HOVIS RUSH LATE MODELS TO MAKE INAUGURAL APPEARANCE AT MANSFIELD SPEEDWAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 FOR A FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR EVENT; WILL JOIN WITH SUPER DIRTCAR BIG-BLOCK MODS FOR THE 1ST TIME EVER

By Mike Leone

December 22, 2025               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Mansfield, OH)...For the first time in history, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants will hold an event at Mansfield Speedway.  On Tuesday, August 11, the RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series will compete for $4,000 to-win and join up with the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series for the first time ever!  The event will be streamed live on DIRTVision.  The 4/10-mile facility located in Mansfield, Ohio is in the process of being revitalized by new owner Matt Tifft and will return to action in 2026 after sitting dormant for six years. 

"We are so thrilled to have the RUSH Late Models join us on our August 11th race in conjunction with the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds," stated Tifft.  "It has been a huge goal of mine to add all kinds of racing divisions to the Mansfield Speedway in 2026, and the RUSH Late Models bring one of the best shows in our region for Crate Late Model racing. This will truly make our summer mid-week event a marquee date on the calendar for both fans and drivers alike. Tickets will go on sale for this event and all other single events on January 30th, so mark your calendars or grab your season passes now to make sure you come check out one of the most fun racing nights this summer!"

As the 2026 Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series schedule nears completion, the Series is proud to add this beautiful facility to its slate of events.  Drivers will again compete for the $20,000 to-win championship amongst a points fund of more than $76,000!  The Series will compete throughout the season at many of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest's premier speedways with the complete schedule of events released soon.

"This will be a tremendous event for the fans and an exciting, new opportunity for our racers," expressed RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "The mid-week date will avoid conflicts with all other speedway and allow all racers the ability to compete in this inaugural event.  While we've competed alongside many national series and numerous divisions over the years, joining up with the Super DIRTcar Series will be a first and will exposure a whole new audience of fans to our brand of racing both at the track and on DIRTVision.  We cannot thank owner Matt Tifft enough for giving us the opportunity to be showcased at his facility in a national event with Super DIRTcar and continue to build the RUSH Late Model concept throughout Ohio."

In 2026, RUSH-sanctioned events will join up on numerous occasions with national Series such as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, Super DIRTcar Series, and All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars.  RUSH events will be streamed live on DIRTVision, FloRacing, The Cushion, and Dirt.tv.

Mansfield will mark the furthest west a RUSH-sanctioned event has been held for any of its divisions.  Currently, the westernmost RUSH Late Model Tour event contested was at Wayne County Speedway; four shows were held at the Orrville, Ohio facility in 2015-2016.  Muskingum County Speedway, which is located about 70 miles south of Mansfield in Dresden, Ohio, will be beginning their third season under the RUSH Late Model Weekly Series banner this coming season.

In their return to racing in 2026, Mansfield will host a test and tune on April 12 with their first race event scheduled for May 2.  The RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series will be in tremendous company as Mansfield will also host events for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series, FAST on Dirt Sprints, BOSS Sprints, American Late Model Iron-Man Series, and more.

Mansfield Speedway opened in 1959 as a dirt track.  In 1999, the track was paved, and years later worked its way onto the national scene hosting events for the NASCAR Truck Series, ARCA, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR Midwest Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ASA National Tour, and the Hooters Pro Cup Series.  Three-time NASCAR Cup Champion, Joey Logano, won a Pro Cup Series event at the speedway in 2005. 

The facility closed in 2010 and didn't reopen until 2017 returning to its dirt racing roots.  High profile events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the All Star Circuit of Champions were held.  In 2018, Tim Shaffer, who currently competes in the RUSH Late Models, won the $100,000 Sprint Car World Championship.  The final event before the track's closure was held on August 24, 2019 when Brandon Sheppard won more than $100,000.  Tifft, a former NASCAR Xfinity and Truck racer who currently races a Super Late Model, purchased Mansfield this past summer and immediately went to work on the revitalization process.  

Mansfield Speedway is located just minutes off US Route 30 at 400 Crall Rd. E., Mansfield, OH 44903.  For more information on Mansfield, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mansfieldspdwy, follow them on X at https://x.com/Mansfieldspdwy, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mansfieldspeedway.

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, Schneider Trucks, 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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