RUSH LM Tour Bill Emig Memorial Lernerville 6/25-27/26 preview

$20,000 TO-WIN "BILL EMIG MEMORIAL" PRESENTED BY SUNOCO ALONG WITH SEAL-TITE PAVING, KEYSER/INTEGRA & JOSEPH J. OLIVA ATTORNEY AT LAW FOR HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR WITH $85K IN CASH & CONTENGENCIES POSTED THIS WEEKEND AT LERNERVILLE; PART OF "FIRECRACKER 100" WITH LUCAS OIL LATE MODELS

By Mike Leone

June 23, 2026 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 in Series history with more than $85,000 in cash and contingencies on the line! The "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by Sunoco Race Fuels along with support from Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks and Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law and will take place this Thursday through Saturday (June 25-27) 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 streamed live on FloRacing.

The RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour returns to the "Firecracker 100" weekend at Lernerville for the eighth consecutive year and for the fourth straight year paying $20,000-to-win, $600 to start! The Real Merchant Services Non-Qualifier will again pay $500 to-win and thanks to Close Racing Supply will see an increase in purse of more than $600 with $225 to-start. Twelve thousand dollars in valuable product giveaways will be distributed to 35 drivers that fail to qualify for the feature (see list below)! Tow money is $150 for the third straight year.

D&V Jewelers of New Castle, Pa. has once again designed and created a championship diamond ring valued at more than $8,000, which will go 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! This year's ring is being presented by new marketing partner, MotoRad Spec Racing Development. MotoRad products are available at all 20 Hovis Auto & Truck Supply locations throughout the region. The winner will also receive a beautiful custom created trophy by Tim Grant of Design Creations (DCi-Awards).

NEW for 2026 is the "Uncle Sam's Grand" promotion presented by Weather Capital Sales, which is owned by Zach Brink- longtime friend and crew member for RUSH Late Model racer Joe Martin. One lucky team in competition that has competed in at least one 2026 RUSH Late Model-sanctioned event prior to this weekend will win $1,000 in a random drawing.

Speaking of Martin, his business Brocious Lumber has graciously contributed three Milwaukee 3799-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit valued at $429 each! Each kit includes a M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Driver, M18 FUEL SURGE 1/4" Hex Hydraulic Driver, M18 Redlithium XC 5.0AH Battery, M12 & M18 Multi-Voltage Battery Charger, Drill Side Handle, and Carrying Case. Two will go to non-qualifiers, while the third will go to the second place finisher in the feature.

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. In 2024, 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. Last year, Mason Zeigler was victorious over an all-time RUSH Late Model record car count of 62 after rain pushed the entire event into one-day.

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 2026 marks the 14th 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 RUSH Late Models teams.

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 three season. At Lernerville this week, two Tour drivers will win a $100 Sunoco gift card, while four other racers will win $50 gift cards. The program is presented by Sunoco distributor Bazell Race Fuels.

Thursday night's program will include warmups and FK Rod Ends "Shock the Clock" Qualifying, which will now pay $200 for the fastest lap thanks to $100 posted by Siple Racing Edits. 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. Thanks to Branden Lockwich, who annually coordinates the "Jook George Steel City Classic" at Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway, each B main winner will receive $50.

"We cannot thank the Tomson Family at Lernerville for believing in our program enough seven 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 2026 "Bill Emig Memorial" will be the 36th 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. The "Bill Emig Memorial" is the region's longest running memorial event!

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 1991 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!"

Five-time Series Champion, Jeremy Wonderling, leads the Series to Lernerville as he chases after another $20,000 championship. The Wellsville, NY driver has a 27-point lead on 2025 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year, Demetrios Drellos. Kurt Stebbins, who is leading the 2026 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year points is third. Austin Allen has just a one-point lead on 2024 RoY, Daryl Charlier, for fourth; in fact, just five points separate positions two through five! Ben Easler, fresh off his first career Tour win on June 13 at Stateline Speedway, is sixth over Christian Schneider, Jason Knowles, Kyle Zimmerman, and Bill Holmes III. There have been four different winners in four events this season (Kyle Hardy, Wonderling, Joe Martin, and Easler).

Hoosier Tire Western PA/Big Daddy's Speed Center will award a $100 gift card for the "Pedal Down" Hard Charger that passes the most cars in the feature. Close Racing Supply will award a $100 gift card for the driver chosen as the "Tough Break of the Night". Ontime Body & Graphic's "Spoiler Alert" will award a spoiler kit to the fifth place finisher. Schneider Trucks will present the new "Hottest of the Hot" with $50 going to the driver that turns the fastest lap in hot laps on night one. Holley Performance Products will award a $50 gift certificate to the first driver that fails to qualify for the feature.

Also, the new "Allegiance Rewards" program presented by Capital Contracting Service drawings will take place. Seventeen RUSH Tour member drivers that have competed in at least 75% of the completed events to date will be eligible for the drawings of $300, $200, and $100. Capital Contracting Service is owned by RUSH Late Model driver Sean Boskovich.

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).

Real Merchant Services DMV 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. FK Rod Ends: One Complete Set 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500)

2. FK Rod Ends: One Complete Set 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500)

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

4. Daugherty Motorsports/Integra Shocks: Gift Certificate for Consultation/Tech Support/Labor ($500)

5. Milwaukee Tool Compliments of Brocious Lumber: Milwaukee Drill/Driver-2 M18 Batteries, Charger & Case ($429)

6. Milwaukee Tool Compliments of Brocious Lumber: Milwaukee Drill/Driver-2 M18 Batteries, Charger & Case ($429)

7. Tru-Form Race Products: Custom Helmet Wrap ($425)

8. Wieland Metal Services/Rohrich Performance Parts: 2 Sheets White Aluminum/1 Set GM 604 Valve Springs ($353)

9. Wieland Metal Services/Rohrich Performance Parts: 2 Sheets White Aluminum/1 Set GM 604 Valve Springs ($353)

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

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

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

13. ARC Racing (Roy Anderson)/Rohrich Per. Parts: $200 Gift Certificate/1 Set GM 604 Valve Springs ($303)

14. Wedge Motorsports/Rohrich Performance Parts: $200 Gift Certificate/1 Set GM 604 Valve Springs ($303)

15. Competition Crate Parts: $300 Gift Certificate ($300)

16. Dave Poske's Performance Parts: $300 Gift Certificate ($300)

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

18. JDS Racing (Jim Stevens): $300 Close Racing Supply Gift Certificate ($300)

19. Shuttleworth Auto Sales: $300 Close Racing Supply Gift Certificate ($300)

20. Insinger Performance/Race Jugs: $300 Gift Certificate ($300)

21. Velocita-USA/Rohrich Performance Parts: Pair of 2-Layer Racing Gloves/1 Set GM 604 Valve Springs ($272)

22. Ontime Body & Graphic/Big Daddy's: Complete Spoiler Kit/$100 Gift Card ($250)

23. Ontime Body & Graphic/Big Daddy's: Complete Spoiler Kit/$100 Gift Card ($250)

24. Big Ed's Tire Service: 1 RUSH Hoosier Racing Tire ($240)

25. Neff Motorsports: 1 RUSH Hoosier Racing Tire ($240)

26. Ray's Racing Collectibles: 1 RUSH Hoosier Racing Tire ($240)

27. Hoosier Racing Tire: 1 RUSH Hoosier Racing Tire ($240)

28. Hoosier Racing Tire: 1 RUSH Hoosier Racing Tire ($240)

29. Hoosier Racing Tire: 1 RUSH Hoosier Racing Tire ($240)

30. Racing Electronics/Performance Bodies: Switch-R Driver Radio and Case/$100 Gift Certificate ($235)

31. Jones Racing Products: RUSH Dirt LM Front Drive/Part #1035-S-CE ($223)

32. Insinger Performance/Race Jugs: $150 Gift Certificate for Sunoco Race Fuel/2 Fuel Jugs ($216)

33. Insinger Performance/Race Jugs: $150 Gift Certificate for Sunoco Race Fuel/2 Fuel Jugs ($216)

34. Insinger Performance/Race Jugs: $150 Gift Certificate for Sunoco Race Fuel/2 Fuel Jugs ($216)

35. Insinger Performance/Race Jugs: $150 Gift Certificate for Sunoco Race Fuel/2 Fuel Jugs ($216)

Additional Drawings:

1. Ed Carley Motorsports: $500 off a New Set of New Genesis Shocks

2. Ed Carley Motorsports: $500 off a New Rocket Chassis

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 will open by 2 p.m. on Thursday with pre-race tech inspection beginning no later than 3. 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: http://www.rushlatemodels.com/LernervilleFirecrackerSOE2026.pdf

The Flynn's Tire Tour will return to Lernerville for the 2026 finale on October 16-17 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.

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

Integra Racing Shocks and Springs bring years of racing knowledge to the products they sell. Established in 2003, Integra strives to stay on the leading edge of technology to give customers the inside track on what it takes to improve their racing program. They are at tracks across the country with their shock service trailers and helpful advice right when customers need it. Their constant goal in keeping customers on the cutting edge of racing technology is exhibited in the wide range of innovative shocks and springs that they offer.

Keyser Manufacturing's commitment to engineering and developing new products is reflected in the wide range of fabricated items they produce for the manufacturing and retail industries. From simple to complex fabrication – We can do that! Keyser has a full team of engineers ready to take concepts from prototype to full production. They also offer a wide array of parts ready for the racer including shock development, body components, front suspension, rear suspension, engine components, and cooling components. For more information, check out www.keysermanufacturing.com. Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KeyserManufacturing and www.facebook.com/integra.shocks

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].

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Colussy Chevrolet Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, Rustler Sales & Service, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Capital Contracting Service, Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, Russ King Racing, 3C Graphix, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Real Merchant Services DMV, IllusionCoats Powder Coating, Hoosier Tire Western Pennsylvania/Big Daddy's Speed Center, Close Racing Supply, Keyser Manufacturing/Integra Racing Shocks, Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, MotoRad, Schneider Trucks, Ontime Body & Graphic, Henry's Headers & Exhaust Systems, D&V Jewelers, AERO Race Wheels, 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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