2016 SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL “MANUFACTURERS NIGHT” PRESENTED BY MSD AT TRI-CITY A ROUSING SUCCESS; ALL-TIME NORTHEAST/MID-ATLANTIC RECORD 58 PARTICIPATE & SHARE IN $50,000 OF CASH & PRODUCT PRIZES
By Mike Leone
September 21, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)…The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series powered by Pace Performance participated in the fifth annual "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance back on September 11 at Tri-City Raceway Park. The event attracted an all-time Northeast and Mid-Atlantic high of 58 competitors since Crate Late Model racing begin in the region back in 2007. Over $35,000 in products were awarded along with over $14,000 in cash payoffs bringing the night's total to around $50,000! Each of the 58 drivers received one of the primary prizes valued at a minimum of $300 up to $2,200. Several drivers also received multiple prizes.
Each of the six "Manufacturers Nights" at Sharon Speedway (2012), Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway (2013), McKean County Raceway (2014), Eriez Speedway (2015), and now Tri-City (2016) have all drawn a minimum of 40 cars with Tri-City's event setting a new high mark.
"Over the past few years the value of actual product giveaways to RUSH racers is over $110,000 and has almost grown to match our $115,000 championship cash point funds, stated Series Director Vicki Emig. "By distributing products that our teams can immediately use to help keep their racing operation going has proved to be a very important and a unique piece in the success of the RUSH Racing Series. At the end of the season we will have influxed over $225,000 of value back into the Series to help keep it viable into the future. To have over 50 nationally-recognized companies led by MSD Performance support the concept of our Manufacturers Nights along with our numerous other product contingency programs and the concept of crate racing in general is tremendous and we cannot thank them enough. We work on a daily basis to keep racers on the race tracks, which in turn provides potential customers for their products. Simply said it's a team effort, and its working!"
For the second straight year, MSD Performance has presented all of the Series' Manufacturers Nights. Sharon Speedway hosted the RUSH Sportsman Modified event and Stateline Speedway the RUSH Pro Mod event earlier this season, while Lernerville Speedway will host the RUSH Pro Stock event on October 15. MSD is the "Official Ignition" of the RUSH Racing Series. The MSD 8727CT RPM (rev) limiting box is mandated in RUSH Sportsman Modifieds. MSD was recently purchased by Holley Performance. MSD's Circle Track Sales Manager, Graham Fordyce, is a big supporter of RUSH, and RUSH looks forward to MSD's involvement with the Series into the future.
This year's top prize was again the Yamaha Electric Start Generator and wheel kit valued at $2,200 compliments of Alternative Power Sources, which was won by Steve LeBarron as he picked a good night to make his first Sweeney Tour start of the season. Steve's father Dale owns three-time 2016 Tour winner, John Waters', #11 RUSH Late Models. Speaking of Waters, he finished third in the feature and left with prize #4- a set of Beyea custom crate headers valued at $800 along with a dyno break-in of a new motor valued at $500 courtesy of Race 1 and $50 off the purchase of a Keizer Aluminum Wheel.
On June 3, Andy Boozel won his first career Sweeney Tour event at Freedom Motorsports Park. Boozel didn't fare as well at Tri-City failing to qualify for the feature, but he certainly didn't go home empty-handed as he drew prize #2- four F3 Tornado Calipers courtesy of TBM Brakes valued at $1,800!
Logan Roberson has won five Sweeney Weekly Series events and the two track championships at Potomac and Winchester Speedways this season. Roberson made the six-hour two to Tri-City from Waynesboro, Virginia for the first time, and while the teenager had a rough night not qualifying for the feature, he went home with a certificate for a full custom drivers suit valued at $1,000 from Velocita-USA! "Not the night we wanted, but can't thank RUSH enough for everything they do for racing and for putting this event on," said Roberson. "I have to give a lot of props to Vicki Emig- she's done so much for us crate drivers it's unreal! She really has brought up this crate racing. I feel so welcomed when I travel with the touring guys, and couldn't ask for a better series to race with."
Max Blair won the 30-lap MFG Night feature event. The victory was worth $2,000 and Blair also was chosen as the Maxima Racing Oil "Maximum Performance" award winner, won a Bobby Lake Motorsports heat race worth $25, won the K&N Dash for a $100 K&N certificate, and $50 off the purchase of a Keizer Aluminum Wheel. This year though Blair wasn't the lucky number one prize winner as his MFG Night prize was a $250 Allstar Performance gift card along with another $50 K&N gift card.
At this year's first Sweeney Tour event at Tri-City on June 19, Bryce Davis picked up the $2,000 win. Davis had to settle for second on this night worth $1,000 to maintain his point lead, and in addition won one of the most sought after prizes- a Power Mig 140C Welder and Utility Cart from Lincoln Electric, worth $700! Davis picked up a couple extra prizes including 30% off a set of aluminum birdcages from BSB Manufacturing and $50 off the purchase of an aluminum wheel from Keizer for finishing in the top 20 of the feature.
Brothers Jared and Zach Kane continue to gain experience racing in as many Sweeney Tour events as possible. Jared is in his second year, while Zach is in his first and is one of the "Bilstein Bandits" competitors. While Zach raced to a sixth place finish in the non-qualifier, and Jared unfortunately junked his car ending his season both left with quality prizes. Zach won a complete Late Model wrap from On Time Body & Graphics valued at $700, while Jared copped a Lazer Lid with Cap Package from Bernheisel ($250) and a $50 K&N gift card. "I want to thank RUSH for the great Manufacturers Night and making sure every driver went home with something they can use moving forward," said Jared Kane.
Two-time "Wheelman" Bonus Event Challenge Series Champion, Tony White, failed to qualify for the feature, but took home $1,100 in prizes thanks to winning the 48-piece QuickCrew Apparel Package from Classic Ink and the K&N Cold Air Induction System. "I would like to take the time to thank Vicki Emig and Mike Leone, and the rest of the RUSH group for everything they do for us drivers," expressed White. "Every year they bust their asses week in and week out to put out a good product, and they work extra hard on the manufacturers night, and once again they pulled it off. It's awesome to see a series work so hard to do something like that for its drivers. Thank you guys again for the giveaways."
Will Thomas III is one of the top teams on the RUSH circuit. Thomas is coming off the $2,000 "Gary Knollinger Memorial" Sweeney Tour win on September 17 at Sharon, and has won Late Model and Modified races on asphalt as well. Will grew up in a racing family as his father Bill owned and sponsored Sprint Cars and Big-Block Modifieds driven by the great Lou Blaney. "Sometimes I think we as racers fail to realize how fortunate we are to be able to race in a professionally run series that focuses on tech to ensure the playing field is level," stated Thomas. "To be able to run crate late models for the purses and point funds we do is awesome. While most other tracks and series are cutting purses, RUSH is working to give more back to the racer. Over $30,000 in product in one night to the racers helps a ton."
The following companies participated in this great event with over $35,000 in prizes: Absolute Powder Coating, Allstar Performance, Alternative Power Sources, ARbodies, Bazell Race Fuels, Bernheisel Race Components, Beyea Headers, BSB Manufacturing, C.J. Rombold Engine Builders, C. Smith Machineshop, Classic Ink, Close Racing Supply, CrateInsider.com, Diversified Racing/Bulldog, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, High Gear Speed Shop, Hoosier Tire, Joe Willcox Performance Automatics, Ingram Engines, Insinger Fuel, Jennerstown Engine Technology, Jones Racing Products, K&N, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Landrum Performance Springs, Lincoln Electric, Maxima Racing Oil, MSD Performance, 955 Automotive, Oakley, On Time Body & Graphics, Out-Pace Products, Pace Performance, Precise Racing Products, QuickCar, Race 1, Rocket Chassis, Russell King Racing, Schoenfeld Headers, Steve’s Auto & Truck Repair, Sunoco Race Fuel, TBM Brakes, Ultra-Shield, Velocita-USA, Wehrs Machine, Wrisco
2016 “Manufacturers Night” Prize Winner List
1. Alternative Power Sources - Yamaha Electric Start Generator (EF40000DE/D) and Wheel Kit ($2,200) (Steve LeBarron)
2. TBM Brakes- (4) F3 Tornado Brake Calipers ($1,800) (Andy Boozel)
3. Velocita-USA - Full Custom Drivers Suit ($1,000) (Logan Roberson)
4. Beyea Headers - Set of Custom Crate Racing Headers ($800) (John Waters)
5. Beyea Headers - Set of Custom Crate Racing Headers ($800) (Daryl Charlier)
6. Lincoln Electric - One Power Mig 140C Welder and Utility Cart ($700) (Bryce Davis)
7. On Time Body & Graphics - One Complete Custom Late Model Wrap ($700) (Zach Kane)
8. MSD Performance - MSD 6ALN Ignition Control, MSD Blaster HVC Ignition Coil & MSD 8.5mm Super Spark Plug Wire Set ($630) (Bruce Hordusky, Jr.)
9. MSD Performance - MSD 6ALN Ignition Control, MSD Blaster HVC Ignition Coil & MSD 8.5mm Super Spark Plug Wire Set ($630) (Jamie Wrightsman)
10. MSD Performance - MSD 6ALN Ignition Control, MSD Blaster HVC Ignition Coil & MSD 8.5mm Super Spark Plug Wire Set ($630) (Bob Pifer III)
11. ARbodies/Wrisco Aluminum - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & 6 sheets of aluminum ($605) (Brian Knowles)
12. Classic Ink - Quick Crew (48-piece) Apparel Package ($600) (Tony White)
13. Jones Racing Products - SBC 55+ Amp Radius Tooth HTD Alternator Kit ($557) (Will Thomas III)
14. FK Rod Ends - One Complete Set of 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500) (Mike Wonderling, Jr.)
15. FK Rod Ends - One Complete Set of 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500) (Jason Knowles)
16. FK Rod Ends - One Complete Set of 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500) (Jim Johnson)
17. FK Rod Ends - One Complete Set of 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500) (Jacob Piper)
18. RKR (Russell King Racing) - Certificate Towards Purchase of Product ($500) (Jake Gunn)
19. Rocket Chassis - Certificate Towards Purchase of Product ($500) (Jimmy Johnson, Jr.)
20. Schoenfeld Headers - One Set of Custom Long Tube Crate LM Headers & Mufflers ($500) (Justin Lamb)
21. Schoenfeld Headers - One Set of Custom Long Tube Crate LM Headers & Mufflers ($500) (Eric Reinwald)
22. Bazell Race Fuels - Certificate Towards Purchase of One Drum of Sunoco Standard 110 Fuel or Two Drums of RUSH 91 ($450) (Chad Homan)
23. Insinger Fuel - Certificate Towards Purchase on one Drum of Sunoco Standard 110 Fuel or Two Drums of RUSH 91 ($450) (Joe Chamberlain)
24. High Gear Speed Shop - Certificate Towards Purchase of one Drum of Sunoco Standard 110 Fuel or two Drums of RUSH 91 ($450) (Jason Genco)
25. Oakley/Precise Racing Products & Ultra-Shield - 1 Pair Oakley Driving Gloves & 1 Pair Racing Shoes & 1 Adult 5 Point Shoulder Harness. Window Net & Box of 200 Tear-Offs ($430) (Jeremy Wonderling)
26. Joe Willcox Performance Automatics/Superior Steering Wheels - Complete Transmission Rebuild & 1 Custom Steering Wheel ($415) (Bill Kesler)
27. ARbodies/Wrisco - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & 2 Sheets Wrisco Aluminum ($385) (Darrell Bossard)
28. Ingram Engines - One Beehive Conversion Kit (Part #19300952) ($370) (Mike Lozowski)
29. Maxima Racing Oil – Complete Car Service Package with Oils, Cleaners & Wax ($350) (Scott Gurdak)
30. C.J. Rombold Engine Builders/Precise Racing Products - Chassis Dyno Service (3 pulls) & $100 Precise Gift Card ($350) (R.J. Pistner)
31. ARbodies/Precise Racing Supply - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & $100 Precise Gift Card ($345) (Randy Hall)
32. ARbodies/Precise Racing Supply - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & $100 Precise Gift Card ($345) (J.J. Mazur)
33. ARbodies/Precise Racing Supply - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & $100 Precise Gift Card ($345) (Andy Michael)
34. ARbodies/Precise Racing Supply - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & $100 Precise Gift Card ($345) (Alan Dellinger)
35. ARbodies/K&N - Dirt Nose/Fender Combo Kit & $100 K& N Gift Card ($345) (Robert Mitcham III)
36. QuickCar/Wehrs Machine/TBM Brakes - Gauge Panel Assembly ($100), Wehrs Machine & Racing Products Gift Certificate ($100) & 3 Bottles of TBM Brake Fluid ($345) (Khole Wanzer)
37. Jones Racing Products/Wehrs Machine & Racing Products - SBC Crate Serpentine Belt Drive Kit ($227) & Wehrs Machine $100 Gift Certificate ($327) (W.L. Stile)
38. Diversified Racing/Bulldog – Two Friction Fighter Sportsman Gear Sets ($325) (Damian Bidwell)
39. Diversified Racing/Bulldog - Two Friction Fighter Sportsman Gear Sets ($325) (Brady Wonderling)
40. Hoosier Tire Distributors - Two “Crate Racin USA” Hoosier tires ($300) (Wyatt Scott)
41. Hoosier Tire Distributors - Two “Crate Racin USA” Hoosier tires ($300) (Matt Latta)
42. Hoosier Tire Distributors - Two “Crate Racin USA” Hoosier tires ($300) (Eric Wilson)
43. Hoosier Tire Distributors - Two “Crate Racin USA” Hoosier tires ($300) (Mike Pegher, Jr.)
44. Hoosier Tire Distributors - Two “Crate Racin USA” Hoosier tires ($300) (Dave Lyon)
45. C. Smith Machineshop - SBC Bert/Brinn Protorque Design Starter Package ($250) & $50 CrateInsider.com certificate ($300) (Steve Beatty)
46. Landrum Performance Springs - Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300) (Greg Beach)
47. 955 Automotive/Wehrs Machine & Racing Products - 1 GM 604 Tune-up Package (Springs,1 Case Brad Penn Oil, Wix Filter, NGK Plugs) ($200) & Wehrs Machine $100 Gift Certificate ($300) (Nathan Earle)
48. Jennerstown Engine Technology - 1 GM 604 Tune-up Package (GM 604 Springs, 2 Gal. Schaeffer Syn. Oil, Wix Filter, Autolite AR94 Spark Plugs) ($200) & Wehrs Machine & Racing Product $100 Gift Card ($300) (Clinton Hersh)
49. Out-Pace Products/K&N - 1 Aluminum Back Clumber Pinion Plate ($145) & 1 Slotted Clumber Frame Mount (Rocket or MasterSbilt style) ($125) & $50 K&N Gift Card ($320) (Jamie Brown)
50. Out-Pace Products/K&N - 1 Set of Upper Control Arms & $50 K&N Gift Card ($320) (Chris Withers)
51. Hoosier Tire Distributor/CrateInsider.com/K&N - One "Crate Racin USA" Hoosier Tire & $100 CrateInsider.com Gift Certificate & $100 K&N Gift Card ($302) (Kyle Zimmerman)
52. Allstar Performance/K&N - $250 Allstar Gift Certificate & $50 K&N Gift Card ($300) (Max Blair)
53. Bernheisel Race Components/K&N - Lazer Lid with Cap Package & $50 K&N Gift Card ($300) (Jared Kane)
54. Close Racing Supply/K&N - $250 CRS Gift Card & $50 K&N Gift Card ($300) (Mike Bambarger)
55. Pace Performance/Ultra-Shield/K&N - $100 Pace Gift Card, 1 Adult 5-Point Shoulder Harness & Window Net ($100) & $50 K&N Gift Card ($300) (Brian Swank)
56. K&N - 3 $100 Gift Cards ($300) (Travis Martineau)
57. K&N - 3 $100 Gift Cards ($300) (Tony Iarrapino)
58. K&N - 3 $100 Gift Cards ($300) (Scott Schempp)
Additional prizes:
• Steve’s Auto & Truck Repair (Steve Damon) - Complete Dyno Service ($600) (Brian Knowles)
• Steve’s Auto & Truck Repair (Steve Damon) - Complete Dyno Service ($600) (Eric Reinwald)
• Absolute Powder Coating - Gift Certificate Toward Powder Coating of a New Late Model Frame ($550) (Jimmy Johnson, Jr.)
• BSB Manufacturing - 30% off Set of 4, 60 Series Shocks & C/O Kits ($456) (Joe Chamberlain)
• BSB Manufacturing - 30% off Set of Aluminum Bearing Birdcages ($306) (Bryce Davis)
• Fast Shafts - $250 off the purchase of a carbon fiber driveshaft (Justin Lamb)
• Jennerstown Engine Technology - gift certificate for $250 towards a complete rebuild of an engine ($250) (Jake Gunn)
• Jennerstown Engine Technology - gift certificate for $250 towards a complete rebuild of an engine ($250) (Robert Mitcham III)
• Keizer Aluminum Wheels – one $50 certificate toward the purchase of a wheel to the top 20 finishers ($1,000)
• Ultra-Shield - 3 20% off any purchase of an Ultra Shield product (R.J. Pistner, Mike Lozowski, Bob Pifer)
• Race 1 ($1,350):
o 604 Pro series race prep (with the purchase of engine and dyno break-in)---value $450 (Jeremy Wonderling)
o Dyno Break-in (with the purchase of engine and pro series race prep)---value $550 (John Waters)
o Gift certificate for $100 off the purchase of a new Stealth 700PLUS Carburetor (Bill Kesler)
o Gift certificate for $100 off the purchase of a KRC 16322600 front crate kit (Will Thomas III)
o Gift certificate for $50 off the purchase of a set of Beyea Crate Headers (Jason Knowles)
o Gift certificate for $50 off the purchase of a CV 2508 fuel pump (Jamie Brown)
o Gift certificate for $25 off the purchase of a pro series R2C filter element (Jim Johnson)
o Gift certificate for $25 off the purchase of a pro series R2C filter element (Damian Bidwell)
• Race event contingencies from K&N ($150), TBM Brakes ($45), Maxima Racing Oils ($170), Precise Racing Products ($100), CrateInsider.com ($25)
Special Drawings
• K&N Cold Air Induction System ($500) (Tony White)
• K&N Cold Air Induction System ($500) (J.J. Mazur)
Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series Race #12 (30 laps, $2,000 to-win): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Bryce Davis (94) 3. John Waters (LeBarron 11) 4. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Haseleu RJ1) 5. Damian Bidwell (7Teen) 6. Bruce Hordusky, Jr. (3) 7. Chad Homan (91) 8. Dave Lyon (14L) 9. Alan Dellinger (Williams
10. Randy Hall (Suppa 4s) 11. Wyatt Scott (x3) 12. Darrell Bossard (Winans 213) 13. Matt Latta (B1D) 14. Kyle Zimmerman (z17) 15. Clinton Hersh (16) 16. Brady Wonderling (z1) 17. Chris Withers (21W) 18. Will Thomas III (9) 19. Brian Knowles (7) 20. Jake Gunn (14G) 21. Jeremy Wonderling (3J) 22. Daryl Charlier (12) 23. Jason Knowles (4) 24. Steve Beatty (B4) 25. Eric Wilson (27W). Note: Brian Knowles took a Series provisional.
Non-Qualifier (10 laps, $175 to-win): 1. Jason Genco (Badgley 29J) 2. Steve LeBarron (29) 3. Khole Wanzer (01W) 4. Jamie Brown (135) 5. Greg Beach (33x) 6. Zach Kane (10) 7. Nathan Earle (17E) 8. Robert Mitcham III (827) 9. Eric Reinwald (Wanzer 01X) 10. J.J. Mazur (13)-DNS 11. Justin Lamb (93x)-DNS 12. Bob Pifer III (Schwartz 71L)-DNS 13. Scott Gurdak (Hollabaugh 5G)-DNS 14. Travis Martineau (Schwartz 171)-DNS 15. Andy Michael (17x)-DNS 16. Mike Wonderling, Jr. (18)-DNS 17. R.J. Pistner (73)-DNS 18. Jim Johnson (93J)-DNS 19. Joe Chamberlain (Kratts 41)-DNS 20. Brian Swank (12s)-DNS 21. Scott Schempp (75)-DNS 22. Mike Lozowski (41)-DNS 23. Jacob Piper (21)-DNS 24. Bill Kessler (09)-DNS 25. Jimmy Johnson, Jr. (39J)-DNS 26. Andy Boozel (12B)-DNS 27. Tony Iarrapino (54)-DNS 28. W.L. Stile (1W)-DNS 29. Jamie Wrightsman (21J)-DNS 30. Mike Bambarger (B2)-DNS 31. Tony White (27)-DNS 32. Logan Roberson (17)-DNS 33. Jared Kane (7)-DNS.
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