$20,000 TO-WIN "BILL EMIG MEMORIAL" PRESENTED BY SUNOCO ALONG WITH SEAL-TITE PAVING & JOSEPH J. OLIVA ATTORNEY AT LAW FOR HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR THIS WEEKEND AT LERNERVILLE; PART OF "FIRECRACKER 100" WITH LUCAS OIL LATE MODELS

By Mike Leone

June 17, 2025             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Sarver, PA)...The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Dirt Late Model Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants is gearing up for its richest event of the season.  The "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by Sunoco Race Fuels along with support from Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law and Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating will take place this Thursday through Saturday (June 19-21) at Lernerville Speedway paying $20,000 to-win!  In addition, the Experience Butler County Pennsylvania "Firecracker 100" event will feature the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in three complete shows with the Saturday finale again paying $50,000 to-win.  The event will broadcast live on FloRacing and Dirt.TV.

The RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour returns to the "Firecracker 100" weekend at Lernerville for the seventh consecutive year and for the fourth straight year paying $20,000-to-win, $600 to start!  The D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier will again pay $500 to-win and thanks to Close Racing Supply will see an increase in purse of more than $500 with $225 to-start.  More than $6,000 in valuable product giveaways distributed to drivers that fail to qualify for the feature (see list below)!  Tow money is $150 for the second straight year.

Speaking of D&V Jewelers, the New Castle, Pa. company owed by race fans Doug and Valerie Hoover, will also once again present a championship diamond ring, this year valued at a record $8,000, to the winner of the 50-lap "Bill Emig Memorial"!  That will increase the winner's amount to a minimum of $28,000 in cash and contingencies!  The winner will also receive a beautiful custom created trophy by Tim Grant of Design Creations (DCi-Awards). 

NEW for 2025, RUSH Sprint Car Series racer Zach Morrow will be awarding a pit box from his Two7 Manufacturing valued at $3,000 to a lucky RUSH Late Model team during the event!  Driver or car owner must compete in at least five 2025 RUSH-sanctioned Late Model events OR a minimum of 50% of the completed events at any of the RUSH Weekly-sanctioned speedway OR Touring Series events to be eligible for the random drawing. Final eligibility to be determined by RUSH Officials.

In 2019, the "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply took place with the "Firecracker 100" at Lernerville for the first time and attracted 53 cars as Max Blair passed Ross Robinson with five laps to go for the victory.  In 2020, the status of the event was up in the air until about one week prior due to COVID-19 restrictions, but that didn't stop Blair, who won the caution-free 50 lapper for another $10,000 payday presented by Hovis.  

In 2021, the Hovis-sponsored event continued its forward momentum as 54 cars were in competition, and saw Florida's Mark Whitener win his first RUSH event in his first attempt.  Whitener went back-to-back scoring the $20,000 victory in 2022 as an event record 56 cars were on hand from 10 different states plus Canada; the event was presented by Sunoco Race Fuels for the first time.  For the second straight year, 56 cars from 10 states plus Canada were on hand in 2023 as Blair won the event for the third time in five years, but this time worth $20,000.  Last year, Dave Hess, Jr. passed Bryce Davis coming to the white flag for the biggest payday of his illustrious racing career.  There were 54 cars on hand. 

Sunoco Race Fuels is once again presenting this year’s event.  Sunoco has been an important corporate marketing partner of the RUSH Racing Series as 2025 marks the 13th year of their longstanding, successful relationship.  Sunoco, the "Official Fuel" of RUSH, has fueled the Series over the past several years and offers their Sunoco E85R as an exciting, cost-effective option for the RUSH Late Models.

In 2021, Sunoco increased their support of RUSH through the Sunoco "Fill'er Up with Sunoco Bucks" at each Flynn's Tire Tour event, which saw $5,000 of Sunoco fuel cards awarded  to Tour participants.  This program increased to over $12,000 of Sunoco fuel cards distributed to Tour participants in 2022 and that continued over the past two season.  At Lernerville this week, two Tour drivers in the top 20 in points will win a $100 Sunoco gift card, while four other racers will win $50 gift cards.  This year's program is presented by Sunoco distributor Bazell Race Fuels.  

Thursday night's program will include warmups and $100 FK Rod Ends "Shock the Clock" Qualifying; Friday night will be highlighted by $25 FK Rod Ends heat races and the "John Buzzard Memorial" Sunoco Dash paying $100 cash and a $100 Sunoco fuel card; Saturday will see last chance B mains, the 50-lap feature, and the non-qualifier.  The rain date is Sunday (June 22). 

"We cannot thank the Tomson Family at Lernerville for believing in our program enough six years ago to include us as part of the Firecracker 100," continued Emig.  "Now to annually have the richest event for Crate Late Models in the Northeast in conjunction with the biggest Super Late Model race in the history of western Pennsylvania is beyond words; it's again going to be historic and I don't think anyone is going to want to miss it!"

The 2025 "Bill Emig Memorial" will be the 35th annual event remembering the late car owner and father of RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  Over the years, the event has been held at Lernerville, Hickory, Mercer, and Tri-City Speedways. 

Bill Emig was a Semi-Late and Six-Cylinder Modified car owner from 1969 until his passing in 1990.  Emig had successful drivers pilot the #1 Ford such as Jim Becker, Bob Krauss, Donnie Martin, John Buzzard, Jerry Lesnak, Butch Haefke, and Lou Gentile.  In later years, Andy Priest, Jimmy Hawley, Frank Guidace, and Rodney Beltz drove Emig #1 Six-Cylinder and "358" Modified for Bill's daughter Vicki.

Emig's cars won over 300 feature events along with multiple track championships and several of Walt Wimer's prestigious Cavalcade Championships.  In 1986, his car was featured in a full color article in the special Christmas issue of Stock Car Racing magazine.  He was one of the original recipients of Lernerville Speedway's "Milestone in Racing" award in 1988.  Emig has also been inducted into both the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club and Twin-State Auto Racing Club Hall of Fames. 

"On a personal note, I wish my dad was here to witness what his love of racing has grown to- the RUSH Racing Series truly is his legacy," continued Emig.  "It was him who gave me my love of racing; always taking me with him and never leaving me home.  He passed away at just 54 and I remember planning his first memorial in 1992 that also took place at Lernerville, which paid $1000 to win.  He would have loved our racers and vice versa because he was such a character; and also greatly appreciated our sanctioned speedways and corporate marketing partners, all who have helped Mike (Leone) and I develop RUSH.  I know he will be smiling down when our racers pull into to their four-wide in his memory with $20,000 on the line for the winner!"    

Four-time Series Champion, Jeremy Wonderling, leads the Series to Lernerville still in search of his first Tour win of 2025 as he chases the $20,000 championship.  The Wellsville, NY driver has an eight-point lead on 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year points leader, Demetrios Drellos.  Jason Knowles, who is coming off a runner-up finish at Tri-City, which matched his career best since a second at McKean in 2014, is third in points.  Rounding out the top 10 in points are Austin Allen, rookie Zack Carley, Bryce Davis, Daryl Charlier, Ben Easler, Kyle Hardy, and Braeden Dillinger.  Thus far this season, just 3 of the 10 scheduled events have been completed due to rain wreaking havoc.  Blair swept the Stateline-Eriez events, while Charlier won the most recent show at Tri-City on May 25.

The podium finishers will each receive a three-pack of Heritage Wine Cellars premier products.  Precise Racing Products will award a $50 gift card for the "Pedal Down" Hard Charger that passes the most cars in the feature.  Ontime Body & Graphic's "Spoiler Alert" will award a spoiler kit to the fourth place finisher.  The first feature non-qualifier will receive a $50 certificate from Holley Performance brands.  There will also be five BOGO Landrum Performance Springs certificates given away through drawings.  Forty lucky fans will receive a bottle of Dusted Steak Seasoning.

Sunoco Race Fuels "Bill Emig Memorial" Feature Payoff ($51,925): 1. $20,000  2. $7,000  3. $3,500  4. $3,000  5. $2,000  6. $1,500  7. $1,300  8. $1,200  9. $1,100  10. $1,000  11. $900  12. $800  13. $700  14. $650  15. $625  16. $620  17. $615  18. $610  19. $605  20-24. $600  (25-26. $600 provisionals, if necessary).

D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier presented by Close Racing Supply Payoff: 1. $500  2. $300  3. $290  4. $280  5. $270  6. $260  7. $250  8. $245  9. $240  10. $235  11. $230  12-24. $225.  Anyone not starting a feature will receive $150.

Non-Qualifier Contingencies:

1. Carley Motorsports: $500 Gift Certificate for Consultation/Tech Support/Labor ($500)

2. Landrum Springs: Package of 4 VB Standard Springs ($350)

3. Landrum Springs: Package of 4 VB Standard Springs ($350)

4. Russ King Racing: $300 Gift Certificate ($300)

5. JDS Racing (Jim Stevens): $300 Close Racing Supply Gift Card ($300)

6. RaceQuip (Holley): Helmet ($300)

7. Daugherty Motorsports: $250 Gift Certificate ($250)

8. Keyser Mfg: $250 Gift Certificate ($250)

9. Hoosier Tire: 1 Hoosier RUSH Tire ($238)

10. Hoosier Tire: 1 Hoosier RUSH Tire ($238)

11. Ed Carley Motorsports/RaceQuip (Holley): $100 Close Racing Supply Gift Card/5-Point Harness ($235)

12. Ed Carley Motorsports/RaceQuip (Holley): $100 Close Racing Supply Gift Card/5-Point Harness ($235)

13. Wieland Metal Products: 2 Sheets of White Aluminum ($220)

14. Wieland Metal Products: 2 Sheets of White Aluminum ($220)

15. Insinger Performance/Precise Racing Products: $150 Sunoco Gift Card/Two Precise Fuel Jugs ($216)

16. Insinger Performance/Precise Racing Products: $150 Sunoco Gift Card/Two Precise Fuel Jugs ($216)

17. Insinger Performance/Precise Racing Products: $150 Sunoco Gift Card/Two Precise Fuel Jugs ($216)

18. Insinger Performance/Precise Racing Products: $150 Sunoco Gift Card/Two Precise Fuel Jugs ($216)

19. ARC  Racing (Roy Anderson): $200 Gift Certificate ($200)

20. Wedge Motorsports: $200 Gift Certificate ($200)

21. Velocita-USA: Pair of 2-Layer SFI 5 Velocita Racing Gloves ($169)

22. Ontime Body & Graphic: Spoiler Kit ($150)

Additional drawing from Carley Motorsports: $500 off a New Set on New Genesis Shocks ($500)

Drivers do not have to be a member of RUSH to compete- only to receive Weekly and/or Tour points.  The entry fee for the event is $100.  AMB/MyLaps transponders will be used; Westhold transponders will NOT work.  Units are available to rent for the weekend for $25.  Driver radio channel will be 454.000.

RUSH registration and pre-race tech will begin by 2 p.m. on Thursday.  RUSH drivers meeting will be at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday with the pill draw closing at 6:00 p.m.  Lucas Oil warmups will begin at 6 p.m. followed by their qualifying then RUSH warmups.  Lucas Oil heat races will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday followed by RUSH group qualifying.  Racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday with warmups at 6 p.m. on Saturday night.  A complete schedule of events is available at the following link: https://www.lernerville.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1100170

The Flynn's Tire Tour will return to Lernerville for the 2025 finale on October 10-11 for the $4,000 to-win "Steel City Stampede".  Lernerville is a 4/10-mile high-banked clay oval located 11 miles southeast of Butler, Pa. on Route 356 at 313 North Pike Road, Sarver, PA 16055.  Lernerville is just 30 miles northeast of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.  For more information, check out their website at www.lernerville.com or call 724-353-1511.

Sunoco has grown from its humble roots as a small oil company in Pittsburgh, PA, to one of the largest fuel distribution companies in the United States. Sunoco's rich, 130 plus-year heritage, legacy and reputation for innovation, and commitment to its local communities are foundational elements of this iconic American brand. Today, Sunoco distributes fuel to over 5,000 gas station locations in more than 30 states.  Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership.  SUN's general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Operating, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET).  For more information, check out www.sunoco.com. 

Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law is located at 414 N. Jefferson St., New Castle, Pa. 16101.  Olivia is a 2015 graduate of Allegheny College and 2018 graduate of Penn State Law.  Olivia assists clients in almost every aspect imaginable including litigation, estate planning, family law, personal injury and criminal defense work.  Olivia has successfully represented clients in a wide range of criminal matters from minor traffic offenses to homicide.  For more information, call 724-510-8703 or e-mail [email protected].

Seal-Tite is owned by Joe Zulisky- a RUSH Late Model driver/car owner.  Seal-Tite is located in Latrobe, Pa. and offers comprehensive paving services throughout western Pa.  Get commercial and residential pavement in asphalt or concrete.  Seal-Tite also makes repairs that will keep your surfaces accessible.  Seal-Tite Paving will help you keep your business or organization operating at its professional best with line striping and snow removal services.   Call 724-879-4463 for a free estimate; Seal-Tite will work with any budget and provide flexible scheduling.  For more information, check out www.sealtitepaving.com or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063625191248

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Billy's Garage, Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, Russ King Racing, 3C Graphix, Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, Dusted Steak Seasoning, Ontime Body & Graphic, D&V Jewelers, AERO Race Wheels, Heritage Wine Cellars, Precise Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Design Creations, and Competition Crate Parts.

E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at [email protected] and mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Office phone is 724-964-9300.  The RUSH Late Model website is www.rushlatemodels.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @RUSHLM.

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