KERR, BEARDSLEY & SHIELDS PICK UP 1ST SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL WINS; WOLBERT & CARLSON CAPTURE 1ST WINS IN RUSH SPORTSMAN MODS & RUSH PRO MODS

By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

July 21, 2017              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance crossed the halfway point of the month of July last weekend.  All but two of the weekly-sanctioned speedways that were in competition were able to complete their racing programs without Mother Nature dampening action.  In the RUSH Late Models, three drivers (Tanner Kerr, Sean Beardsley, and Troy Shields) won their first races of the season, while the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds and RUSH Pro Mods each featured Chas Wolbert and Justin Carlson winners for the first time this season.

Friday night’s action in the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance had a bit of mixed results as rain washed out the action at Potomac Speedway in Maryland.  However up north in Dundee, New York at Outlaw Speedway it was another story.  Jeremy Wonderling took the victory in the RUSH Late Model division for the second time in just three starts with a runner-up in his other appearance at the Sweeny Tour event.  Wonderling bested Kurt Stebbins, J.J. Mazur, point leader Brian Knowles and Andy Michael. Outlaw Speedway returns to action this Friday with another “Super 6” show, including a night of honoring firefighters and EMT’s.

Friday night at the Lernerville Speedway, Corey McPherson once again left the rest of the field in the rear view as he pulled off another victory in the RUSH Sanctioned Pro Stock Division.  McPherson's fifth win of the season increased his point lead in the Sweeney Weekly Series.  Two-time winner, Tyler Dietz, was second over Aaron Easler, Jim Fosnaught and Noah Brunell. The RUSH Pro Stocks return to action this Friday night and will be joined by the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds as part of the “Modified Mania” night.

Saturday night saw two RUSH divisions compete at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway yet again as the regular RUSH Late Models were joined by the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.  In the Late Model portion of the night, furious battle was enjoyed by the fans between eventual winner Daryl Charlier and Mike Pegher Jr., who was out for the first time this year at PPMS in the RUSH car.  It was Charlier's second win in the last three races and third win of the season at the "Monster Half-Mile".  Justin Lamb ran a solid third, with Ben Policz fourth.  Steve Beatty advanced from 13th to fifth.

In the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, apparent winner Rocky Kugel failed to report to tech so it was Chas Wolbert being awarded his first win of 2017.  Kole Holden advanced to second in the finishing order, with tenth starting Kyle Martell, Steve Slater, and 11th starting Chelsie Kriegisch filling the top five.  Both divisions return to PPMS this Saturday night in supporting roles for the All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars.

Saturday night at the Winchester Speedway, Tanner Kerr scored a flag-to-flag win in the 20-lap RUSH Late Model main for his first victory of the season.  Kerr started on the pole and would score the win steering his Rocket #41* over eventual runner up Allen Brannon. "This is by far the toughest class I've ever raced in." Kerr stated post-race. " I saw Allen there in second late in the race, but as narrow as the track was I knew if I could keep the car straight , he'd have a tough time on the outside and we were able to get it done." Scott Sweeney, Timmy Booth and Logan Roberson trailed at the finish. Winchester next hosts the RUSH Late Models on July 22 for the "Battle of the Bay", which will also include the traveling "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance.

The 20 lap RUSH  Late Model feature at Fulton Speedway would see Sean Beardsley grab the lead at the drop of the green setting a quick pace at the front of the field.  At lap five, Beardsley running the top of the speedway and Kevan Cook running the low side were putting on a show running nose to tail and side by side with Bret Belden, Jason Parkhurst and Steve Coit showing in the top-five. Jason Parkhurst would move into the second on lap seven and take off after Beardsley.  When the race reached halfway, Beardsley and Parkhurst were slugging it out at the front of the field.  Cook, Chris Fleming and Belden were having a close race of their own for top-five spots.  Over the second half of the race that included a green, white, checker finish saw Parkhurst throw everything he had at Beardsley, but Beardsley held his line he ran the majority of the race for his first win of 2017.  Chris Fleming, Kevan Cook and Dale Caswell came home third through fifth. The RUSH Late Models go topless this Saturday at Fulton.

Saturday night at Stateline Speedway, defending Sweeney Weekly Series Champion, Justin Carlson, took his first victory of the season in the RUSH Pro Mod division over some heavy-hitters including Dennis Lunger, Jr., Scott Gurdak, Matt Harvey, and Ryan Scott.  Though he was stopped in the Pro Mods for the second straight week, Lunger held off Max Blair to win the RUSH Late Model portion for his second straight win and third of the season at the Busti, NY oval.  Wyatt Scott, Dave Lyon and Jason Genco were third through fifth.  Stateline is off this Saturday and will return on July 29 for "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD.

Genesee Speedway held an autograph night on Saturday, and if anyone got one from Zack Carley, it was the signature of a winner.  Carley went green-to-checkered over a very stout field of 20 RUSH Late Models including runner up Jeremy Wonderling, Brad Mesler, Mike Wonderling, and point leader J.J. Mazur.  It was Carley's second win of the season at the Batavia, NY speedway.  Genesee is off this Saturday.

At Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex on Saturday night, veteran Troy Shields won his first of the season.  Michael Duritsky, Jr. continued his strong season finishing runner-up as Andy Spooner, Josh Stoica, and Bob Nelson completed the top five.  Weekly racing for the RUSH Late Models continues this Saturday night.

Delaware International Speedway was closed last Saturday and have already cancelled racing for this Saturday night due to the extreme heat in the forecast.  Delaware will have the "Battle of the Bay" $1,000 to-win RUSH Late Model portion up next on Thursday, July 27.

Sharon Speedway was closed last Saturday for the Trumbull County Fair.  The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds have the night off at the Hartford, Ohio oval this Saturday, but will resume at Sharon on July 29.

Saturday night’s action ended in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania at Jennerstown Speedway, where the RUSH Asphalt Racing Series is in weekly competition. In the Modified division, Brad Milburn led the first two laps after starting on the front row.  By lap three, the driver who started in position three, roared past Milburn to take the top spot: Chris Brink.  Brink, the division’s leading winner, drove unchallenged to his fifth win of 2017.  Also a winner in 2017, Tom Golik finished second, while defending Champ Zane Ferrell started eighth and placed third.  Milburn and Dustin Gursky completed the top five.  Brink and Ferrell won the heats. In the Street Stocks Josh Coughenour, who started ninth, was able to take the lead on lap three, with many of the cars that started in front of him, eliminated. Coughenour drove to his third win of 2017, and remains point leader for the division. Lauren Butler continued her streak of runner up positions, with Anthony Aiello, Aaron Van Fleet and rookie Angie Kimberly rounding out the top five. Jeremiah Kuntz took the Late Model win over Barry Awtey, Bobby Henry, Gary Wiltrout and Brian Shipp. Action returns to Jennerstown on Saturday night, July 22.

Max Blair scored the first of his two wins on Sunday night at Eriez Speedway when he picked up the win in the RUSH Late Model feature event.  He topped a stout 18-car field with plenty of battling for position on his way to the top.  In the end, he beat out Mike Knight, Kyle Zimmerman, Jason Genco and Bruce Hordusky, Jr.  Blair doubled up later in the evening when he scored the win in the Super Late Model race. Next up for the RUSH Late Models at Eriez is this Friday night's I-79 Shootout paying $1000 to-win with the All Star Sprint Cars.

At Old Bradford Speedway, Dennis Lunger made his first visit in five years and made it a memorable one.  Lunger not only picked up the $1,200 "Craig Norton Memorial" for the RUSH Late Models, but also picked up the win in the RUSH Mods.  Lunger won out over Jeremy Wonderling, Mikey Wonderling, Andy Michael and CJ Irons in the Late Model portion of the night.

Sunday night at Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, Ontario weather struck after just two feature events.  The RUSH Late Model feature was rained out and will be rescheduled.

McKean County Raceway has picked up racing for Saturday night including the RUSH Late Models and RUSH Pro Mods with both Stateline and Genesee Speedways off.

RUSH Late Model marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Rocket Chassis, Landrum Performance Spring, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.

RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.

RUSH Pro Mod and Pro Stock marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.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.

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