FORMER SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL "FUTURES CUP" CHAMP DEVIN BRANNON WINS 1ST OF 2019 AT WINCHESTER; CLATE COPEMAN CAPTURES 1ST IN MAKE-UP AT DOG HOLLOW; STEVE DIXON TAKES PRO MODS AT BRADFORD FOR 1ST WIN

By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

July 19, 2019               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...Finally! A race weekend with no rain in the forecast across the landscape of the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance family of speedways!  And it was a rather unique weekend for RUSH as well.  With the Sweeney Late Model Touring Series spending two days in the uncharted territory of the French-speaking province of Quebec with Charlie Sandercock sweeping the $8000 weekend, three RUSH weekly divisions taking part in a record setting eight-division show in Pittsburgh and so much more, it was one for the books to be sure!

It all got started on Wednesday night for a special program at Delaware International Speedway.  A strong field of 21 RUSH Late Models were on hand for the $1,000 to-win special and it was Sparky White capturing his second win in the past three races.  Joe Warren was a season best second.  Amanda Whaley made her first start since a third place back on April 17 at the "Battle of the Bay" Speedweek Tour event and matched that finish.  Matt Hill was fourth.  Jakob Piper made the tow from central Pa. for the second time this season and was fifth.

On Thursday, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Sportsman Modified Touring Series ran their sixth race all-time at Expo Speedway as part of the Trumbull County Fair and picking up the win was Rob Kristyak.  The Bristolville, Ohio driver earned $800 for his first career Tour victory as he became the sixth different winner as there's still yet to be a repeat victor at Expo.  It was also Kristyak's fourth overall win of 2019.  Garrett Krummert was second over Jim Rasey with Chelsie Kriegisch and Gary Haupt completing the top five.

At Potomac Speedway in Maryland on Friday night, current division point leader Darren Alvey picked up his third victory of the season in the 20-lap feature event.  Alvey took the lead from Chuck Bowie early on and wired the field, besting the likes of Bowie, Jonathan Raley, Ben Bowie and Jeremy Pilkerton, who completed the top five.  The win is Alvey’s 10h in the RUSH Late Model division at Potomac.

Matt Latta joined the ranks of three-time winners as well on Friday at Raceway 7 in Conneaut Ohio. Latta, who started on the front row held off a number of challengers over the course of several restarts to take the win over Dave Airgood, Cory Sines, Breyton Santee and Darrell Bossard.  Raceway 7 gets back to racing this Friday with a five division show.

In Friday’s RUSH Pro Stock action at Sarver, Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway Corey McPherson found his way back to victory lane yet again on "Christmas in July" night at the speedway.  Not only was McPherson’s hauler one of the best decorated with Christmas spirit, he took his #c33 to the front of the field and held off a stout group for the win.  Following McPherson were 2018 RUSH Pro Stock Champion Tyler Dietz, Joey Zambotti, Ryan Moyer and Terry Young.   Lernerville’s second half of the season continues this Friday with a nod to the past on their wildly popular Nostalgia Night.

Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, no less than three RUSH Weekly divisions were in action as part of an eight-division show which also included an on-track autograph session, the 2018 championship presentations and the presentation of the 2018 Sportsman of the Year award. All that jammed into one night as a result of some of the worst Saturday night weather in the 40-year history of the Imperial, PA oval.

In the RUSH Dirt Late Models, it was John Mollick back in victory lane over a field of 21 Late Models. Impressive runs by the rest of the top five were no match for Mollick, who jumped out of his 4J RUSH Sprint ride where he finished runner up, and topped Scott Gunn, Christian Schneider, Nico Dabecco and Tommy Schirnhofer.  It was Mollick's second win in the last three races.

Chad Ruhlman took the win in the visiting RUSH Wingless Sprints, holding off challenges by Mollick throughout the race. Brian Woodhall, Zach Morrow and Bradley Blackshear rounded out the top five.  The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds finally were able to complete their first show of the year and it was Garrett Krummert coming home with the win over Tony Tatgenhorst, Chas Wolbert, Steve Slater and Kole Holden. PPMS will play host the rescheduled "Herb Scott Memorial" this Saturday for the RUSH Touring Series. It is also the much-anticipated "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance for the Late Model Tour teams with over $30,000 of product giveaways.

At Virginia’s Winchester Speedway on Saturday, Devin Brannon drove an inspired race to collect his first win of the season in the 25-lap RUSH Late Model main. Levi Crowl shot from the pole to the lead and looked poised for his first ever RUSH feature win.  As Crowl led, eighth starting Brannon arrived in second on the 15th lap and ran Crowl down eventually taking the lead on the 19th lap and the win. "Greg had this place in great shape tonight, you could run all over it." Brannon stated post race. "I just have to than my mom and dad an all our sponsors it’s been a long season and a great feeling to finally get a win."  Crowl spun on the final lap allowing Mike Franklin, Transtan Stoner, Jakob Piper and Billy Beechler to move into positions two through five. Racing returns to Winchester this Saturday with a full show including bike races for the kids.

The RUSH Late Models were the first feature event Saturday night at Delaware International Speedway, and it was all Matt Hill from the drop of the green. Hill would start on the pole after taking home the first place redraw pill, and it would be nothing but “horns up” for the driver out of Georgetown, Delaware from there on. Sparky White and former champion Tyler Reed could only try their best to battle it out for second, as it was hill taking the win over White in second place by nearly a half lap.  Derek Magee and Joe Warren rounded out the top five.  

Saturday at Genesee Speedway, Jeremy Wonderling showed up and proved again why the moniker "Mr. Excitement" is fitting.  Wonderling started the 25-lap event from the outside of the front row and never looked back, taking his third win in as many starts with few challenges from the field.  And all this after making heavy contact with a stopped car in his heat race; Wonderling suffered little damage in the incident and went on for the feature win over JJ Mazur, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Holmes and Scott Waters.  Fireworks will light the sky and the track this Saturday at Genesee when racing returns to the Batavia, New York track.  

Saturday night at Dog Hollow Speedway, Central City’s Michael Ott took off and left the field in the 20-lap RUSH Late Model feature.  No one could keep pace with him as Ott won his second feature of the season. Clate Copeman, Collin Burke, Tim Snare and John Britsky made up the top five.  In the June 1 make-up feature, Clate Copeman captured his first victory of the season with Ott, Britsky, Snare, and Colin Casale completing the top five.  This Saturday, Dog Hollow returns to action with Fan Appreciation Night complete with driver autographs.  

Stateline Speedway in Busti New York plays host to both the RUSH Late Models and the RUSH Pro Mods. In the Late Models it was Max Blair who continues to show his strength in both the RUSH and Super Late Models winning both features once again.  After Darrel Bossard, Jason Genco and Blair won their heat races, it was Blair showing his dominance in the division taking home the feature win over Damian Bidwell, Kyle Zimmerman, Matt Sipes and Ward Schell.

In the RUSH Pro Mods, Chad Carlson took the victory over Dennis Lunger, Adam Ashcroft, Scott Gurdak and Jarrod Silvis.  A regular six division show with fireworks is on tap for this Saturday at Stateline.

Saturday night on the asphalt, the Jennerstown Speedway Complex competitors raced in front of a record crowd for a weekly show and it was veteran Garry Wiltrout picking up his first win of the 2019 campaign in the RUSH Asphalt Late Models. Wiltrout, a former Motordrome and Jennerstown champion, bested Teddy Gibala, Zane Ferrell, Barry Awtey and Mark Smith.   In the RUSH Asphalt Series Modifieds, RJ Dallape crossed under the checkers over Pete Rech, Anthony Aiello, Jason Busch and Chris Brink.  And in RUSH Asphalt Series Street Stock action, Casey Fleegle took the victory over Zac Todoro, Jeremy Shaffer, Mike Davis and Aaron Van Fleet. Next Saturday night, July 20th, five division racing continues at Jennerstown Speedway, plus the Ron’s Collision Center Enduro Series after the races.   

Sunday night at Old Bradford Speedway, Brad Mesler used his pole position starting spot to secure the win in the RUSH Late Model feature event. Mesler held off fellow front row starter Damian Bidwell.  Braeden Dillinger was third in his first ever appearance fresh off his return from racing in Quebec.  Andy Michael and Clayton Tarabori completed the top five.

In RUSH Pro Mod action at Bradford, it was Steve Dixon holding off Dennis Lunger, Nate Hartzell, Richard Hemphill and Adam Peterson for his first win of the season.  Five Star Racing returns to the McKean County, Pennsylvania track this Sunday.  

At Eriez Speedway on Sunday, Max Blair remained perfect with his fifth win in five starts in the RUSH Late Models.  Kyle Zimmerman was second for the fourth time this year.  Jason Genco, the only other driver to win this year at Eriez on June 30 when Blair wasn't present, was third.  Scott Gurdak was fourth for his fifth top four in six starts.  After a slow start to the season, Bruce Hordusky, Jr. recorded his third straight top five in fifth.

Fulton Speedway and Woodhull Raceway gave the RUSH Late Models the night off so they could compete in Quebec.  The RUSH Late Models were also not on the schedule at Humberstone Speedway.

Sharon Speedway was off for the Trumbull County Fair, but they'll have both the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds and RUSH Sprint Cars this Saturday night.

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 Valley Fashions.

E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at [email protected] 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.

###