Wet and Rough Track Causes Trouble for Chevy Powered Big Block Dirt Modified Racer

Rain made a big difference in Pennsylvania at Mercer Raceway Park where Del Rougeux Jr. raced his Chevy powered race car in the Big Block Dirt Modified Division’s Fall Brawl.

BRP Modified Tour Racer Del Rougeux took first place at Mercer Raceway Park, photo by Oyler Action Photo
BRP Modified Tour Racer Del Rougeux took first place at Mercer Raceway Park, photo by Oyler Action Photo

Del Rougeux worked his way to the front of the pack in the Dirt Late Modified Series, photo by Oyler Action Photo
Del Rougeux worked his way to the front of the pack in the Dirt Late Modified Series, photo by Oyler Action Photo
The track was heavy and rough because of the amount of water and crews were constantly working and packing it to make sure it was the best racing surface possible.
Heavy Rain turned Mercer Raceway Park into a rough track where Del Rougeux hit a rut and had to pit for repairs, photo by Oyler Action Photo
Heavy Rain turned Mercer Raceway Park into a rough track where Del Rougeux hit a rut and had to pit for repairs, photo by Oyler Action Photo

The final race in the 2009 BRP Modified Tour will be at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania on October 23-24, photo by Oyler Action Photo
The final race in the 2009 BRP Modified Tour will be at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania on October 23-24, photo by Oyler Action Photo

“In our heat race we started outside of the front row,” said Rougeux. “But, as I went into turn one I hit a bad rut and pushed up the track. After that, the car was a handful to hold on to. We settled for 2nd place in the heat and went to the pit for some major adjustments to handle the rough surface.”

In the 25 lap feature Rougeux took the 5th place starting position. “I moved up into 4th place on the drop of the green and the car was running much better,” said Rougeux. “On lap nine, I made an inside pass and settled into 2nd place.”

The Frenchville, Pennsylvania racer set his sights on the lead car. “He was running on the outside,” said Rougeux. “I moved up the track to try his line. It was faster but rougher. I moved back to the bottom where the groove was easier on the race car.”

Rougeux said his plan was to race hard until the final five laps then throw caution to the curb and run the top groove. The decision paid off and he took the lead with only two laps remaining.

“I opened the throttle up and pushed it to our second win of the year at Mercer Raceway Park,” said Rougeux. “We race in muddy and dusty conditions. When I pull my K&N air filter off after a race there is absolutely no dirt in my carburetor. The seal on the air filter lid also does a great job of preventing debris from passing by the air filter element. My K&N oil filter is also great. With all the movement and ruts we deal with on the track, there is never any pressure fluctuation on the gauge.”

The next race for Rougeux Motorsports will be at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania on October 23 and 24. “It’s the final points night for the BRP Modified Tour,” said Rougeux. “We are second in points, only ten points away from winning the series.”

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