GURDAK CONTINUES HOT STREAK SWEEPING RUSH LATE MODEL & PRO MOD ACTION AT BRADFORD; 1ST EVER RUSH LM WINS FOR LATTA AT RACEWAY 7 & OTT AT DOG HOLLOW; RUTH TAKES 1ST EVER RUSH RACE IN THE STATE OF WV FOR THE SPRINTS

By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

 

August 16, 2018                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)...The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance family of speedways kicked off the weekend on Friday night at Potomac Speedway where Ben Bowie made just his third start of the season at the Budd’s Creek, Maryland oval a successful one.  Bowie made it count in the 20-lap event as he held off Super Late Model standouts Amanda Whaley and later Dale Hollidge on his way to the win, his second of the year.

 

"That was a great race." Said Bowie. "Amanda and Dale are my favorite drivers to race with and we ran pretty hard and I'm glad we came out on top."  Hollidge held on for second in his first RUSH Late Model start of the season with Whaley, Darren Alvey and current point leader Chuck Bowie completing the top-five.  After a week off for Motocross racing, action returns to Potomac on August 24.

 

While rain was plentiful just to the south, other Friday night action that was able to be completed included the RUSH Late Models at Raceway 7.  Bruce Hordusky Jr. stole the early lead from pole sitter Lon Emerick. Hordusky’s lead was intact until a lap 16 caution when he went pit side with a flat.  Matt Latta inherited the lead and held on for his first ever win RUSH win at Raceway 7 and first in general since June 4, 2016 at Stateline Speedway.  Darrell Bossard, Dave Airgood, Jr., Dennis Lunger, Jr. in his first start of the season, and Khole Wanzer were second through fifth.  Latta entered the night with five podium finishes in the last six events.  Five-division action returns Friday night at the Conneaut, Ohio track.

 

A long day of family activities ended with fantastic racing on Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway! The first ever “Kid’s Fest 2018” kicked off the day’s events which also included a “Dunk-the-Driver!” dunking booth where three selected RUSH Dirt Late Model drivers would take a turn in a dunk tank for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. After John Waters, Ben Policz and Darryl Charlier each took a turn in the tank, it was promoter and co-owner Matt Miley’s turn!

 

After the afternoon fun, the racing action hit the track with 51 cars signing in for the “Jook George Steel City Classic” RUSH Touring Series event.  When 40 laps were completed, Jacob Hawkins of Fairmont, West Virginia was standing in victory lane with the record payoff of over $5,100!  Hawkins bested a very impressive and talented field including Jared Miley in second, early leader Mike Pegher Jr., Tour co-points leader Jeremy Wonderling, and track regular Ben Policz.  Regular racing action returns to PPMS this Saturday for Autograph Night.

 

At Strongstown, Pennsylvania’s Dog Hollow Speedway, the RUSH Late Models saw Michael Ott score his first-ever Dog Hollow victory. Ott led the distance, with Clate Copeman challenging him in second.  Bob Schwartzmiller turned in his best career Late Model finish in third over Joe Moyer and Bryan Benton.  “Saturday Night Thunder” returns this Saturday, August 18th with Fan Appreciation and Autograph night.

 

Saturday at Fulton Speedway, Jason Parkhurst, Sean Beardsley and Chris Fleming put on quite a show for the fans in the 20-lap feature RUSH Late Model race. Parkhurst was holding on to the lead but brought out a caution when he clipped an infield tire and brought out a caution. Beardsley and Fleming would take it from there, putting on a show for the fans in a side-by-side battle.  Beardsley crossed under the flagstand first, but was light at the scales and handed the win to Fleming for the second time in three weeks.  Tim Sears Jr., Bret Belden, Chad Homan and Brian Knowles, in his first visit, finished second through fifth.  A season high 16 cars were on hand.  Racing action returns to Fulton this Saturday.

 

In the RUSH Sportsman Modified ranks, Chas Wolbert picked up the win at the division’s home track, Sharon Speedway.  With 27 cars on hand for the second straight week, Wolbert held off some strong competitors in the 20-lap feature for the still growing division. He held off the likes of points leader Garrett Krummert, Brandon Ritchey, Kole Holden and Tony Tatgenhorst for his third Sharon win of the season and seventh of his career.  RUSH Sportsman Modified action returns to the historic Hartford Ohio oval Saturday night for their last tune-up before a pair of Touring Series events close out the season for them. 

 

The RUSH Sprint Cars ran their only race of the weekend on Saturday at Tyler County Speedway.  It marked the first ever RUSH race in the Mountaineer State as the new non-wing Sprint Car division put on a great show for the fans with Gale Ruth, Jr. making the long tow from Pleasantville, Pa. pay off taking the $600 honors over brothers Scott and Brandon Hawkins.  Brad Blackshear was fourth for the second straight race, while Phil Thornton recorded his best finish in fifth.

 

Finally, Saturday’s action concluded on the asphalt of Jennerstown Speedway. The Somerset County, Pennsylvania half-mile hosted the biggest and highest paying RUSH Asphalt Late Model event in many years as they presented “Motor Mountain Masters,” paying a stout $6000 to the winner! Five-time Jennerstown Late Model Champion Barry Awtey took the win in the 150-lap event over Kentucky’s Josh Brock. It was an impressive win for Awtey, using home track advantage to take the victory over the current point leader in the ARCA/CRA Late Models. After Brock, it was Gary Wiltrout, Teddy Gibala and Mark Smith for the top five. In the companion RUSH Asphalt Modifieds, Anthony Aiello of White Oak took the win over Pete Rech, Jeff Dunfee, Jason Busch and Tom Golik. The Modifieds and Street Stocks will return to action this Saturday, and the Late Models will be back in action on August 25th.

 

Sunday night at the Old Bradford Speedway, the RUSH Late Model action saw Scott Gurdak take the win in just his second visit of the season.  Gurdak earned $800 for the Jim Byerly Memorial victory over Damian Bidwell, who has been fast everywhere of late.  Jeff Hoffman, Ward Schell and Brad Mesler were third through fifth.  A season high 14-car field was on hand.

 

Later in the evening, Gurdak pulled off a double as he also picked up the win in the RUSH Pro Mod victory in his first ever race in that division at Bradford!  He beat out Zach Johnson, Critter Hemphill, Adam Peterson and Nate Hartzell. With a pair of visiting series appearing at Bradford in the next two weeks, the RUSH Pro Mods will be in action, but the Late Models will be off.

 

North of the border Sunday, Chad Homan picked up the win in the RUSH Late Model 20-lap feature race at Humberstone Speedway.  Homan took the lead on lap seven and held off all challenges through two restarts for his fifth victory of the season at Humberstone.  Adam Ferri returned home to his Port Colborne, Ontario home track and finished a season best second after competing on Saturday at Pittsburgh.  Colton Ledingham, Jeff Dayman and Rob Pietz rounded out the top five.  The Late Models return to action this Sunday at the Port Colborne, Ontario oval for Autograph Night.

 

Rain won the day on Friday at Lernerville Speedway. Racing resumes this Friday with just two race nights left to decide the RUSH Pro Stock championship.

 

After a week off, Outlaw Speedway returns to action this Friday for a regular show on Scout Night.

 

Winchester was rained out on Saturday night.  The next race at the Virginia oval for the RUSH Late Models will be on August 25.

 

Delaware International Speedway returns to action this Saturday night with a $1,000 to-win RUSH Late Model Weekly Series special event.

 

Racing returns for the RUSH Late Models and Pro Mods this Saturday at Stateline Speedway.

 

After a week off on August 18th, Genesee Speedway returns to racing on August 25th.

 

Eriez Speedway was off last Sunday night and will feature the World of Outlaws Late Models this Sunday night.  The RUSH Late Models will have the night off so they can support the "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance Tour event at nearby Tri-City Raceway Park.

 

A RUSH Touring Series race will is scheduled for this Thursday as part of the McKean County Fair at McKean County Family Raceway.

 

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, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Pancho's Racing Products, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA,  Landrum Performance Spring, Schwartzmiller Ground Maintenance, Close Racing Supply, 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, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Schwartzmiller Ground Maintenance, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, Valley Fashions, Dirt Late Model Magazine, and Three Rivers Karting.

 

RUSH Sprint Car marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bonnell's Rod Shop, Bilstein Shocks, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Frankland Racing Supply, Earl's Performance Plumbing, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Landrum Performance Spring, Pancho's Racing Products, 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, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Wrisco. Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, 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.

 

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