Miller for his strong top five feature run until suffering a flat tire.
The next BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour event will be held on May 24, 2009, at Tri-City Speedway, in Franklin, PA. For more information, please check our website at www.modifiedtourinc.com.
The BRP Modified Tour ‘09 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Keizer Racing Wheels, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc., Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, King Brothers Feed and Supply, Oyler Action Photos, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hometown Pharmacy, Wedge Motorsports, Red Bear Hand Cleaner, Motorsports World, and Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP.
The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker, and Randy Myers, the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.
Official Order of Finish: BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour (Round 2): Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway: 30 Laps: May 23, 2009
1. Kevin Bolland $1,500; 2. Dave Murdick $1,000; 3. Rex King, Sr. $800; 4. Del Rougeux, Jr. $600; 5. Tom Winkle $550; 6. Brad Rapp $500; 7. Joe Crawford $450; 8. Jim Rasey $400; 9. Gary Smoker $350; 10. Rex King, Jr. $325; 11. Garrett Krummert $300; 12. Ron Eperthener $290; 13. Tommy Mattocks $280; 14. Ryan Hall $270; 15. Carl Murdick $260; 16. Brian Sadler $250; 17. Steve Barr $240; 18. Mike Miller $230; 19. Mark Frankhouser $225; 20. Rick Ryder $220; 21. Mike Turner $210; 22. Jeremy Paup $205; 23. Jeremiah Shingledecker $200; 24. Brian Swartzlander $200; 25. Mark Flick $200; 26. Phil Evans $200; 27. Kevin Hoffman $200; 28. Steve Feder $200; 29. Randy Chronister $200; 30. Rodney Beltz $200; 31. Dean Pearson $200; 32. Tommy Kristyak $200. DNQ (all $100): Jeff Miller, Shawn Fleeger, Kyle Fink, Skip Moore, Rich Whitney.
777 JackPot
The Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds rumbled onto the speedway next with most of the big hitters in rows three through six. Dean Pearson jumped into the lead on the opening lap from the second row, then his second starting row make Phil Evans Jr. took the lead. After an early DNF in last week’s feature, Kevin Bolland was on a mission last night. On the lap three restart, Bolland (#777 of New Brighton) looked like he was shot out of a cannon, moving up one spot on each of the next three laps before taking the lead from Evans (#38 of Greensburg) on lap six. Once in front, Bolland stretched his lead to almost half a straightaway until a caution slowed the field on laps 12 and 16 allowing Two-time Defending Track Champion Brian Swartzlander to restart alongside the leader. By lap 21, Bolland had stretched his lead almost a half straightaway again and appeared to be on cruise control with Sheetz Victory Lane in sight; but one final caution provided a green-white-checkered restart. Bolland, however, would not be denied the victory and held off Swartzlander and a hard charging Dave Murdick to take his second feature win of the season at Lernerville Speedway.
Despite the win, Bolland did not make up much ground in the Bud Points chase, as Brian Swartzlander (#83 of Leechburg), Dave Murdick (#61 of Slippery Rock), Jeremiah Shingledecker (#37MD of Polk) and Del Rougeux Jr. (#20D of Frenchville) rounded out the top five. The Bud Points chase in the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds is the closest of any of the Fab Four Divisions and these five drivers are separated by just 15 points from first to fifth! Finishing positions six through ten went to Tom Winkle, Jim Weller Jr., Phil Evans Jr., Mike Turner and Mike Miller. Heat race victors were Swartzlander and Murdick. Up next for the Diehl Mods is next week’s BRP race.