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by Brian Spaid
May 22, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRANKLIN, PA ..The BRP/Hoosier Race Tires/Sunoco Race Fuels Modified
Tour 2008 will kickoff a new season on Sunday May 25th at Tri-City
Speedway as the venerable half-mile dirt track hosts the 5th Annual Dick
Rankin Memorial
Presented by Rankin & Son Excavating of Clarion, Pa., the 30-lap
race honors the memory of DIRTcar Big Block Modified star Dick Rankin, who
died in an off-track construction accident in 2003. In addition to the
Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modified, the Memorial Day Weekend
special will include the 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, RPM
Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating
Pro Stocks, and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars.
As an added bonus, The Dirt Track Channel will offer a live webcast
of the race. Based out of Selinsgrove, Pa., The Dirt Track Channel
website is www.thedirttrrackchannel.com. Shawn Wood, President of The Dirt
Track Channel, visited Tri-City on May 4th to check out the
surroundings and establish logistics for the webcast.
The BRP Modified Tour started in 1998 in order to support local
DIRTcar Big Block Modified competitors, and it has increased in popularity
each season. Four-time Tri-City track champion Brian Swartzlander of
Leechburg, Pa., was the BRP Modified Tour champion in 1998 and 1999. The
late Jeff Hoffman of Franklin, Pa., shared the 2000 title with Ellwood
City, Pa., driver Rodney Beltz. Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock, Pa., was
the champion in 2001. Then, for three consecutive seasons, former
Sharon Speedway champion Ron Smoker of Hamburg, N.Y., triumphed as the
series champion. Smoker retired from competition at the end of the 2004,
but returned to action in 2007. Rex King of Bristolville, Ohio, stepped
forward and triumphed as the BRP Modified Tour champion in 2005 and
2006. In 2007, King's son and young phenom Russell King of Bristolville,
Ohio, became the seventh champion in Tour history.
Although Russell King moved into the Late Model division for 2008,
Rex King will be joined by his youngest son, Rex King Jr., on the tour
this season as the Buckeye State family looks to retain the title honors
for the fourth year in a row. Swartzlander and Kevin Bolland of New
Brighton, Pa., who is the two-time defending DIRTcar Big Block Modified
champion at Tri-City, are the two hottest drivers on the local circuit,
however, and intend to give the Kings a run for their money. Those four
drivers will fend off top Tri-City contenders like Murdick, Jeremiah
Shingledecker of Polk, Pa., Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa., Joe Crawford
of Polk, Pa., Del Rougeux Jr. of Frenchville, Pa., Tommy Kristyak of
Stoneboro, Pa., Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock, Pa., Skip Moore of
Jackson Center, Pa., Dave Schrader of Endeavor, Pa., Jim Rasey of
Southington, Ohio, Kevin Hoffman of Franklin, Pa., Brad Rapp of Shippenville, Pa.,
and Dean Pearson of Harrisville, Pa. In addition, area DIRTcar Big
Block Modified veterans like Rankin's grandson, J.R. McGinley of Fairmount
City, Pa., Rob Curtis of Greenville, Pa., Jim Weller of Hubbard, Ohio,
and Rob Kristyak of Bristolville, Ohio, are just a few of the other
racers expected to be in action.
Past winners of the Dick Rankin Memorial include Rougeux (2004),
Bolland (2005) and Russell King (2006 and 2007). In last year's race, King
drove a backup car owned by Dave Schrader to a stirring win.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. for this event.
Adult grandstand admission will remain at $11.
For more information, contact the track office at (814) 473-4038.
Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by Roger and Susie Crick and
Mike and Margaret Graham. They have promoted Sunday night racing at
the popular facility since they reopened it in 1996. The DIRTcar Big
Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars
race each week at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval. Tri-City is
located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417.
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