Jeremiah Shingledecker of Polk, PA would lead just one lap of the 20-lap feature event but it was the most important lap as Shingledecker used the inside line of the race track to get by veteran Jim Rasey and claim the first checkered flag of 2009.

“I want to thank my brother and crew chief, Travis, for getting this new Bicknell chassis dialed in. This is out seventh race with the new car and he had it hooked up perfectly,” said Shingledecker.

It was Shingledecker’s third consecutive year to claim the DIRTcar Modified opener at the Franklin, PA oval as he also captured last year’s opening day feature event.

Rasey, who had led the first 19 laps of the event settled for second over Andy Priest, Joe Crawford and Dave Murdick. The event was slowed by just one caution as a lap nine spin by Jeremy Paup also collected Rex King Sr., Rex King, Jr. Dean Pearson and Mike Turner. King Jr., Paup and Pearson retired from the event as a result of the incident.

Shingledecker and Crawford won the DIRTcar Modified heat events.

With no big-block racing last weekend, Jeremiah Shingledecker put in his 358 small-block last Saturday and went on to finish third. Saturday night, he turned the reigns over to his brother Travis, who led every lap of the 20-lap Approved Toilet Rentals Modified feature for his first win since a career first on June 25, 2005.

“It’s been a few years,” expressed the Stoneboro, Pa. driver. “I don’t ever really race. My brother just let me in his car and said have some fun- that’s what we did! This is a 358 he’s had for five or six years. He’s tore it up a couple times, but never bad enough to throw it away so here we are!”

Shingledecker raced off into the lead with Tom Holden and Jr. Baker in tow. Fifth starting Eric Gabany passed Baker for third on lap two then inherited second when Holden came to a stop with four laps completed. Gabany was all over Shingledecker on lap seven right before a caution for a spin by Dustin Martin. The man on the move was last week’s winner and 12th starting Gary Smoker, who drove under Jimmy Holden in turns one and two for third on lap eight.

The race was slowed for the third and final time when Martin and Jr. Baker spun with nine laps completed. Shingledecker’s only scare came on lap 12 when he nearly lost the handle coming out of turn four allowing Gabany to close. Gabany though pretty much ruined his shot when he got high in turn four the following lap.

Shingledecker’s win came in the Morton Building/Hands Welding/Steve’s Teez-sponsored #37MD. Gabany held off Smoker for runner-up. Jimmy Holden was fourth over 10th starting Frank Guidace. Sixth through 10th were Mark Frankhouser, Matt Reeher, Kevin Green, Rick Hall, and Martin. Heat winners were Frankhouser and Guidace.