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1
PACE RUSH LATE MODEL SERIES ANNOUNCES COMFORT SUITES SEAFORD AS "OFFICIAL HOTEL" OF DELAWARE "BATTLE OF THE BAY" TOUR RACES
By Mike Leone

February 23, 2021         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Seaford, DE)…As the countdown is on to the start to the start of the 2021 racing season, Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone have announced that the Comfort Suites Seaford will be the "Official Hotel" of the Delaware "Battle of the Bay" Late Model Tour events that will take place at Delaware International Speedway on April 14 and Georgetown Speedway on April 15.  The third annual "Battle of the Bay" Mid-Atlantic Speedweek then moves on to Potomac Speedway on April 16 and concludes at Winchester Speedway on April 17.

The Comfort Suites Seaford is located conveniently on US 13 at 23420 Sussex Highway, Seaford, DE 19973 and is within 15 miles of both Delaware International and Georgetown Speedways.  The Comfort Suites Seaford offers a free breakfast (individually wrapped presently due to COVID) with guest laundry facilities.  Parking for trucks and trailers is available at the lot beside the hotel. 

Comfort Suites General Manager Kishan Patel is offering a RUSH rate of $89/per night for a King Suite or $99/per night for a 2 Queen Bed Suite.  Both room types also have a pull-out two-person sofa bed.  These rates are $15 less than the standard rates.  Call the hotel at 302-262-8085 and ask for the RUSH Racing Group Rate.

The "Battle of the Bay" begins the season long race for the $12,000 to-win RUSH Tour championship presented by Flynn's Tire and Born2Run Lubricants.  The opening event at DIS is the second annual "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" presented by Cornerstone Builders paying a minimum of $3,000 to-win, while the other three events at Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester each pay $3,000 to-win.  There is a $3,000 Speedweek point fund for the top 10 RUSH members with $1,000 going to the champion.  The top 12 drivers from the 2020 Tour points will receive a $150 travel package. 

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Born2Run Lubricants, Flynn's Tire & Auto Service, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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. 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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2
RACE-1 MOTOR SPEEDWAY TO HOST 5 STAND-ALONE RUSH KARTING SERIES EVENTS FOR 2021; RUSH KARTS ALSO ABLE TO COMPETE WEEKLY AT RACE-1 WITH COMPARABLE CLASSES
By Mike Leone
 
February 23, 2021      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(DuBois, PA)...After a successful inaugural season despite the COVID-19 pandemic wrecking havoc, the RUSH Karting Series is pleased to announce that Race-1 Motor Speedway, DuBois, Pa. will be hosting five stand-alone RUSH-sanctioned events on Friday nights throughout the 2021 season.  Race-1 will also permit the RUSH Karts to compete in their comparable classes on a weekly basis until enough karts warrant them to run separate; however, RUSH member racers will be able to accumulate points for their respective finishes.

The addition of Race-1's events in conjunction with the steady growth at home base Stateline Speedway Karts not only throughout the 2020 season, but especially during the offseason moving into 2021 continues the Series' positive forward momentum in developing the RUSH Karting Series into the future.  The Race-1/Stateline combination of Speedways will give RUSH karters a strong Friday-Saturday combination of venues to compete at in the Northern part of the region.       

On April 23, May 21, June 11, July 16, and August 13, Race-1 will offer all four RUSH divisions (Amateur, Jr-1, Jr-2 & Adult) the ability to compete.  Drivers will be able to accumulate points toward their valuable individual 2021 RUSH Karting Weekly Series Championships.

"It's great to see the RUSH Karters have the ability to compete at another track that's centrally located in the region," acknowledged RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "As with all of RUSH's  big car divisions, the first year has always been the most difficult.  The pandemic hitting was certainly no help either, but as the year progressed we saw interest grow and accordingly so did the karting numbers.  There continues to be so much interest in the northern end of the region, and with the addition of Race-1 Motor Speedway we're really looking forward to seeing the turnout once things get rolling in 2021.  We have to thank Race-1 owners/promoters Andy and Sherry Watt for giving the RUSH racers this great opportunity to race there."

As a reminder, RUSH racers can also participate at Shaffer Speedway in Aliquippa, Pa. once again on Wednesday nights in 2021.

Race-1 is a 1/8-mile high-banked dirt oval with approximately 14 degrees of banking.  The track, which is owned by Andy and Sherry Watt, is located seven miles from Interstate 80 off exit 101 at 152 Lines Rd., DuBois, PA 15801.  This season will be the 24th at Race-1, which operates bi-weekly on Friday nights beginning in April.  For more information, check out their website at www.race1info.com, their Facebook page at  www.facebook.com/wherefridayscomealive, and follow them on Twitter @race1speedway.

2021 RUSH Karting Series Point Funds:

Amateur/Rookie: 1. $300  2. $150  3. $140  4. $130  5. $125  6. $120  7. $115  8. $110  9. $105  10. $100

Jr-1: 1. $400  2. $200  3. $175  4. $150  5. $140  6. $130  7. $120  8. $115  9. $110  10. $100

Jr-2: 1. $500  2. $300  3.  $200  4. $175  5. $150  6. $145  7. $140  8. $135  9. $130  10. $125

Adult Flat: 1. $1,000  2. $500  3. $350  4. $300  5. $275  6. $250  7. $225  8. $210  9. $205  10. $200

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Born2Run Lubricants, Flynn's Tire & Auto Service, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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 Karting Series website is www.rushkarting.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushkartingseries and follow us on Twitter @RUSHKarting.

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3
THE HILL SPEEDWAY JOINS PACE RUSH LATE MODEL PROGRAM WITH WEEKLY FRIDAY NIGHT RACING IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
By Mike Leone
 
February 20, 2021               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Monroeton, PA)...The Pace Performance RUSH Late Model Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is excited to announce that The Hill Speedway has signed on as a weekly-sanctioned track in 2021.  The 1/4-mile bullring located in Northeastern Pennsylvania will run the RUSH Late Models approximately 21 times beginning on April 9.  The Hill becomes the second new RUSH weekly-sanctioned Friday night track in the Keystone State for 2021.     

The Hill ran nine Crate Late Model events in 2020 for the first time, but were not sanctioned.  Four New York drivers picked up victories led by Chad Homan, while Brian Knowles, Steve LeBarron, and Tim Schram all scored a victory.  Fifteen different drivers competed.  LeBarron was crowned the inaugural champion.

RUSH member racers will be able to participate at The Hill on a weekly basis and be eligible for all of the programs including the National Weekly Series Championship, a greatly expanded "Track Pack Bonus" program, and the “Futures Cup” for those eligible racers.  While membership is not mandatory to compete in any RUSH-sanctioned event, membership also includes a $100,000 excess participant accident policy, which is over and above drivers’ health insurance and speedways’ participant accident policy. 

The "Track Pack Bonus" is offered to all RUSH weekly-sanctioned speedways, and in 2021 has expanded to $2,500 that each track's top six member racers will share.  The 2021 RUSH member champion at The Hill will earn $1,000 with $500 for second, $400 for third, $300 for fourth, $200 for fifth, and $100 for sixth. 

"We're glad to have The Hill join the RUSH program," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "Their Late Model racers will now be able to enjoy all of the RUSH benefits especially with the expanded 'Track Pack' program.  This now gives a lot of New York and northern Pennsylvania racers the opportunity to run a second night under the RUSH program.  The Hill is going to be one of what is expected to be at least four new tracks to run their first ever RUSH-sanctioned events in 2021!"

Late Model racers at The Hill that are not currently on the RUSH Late Model driver/owner contact list, should contact the RUSH Office to be added by providing your name, address, phone # and e-mail to info@rushracingseries.com or by calling 724-964-9300.

The Hill is promoted by Eddie McKernan.  A Street Stock track champion some 30 years ago at Monroeton, McKernan took over as promoter of the former Dunn Hill 2 Speedway six years ago.  Two hundred and forty loads of clay were added to the 1/4-mile oval and a complete remodeling of the speedway facilities continues.  In addition to Street Stocks, McKernan has also raced IMCA Mods, Late Models, Semi-Late Models, Sportsman Modifieds, and Factory Stock throughout the years.

The Hill Speedway is located at 576 Dunn Hill Rd., Monroeton, PA 18832.  The Hill also features Sportsman Modifieds, IMCA Mods, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Front-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive Mini Stocks.  For more information, call 570-637-4345, check out their website at www.thehillspeedway.com and like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thehillspeedway.
 
RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC & Pace Performance along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Trailer-Alarms.com, Bonnell's Rod Shop, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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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4
MAJOR GROWTH TO BE SEEN IN PACE RUSH SERIES IN 2021; OVER 40 NEW RACERS SET TO MAKE THEIR RUSH DEBUTS FEATURING NUMEROUS "FUTURES CUP" CONTENDERS IN BOTH THE SPORTSMAN MODS & PRO MODS
By Doug Kennedy

February 18, 2021      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)... Note: This is part two of the two-part story on the high influx of new racers to the Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC.  Part one was on the new Late Model and Sprint Car drivers and is available at the following link https://rushlatemodels.com/New%20RUSH%20racers%202021%20story%20A.html.  Also, the new group of RUSH Stock Car and Karting drivers will be featured in individual separate stories at a later date.

RUSH's main objective has always been to keep people racing with true "cost containment" technical rules packages surrounded by valuable championship programs; the combination seems to be working as the Series continues to attract an extremely diversified group of racers whose numbers exceed well over 600 throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and 2021 will be no different.

Drivers who have been racing all their lives, those that are getting in a race car for the very first time or those with various levels of experience and background, have found a home with RUSH; and age doesn't seem to be a factor either as competitors range in age from early teens through the 60s.  From rookies to hall of famers, RUSH is fitting the bill and achieving their number one goal of "keeping people racing".

There will be at least five new drivers this season in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds with four of them competing for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "Futures Cup" Championship.  Twenty-five-year-old Josh Ehrenberg of New Castle, Pennsylvania is the elder statesman of the group.  Ehrenberg started racing Mini Stocks when he was 14.  Since then he's done some hit and miss racing, but for 2021 will compete in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds joining his older brother Jordan, who has raced a Sportsman Mod for the past few years. “I’ve been around the RUSH Sportsman Mods crewing for my brother so I thought why not build a car and join it,” Ehrenberg said. 

“I think Vicki has something going,” Ehrenberg said.  “It’s a great Series.  If you don’t have the money to build a big-block, you can buy a crate motor that’s a lot cheaper and be able to compete.”

Josh is looking forward to racing against his big brother this year.  “I’m going to love it,” he said.  “He’ll probably beat me but I’m looking forward to racing against him anyway!  A lot of my car this year is because of him. When he upgraded his car, I ended buying his old parts.” 

Cole Edwards of Kennerdell, Pa. will also be a first year driver in the Sportsman Mod division, and one of at least four drivers battling for the 2021 "Futures Cup" crown.  Prior to joining the Sportsman Mods, Cole raced a Go-Kart for three years.  Cole also won the track championship at Flat Rock Speedway in his second year of Go-Kart racing in the Outlaw Kart division. 

Financially his father Jason will fund the racing operation, but Cole does what he can to help with the cost by mowing grass and power washing homes.  “He saves whatever he makes from work and Christmas and birthday presents to put back into the racing operation,” Jason said of his son.  “Cole lives and breathes racing.  He and I are building the car right now.”

As for RUSH, Jason said, “So far I love it.  I have several friends in it and that’s how we got into it.  It’s the affordability that we really like.  I think it’s a great series for the younger drivers that are coming into the sport and progressing forward.  I think he’s going to do very well.  One thing is that he accomplished his goal and that was to get into a Modified.  Now it’s on him to make sure it works.” 

Fifteen-year-old Lucas Canon of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania will be racing a RUSH Sportsman Mod for the very first time, and also competing for the Hovis "Futures Cup" crown.  For the last four years, Lucas raced Go-Karts and won two championships last year at Slippery Rock and Good Hope in the Junior Clone and Junior Predator divisions.   Lucas, who is a freshman at Sharpsville High School, has been working for the last year at Zero Error Racing where he machines parts for racecars.

This year will be a true family affair for the Canon family.  Lucas' father Jim, who raced Big-Block Modifieds and E-Mods from 1992 through 2007, will be the financial support along with Lucas' mother, Michele.  Jim will also serve as the crew chief while Michele will be there as well to lend her support.  Lucas’ sister, Muncie, will help with the tires and clean the car, while grandfather Howard will be part of the pit crew as well.

The Canons purchased the Sportsman Mod last September from Jordan Little.  “It’s one of the things we wanted to try," said Michele.  We’re really looking forward to it.”

Lucas added, “I’ve always wanted to race a Modified.  I can’t wait to get the season started.”

“It’s a fresh deal for us,” said Jim.  “A lot of the people that I talked with feel like it’s a real good deal for us and it’s affordable with the crate motor.”

Cameron McFadden will be yet another RUSH Sportsman Modified Hovis "Futures Cup" contenders in 2021.  At 16 years of age and a junior at Northwestern High School, McFadden has been racing a Go-Kart since he was nine years old.  During that time, he was able to win seven features racing at Slippery Rock.

McFadden comes from a racing family as his stepfather, Wendell Pinckney, and his stepbrother, William Pinckney, have both raced a RUSH Late Model. “They both said that they really liked the Series and in particular, all the different tracks they were able to race,” said McFadden, who lives in Albion, Pa. This year, Wendell will race a Super Late Model at Eriez and Stateline, while William will campaign an E-Mod at Raceway 7.   

Wendell and his mother, Darlene, will both be involved with Cameron's racing program.  Wendell will provide the financing and be with his son on race day as will his mother, who will provide moral and physical support.  “So far, my step dad and I are putting the Modified together,” Cameron said. 

“I’m just excited to get started and finally get into a bigger car,” said McFadden.  “I used to go to Sharon and Raceway 7 and I was intrigued by the Modified.  I hope to race and improve and eventually get into a Big-Block Modified.” 

Eighteen- year-old Jolene Smith hopes to get at least a half dozen races under her belt in her first year of racing a Sportsman Mod.  The reason for so few races is that she is stationed at boot camp at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas. 

“Jolene will be there until the beginning of March and then she will go to another base for tech school,” said her father, Don.  “She is learning to do aircraft hydraulics.  Even when she comes back she will have weekend obligations to her base.” 

Jolene raced a Go-Kart for four years before making the step up to a Modified.   Don and Jerry Schaffer, who they bought the Modified from, will finance Jolene’s racing operation.

As for RUSH, Don said, “I know quite a few drivers that run it.  It’s a good thing with the limitations they put on things.  Huge money doesn’t necessarily mean success.  The way it’s organized it keeps a level playing field.”

There will be at least nine new drivers in the RUSH Pro Mod Series.  First up is 20-year-old Timothy Eastman of Delevan, New York.  His only season of racing came in 2019 when he campaigned a Street Stock.  Eastman didn’t race in 2020 because of COVID.  Racing in the Pro Mod series is something Timothy always wanted to do. His dad, Andrew, also raced Modifieds at Freedom.

“When I found out the Pro Mods were racing at Freedom, I went out and bought one,” Eastman said.  His plans are to run weekly at Freedom and McKean County Raceway and mix in some races at Stateline Speedway.  “Financially this racing thing is all on me.  I think it’s a great opportunity for any driver to get in.  It’s affordable and evens out the playing field for everyone.  I’m looking forward to the season and even being a rookie, I feel optimistic.”

Brett Ritter got a late start in his racing life beginning only last season with a RUSH Late Model for some races at tracks like Woodhull, Bradford, and Genesee.

“I’m very anxious for the season to start,” said the 45-year-old of Belfast, New York.  Brett’s uncle, Al Brewer, is still racing for his 51st consecutive year.  A good friend, Tim Schram, is also still racing.  “To go wheel-to-wheel with those is what gets me excited- it’s like a dream come true.  I like the RUSH Series and hope to see it grow even more.”

Forty-two-year-old Victor Earle, Jr. is a third generation driver.  His father, Victor Sr., raced at Stateline from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, while his uncle Dan and grandfather Albert raced on the asphalt in Vermont and New Hampshire.  Earle has driven a Pro Stock off and on and now will be joining the RUSH Pro Mods for his rookie season.

"It was a family thing,” Earle said.  “We consider ourselves to be Earle Family Motorsports.  I grew up watching dad race.”

Earle bought his first car in 2012 and raced at Stateline and Eriez in the Pro Stock class.  In 2014, he raced a Street Stock at McKean and then in 2017 raced a Pro Stock at Stateline, Eriez, McKean, and Genesee, eventually selling the car at the end of the season.  Now after a three-year layoff, he’s back racing in a Pro Mod.

“The Pro Mod seems like the perfect fit for us with the rules and it’s easy on the pocketbook,” Earle said. “We’re actually buying an E-Mod from a guy in Texas and meeting him in Nashville.  “We’re trying to get the team together so we can race this year.” 

It helps that Earle lives 10 minutes from McKean and five minutes from Bradford.  “RUSH definitely has a good foothold in this area. Having a championship points fund, the insurance, the contingency prizes, and the payouts I think makes for a great thing.  It’s budget racing at its best.”

Another addition to the RUSH Pro Mod Series is the Ingalls Family of Belmont, New York.  The family includes Dean and his son Matt.  Dean will be the driver this year.

“I’ve been begging him for 10 years to get back into racing and he finally has,” Matt said of his dad, who is 57 years old.
 
During his racing days, Dean raced a Sportsman Mod, a Super Stock, and a Limited Late Model up until the early 2000s.
 
“The car is all his, but I will help him put it together,” Matt said. “The Pro Mods are probably one of my favorites to watch.  It seems like your local average driver can race because it is not overly expensive.  RUSH has done a good job with these Crate Series and I’m really looking forward to this season.” 

Mike Eschrich of Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania will be part of the RUSH Pro Mod Series for 2021.  Prior to that, Eschrich raced a Hobby Stock for 10 years and an E-Mod since 2008.
 
“I think there’s lots of opportunities for the Series to be good for all the racers, particularly with the points fund,” said the 44-year-old Eschrich.  “RUSH is organized and are good at getting races for the drivers.  Other drivers who have been in the series are really happy with it.  I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a season to begin,” Eschrich continued.  “With McKean 15 minutes from the house opening with the Pro Mod class, it made sense for me to do it.” 

Thirty-year-old Tyler Carlin of Belmont, New York will be racing a RUSH Pro Mod for the first time in 2021. He hopes to run the RUSH Weekly Series at Bradford, but that all depends on the availability he will have with his work schedule.  Tyler works as a Construction Inspector for National Fuel.  The company is located in Buffalo, but Tyler works out of the Erie office.
 
Carlin began his career at eight years old in a Go-Kart.  He then progressed to a Mini Stock when he was 14. Upon graduation, he enrolled at University of Northwestern Ohio to major in motorsports.  He raced on the school motorsports team and had an internship as a mechanic on Andy Hillenburg’s ARCA team.
 
His stepfather, Tim Schram, had some extra cars that Tyler drove for the Northeast Sportsman Modified division and then a Street Stock for a few other times.  “I finally got enough money to put my own team together,” Carlin said.
 
“The Pro Mod seems affordable compared to the Late Models,” Carlin said. “I’m going to try it out and see if I like it more than the Sportsman Mods.  I really like the rules package.”   

Sixteen year old Derek Peterson will be another new driver to race in the RUSH Pro Mod Series for 2021.  For the last three years, his father, Tim, has owned a RUSH Pro Mod for Vaughn Nystrom.  Now this year, he will add a second Pro Mod for his son, Derek. 

“I’m excited about it,” said Tim about his son.  “He’s never been in a Mod so I’m a little nervous.  The Pro Mod is a good class and I would rather get him started with the Modified and not develop bad habits.  It’s a different style of car that I would rather have him learn.  Our goal was to eventually get him into a Mod.”  Derek raced a 4-Cylinder kids class prior to this season.

Tim is also a current racer, driving a UMP Modified.  He started in 2000 racing a Street Stock for five years before getting into an E-Mod.  The car Derek will drive this season is a 2014 Shaw that Tim used to run before rolling it at McKean.  “It’s been sitting there for three years so I just re-did the whole thing and it will be the car Derek will drive this season.”

“I think it’s an awesome series for the drivers,” Tim said of RUSH.  “I can’t believe what Vicki and Mike (Leone) do at the end of the year with all the giveaways.  I’ve been running other series for many years and never received anything.  I think it’s wonderful what they do for the drivers with sponsors, the points fund, and the giveaways.  The stuff they gives away is phenomenal.  I also think that the car counts will continue to grow.”   

“I think the RUSH Series is pretty cool with the sponsors,” Derek said. “Vaughn (Nystrom) really enjoys it.  “My goal this year is to get the feel of that style of car- I’m excited about doing it.”   

Ian DeGolier of Bradford, Pennsylvania will be entering his first season with the RUSH Pro Mod series.  At 15, Ian raced Mini Stocks kid division for three years, winning the track championship twice at Bradford.  He will also be a contender for the 2021 "Futures Cup" Championship. 

"I’m looking forward to this year by jumping up a class and racing at McKean County, my favorite track,” said Ian.   

This is his first year in a Modified and his dad, Todd, is very positive about his son being in the RUSH Series. “I think it’s a great Series.  I like the fact that it’s a sanctioning body that you don’t have to worry about track rules and anybody cheating.  I think it’s absolutely awesome.”

Also set to participate in 2021 in the RUSH Pro Mods is Dwayne Powers; however, no information was available at press time.

With the introduction of the new RUSH Stock Car division at Dog Hollow, Stateline, and Eriez Speedways, an additional 12-15 drivers are also expected to join the RUSH ranks along with new racers in the RUSH Karting Series that will begin its second season this year.  A special story will feature these new RUSH racers nearer to the beginning of their individual seasons.

In conclusion RUSH's objective of "keeping people racing" seems to be right on point and flourishing, as an enthusiastic new group of racers join the RUSH ranks in 2021, and look forward to an exciting season full of excitement and valuable opportunities!

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Born2Run Lubricants, Flynn's Tire, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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.  The RUSH Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com. Like our various Facebook page and Twitter accounts by searching for the appropriate divisions.

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5
MAJOR GROWTH TO BE SEEN IN PACE RUSH SERIES IN 2021; OVER 40 NEW RACERS SET TO MAKE THEIR RUSH DEBUTS LED BY THE SPRINTS & LATE MODELS
By Doug Kennedy

February 17, 2021      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Note: This story will be presented in two parts due to the high influx of new racers to the RUSH Series; part one is on Late Model and Sprint drivers and part two on Sportsman Modified and Pro Mod drivers.  Also, the new group of RUSH Stock Car and Karting drivers will be featured in individual separate stories at a later date.

(Pulaski, PA)...If there is one word that describes the Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, it’s “growth”, and as the 2021 season draws near that term correctly describes RUSH.   It is expected that over 40 new racers will compete in 2021 throughout the RUSH Series including Late Models, Sprint Cars, Sportsman Modifieds, Pro Mods, and the new Stock Cars!  The RUSH Karting Series, which was launched in 2020, is also encompassed under the expanding RUSH umbrella and is expected to grow in 2021.  RUSH also provides the engine sealing process on all crate engines at Jennerstown (PA) Speedway, a track that has continued to expand its crate engine presence.  All told RUSH racers will by vying for well over $250,000 in cash and valuable product, the highest in Series history!     

RUSH's main objective has always been to keep people racing with true "cost containment" technical rules packages surrounded by valuable championship programs; the combination seems to be working as the Series continues to attract an extremely diversified group of racers whose numbers exceed well over 600 throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and 2021 will be no different.

Drivers who have been racing all their lives, those that are getting in a race car for the very first time or those with various levels of experience and background, have found a home with RUSH; and age doesn't seem to be a factor either as competitors range in age from early teens through the 60s.  From rookies to hall of famers, RUSH is fitting the bill and achieving their number one goal of "keeping people racing".

As an example, eight of the 10 new drivers in the RUSH Sprint Car division for 2021 have never raced a Sprint Car before, although they do have racing experience, and a couple have never even sat in a Sprint Car. Four of those 10 are all better than a half century in age, and this includes Rod George, a hall of famer with more than 100 "410" Sprint Car victories, who will be wheeling 2020 championship car owner Ted Hull's #41.   

Russ Sansosti of Youngstown, Ohio will be one of the new drivers to compete for the Pace RUSH Sprint Car Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series Championship.  Sansosti and George are the only new drivers to have ever driven a Sprint Car.  Sansosti started his career as a 16-year-old in 2003 with a "360" Sprint Car before upgrading to a "410", which he'll also continue to compete in along with RUSH.     

“An old family friend (Buzzy Utsinger) always liked what RUSH has done,” Sansosti said.  “We talked a few months ago and we decided to go ahead and do the Series.  I like the idea of RUSH because it puts everybody on a level playing field and you can’t outspend one another.” 

Unfortunately, Utsinger, who was also a good friend to RUSH Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone dating back to Emig's tenure of ownership at Mercer Raceway Park (1999-2010), passed away in late January.  “I’m doing it as a memory to Buzzy,” Sansosti said.  “It will be a tribute to him.  Buzzy was a guy who like to have a small motor and race against the guys with the big motors and compete.” 

Fifty-one year old Bob Bland of Ashtabula, Ohio will be in his first season in the RUSH Sprint Car .  “I’m looking forward to joining this great division,” Bland said.  "I’ve raced many divisions, but never in a Sprint Car.  I love everything about the rules and what the Series is doing and I’m excited to be a part of it.  I can’t thank Vicki (Emig) enough for helping develop racing divisions for us that are affordable and competitive.”

Although he will be a novice in a Sprint Car, Bland has raced plenty of other cars beginning in 1993 in a Street Stock.  Bland also raced Hobby Stocks, Econo Mods, E-Mods, and Limited Late Models; however, he hasn’t raced since 2013.  His car will sport the famous Evil Knievel throwback graphics.

“It’s one of those things that I’m just doing to have fun,” Bland said of his upcoming Sprint Car experience.  “I’ve won a few championships in my career, but this is something I just want to try.  We all know how expensive racing has become.  I got turned away from the Late Models because guys were spending tons on their chassis. Nobody wants to go out and race knowing you are being out spent, and the RUSH Sprints definitely has that under control.  I’ve never made one lap in a Sprint Car, but I’m smart enough to realize that I will start in the back, chill and learn, and just have some fun.  I also like the fact that I can race at tracks that I’ve never had the opportunity before because they didn’t have my division.” 

At 56 years of age, Bill Watson of Conneaut, Ohio will also be competing in the Sprint Car division for the 2021 season. “I have never sat in a Sprint Car before, but I’m hoping to have a good time, make some new friends and above all be safe,” Watson said of his upcoming season.

His son, Bud, currently races with the RUSH Late Models and will race at Raceway 7 weekly and as much of the Touring Series as possible.  “I hope to help him as much as possible and still be able to compete in the Sprint Car division. Hopefully there will be nights when we can race at the same track on the same night.” 

Watson’s racing resume that began in 1985 includes Big-Block Modifieds and Econo Mod racing.  “I'm very ready for this season and looking forward to being part of a great racing group with RUSH, “Watson said.  He plans on a season that will include about 15 races at Raceway 7, Sharon, Lernerville, PPMS, Bradford, and McKean.   

Kevin Kaserman 41 of Middleford, Ohio is in his very first year of racing and it will be in a RUSH Sprint Car. “I’ve been going to races since I was little,” Kaserman said.  “At 14 I lost interest in racing and didn’t regain interest until I was 30.  Since then I've been to some races, but it was last year when I went to a race at Wayne County that rekindled my interest again.  When I heard the '410' Sprints hot lapping, I was hooked once again.  I had never felt like that.  How could I have stopped following racing and then get obsessed with racing once again?” 

“RUSH is a good starting point," continued Kaserman.  "There’s no way I could get into a '410' financially or physically.  I like the fact that the RUSH Sprint is cost-effective.  I don’t know anything about engines so having a sealed engine package seemed to be the best way to go.  I began watching the Series when it started in 2018; it was awesome!  I was going to drive a Street Stock, but I’m 40, not getting any younger and I always wanted to drive a Sprint. I can’t thank Vicki enough for helping develop a racing division for guys like us that is affordable and competitive.”

To help him learn more about a Sprint, he watches YouTube videos of drivers building their race cars.  “Honestly I don’t want to sound like an ***** when I’m talking to other drivers,” Kaserman said.  “I just want to get to know the other drivers and gain as much knowledge about the car.”   

 At 38 years old, Mike Mathieson from of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania has spent 22 of his years racing.  At 16 he began racing a Modified before moving into a Stock Car and most recently a Mini Stock; this year it will be a RUSH Sprint Car. When his boss, David Hoobler, at H&H Materials bought a Sprint Car, he asked Matheson to drive it.

“I thought I would never race a Sprint Car because I couldn’t afford one,” Mathieson said.  "I really never got involved with RUSH before, but know it’s affordable and puts everyone on a level playing field putting it back in the driver's hands.  I'm nervous because it's going to be a big learning curve for me.  I was speaking with another driver, Jeremy Weaver, and he said everything runs smooth with RUSH but don't try to cheat because they (RUSH) will catch you.” 

Another driver in the RUSH Sprint Car series that’s in his 50s, is Mike Hover of Warren, Ohio.  Though at 56 and from a racing background, the number of races Hover has run is limited.  As a youngster, he remembers going to Jack Sodeman’s shop and looking at his Sprint Car hoping one day that he could race it. 

Hover said that once RUSH came out with the Sprint Car division it was something he knew couldn’t be good for him; a sarcastic comment because Mike has been around racing his entire life and knew now he just might get his chance at driving one!  “I think RUSH is the future of racing," stated Hover.  "Most people with regular jobs just can't race in the 'open' series.  RUSH has provided another avenue for  people to compete.” 

His dad, the late Stan, Sr., was an accomplished racer and started the well-known Hover Racing parts and tire business in 1965.  His brother, Stan, Jr. bought the business and through the years owned a NASCAR team for a number of drivers including Dave Blaney, Joe Ruttman, and Morgan Shepherd. 

“I did over the wall stuff with the ARCA and Cup cars,” Hover said.  “I have three nephews who are World of Outlaws crew members (Matt McCrimmon, Craig McCrimmon, and Nick Hover).  In 2012, I toured for a year with Vic Coffey and Tim McCreadie driving the transporter and being part of the pit crew.  I built the race cars for my brother.  I’ve done just about everything, but drive for myself.  Once the RUSH Sprint Car series came out, I knew that was the direction I wanted to go.” 

Another newcomer to the RUSH Sprint Series is 29-year-old Jordan Hamilton of Collier Township, Pennsylvania.  The youngest of the 2021 freshman class of Sprint drivers as five of the eight new drivers are in their 50s or beyond. 

Add to that, Hamilton is in his very first year in a racecar period.  “I’ve been around racing my whole life,” Hamilton said whose brother Eric, Jr. races a RUSH Late Model. “For me, RUSH gives you a competitive edge without having to spend a whole lot of money. It seems like the way to go because you don’t have to compete against guys who have larger budgets.  RUSH is a great deal with the product giveaways for the drivers as well as everything else they do for their drivers.” 

Jordan and his dad, Eric, own a business called Eric Hamilton Towing and Road Service located in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.  “I’ll try to make as many races as possible and race as many weekends as I can,” Hamilton continued.  “I’m going to go out and give it my best and most importantly earn the respect of the other drivers.”

“I’ve been waiting to race a Sprint Car my whole life and now because of RUSH and the engine package, I can afford to do it.”  Those were the words of 58-year-old first year RUSH Sprint Car series driver, Jeff Metsger of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  “I know it will be a big learning curve for me." 

“I had a Pure Stock at Motordrome in 1985 but moved into Go-Karts because it was something I could afford,” Metsger said.  He ended up winning all types of championships along the Eastern seaboard and then moved up to the highest class in the Karting world- Unlimited All-Stars.  “I won that championship seven times.”

After a nine year hiatus from racing, Metsger got into the Outlaw Winged Karts and ended up with a championship in that series as well.  He still has three of those cars but plans on selling them off so that he can devote his time and finances towards the RUSH Sprint series full-time. 

Phil Young is another driver who will be joining the RUSH Sprint Car Series for the upcoming racing season.  Young, who lives in Kittanning, Pa., raced Go-Karts some 25 to 30 years ago.  And after that, there was no racing at all until he decided to compete in the RUSH Sprint Series this upcoming season.   At 36 years of age, Young will be in the same boat as seven of the other newcomers to the Sprint Division:  That is, he has never been in a Sprint Car prior to the start of this season.   

“We’ll make what races we can,” said Young, whose job as a Kittanning policeman will take priority.  “I’ll try and get the best equipment and use this year as a learning experience and not race for points.  I hope to keep improving every season.  RUSH seems like its building every year and obviously they are doing things right.  It’s a good series for the average individual price-wise.”

“To say I’m excited about this year would be an understatement,” said 26-year-old Jim Alvater, Jr., who will be racing in the RUSH Late Models for the first time in his career  “I wanted to race PPMS (Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway) and RUSH races there so RUSH it is. The more research I did into the RUSH program the more I wanted to participate.  Their sponsors and contingency programs make it very enticing."

"I spoke to Mike Reft, as well as Scott Gunn, whose two sons Zack and Jake, run RUSH; just about everybody I’ve spoken to had nothing but good things to say about the RUSH Series," added Alvater.  "I'm always looking for a new challenge and the one that is ahead of me is pretty big, but nothing I don't think I can handle. ” 

Besides racing, Alvater also has a background in hockey as he played for CCAC.  "His Father Jim, Sr. said, "His hockey days were certainly something!  It was the expensive sport, not racing" he laughed.  Alvater also spent times in Go-Karts and racing Motocross.

“I think it’s (RUSH) a good program,” said Alvater, Sr. who will work with his son turning the wrenches for the 2021 season as well as providing some financial support. “It’s an economical way for people to get into racing in a series where you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg.”

Brett Hope is 29 years old and lives in Bleinheim, Ontario, Canada.  His racing career started when he was 17, but was put on hold because of hockey.  He played the sport when he attended Buffalo State and ascended to playing for the Fayetteville Fire Ants in North Carolina before hanging up his skates. He then got back into racing competing with a Thunder Stock and an UMP Modified.  This will be his first year in a Late Model racing with RUSH.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about RUSH,” said Hope.  “They are fair and the competition is hard to beat and that’s what I’m looking for.  I think it will be a good challenge for me.”  I would like to race this season around eight weekends that have multiple events on these weekends. 

“I’m single now so I want to get into doing as much racing as possible.”  His intentions are to run as many Touring Series events as possible.  His crew includes his two brothers, Kyle and Shawn and four friends, Brandon Suk, Evan Howard, Elliott Wilkins and Mike Legue. 

Fifty- two-year-old Patrick Parker of Candor, New York will be a first year competitor in the RUSH Late Models.  His career in racing began in a Go-Kart when he was 16.  He has also raced Big-Block and Small-Block Modifieds along with "360" Sprints.  Late last year he ran a Late Model for three shows. 

“I think RUSH is a real good series to run with and I'm hoping to get some additional sponsors so I can do a lot of their touring shows,” Parker continued.  “From what I see, I like the way they go about everything with the engines, tires, and checking after the shows to make sure everything is legal.  Their tech work is better than any other series I've seen so that’s why I chose RUSH.” 

Thirty-four-year-old Trevor Herr of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania will also be doing his racing in 2021 for the very first time with RUSH.   Herr’s prior racing experience came with an E-Mod for a couple of seasons when he raced at Sharon. 

“I will be joining the RUSH Late Model division and even though I will be running a limited schedule, I could not be more excited," stated Herr.  “I always wanted to race a Late Model so I sold the E-Mod and bought a Super Late Model which didn’t turn out very well.” 

Herr then took a couple of years off before he decided to save his money and purchase a Crate Late Model.  Herr also received some racing help from Mike Pegher and Chuck Kennedy.  “I learned a lot from them,” Herr said. “I’ve never wanted to do anything but race and getting this opportunity is great.  I’m not looking to race for points; I just want to learn, get some laps, and focus our attention on 2022.  I’m a small fish in a big pond and just want to race and that’s what RUSH has provided me- the opportunity to race.”   

Jeff Reeley of Mt. Airy, Maryland becomes the fifth new driver to become part of the RUSH Late Model division for 2021.  Reeley started racing Enduros in the 1980s at Lincoln Speedway.  He then moved to a Semi-Late Model in the 1990s at Potomac before ending his racing career in 2001 when his two kids, Tristen and Madison, came along.  With only a few starts in a Late Model, 2021 will be the first time in nEarley 20 years that Jeff has got behind the wheel of a racecar.
“The children came along and that was the end of my racing career, “ said Reeley, the owner of J Reeley Painting and Drywall. "I’ve seen quite a few RUSH races over the last couple of years, but there wasn’t any money in the budget for me to race.  Now with the two kids wrapping up their careers at Towson University, I have one last hurrah to have some fun racing. RUSH is a good cost-effective way to go racing and I’m absolutely looking forward to it.”
Even though he only raced a couple of times last season in a Dirt Late Model under the RUSH banner, 28-year-old Joe Squatriglia of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania will race full-time at PPMS for 2021.
 
Joe grew up as a kid in Monmouth County, New Jersey before moving to Pennsylvania in 2004.  The first form of racing that he and his dad went to were the horses.  From there he and his younger brother, Andrew, raced dirt bikes.  That was in middle school and following his graduation, he entered the Marine Corp, got married, and had two daughters.  Last year he got back into racing sharing driving duties in the Late Model with his brother and the guy who owned the car, Zack Kane. 

“That was the car we shared last year and I ended up buying the car from him last season," explained Joe.  “Zack has been a big help to keep me racing.  He does everything for me including working on my shock package.  I think RUSH is a good series and is well organized.  If you're a guy trying to get into a racing, RUSH is definitely the way to go.”

Andy VanEvery of Jamestown, New York is a late addition to the RUSH Late Model division. At 33 years of age, VanEvery raced a Pro Stock last year at Eriez and Bradford Speedways.  Now in his second year of racing, he will be behind the wheel of a RUSH Late Model for his first time, and is plans are to run Stateline and Bradford Speedways.

“The reason we joined this series was because of the availability for us to travel,” said Andy.  “I also like how all the rules make it an even class. We’re excited to get things underway.”

The eighth newcomer to the RUSH Late Model Series will be Zach Crawford of McDonald, Pa.  The 18-year-old will drive for his parents Jim and Crystal Crawford, who own Crawford Auto Repair located in Sewickley, Pa.  The couple lives in McDonald, Pennsylvania.  “We’ll pick up some races on the RUSH schedule and we’ll see how we do,” Crawford said.


6
PACE RUSH SPRINT SERIES SET FOR BIGGEST SEASON YET; INCREASED PURSES, BIG EVENTS & NUMEROUS NEW RACERS SET TO CONTEND FOR $5000 TO-WIN EQUIPMENT RENTAL OPTIONS WEEKLY SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP
By Mike Leone

January 27, 2021               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...While rain and the COVID-19 pandemic did its best to disrupt the growth and development of the Pace Performance RUSH Sprint Car Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC over the past two years, the Series is primed and ready for its biggest season to date in 2021.  Year number four will see numerous new racers join the previous RUSH contingent to battle for the $20,000+ Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series Championship point fund in 37 events at 11 speedways across four states that will in the end award $5,000 to the champion!  As the car count and competitiveness of the division has increased and evolved, so has the payoffs and special event concepts for the division.

After racing for $400 to-win, $100 to-start for regular events in the first three years of existence, the RUSH Sprint Cars will now compete for a minimum $600 to-win, $150 to-start with several other special events utilizing the $800 or $1,000 to-win payoff structures in 2021!  In fact, eight $1,000 to-win, $175 to-start shows featuring four weekends of back-to-back events highlight the schedule!

"We cannot express how excited we are for the 2021 season," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "Honestly at the conclusion of 2020, I never would have believed we would be releasing a schedule such as this for 2021; it really is amazing and a tribute to our partners who share our same vision for the division that have helped set a strong foundation for the RUSH Sprint Cars into the future.  This year will see our highest influx of new racers, and with this exciting schedule of higher paying events the division as a whole is defiantly moving to the next level."

Sharon Speedway will be again be the home base for the RUSH Sprints with a minimum of 11 events including for the first time ever with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars on May 22 as well as a pair of events with the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars on June 15 and July 11.  The RUSH Sprints will also compete alongside the All Stars at Lernerville on April 30 and Tri-City Raceway Park on May 2 in the first of several appearances at the Franklin, Pa. half-mile.  DIRTVision will carry the May 22 event live as well as the "Steel Stampede" at Lernerville, while Flo Sports will show the RUSH Sprints on all of the All Star nights.  Lernerville TV will broadcast the additional events live at Lernerville.     

One of the new weekends to the schedule will be McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa. and Bradford (PA) Speedway on Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20.  The tracks, which are both located in McKean County, are separated by just 15 miles and will host $1,000 to-win, $175 to-start events!  The RUSH Sprints have not appeared at McKean since their only visit in 2017, while Bradford has hosted the Series three times, but not since 2019. 

The "Legends Remembered" Series will feature back-to-back weekends of $1,000 to-win, $175 to-start events on August 27-28 and September 4-5.  Lernerville and Sharon will make up the Friday-Saturday double on the first weekend, while a venue to be announced will host back-to-back events on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.  These tracks, which are in the heart of the RUSH region and part of the storied history of non-wing Sprint Car racing in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, will be part of a first of its kind series of events and promotions that the fans are surely not going to want to miss!  Details on these very special events will be released in coming weeks.

A fourth back-to-back weekend of $1,000 to-win, $175 to-start events will take place at Genesee Speedway in Batavia, NY on September 24-25.  After COVID wiped out the weekend in 2020, this will be the third annual "Empire State Classic" for the RUSH Sprints at Genesee as part of the track's "Topless Nationals" weekend; however, past shows were $800 to-win.

The RUSH Sprint Cars will make their first ever appearances at Pennsylvania's Dog Hollow and Latrobe Speedways this summer; each track will host a pair of events with each of their second shows paying $800 to-win, $160 to-start.  Also returning to the RUSH schedule will be events at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, WV, Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway, and Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio.  Tyler County will host a pair of events including the Series' 2021 opener on April 10, while the "Monster Half-Mile" at PPMS continues their strong support of the Series with six events.

The 2021 "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance will again feature thousands of dollars of valuable product giveaways to RUSH Sprint Car racers at a date and location to be announced.

The 2021 season will be an interesting one to say the least.  After taking a year off, Chad Ruhlman- the 2018 and 2019 champion, will return to the RUSH Sprints driving for a new team owned by Tim Engles.  Engles was a former "410" Sprint Car and Big-Block Modified racer before becoming a well known E-Mod car owner in recent years.     

In 2020, Jeremy Weaver won the Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series Championship for car owner Ted Hull.  With Weaver moving on, Hull has tabbed Sprint Car great Rod George to drive the #41.  The Kittanning, Pa. driver owns more than 100 career "410" Sprint wins in addition to numerous track championships and has been inducted into several regional hall of fames. 

Another driver back for his first full season since 2018 when he finished second in points is Gale Ruth, Jr.  The Pleasantville, Pa. third generation racer made some starts last year for Scott Clever before getting chosen late in the year for the full-time ride in the McConnell Family #24.  Ruth, who has six career RUSH Sprint wins including the 2020 finale at Lernerville, will be one of the favorites to contend for the $5,000 championship.

While the majority of the 2020 RUSH Sprint Car drivers will return for competition, a bevy of at least 14 new racers will join the Series for their first full year of competition.  This group includes 2018 RUSH Sportsman Modified "Futures Cup" Champion Blaze Myers, former Big-Block Modified standout Bill Watson, Mike Mathieson- a veteran of several area divisions but never Sprint Cars, father-daughter combination of Calvin and Amelia Clay, Ohio drivers Bob Bland, Mike Hover, and Kevin Kaserman, along with rookie Phil Young, Scott Dean, and Jordan Hamilton- the brother of RUSH Late Model racer Eric Hamilton. 

Ohio driver Tyler Newhart, who made some starts in Frank Wilson's #13, started his own team at the end of 2020 and is ready for his first full season.  Eastern Pennsylvania racer, Jeff Metsger, has purchased a RUSH Sprint Car and will make several visits.  And just before the release of this press release, RUSH has gotten word of at least two other new teams expected for competition in 2021.  With the addition of all of these new drivers and teams, the base of RUSH Sprint Car racers throughout the region is approximately 40! 

2021 Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series Point Fund ($20,075): 1. $5,000  2. $2,500  3. $1,750  4. $1,500  5. $1,200  6. $1,000  7. $800  8. $750  9. $700  10. $650  11. $600  12. $500  13. $450  14. $425  15. $400  16. $390  17. $380  18. $370  19. $360  20. $350.
 
2021 "Futures Cup" Point Fund: 1. $300  2. $200  3. $100  4. $50.

2021 Pace Performance RUSH Sprint Car Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series Schedule*
Note: All shows are $600 to-win, $150 to-start unless otherwise specified.

Saturday, April 10  Tyler County Speedway
Friday, April 30  Lernerville Speedway (with All Star Sprints)
Sunday, May 2  Tri-City Raceway Park (with All Star Sprints)
Saturday, May 8  Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway
Saturday, May 15  Tyler County Speedway
Saturday, May 22  Sharon Speedway (with World of Outlaws Sprints)
Saturday, May 29  Sharon Speedway
Saturday, June 5  Sharon Speedway
Sunday, June 6  Tri-City Raceway Park
Saturday, June 12  Latrobe Speedway
Tuesday, June 15  Sharon Speedway (with All Star Sprints)
Saturday, June 19  McKean County Raceway ($1,000 to-win)
Sunday, June 20  Bradford Speedway ($1,000 to-win)
Friday, June 25  Raceway 7
Saturday, June 26  Sharon Speedway
Friday, July 2  Dog Hollow Speedway
Saturday, July 3  Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway
Sunday, July 11  Sharon Speedway (with All Star Sprints)
Saturday, July 17  Sharon Speedway
Sunday, July 18  Tri-City Raceway Park
Friday, July 23  Lernerville Speedway
Saturday, July 24  Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway
Saturday, July 31  Sharon Speedway
Saturday, August 7  Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway
Saturday, August 14  Sharon Speedway
Friday, August 20  Dog Hollow Speedway ($800 to-win)
Friday, August 27  Lernerville Speedway "Legends Remembered" ($1,000 to-win)
Saturday, August 28  Sharon Speedway "Legends Remembered" ($1,000 to-win)
Saturday, September 4  TBA  "Legends Remembered" ($1,000 to-win)
Sunday, September 5  TBA "Legends Remembered" ($1,000 to-win)
Friday, September 10  Sharon Speedway
Saturday, September 18  Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway
Friday, September 24  Genesee Speedway ($1,000 to-win)
Saturday, September 25  Genesee Speedway ($1,000 to-win) (rain date 9/26)
Friday, October 8  Latrobe Speedway ($800 to-win)
Saturday, October 9  Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway
Friday-Saturday, October 15-16  Lernerville Speedway ($800 to-win) (rain date 10/17)   

*Schedule is subject to change.  Additional dates may be added.

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Born2Run Lubricants, Flynn's Tire, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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. The RUSH Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushsprintcars and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSprints.

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7
PACE RUSH RACING SERIES 2020 SEASON DEEMED VERY SUCCESFUL DESPITE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; 8 NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED PLUS 4 IN THE NEW KARTING SERIES
By Mike Leone & Doug Kennedy

January 19, 2021      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly did its best to disrupt the Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC 2020 season and forced the cancellation of the awards banquet that was scheduled for January 16, Series Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone were still able to crown champions for all of the RUSH divisions.  Despite the pandemic, 2020 featured strong car counts in all of the RUSH Series divisions and also saw debut of the new RUSH Karting Series.  In fact, the Late Model Tour averaged more than 38 cars per event for the second straight year!   

Capturing 2020 championships on the dirt were Jeremy Wonderling (Late Model National Weekly & Touring Series), Logan Zarin (Late Model Futures Cup), Kassidy Kamicker (Late Model Wheelman), Jeremy Weaver (Sprint Car Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series), Nolan Groves (Sprint Car Futures Cup), Chas Wolbert (Sportsman Mod Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Weekly Series), Rob Kristyak (Sportsman Mod Wedge Motorsports Route 7 Rumble), Ayden Cipriano (Hovis Sportsman Mod Futures Cup), and Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Pro Mod Weekly Series). 

In the new RUSH Karting Series, the following won the inaugural titles: Jay Groves (Adult Flat), Nolan Groves (JR-2), Ryan Chase (JR-1), and Kaden Pyle (Amateur/Rookie).

For the third consecutive year, Jeremy Wonderling earned the RUSH Late Model Touring Series thanks to top six finishes in all six races; meanwhile on the Weekly side, Wonderling captured nine feature wins propelling him to his first National Weekly Series Championship, worth $5,000.  Wonderling beat out Max Blair, who had won the crown five of the last seven years, by just one-point!  Wonderling also won the Bradford Speedway track championship. 

Wonderling, 40 of Wellsville, NY,  has had a very successful racing career starting in an IMCA Modified in 1998 before moving on to "360" Late Models and winning four BRP Series championships.  From there, Wonderling started his RUSH Late Model career in 2014.  Wonderling has won better than 100 feature events. 

It certainly wasn’t an easy year for race tracks to deal with the pandemic, but in the case of RUSH, Wonderling felt they did about as good as anyone.  “They tried to keep everything as safe as possible and tried to get as much racing in as possible.” 

“Financially, RUSH is the smartest thing to do and the most economical," stated Wonderling, who also ran a limited schedule of Super Late Models in 2020.  “It’s hard not to run the RUSH Series for what they pay and what Vicki and Mike do for the series.  I have to give a shout out to Joel Smith of Close Racing Supply, Jim Stephens from Penske Shocks, and Jason Ore from 955, who all keep my racing program going." 

Eighteen year old, Logan Zarin, is the son of longtime Super Late Model driver, Jim Zarin.  Zarin, who lives in Moon Township, Pa., has been racing since 2017.  Besides his 2020 "Futures Cup" championship, Zarin won the prestigious Western Pennsylvania Rookie of the Year in 2018. 

“I think RUSH is a great class,” said the 18-year-old who won three features in 2021 at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway.  “They do a lot of great things like Manufacturers Night and keep their costs as feasible as possible.  Vick is a great promoter; she’s brave and not afraid to take chances.  RUSH did what they could to get us a place to race, in fact, all of the promoters did a pretty good job of working to allow us to race."

New to the RUSH Racing Series in 2020 was Kassidy Kamicker.  In her rookie RUSH Late Model season, the 17-year-old Aliquippa, Pa. driver not only was able to win the "Wheelman" title as part of Touring Series' non-qualifier events, but also finished runner-up in the "Futures Cup", and 10th in Touring Series driver points. 

Prior to last year, Kassidy’s racing experience came with seven years of racing a go-kart racing.  Her racing program is a family run operation that also includes her parents Craig and Melanie along with her uncle Jason George. 

“I think she did very well for being her first year,” said her mom Melanie.  “She raced at PPMS and Lernerville and expects to do that again this upcoming season.”

“It’s a good program,” Kassidy said.  “There are a lot of drivers and I like it.  Winning the title was really cool.  I didn’t think I was going to come close to winning something like that in my first year.  I’m really looking forward to 2021.”   

In his first year in a Sprint Car, Jeremy Weaver captured the Equipment Rentals Weekly Series Championship.  The 19-year-old Stoneboro, Pa. racer was victorious five times in the Hull Racing #41 with wins coming at Lernerville, Sharon, Tri-City, and Tyler County Speedways.  Weaver is also a past winner in the RUSH Sportsman Modified division where he was the 2017 "Futures Cup" champion.  While Weaver is moving on to "410" Sprint Car racing in 2021, legendary hall of fame racer Rod George will return to racing and move into the Hull Racing #41.

“I’ve been involved in racing my entire life and there is no other track or series that has ever had a point fund like the RUSH Series," acknowledged owner Ted Hull.  “It’s all about the points.  There are rules that are working that would never work for any other track or series and that’s because they tech so well.  When the race is over, you better be right because they will be looking.”

“It’s been a blessing for me,” Weaver said of RUSH.  “I started my career through RUSH.  It has given me a great stepping stone for other types of racing in the future.  It’s an affordable and diverse division for anyone from beginners to future hall of famers who haven’t raced in a couple of years.”

After finishing second or third for each of the past four years, Chas Wolbert finally got over the hump to garner the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Weekly Series Championship for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.  The 26-year-old Warren, Ohio Mod Lite graduate led the way with 11 feature wins in 2020 and has upped his all-time leading total in the RUSH Mod division to 33.   

“I love the Series and its very economical,” expressed Wolbert, who finished second in the Route 7 Rumble Series points.  “It’s the closest thing to having a Big-Block Modified without spending $40,000 for a motor.  Vicki did a great job of trying to keep us racing in 2020.  I’m sure they (Vicki and Mike) will continue to work hard in the offseason to get us places to race and do things to expand our car counts.”

While he came up 17 points shy of Wolbert in the Hovis Weekly Series points, Rob Kristyak was able to win the inaugural "Route 7 Rumble" Series Championship presented by Wedge Motorsports.  The 42-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer accumulated the most points of any racer amongst all Raceway 7 and Sharon Speedway events in 2020.  While Kristyak earned $500 for the championship, the program will return to bigger and better for year number two with $1,000 going to the 2021 champion and paying down eight positions.

Kristyak's racing career began in 1986 in a Go-Kart.  For 17 years he competed in the Big Block Modifieds.  In 2017 he decided to sell all of his big-block equipment and move into the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.   Kristyak's last two seasons have been very rewarding and he points to the RUSH Series as one of the main reasons. 

“We’ve been really enjoying it,” Kristyak said of the Sportsman division.  “It’s very competitive and there are a lot of top runners out there.  For a limited budget team like ours, it’s been excellent, and Vicki works very hard to make this Series right.”

Ayden Cipriano, who is 14 years old, has been racing since he was seven competing first in a Junior Sprint.  This past year was Ayden’s first year in a full-size car and capped it off with the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "Futures Cup" crown in the Sportsman Modifieds.  In addition, Ayden finished sixth in points in both the Weekly Series and "Route 7 Rumble".  He had five top five finishes including a career best third at Pittsburgh on September 26.  His parents, William and Sara, are his biggest supporters, both physically and financially. 

“I love the Series,” said William.  “Vicki does a great job finding places to race and even with the virus this year, it was still good and I’m very happy with it.”

As for his rookie season, Ayden said, “This season could have been better, and it could have been a lot worse.  I feel like I could have improved my driving earlier in the season, but I definitely feel like I got better as the season went on.  To win the championship is special.  As far as RUSH, I like it a lot.  I like my competitors and the people in control."

“I felt like they were smart with all the precautions they took with wearing masks and keeping social distances,” added Ayden.  “I felt RUSH did a whole lot better than other places we went to this season.”

Speaking of Ayden's mom Sara, she will be presenting the "Loyalty Program" through Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage in 2020.  One lucky RUSH Mod member racer will win a complete RUSH Sportsman Modified Pace Performance 602 crate engine package (carb to pan) valued at $8,000 at the season ending event on October 16 at Lernerville.

At 52 years of age, Dennis Lunger, Jr. just keeps on winning.  The Albion, Pa. veteran has raced a Stock Car, E-Mod, Super Late Model, RUSH Late Model, and most recently, a RUSH Pro Mod where he's coming off his unprecedented fourth straight Weekly Series Championship!  Overall, he's won 11 titles, seven of those coming with RUSH. 

“We’ll go for five next year,” Lunger said, who was still manage to win four feature events and finished out of the top two only four times in 14 starts.  But he also added that this upcoming season could be his final one.

While there are currently 44 RUSH Pro Mod races scheduled at four different tracks for 2021, Lunger would like to see more tracks get involved with the Series. “I raced more RUSH races this year, but at fewer tracks.  Losing Stateline (COVID-19) was big for me.  I like the RUSH Series.  They’ve always run a tight ship by enforcing the rules and you can’t beat the payouts plus it’s economical.” 

The Groves family of Sugar Grove, Pa. captured three RUSH titles this past racing season!  Jay, a 16-year veteran of Micro Sprint racing in addition to two years in a "360" Sprint Car, was in a Kart for his very first time and won the Adult division title, worth $1,000.   

“I thought it was great,” Groves said of this past season.  “The class is very competitive and is very well matched.  It’s not only good as an introductory class, but also as a class that drivers are looking forward to doing something different.  Being the first year for the Karts and having the pandemic put them somewhat behind the eight-ball, but I definitely see it growing for 2021 and beyond."

In addition to the "Futures Cup" title in the RUSH Sprint Cars, Jay's son Nolan also campaigned a JR-2 Kart and won that championship, worth $500.  “It was challenging at times, but we learned a lot and came on pretty strong at the end of the season,” Nolan said of his 2020 season.  “With our knowledge of Karts, we knew we had some high expectations coming in, but I think we also learned a lot throughout the season.”

Nolan grew up racing Karts, having won eight titles along the way, but it’s a Sprint Car where he hopes his future lies.  “My goal is to eventually get into a Sprint Car full-time,” said Nolan.  “It’s always been a dream of mine.”

The Groves own Kart Works, which is run by Jay, his father-in-law Jay Anderson along with Nolan.  They are a distributor for Go-Karts and accessories as well as a dealership for RUSH.  Kart Works has been integral in the development of the RUSH Karting Series.  Kart Works has been around for about 10 years and has 50 plus customers in Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. 

At 11 years old, Ryan Chase of Youngsville, Pa. has been racing a Go-Kart for the last four years.  Ryan earned $400 for winning the inaugural JR-1 class title.  His dad, David, really likes the Series and hopes it will take off.  “I really like the idea of no tire prep.  I like the sealed motors and the spec tires.” 

“I really think the Adult division is going to take-off, but I hope it does for the kids as well,” added David. “It’s a good playground for drivers who want to do something different as well as for young kids who are getting started in racing.  Hopefully, we’ll be doing RUSH for a longtime to come, no matter what division we are in.”
 
Nine-year-old Kaden Pyle has been racing for the last year and a half and garnered the inaugural Amateur class title, worth $300.  “I was proud of him winning that championship,” expressed his father Cody, who has raced Mini Stocks.  "He definitely improved as the season went on.  Last year was kind of hard for everyone because of the virus, but Vicki was always there when we needed to get answers to questions.  His plans next year are to move up to the JR-1 class.  We’re definitely going to stick with RUSH no matter what even when he’s ready to move into a bigger car, like a Modified.”   

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Flynn's Tire, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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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8
LAND OF LEGENDS TO HOST 1ST EVER RUSH LATE MODEL RACE;  $1000 TO-WIN PACE WEEKLY SERIES SPECIAL ON 9/11/21
By Mike Leone

December 24, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Canandaigua, NY)...For the first time in Series history, the RUSH Late Models will compete at the Land of Legends Raceway in Canandaigua, NY.  The Pace Performance Weekly Series special will take place on Saturday, September 11 and will offer $1,000 to-win, $125 to-start.  Though typically known for its Modified divisions, the RUSH Late Models will headline the special full-bodied program at the 1/2-mile oval on this night.

Lands of Legends will become the 13th different track in the Empire State to host a RUSH Late Model event in Series history.  RUSH member drivers will be able to race at the Land of Legends event and accumulate points towards the Nationals Weekly Series Championship. 

"Land of Legends is a historic speedway in New York and we're thrilled to be able to showcase our brand of racing there," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "Over the years, racers have always inquired about the possibility of taking RUSH to Land of Legends.  Promoter Paul Cole contacted us about bringing RUSH to his facility, and we're excited for the opportunity to compete there.  The September 11 date became available with Weedsport holding a big two-day event for Modifieds and other area tracks shutting down, so it opened the door for Land of Legends.  A very nice purse has been posted by Land of Legends for this inaugural event."

“At the Land of Legends in 2021, our goal is to raise the bar for local dirt racing,” said Land of Legends Raceway promoter Paul Cole. “We are doing this through providing our racers with an improved surface, facility and showing all of this off to our fans all across the world with enhanced video coverage on Land of Legends TV.  To keep putting on the best show for our fans, we had adding the RUSH Late Models high on our list.  We are thrilled to be able to partner with RUSH and Vicki (Emig) to make this happen for their racers and our fans.  This will be a show to remember as we write a new ‘legend’ in the longstanding history of our facility.”

Feature Payoff: 1. $1,000  2. $500  3. $350  4. $300  5. $250  6. $220  7. $200  8. $190  9. $180  10. $170  11. $160  12. $155  13. $150  14. $145  15. $140  16. $135  17. $130  18-24. $125.

Land of Legends is located at the Ontario County Fairgrounds at 2820 County Road 10, Canandaigua, NY 14424.  For more information, check out their website at www.landoflegendsraceway.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LandofLegendsNY and follow them on Twitter @LandofLegendsNY. Weekly racing is streamed on their video streaming platform “Land of Legends TV” by visiting www.landoflegendstv.com

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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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9
WATERSTONE MORTGAGE OF HERMITAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACE PERFORMANCE TO PRESENT "LOYALTY PROGRAM" IN 2021; 1 LUCKY RACER WILL WIN A CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE 602 RUSH SPORTSMAN MODIFIED ENGINE PACKAGE VALUED AT $8000+
By Mike Leone
 
December 20, 2020      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...After the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a blow to the 2020 Pace Performance RUSH Sportsman Modified together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC season, the Series is set to come out of the gates in 2021 with guns a' blazing.  Not only will the Hovis Auto & Truck Weekly Series Championship see a 36% increase in the point fund from past seasons and an increased point fund for the second year of the Wedge Motorsports "Route 7 Rumble" Series, but now the Series is proud to announce a new "Loyalty Program" presented by new marketing partner Waterstone Mortgage of Hermitage.

One lucky Modified racer will win a complete race ready Chevrolet Performance 602 RUSH Sportsman Modified crate engine package (carb-to-pan) valued at $8,000+ from Pace Performance; this will be the most valuable product to ever be given away in the history of the RUSH Racing Series! 

True to its name, the "Loyalty Program" presented by Waterstone Mortgage of Hermitage will reward loyalty.  In order to be eligible for the engine giveaway, drivers must be a RUSH member and cannot compete in a non-RUSH sanctioned Sportsman Modified event the same night as a contested RUSH-sanctioned event throughout the 2021 season.

Eligible drivers competing in 25-49% of total completed RUSH events will receive one chance for the engine giveaway; eligible drivers competing in 50-74% of total completed RUSH events will receive four chances; eligible drivers competing in 75-99% of total completed RUSH events will receive eight chances; and any eligible drivers that compete in 100% of the total completed RUSH events will receive 10 chances!

"We're always looking to be creative and keep things fresh by offering new programs to those that support us," expressed RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "The 2021 season will mark year number eight for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds and will be the biggest yet.  With the Hovis Weekly Series Championship point fund increasing for the second time, the Wedge Motorsports 'Route 7 Rumble' Series increasing, the traditional Manufacturers Night that just saw well over $15,000 of valuable product distributed, and now the addition of  the 'Loyalty Program' will make 2021 an exciting year."

The engine package will be drawn at the season finale on October 16 at Lernerville Speedway's "Steel City Stampede" by a Waterstone Mortgage representative.  This will mark the first time since 2015 that an engine has been given away, and never a complete race ready (carb to pan) engine, which is valued at over $8,000!  During the inaugural 2014 season, Jeremy Zufall won the engine giveaway presented by Sweeney/Pace, while current RUSH Sportsman Modified racer Kole Holden was the lucky recipient in 2015.

The promotion is made possible by Sara Cipriano, who is a Mortgage Loan Originator at the Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, Pa. branch.  Sara is the mother of 2020 Hovis Auto & Truck Supply "Futures Cup" Champion, Ayden Cipriano.  The 14-year-old RUSH Mod racer from Hermitage recorded five top 5s and nine top 10s including a career best third at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway this past season!  Ayden also finished sixth in both the Hovis Weekly Series Championship and the Wedge Motorsports "Route 7 Rumble" Series points!

"Sara recently contacted us about getting involved with the Series through Waterstone Mortgage," explained Emig.  "We wanted to add something unique, and felt this yearlong promotion for her was something the racers will really look forward to, and what a way for a loyal racer to end the year by winning a $8,000 package thanks to Waterstone Mortgage of Hermitage!  Sara's dad Wally Stearns was a loyal racer in the Mini Stocks during my ownership of Mercer Raceway Park, and now to have his daughter Sara and grandson Ayden involved with the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds is pretty special."

Other RUSH corporate marketing partners who joined with Waterstone Mortgage and Pace Performance to complete the Chevrolet Performance 602 "race ready" engine package are the following: Holley Performance Products, MSD Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, and Jones Racing Products, as well as 955 Automotive, Ingram Engines, and Race 1.

For more than 20 years, Waterstone Mortgage has worked with families across the nation, helping them achieve their homeownership dreams.  Waterstone Mortgage was founded in 2000 in suburban Milwaukee with a small 3-person team.  By 2006, Waterstone Mortgage had grown to 58 employees in two states.  In 2013, their corporate team relocated to their current Home Office in Pewaukee- a 56,000-square-foot facility.  Over the years, Waterstone Mortgage has won a variety of top workplace awards and gained national recognition for their loan production.

To contact Sara, who is the home lending expert at the Hermitage Waterstone Mortgage, check out her website at Saramortgagepro.com, like her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sarawaterstone/, and follow Waterstone Mortgage on Twitter @Waterstone.

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Waterstone Mortgage, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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 the Sportsman Modified Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushsportsmanmods and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSportMods.

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10
STATELINE & ERIEZ SPEEDWAYS JOIN FORCES TO GROW RUSH STOCK CARS IN 2021; WEEKLY SERIES POINT FUND EXPANDS; NOW $7500 WITH $2000 TO-WIN PLUS $1250 MINI SERIES POINT FUND ADDED
By Mike Leone

December 16, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...The Pace Performance RUSH Stock Car Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is pleased to announce the addition of Stateline and Eriez Speedways to the recently announced Series.  The two well-known speedways, located just 40 miles from each other, will be a catalyst for the growth of the division throughout the northern end of the region.  Dog Hollow Speedway was announced on November 23 as the flagship speedway operating on Friday nights. 

With now three regional facilities taking part in the RUSH Stock Car program, the inaugural Weekly Series Championship will increase nearly $2,500 going from a $5,000 10-position paying point fund to a $7,500 15-position paying point fund.  The 2021 champion will now take home $2,000!   

In addition, RUSH will post an additional $1,250 minimum point fund for a Mini Series of events between the speedways with dates to be announced.  The Mini Series will include approximately six higher paying events that will offer cumulative points towards the five-position point fund that pays $500 to the champion.  The Mini Series events will also count towards the Weekly Series Championship.

A $200 to-win "Futures Cup" Championship will also be posted for eligible teenage racers.  Also, as is the case with the other RUSH divisions, a "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance will take place at Dog Hollow on a date to be announced where thousands of dollars of valuable product giveaways will be distributed. 

The RUSH Stock Cars will look like "stock cars" and be powered by Chevrolet Performance 602 crate engines on sealed/spec Bilstein Shocks, RUSH 91 pump fuel, and Hoosier H500 8" tires.  Those four key "cost containment" elements have already proved very successful in the RUSH Sportsman Modified and Sprint Car divisions, and are now expected to drive the same results in the RUSH Stock Car division.  Questions on these components, rules, and membership should be directed to RUSH.  Dog Hollow has already seen a tremendous response since the initial announcement was made; Speedway officials feel there could be 10-12 cars on opening night. 

"Dave (Alexander) contacted me months ago with his thoughts on a crate 'stock car' division and they were honestly similar to what Dog Hollow's Mark McClellan and Kyle Smith were thinking," explained RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "Dog Hollow has forged the path and now with Stateline and Eriez, historically known as strong Saturday-Sunday night partners in the north, we couldn't have asked for a better trio of speedways to begin developing this division.  I think the timing is perfect for the RUSH Stock Cars, and we expect the division to grow very quickly; and we continue to be in discussions with other promoters about the division." 

Stateline will run the RUSH Stock Cars weekly on Saturday nights in 2021 beginning with a feature only until 13 or more cars are present, while Eriez will run the division bi-weekly on Sunday nights alternating with their Pro Stock division.

"The region needs an entry level 'stock car' division," stated soon-to-be third year Eriez owner-promoter Dave Alexander, who also features the RUSH Late Models weekly.  "While the Pro Stock division has always featured good racing at Eriez, there is no affordable entry level division to get into racing outside of the Mini Stocks.  And while our Mini Stock class continues to grow, we'd like to offer this option to get into an affordable full-size race car." 

"I had been thinking about coming up with some entry level Stock Car division even before RUSH made their announcement," added Alexander.  "The RUSH package makes sense by keeping the rules package uniform and they supplement it with the point funds, Manufacturers Night, teching, and more.  Raceway 7 also runs the Pro Stocks bi-weekly.  We'll work with them so the Pro Stock racers have ample nights to race.  By announcing the RUSH Stock Cars now it still gives those interested a chance to get a car ready for the upcoming season.  We realize it will be a building process, but felt it's better to begin now than possibly wait until 2022."

"There's no question there needs to be an affordable entry level, full-bodied division for regional racers," stated Stateline owner-promoter Jean Scott, whose track also runs the RUSH Late Models an RUSH Pro Mods weekly.  "We need to give young racers an opportunity to affordably get into a full-size race car as well as preserve current racers, who are struggling financially to be competitive.  We feel the RUSH Stock Cars division is the answer for both of these situations and need to start it sooner than later to develop this concept.  Jim (Scott) has always wanted to see Stock Cars return to looking like 'stock cars', which is what the RUSH body package addresses."

Chevrolet Performance 602 Stock Car divisions continue to flourish across the country with strong weekly car counts by providing an affordable and exciting option for those wanting to participate in a stock car division.  A tentative set of rules, which closely mirrors several other prominent national sanctioning bodies, is available at the following link: https://rushstockcars.com/2021%20Stock%20Car%20Rules.pdf.  Please contact the RUSH Office for any rules questions.

RUSH membership is $125, which makes driver eligible for the points funds and Manufacturers Night.  Membership also includes a $100,000 excess participant accident insurance policy when competing in a RUSH-sanctioned event.

Interested speedways in the RUSH Stock Cars are urged to contact the office at 724-964-9300 or e-mail info@rushracingseries.com.  Drivers interested in the division are asked to e-mail their contact info to be added to the driver contact list to keep abreast of any updates concerning the division.

The RUSH Stock Car website is still in development at www.rushstockcars.com, the Facebook at www.facebook.com/rushstockcars and Twitter @RUSHStockCars. 

RUSH Weekly Series Championship ($7,495): 1. $2,000  2. $1,000  4. $750  5. $400  6. $350  7. $325  8. $300  9. $290  10. $280  11. $270  12. $265  13. $260  14. $255  15. $250.

Mini Series Championship ($1,250): 1. $500  2. $300  3. $200  4. $150  5. $100.

RUSH Stock Car Weekly Payoff: 1. $300*  2. $200  3. $150  4. $125  5. $100  6. $95  7. $90  8. $85  9. $80  10. $75  11. $70  12. $65  13. $60  14. $55  15-20. $50.  Tow/Non-Qualifier $30.  (*Note: At Dog Hollow, Ontime Body & Graphic has posted $50 bonuses for a 100% RUSH-legal Performance Body '88 Monte Carlo body package and/or if the winner sports a past or present lettering scheme mirroring a national driver.)

Stateline Speedway is located nine miles southwest of Jamestown, NY, south of Busti, NY at 4150 Kortwright Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701. For more information, check out their website at www.newstatelinespeedway.com.  Like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newstatelinespeedwaybustiny and follow them on Twitter @NewStateline.

Eriez Speedway is a 3/8-mile track located outside of Erie, Pa. in Hammett at 9821 Sampson Rd., Erie, PA 16509.  For more information, like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eriezspeedway
 
RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, Vahlco Wheels, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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/rushstockcars and follow us on Twitter @RUSHStockCars.

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11
THE TRADITION CONTINUES AS RUSH READIES TO DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN $66,500 IN VALUABLE PRODUCTS TO ELIGIBLE MEMBER RACERS AS PART OF 2020 "MANUFACTURERS NIGHTS" PRESENTED BY MSD
By Mike Leone
 
December 5, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...All be it in a slightly different manner than usual as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted "Manufacturers Nights" presented by MSD Performance that are presented throughout the regular season at RUSH-sanctioned speedways annually; more than $66,500 in products will still be distributed to eligible member racers through each division's Weekly Series Championship points thanks to the excellent support of the Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series' corporate marketing partners!  Specific "Manufacturers Nights" for each division will return in 2021 to various RUSH-sanctioned speedways throughout the region.

The "Manufacturers Night" debuted in 2012 for the Late Model division and has since become a much anticipated staple and signature of the RUSH Racing Series.  With each successive year, the amount of products and overall value distributed to RUSH racers have grown tremendously; what began with just $10,000 in products now typically sees well over $100,000 of products dispersed and includes events for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, RUSH Pro Mods, and RUSH Sprint Cars.

In 2017, a "traveling" "Manufacturers Night" was added to accommodate RUSH Late Model racers on the northern and southernmost end of the RUSH region and allows these racers the ability to take home valuable products as well.  In 2021, the "traveling" Manufacturers Night is set to take place at Genesee Speedway in conjunction with their "Topless Nationals" September 24-25, which will feature back to back $2,000 to-win RUSH Late Model Touring Series events.  The traditional event's location and date will be announced in the near future.  The new RUSH Stock Cars will also have their own "Manufacturers Night" in 2021 at Dog Hollow Speedway!

"I went at the idea on a wing and a prayer," explained Emig when looking back at creating a Manufacturers Night in 2012.  "We announced we would distribute $10,000 in product, I honestly at that time had nothing!  One of the best things my father ever taught me was 'don't ever be afraid to ask, all they can do is say no!'  Well over the years I've done a lot of asking, got a lot of no's, but thankfully got many, many yeses!  Since I've gotten the initial foundation in place it's definitely been a lot easier.  I never imagined when I made my first phone call to a manufacturer that nine years later we'd be typically distributing well over $100,000 of product in the years to come, excluding 2020 due to the pandemic."

"We are blessed with numerous nationally recognized and regional corporate marketing partners who believe not only in the various concepts that have helped build RUSH," continued Emig.  "Being able to award tens of thousands of dollars in actual product via these companies directly into the hands of our racers in the long run helps RUSH stay healthy and viable and provides a trickledown effect to all of our RUSH partners; racers, speedways, and of course our sponsors.  By awarding a racer a product package that is valued at a minimum of $300 and as high as $1800 allows him to utilize those dollars in other ways to keep his team viable.  We strive to make sure all the contributed products are utilized and needed by our teams." 

"When COVID-19 began taking a foothold back in the spring we weren't sure if there was even going to be a season, let alone Manufacturers Nights," acknowledged Emig.  "Asking companies for money and product was the last thing on our minds for several months.  To still be able to pay out the point funds that we are and offer over $66,500 in product for these Manufacturers Nights after what everyone faced this year is truly a testament to our wonderful marketing partners.  We ask as always that RUSH racers support these manufacturer that so greatly support them!"   

Close Racing Supply owner Joel Smith has been a longtime supporter of not only RUSH, but racing all throughout the Northeast over the year.  Smith is now one of the partners at McKean County Raceway in his new venture of race track promoting beginning in 2021.  Smith had the following to say. "The RUSH Series does a great job at giving back to its racers with Manufacturers Nights.  Every racer puts to good use these products that are donated by these top notch manufactures.  I think every racer is grateful for the Series and all these manufacturers that put this deal on.  RUSH continues to grow and does great things for not only the racers, but also the promoters and race tracks."

RKR owner Russ King has substantially contributed  to "Manufacturers Nights" throughout the years and had the following to say.  "I support all RUSH divisions and contribute to both the RUSH Late Model and RUSH Sportsman Modified divisions' Manufacturers Nights.  I believe that if it wasn't for RUSH and Chevrolet Performance crate engine racing a lot of people couldn't race.  The cost of open engine racing is so expensive that it makes it hard for a guy to get in our sports; RUSH offers a great option!"     

Steve Dixon has been one of the top RUSH Late Model racers for many years and has also competed in the RUSH Pro Mods in recent years.  "I've been a supporter of RUSH Series since its inception," stated the Smethport, Pa. racer.  "The low cost crate engines have allowed me to race more within my budget.  Recently I've been fortunate to drive for a couple car owners allowing me to race in both the RUSH Late Model and Pro Mod divisions, also because of the cost of these cars and RUSH'S cost-saving rules.  Myself and my car owners look forward to getting rewarded each year at Manufacturers Night- it's a great thing the RUSH Series does for its competitors."

Parameters of eligibility for this year's "Manufacturers Nights" vary slightly per divisions; however, order of the draw for all divisions will be Weekly Series Champion car owner first followed by second place, third place, etc.  Championship tiebreaker will be used to break ties in all positions order of drawings.  Owners/Drivers will be contacted very soon to make their initial selection. 

For the Late Models, the top 50 in National Weekly Series points will receive a prize valued at a minimum of $400 and will share approximately $29,000 of products.  The top prize is four F3 Tornado Brake Calipers and brake fluid from TBM Brakes valued at $1,845.  The Late Model list is available at the following link: http://www.rushlatemodels.com/Manufacturers%20Night%20Prize%20List%202020.pdf

For the Sportsman Modifieds, the 14 members that did not compete in non-RUSH sanctioned 602 event against a contested RUSH show will share nearly $16,000 in 32 prizes as each driver will receive at least two prizes valued at a minimum of $300!  The top prize is two F1 Tornado Calipers and two F3 Tornado Calipers along with brake fluid from TBM Brakes valued at $1,420.  The Sportsman Modified list is available at the following link: http://www.rushsportsmanmods.com/Manufacturers%20Night%20Mods%20Prize%20List%202020.pdf

For the Sprint Cars, all 23 members that competed will receive a prize valued at a minimum of $300 and will share over $12,000 in products.  The top prize is a full custom drivers suit from Velocita-USA valued at $1,000!  The Sprint Car list is available at the following link: http://www.rushsprintcars.com/Manufacturers%20Night%202020%20Sprint%20Car%20Prize%20List.pdf

For the Pro Mods, the eight members will share approximately $10,000 in 20 prizes as each driver will receive at least two prizes valued at a minimum of $300!  The top prize is four GM Metric Brake Calipers and brake fluid from TBM Brakes valued at $1,115.  The Pro Mod list is available at the following link: http://www.rushpromods.com/Manufacturers%20Night%20Pro%20Mods%20Prize%20List%202020.pdf

A random draw will be conducted for the remaining Sportsman Mod and Pro Mod prizes after drivers select their first two prizes.  That means four Sportsman Modified and four Pro Mod drivers will be guaranteed to take home more than $1,000 in products each!   

The following companies have made the 2020 "Manufacturers Nights" possible: Allegheny Tool & Supply, Applebee Motorsports, Bazell Race Fuels, Benic Enterprises, Bicknell Racing Products, Big Daddy's Speed Center, Bilstein Shocks, Close Racing Supply, Crate Insider, Dirt Defender, FK Rod Ends, Frankland Racing Supply, Holley Performance Parts, Hoosier Tire Distributors, Insinger Performance, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, Lincoln Electric, MSD Performance, Ontime Body & Graphic, Performance Bodies & Parts, Precise Racing Products, Race 1, Racers New & Used Parts Warehouse, Racing Electronics, Russ King Racing, Schoenfeld Headers, Sherwood Wheels, Sunoco Race Fuels, TBM Brakes, Triple X Components, Vahlco Wheels, Velocita-USA, Wedge Motorsports, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, and Wrisco Industries.
     
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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12
RICHEST WEEKEND IN PACE RUSH SPRINT CAR HISTORY TO TAKE PLACE JUNE 19-20 AT MCKEAN & BRADFORD FOR A PAIR OF $1000 TO-WIN, $175 TO-START EVENTS
By Mike Leone
 
November 25, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...The Pace Performance RUSH Sprint Car Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is thrilled to announce the richest weekend in Series history will take place on June 19-20, 2021.  A pair of $1,000 to-win, $175 to-start Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series special events will be held on back-to-back nights just 15 miles apart in McKean County, Pennsylvania with Saturday night at McKean County Raceway and Sunday night at Bradford Speedway. 

After not operating each of the past two seasons, McKean will be under new management in 2021 led by Close Racing Supply owner Joel Smith and former promoter Ken Leet.  MCR will be running a specials-only slate of events that includes the RUSH Late Models and RUSH Pro Mods.  Bradford meanwhile had an excellent first season under Dennis Cummings despite the pandemic.  Bradford features the RUSH Late Models and RUSH Pro Mods weekly.

"This will be a tremendous addition to our schedule," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "The northern racers have been hoping for some additional events up that way and it's been awhile since we've been to McKean or Bradford.  To have two $1000 to-win races 15 miles apart on successive nights is awesome.  McKean has already done some reconfiguration to their 1/3-mile track to make the racing better, while our past shows at Bradford on the 1/4-mile bullring were very exciting."   

Prior to the McKean-Bradford doubleheader, the week will start off early on Tuesday (June 15) at Sharon Speedway for a $600 to-win, $150 to-start race part of the All Star Circuit of Champions' Ohio Sprint Speedweek that will be broadcast live on FloRacing.com.  This will create three Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series specials in six days! 

After a promising year one in 2018, rain wiped out 40% of the schedule in 2019, and the Series was hard hit by COVID-19 this past year, but still 27 different cars competed.  However, all signs are pointing upward for 2021 as a bevy of new competitors will be making their debut, over 30 shows are expected with approximately 50% paying $600 or more to-win and several will be broadcast on FloRacing, DIRTVision and Lernerville TV.  Drivers will be battling for the $20,000 Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series Championship with $5,000 going to the winner plus the "Futures Cup" Championship will return.

Chad Ruhlman won the only RUSH Sprint Car event ever run at McKean back in 2018, while Ruhlman also swept both events at Bradford in 2019.  Ruhlman went on to win the championship both of those years, while Jeremy Weaver was the 2020 Equipment Rental Options Weekly Series champion for Hull Racing.  Sixteen-year-old Nolan Groves was the "Futures Cup" Champion with a trio of podium finishes.   

McKean & Dog Hollow Payoff: 1. $1,000  2. $500  3. $350  4. $275  5. $250  6. $240  7. $230  8. $225  9. $220  10. $215  11. $210  12. $205  13. $200  14. $195  15. $190  16. $185  17. $180  18-24. $175.  Tow/Non-Qualifier $75.

McKean County Raceway is a 1/3-mile dirt track located at the McKean County Fairgrounds in East Smethport, Pa. at the intersections of Route 6 and 46.  For more information on McKean County Family Raceway, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/McKeanCountyRacewayMCR.  Follow them on Twitter @McKeanCoRaceway.

Bradford Speedway is a 1/4-mile dirt track located at 330 Summit Road, Bradford, PA 16701. For more information, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Bradford-Speedway-109610073932081.

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, CrateInsider.com, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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 Sprint Car Series website is www.rushsprintcars.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushprintcars and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSprints.
 
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13
PACE RUSH RACING SERIES ANNOUNCES STOCK CAR SERIES TO DEBUT IN 2021; DOG HOLLOW TO BE FLAGSHIP SPEEDWAY WITH  FRIDAY NIGHT RACING
By Mike Leone

November 23, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...The Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is excited to announce the launch of the RUSH Stock Car Series in 2021.  The new Stock Car division will join the Late Models, Sprint Cars, Sportsman Modifieds, and Pro Mods on the RUSH dirt side.  Dog Hollow Speedway, which recently announced their reopening in 2021 under new management, will run the class weekly on Friday nights. 

The RUSH Stock Cars will look like "stock cars" and be powered by Chevrolet Performance 602 crate engines on sealed/spec Bilstein Shocks, RUSH 91 pump fuel, and Hoosier H500 8" tires.  Those four key "cost containment" elements have already proved very successful in the RUSH Sportsman Modified and Sprint Car divisions, and are now expected to drive the same results in the RUSH Stock Car division. 

Chevrolet Performance 602 Stock Car divisions continue to flourish across the country with strong weekly car counts by providing an affordable and exciting option for those wanting to participate in a stock car division.  A tentative set of rules, which closely mirrors several other prominent national sanctioning bodies, is available at the following link: https://rushstockcars.com/2021%20Stock%20Car%20Rules.pdf

A minimum $5,000+ Weekly Series Championship has been announced with $1,500 to-win paying down 10 positions for member drivers.  If another track signs on, the point fund will increase to $7,500 with $2,000 to-win paying down 15 positions.  In addition, a five-position paying "Futures Cup" points fund with $200 to-win will be posted for eligible teenage racers.  Also, as is the case with the other RUSH divisions, a "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance will take place at Dog Hollow where thousands of dollars of valuable product giveaways will be distributed.   

In addition to competing for the RUSH Weekly Series point funds, the RUSH Stock Cars will race for $300 to-win, $50 to-start at Dog Hollow's weekly shows; however, with Ontime Body & Graphic posting a pair of $50 bonuses, drivers have the ability to compete for $400 to-win weekly!  The first $50 bonus is if the winner utilizes the 100% RUSH-legal Performance Body '88 Monte Carlo body package.  The second $50 bonus is if the winner sports a past or present lettering scheme mirroring a national driver (NASCAR, World of Outlaws, Lucas Oil, etc.).

Dog Hollow will be operated by Mark McClellan and Kyle Smith, Sr.  McClellan is well-known in the racing community from his Ontime Body & Graphic business along with his knowledge of racing.  Smith meanwhile is the founder of Johnstown Hydraulics Inc, and is a former racer and car owner for his son Kyle, Jr.  Dog Hollow will also run the RUSH Late Models weekly on Friday nights.  Both RUSH classes will debut on an all new surface that has 250 tri-axle loads of new clay spread around the 4/10-mile oval. 

"We really have to thank Mark McClellan, who was instrumental in helping to develop the RUSH Stock Car rules package, as well as his partner Kyle Smith," expressed RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "Mark and Kyle are all in on the class for 2021 and into the future as they're committed to building it whether there's two or ten cars on opening night.  Ironically Dog Hollow was the site of the very first Crate Late Model race in 2007 and had just two cars; now here we are 13 years later rolling into Dog Hollow with the RUSH Stock Cars and a strong RUSH Late Model program that now flourishes throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic." 

"We're expecting great things from this division very quickly and feel the time is right for the introduction of this true 'cost containment' stock car program," added Emig.  "We believe other promoters, as well as current and potential new Stock Car racers, across the region will be closely monitoring the development of this division; as the division grows so will the Championship programs and other benefits!"

"When Kyle and I took over we immediately began discussing the desire for a true 'stock car' class at Dog Hollow," explained McClellan.  "Toward the end of our meeting with RUSH on their Late Model program, this topic came up.  RUSH expressed an interest in having this type of stock car class under their umbrella and from there discussions and meetings continued to where we're at today making this announcement.  We just felt it was a no brainer to have RUSH involved in the development of this class as we can tap into their technical program, point funds, contingencies, PR, and more."

RUSH Membership, which is optional but required to receive points and be eligible for the points fund, will be $125.  Membership includes a $100,000 excess participant accident insurance policy when competing in a RUSH-sanctioned event.

Interested speedways in the RUSH Stock Cars are urged to contact the office at 724-964-9300 or e-mail info@rushracingseries.com.  Drivers interested in the division are asked to e-mail their contact info to be added to the driver contact list to keep abreast of any updates concerning the division.

The RUSH Stock Car website will be at www.rushstockcars.com, the Facebook at www.facebook.com/rushstockcars and Twitter @RUSHStockCars. 

Dog Hollow RUSH Stock Car Weekly Payoff: 1. $300*  2. $200  3. $150  4. $125  5. $100  6. $95  7. $90  8. $85  9. $80  10. $75  11. $70  12. $65  13. $60  14. $55  15-20. $50.  Tow/Non-Qualifier $30.  (*Note: Ontime Body & Graphic has posted $50 bonuses for a 100% RUSH-legal Performance Body '88 Monte Carlo body package and/or if the winner sports a past or present lettering scheme mirroring a national driver.)

Weekly Series Championship (One Track): 1. $1,500  2. $750  3. $600  4. $400  5. $350  6. $325  7. $300  8. $270  9. $260  10. $250

Weekly Series Championship (Two or More Tracks): 1. $2,000  2. $1,000  4. $750  5. $400  6. $350  7. $325  8. $300  9. $290  10. $280  11. $270  12. $265  13. $260  14. $255  15. $250.

Dog Hollow Speedway is located 3.5 miles north of Route 422 in Strongstown, Pa. just off Route 403 North at 76 Hamill Road, Northern Cambria, PA 15714.  Anyone wishing to contact the speedway, can call 814-893-2221 or e-mail rfrmotorsports@gmail.com  For more information, like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/doghollowspeedway.
 
RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, CrateInsider.com, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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/rushstockcars and follow us on Twitter @RUSHStockCars.

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14
PACE RUSH LATE MODELS ANNOUNCES ENHANCED "TRACK PACK" PROGRAM; $2500 TO TOP 6 MEMBER RACERS AT EACH WEEKLY-SANCTIONED TRACK IN 2021 PUSHING WEEKLY CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAMS TO OVER $65,000
By Mike Leone
 
November 17, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Pulaski, PA)...The Pace Performance RUSH Dirt Late Model Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is thrilled to announce an enhanced "Track Pack" point fund to its Weekly Series program.  In 2021, each RUSH Late Model weekly-sanctioned track's top six member racers will share $2,500 with $1,000 going to the champion!  These monies will be awarded over and above any other championship monies drivers will receive pushing the RUSH Late Model Weekly Series Championship programs to over $65,000!

The "Track Pack" program debuted in 2016 and continued through the 2019 season before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations in 2020.  Each of those four years, $800 was split amongst the top five RUSH members with $300 to the champion at each RUSH weekly-sanctioned track.

RUSH Weekly member racers will accumulate points at each event and at the end of the year the top six in member points at each weekly-sanctioned track will receive $1000, $500, $400, $300, $200, $100!  Drivers will still of course continue to accumulate points for the National Weekly Series Championship that pays $5,000 to-win down 40 positions for drivers' best 12 point finishes (best two per weekend).  Also, eligible teenage racers will compete for the "Futures Cup" Championship.  Included in the $125 Weekly membership is a $100,000 excess participant accident insurance policy. 

"We've always known the strength of RUSH lays within our weekly tracks and the racers who support them," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "During the pandemic, the average car counts at our weekly tracks were very impressive as most all tracks increased.  In the past the 'Summer Chase' gave just 10 racers additional monies, but we feel by taking that money and adding another approximate $14,000 to the Track Pack we can allow substantially more  racers the ability to take home additional weekly monies at the end of the year."

Before COVID-19 hit, RUSH had announced the Touring Series Championship point fund would double to $35,500 with a record $12,000 going to the champion!  This will now take place in 2021.  The Touring Series schedule continues to come together and is expected to be similar to 2020's before the pandemic.

The 2021 season is expected to be the richest in RUSH Racing Series history, which includes the RUSH Late Models, Sprint Cars, Sportsman Modifieds and Pro Mods, with additional programs and events planned throughout.     

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, CrateInsider.com, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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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15
DOG HOLLOW SPEEDWAY TO RETURN TO RACING IN 2021 WITH NEW MANAGEMENT & A NEW CLAY SURFACE; PACE RUSH LATE MODELS PART OF WEEKLY FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM
By Mike Leone
 
November 11, 2020               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
(Northern Cambria, PA)...After sitting dark in 2020, the roar of race cars will once again return to Dog Hollow Speedway in 2021.  Friday night racing will commence in the spring at the Northern Cambria, Pa. facility with Pace Performance RUSH Late Models on the weekly card.  The new management team, RFR Motorsports, brings years of racing knowledge and business experience.  The RFR partnership includes western Pennsylvania residents Mark McClellan of Stoystown and Kyle Smith, Sr. of Windber.  McClellan is well-known in the racing community from his Ontime Body & Graphic business along with his knowledge of racing.  Smith meanwhile is the founder of Johnstown Hydraulics Inc, and is a former racer and car owner for his son Kyle, Jr.  Bill Bauer will serve as the competition director.

The 2021 season will mark the Indiana County speedplant's 23rd anniversary, which began operating in 1998.  The track has already been re-clayed as the new surface features 250 tri-axle loads of new clay around the spacious 4/10-mile oval.  Other capital improvements will be taking place before the first green flag of 2021. 

Under owner and former promoter Jim Michny, Dog Hollow was one of the first four founding speedways to run Chevrolet Performance Crate Late Models in the Northeast weekly beginning in 2007 and have raced there ever since. 
 
"We're thrilled to have Dog Hollow on board with the RUSH program in 2021," stated Director Vicki Emig.  "This will give racers in the central part of our region the ability to race once again on Friday nights, and additional opportunities to compete for our valuable RUSH Championship programs.  We're looking forward to seeing Mark and Kyle take Dog Hollow to the next level.  Mark has been heavily involved in the racing industry throughout the years so coupling that with Kyle's strong business and racing background will bring excellent leadership to Dog Hollow and a strong addition to the RUSH program."
 
"We are excited to be partnering with the RUSH Series," expressed Smith.  "RUSH brings the same values and integrity as we will have at Dog Hollow with our weekly program under RFR Motorsports."
 
RUSH member racers will be able to participate at Dog Hollow on a weekly basis and be eligible for all of the programs including the Pace Weekly Series Championship, a greatly expanded "Track Pack Bonus" program (details TBA soon), and the “Futures Cup” for those eligible racers.  While membership is not mandatory to compete in any RUSH-sanctioned event, membership also includes a $100,000 excess participant accident policy, which is over and above drivers’ health insurance and speedways’ participant accident policy.  Under RUSH at Dog Hollow, Joe Moyer and Tim Snare, Jr. were the Track Pack member champions.

In addition to weekly Pace Performance RUSH Late Model racing, a Touring Series event is possible as well as potential dates for the RUSH Sprint Cars and RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.

Dog Hollow Speedway is located 3.5 miles north of Route 422 in Strongstown, Pa. just off Route 403 North at 76 Hamill Road, Northern Cambria, PA 15714.  Anyone wishing to contact the speedway, can e-mail rfrmotorsports@gmail.com  For more information, like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/doghollowspeedway.
 
RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Pace Performance together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, CrateInsider.com, and Wedge Motorsports.
 
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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