Author Topic: Sweeney RUSH Racing Series 6/11/17 weekend recap  (Read 1089 times)

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Sweeney RUSH Racing Series 6/11/17 weekend recap
« on: June 13, 2017, 10:09:19 PM »
CAREER 1ST RUSH LATE MODEL WIN FOR PENNACCHIO COMES ON BILSTEIN "BANDITS" SHOCKS; 1ST LM WINS OF 2017 FOR MAZUR, CARLEY, KINGSLEY, STAKE, MCGINNIS & BOOZEL; LUNGER DOUBLES UP AT STATELINE & REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN PRO MODS
By Mike Leone

June 13, 2017      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...For the first time all season, great weather blessed all of the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance weekly speedways allowing action to be completed without a rain out.  Once again, the weekend was filled numerous new winners in the Late Models, eight to be exact! 

One week after its first Sweeney Tour event for the Late Models, Outlaw Speedway was back in action with one of its "Double Down Series" events on Friday night partnered with Genesee Speedway.  Touring and Outlaw regular, Brian Knowles, picked up his second win of the season and first since opening night.  Knowles inherited the lead on lap 14 after early leader J.J. Mazur and T.J. Downs tangled.  Doug Ricotta and teammate Zack Carley were second and third.  Jimmy Johnson and Andy Michael had a photo finish for fourth with both crashing across the checkered flag as Johnson was awarded the spot.  The RUSH Late Models will be back in action this Friday night in a special event for the Patriot "360" Sprints.

On to Genesee where Mazur rebounded to win the May 13 opening night make-up feature for his first win of 2017, which came over Bill Holmes, Ricotta, Johnson, and Carley.  Mazur's up and down weekend continued in the night's regularly scheduled program where he crashed out of the event.  Carley would be awarded the win over the 21-car field for his first of the season after curfew brought the event to a close two laps early.  Jeremy Wonderling, Ricotta, Downs, and Jon Rivers were second through fifth.  The RUSH Late Models will return this Saturday night at Genesee.

To the south, but still in New York, Stateline Speedway was back in action after allowing their competitors to compete at the Sweeney Tour race at Genesee the week prior.  It was a big night for Dennis Lunger, Jr. who became the first driver in the history of RUSH to win two RUSH-sanctioned features in two different classes on the same night.  Lunger topped standout Max Blair to win his first of the season in the Late Model, while in the Pro Mods he kept his perfect streak alive going five-for-five in the second year division's 2017 season.  Scott Gurdak was a season best second after finishing third in the RUSH Late Models!  Fathers will receive $5 off admission this Saturday night at Stateline.

Rounding out the Saturday New York tracks was Fulton Speedway in the central part of the state where A.J. Kingsley copped the win for the first time of the season.  Kingsley became the track's fifth different winner in six races.  Sean Beardsley, Kevan Cook, Brett Belden, and Chad Homan rounded out the first five.  The RUSH Late Models will be back in action this Saturday night.

Down to the Keystone State on Saturday night and it was John Mollick winning at the "Monster Half-Mile" at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway.  Mollick entered the night with a perfect four-for-four in top fives and on Saturday night got over the hump putting the Stan's Transmission #60M in victory lane for his first overall win of 2017.  Mollick also became the fifth different winner in as many nights at Pittsburgh.  Justin Lamb rode the Bilstein Bandits Shock package to a second place finish two weeks after his first win of the season.  Ben Policz was third for the third straight week.  Tim Shaffer picked up the "410" Sprint Car win on Friday night at Ohio's Attica Raceway Park and made his first RUSH Late Model start of the season on Saturday, but didn't have as much luck finishing in eighth.  Not only will the RUSH Late Models be back this Saturday at PPMS, but the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds will make another appearance along with their big brother- the Big-Block Modifieds.

Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex continues to lead all RUSH-sanctioned tracks in completed shows as on Saturday night the Markleysburg oval completed their ninth event of the season.  It was a familiar face in victory lane as Michael Duritsky, Jr. won for the fifth time in his eight starts.  Jeff Ferguson and Robert Cossell IV recorded their season best finishes in second and third respectively.  Roaring Knob will be back at it this Saturday night in a program headlined by the RUSH Late Models.

Further to the east, Path Valley Speedway Park was able to complete their second event of the season for the RUSH Late Models after raining out the Sunday before.  The Spring Run, Pa. 1/4-mile hosted twin 15s with Dillan Stake and last year's top runner, Brad McGinnis victorious giving the track three different winners in three feature events this season.  Twin 15s return for the RUSH Late Models this Saturday night.

And to the East Coast, Delaware International Speedway wasn't able to get in their feature event before the curfew; however, that feature will be made up on June 24 along with a new program.  There will be no racing at the speedway this Saturday night.

For just the second time this season, dry weather occurred on Sunday allowing all three Sunday night venues, Eriez, Humberstone, and Bradford to complete their events.  At Eriez, Andy Boozel improved on his third place opening night finish to win his season's first over Jason Genco and Mike Knight.  Dennis Lunger, Jr. and Jamie Brown made their first Eriez starts of the season and were fourth and fifth respectively.  The night was marred by a scary flip in the Super Late Models as Max Blair went over some six times.  All of his safety equipment did its job and he was okay, but did not start the RUSH Late Model feature.  The RUSH Late Models will have the night off this Sunday with the Sweeney Tour event at Tri-City Raceway Park in Franklin, Pa.

To the east, the RUSH Late Models and Pro Mods were on the card at Old Bradford Speedway in an event highlighted by the Big-Block Modifieds.  The Late Model car count doubled from opening night as Andy Michael won his first feature of 2017 beating Brad Mesler to the finish.  Ohio's Jamie Wrightsman made his first ever start at the track and finished third over opening night winner, Jeremy Wonderling, and Chad Silleman.  Meanwhile, Rich Michael, Jr. won his first career RUSH Pro Mod feature event beating Critter Hemphill, Adam Peterson, Chad Silleman, and Nate Hartzell.  Bradford will host both classes once again this Sunday night.

Across the border in Canada at Humberstone, Sam Pennacchio was victorious for the first time of his career in a Late Model.  It also marked Pennacchio's first win on the Bilstein Bandits Shock program.  Paul Grigsby made his first Humberstone start of the season and was second.  Jeff Dayman and Ken Winfield improved on their opening night finishes in third and fourth.  Mike Greene was fifth for the second straight race.  The RUSH Late Models will be back this Sunday night.

Potomac Speedway and sister Winchester Speedway were both closed last Friday and Saturday night.  Both will return to action this weekend; however, the RUSH Late Models will have the night off at Winchester, but will be on the card at Potomac.  And also in the Mid-Atlantic, we just received word that Georgetown Speedway in Delaware has increased the payout of their July 2 Weekly Series event to $1,776 to-win with $125 to-start!  McKean County Raceway will have a RUSH Late Model Weekly Series race on Thursday, June 20 as the undercard to the World of Outlaws Late Models.

The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds had a two-race weekend with 26 cars checking in at both events.  On Friday night, the Bicknell Touring Series opened with its first ever Tour start at Thunder Mountain Speedway located south of Brookville, Pa.  Kyle Martell came out on top of a wild event that saw leader Rocky Kugel crash after contact from runner-up Brian Schaffer.  Schaffer was put to the tail, while Kugel made a trip to the hospital where he was later released.  Martell inherited the lead as the rains came and was credited with the $800 win- his first ever in Tour competition.  Jeremy Weaver, Anthony Gillespie, Shayne Izzo, and Brandon Ritchey were second through fifth.  The Sportsman Mods will back at Thunder Mountain for a $500 weekly event on Friday, August 11.

On Saturday at Sharon, the full field plus allowed racers to compete for the increased purse with $500 going to the winner and taking the top prize was Kole Holden.  Holden got by Martell denying him of the weekend sweep, while Holden was able to win for the second straight week and Sharon and third of his career.  Chas Wolbert, Steve Slater, and Brian Schaffer were three through five.  The next appearance by the Sportsman Modifieds at Sharon will be on June 24 in a big way as it'll be the "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance with $600 to-win the Bicknell Tour race plus the $800 to-win "Apple Festival Nationals" make-up. 

Tri-City Raceway Park in Franklin, Pa. will host a RUSH doubleheader this Sunday featuring the Sweeney Late Model for $2,000 to-win in the "Bill Emig Memorial" and the Bicknell Sportsman Modified Tour for $600 to-win. 

Corey McPherson won for the third time in the RUSH Pro Stocks at Lernerville Speedway on Friday night.  McPherson denied Brett McDonald of his first career win getting by him on lap 11 following a restart.  McDonald was second over Paul Schreckengost, Aaron Easler, and Joey Zambotti.  This Friday night is Mid-Season Championship Night at Lernerville.

On Saturday night on the asphalt at Jennerstown, defending champion Barry Awtey took sole possession of first place on the of all-time Late Model win list.  The home track favorite won on opening night 2017, to tie the record for most wins in the top division of racing at Jennerstown Speedway Complex.  On Saturday, Awtey took the lead away from another former Champion, Matt Sever, on lap three and raced on to his 47th career victory.

While many of the region’s sports fans have hockey at the top of mind, a popular driver in the Modifieds earned a racing “hat track.”  Chris Brink, of Penn Run, Pa. drove to his third consecutive victory, in spite of starting 10th.     

The defending champion of the Street Stock division is now two-for-two after winning the 20-lap feature event for the second week in a row.  Shawn Beam has made only two  visits to Jennerstown Speedway in 2017, and his new race car is undefeated.   After taking the green flag in eighth position, Beam passed Josh Coughenour for the lead on lap eight, and drove to another convincing victory0. 

This Saturday night, Jennerstown presents the most talked about race of the year as the Race of Champions Modified Tour makes a first-ever visit with time trials at 5 p.m. and racing at 6.  The RoC Modifieds will then compete in heat races and a 100-lap feature.  The regular divisions are also on the card.

RUSH Late Model marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Rocket Chassis, Landrum Performance Spring, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.
 
RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.
 
RUSH Pro Mod and Pro Stock marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.
 
E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Office phone is 724-964-9300 and fax is 724-964-0604. The RUSH Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM.

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