As the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds rumbled onto the Action Track, Swartzlander held a nine point margin over second place Kevin Bolland and 13 points over third place Jeremiah Shingledecker. And with the first two Track Championships being claimed by the points leader entering the night, it seemed inevitable that Brian Swartzlander would clinch his seventh Track Championship. But inevitable was not in the cards! After a disappointing finish to the late model feature, Dave Murdick took the green flag from the pole and took the early lead. Swartzlander’s championship thoughts got a slap in the face on lap three when he got some help spinning in turns one and two while running fifth. Staring down the rest of the field while facing the wrong way in turn two, Swartzlander took what appeared to be light contact on the right front with the 29D car of Dustin Martin. Swartzlander rolled into the pits to assess the damage, but returned to tail the field. Apparently the damage was significant as he spun again in turn two just two laps later and was drilled by Dustin Martin, knocking him out of the race and the title hunt. Swartzlander’s surprising DNF left the 2009 Track Championship up for grabs between Bolland and Shingledecker.

By lap five, Shingledecker had wrestled the lead away from Murdick, while Bolland restarted lap six in sixth place. In order to at least enjoy a share of the championship, Bolland needed to finish two spots behind Shingledecker. That scenario became more of a reality on the lap 11 restart as Murdick took the lead, relegating Shingledecker to second. Meanwhile, Bolland got around Skip Moore for fifth. By lap 15, Shingledecker took the lead back for the final time, but Bolland could not get around Dean Pearson who ran strong all night long! As the race progressed, Murdick had trouble keeping his Armstrong sponsored mount on the top cushion of turns three & four. He was faster than Shingledecker in turns one & two, but bounced around the cushion in turns three & four, losing significant ground on each lap. Perhaps trying to find a smoother line around the top of three & four, Murdick jumped the cushion coming to the white flag, allowing Shingledecker to pull away to a thrilling win of the race and to steal away the 2009 Track Championship!

By Lou Long, Modified Tour VP and PR Director, and Pam Baker, Modified Tour Secretary

Jeremiah Shingledecker, of Polk, PA, romped home with the BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour win at Mercer Raceway Park. The victory, worth $2,000, was his first of the Modified Tour season and second of his career.

The luck of the draw put Mercer regulars, Jimmy Holden and Eric Gabany, on the front row for the start of the feature event. At the drop of the green, Gabany took the lead, seeking the $1,000 Small Block bonus offered by promoter Vicki Emig. Gabany led the first two circuits before action was halted for the disabled car of Jeremy Paup in turn four.

On the restart, Jeremiah Shingledecker used the brute horsepower of his Big Block to take the lead as the field raced through turn one. He was unable to open any lead because the caution flag flew on lap three for Gary Smoker and Matt Reher, both of whom stopped on the back stretch.

The line-up for the restart showed Shingledcker on the point, followed by the Small Blocks of Gabany and Holden and the Big Block of Del Rouguex, Jr. However, the surprise was Brian Swartzlander, who advanced six spots in the early going.

A series of cautions occurred on lap four. The first was for a spin by Eric Gabany in turn four. Fortunately, the rest of the field was able to negotiate around him. During this stoppage, Jason Longwell was towed to the pit area. The second caution was for Joe Crawford, who came to a rest just off the second turn. Crawford ducked into the pits and was able to restart the event, as did Jeremy Paup. On the third try to complete the lap, a three car crash in turn four produced a red flag. The cars of Skip Moore, Rex King, Jr. and Brad Rapp took heavy damage, and were unable to continue the race. None of the drivers were injured in the melee.

Shingledecker and company finally got past lap four. During the five-lap run, Rougeux worked his way into second and Rex King, Sr. raced up to third. Holden was still hanging onto the fourth spot. Ron Cartwright caused the next caution when his engine blew up and caught fire.

The remaining 21 laps were completed without incident. With that long run, Shingledecker was able to open a full straightaway lead over Rougeux. Rex King, Sr., Kevin Hoffman and Brian Swartzlander rounded out the top five. Positions six through ten went to Dave Murdick, Frank Guidace, Dean Pearson, Joe Crawford and Tommy Mattocks.