TRIMBLE MAKES WINNING RUSH LATE MODEL DEBUT AT ROARING KNOB; LUNGER DOUBLES UP IN LM & PRO MODS AT STATELINE; CAREER 1ST WIN FOR SLATER IN RUSH SPORTSMAN MODS; ZAMBOTTI FINALLY WINS IN 2017 IN RUSH PRO STOCKS

By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

August 31, 2017                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...As the month of August draws to close, so does the regular season as points titles are being determined at many speedways and points races throughout in the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance heats up.  The RUSH Late Model, Sportsman Modified, and Pro Stock divisions all had a first time winner with Brent Trimble, Steve Slater, and Joey Zambotti; in fact, Trimble and Slater's victories were their first ever in RUSH.

Things got underway last weekend at Maryland’s Potomac Speedway where Logan Roberson took away the top spot from Ben Bowie in the RUSH Late Model feature event on lap 11 and never looked back.  Roberson’s win makes five on the season and 10 total for his career at Potomac. "This has been a dream season." Logan stated after the win. "Like I've said all season, my mom and dad put everything they have in this deal and I wouldn't be here without them." Jamie Sutphin finished second with Darren Alvey coming third and securing the 2017 track championship. Chuck Bowie and Mike Franklin made up the top five.  Racing returns to Potomac Speedway this Sunday for a special holiday program.

Another season, another championship for the #c33 of Corey McPherson, but after wrapping up his fifth title the previous week, McPherson had a tough night on Friday at Sarver, Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway.  The night was all about winner Joey Zambotti.  The pilot of the brightly colored #948 RUSH Pro Stock, Zambotti made a last lap, last corner pass to snatch his first win of the season away from Tyler Dietz.  Noah Brunnel, Mark Sanders and Bob Egley made up the top five.  Lernerville will have the World of Outlaws Late Models this Saturday night along with the RUSH Pro Stocks and RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.

Racing returned to Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway after a week off and a brand-new face showed up in victory lane in the RUSH Late Model division.  John Mollick and Ben Policz started on the pole for the 20-lap event, which started with two and sometimes three-wide racing for the lead.  Eric Wilson came from his sixth starting position to join the leaders by lap two. After an early (and only) caution, Wilson took the lead and pulled away from the crowd.  Pulling away to a full straightaway lead, Wilson of Cortland, Ohio took his first career win at PPMS over Policz.  Point leader Justin Lamb came home third with Chuck Medved fourth and Michael Reft, already lapped by Wilson in fifth.  Race action returns to the Imperial, Pennsylvania track this Saturday for the RUSH Late Models as the "410" Sprint Cars make a special appearance.

Saturday night in Winchester, Virginia, a seventh different winner was crowned in the RUSH Late Model division as Mike Franklin took his first of the season at Winchester Speedway over a strong field of 26 cars.  Franklin led from his pole position start and never relinquished it. "We found some things we didn't like with the car over the past couple races and it was really good here tonight," said Franklin. "The track was in good shape tonight and I didn't really have to push the car too hard, that's how good it was."  Delaware International Speedway regular Trevor Collins and Sparky White were second and third ahead Scott Sweeney and Levi Crowl rounding out the top five. Transtan Stoner’s 11^th place finish secured the track title. Racing action for the RUSH Late Models continues at Winchester Speedway on September 9 as part of the Winchester 200 Weekend.

Saturday night at Fulton Speedway, Jason Parkhurst had ideas of taking an early lead and running away with the feature event; however, Chris Fleming would have none of it as the two battled up front with fierce racing going on behind them.  When the 20-lap race was over, Parkhurst managed to hold off Fleming for his fourth win with Sean Beardsley, Kevan Cook, Jason Occhino making up the rest of the top five.  It all gets settled this Saturday on Championship Night as Parkhurst and Cook are in a dead heat for the title.  

Busti, New York’s Stateline Speedway was the site of yet another dominating performance by Dennis Lunger, Jr. in the RUSH Pro Mods on Saturday night. Lunger worked his way to the front getting around the likes of Scott Gurdak and Matt Harvey.  The top three ended that way with Ryan Scott and Justin Carlson rounding out the top five. Following the feature, Lunger's engine was confiscated by RUSH Officials.  A complete teardown took place on Monday with Lunger's engine meeting the specs set forth in the GM Tech Manual.  Gurdak holds a six point lead over Kelley Frederes going into this Saturday’s races.

While that may have been the end of the Pro Mod feature event, Lunger was not finished.  He left victory lane and went directly to his RUSH Late Model to line up alongside Jason Genco for the 20-lap race for the Lates. Lunger spent the full measure of the race battling some of the best in the business.  Side-by-side racing with Genco, Lunger used the top to his advantage to stay barely ahead of Genco. With that battle going on, Max Blair came into the picture making it a three-car battle for the lead!  At the line, Lunger managed to hold on, sending him to victory Lane for the second time of the night.  Genco held off Blair for second while Wyatt Scott and Darrell Bossard made up the top five.  Bossard holds a 25-point lead over Ryan Scott going into Saturday’s Championship Night.

Saturday night at Genesee Speedway, J.J. Mazur’s goal was to not lose any of his advantage in the RUSH Late Model point standings; when the dust settled, not only did he gain a point, he also took a trip to victory lane. Mazur, of nearby Batavia, led leading every lap in rim-riding fashion to claim his third win of the year.  Mazur now carries a 16-point advantage heading in to the final points night of the season this Saturday.  Zack Carley, Mazur’s nearest pursuer, won his heat and finished the feature in second to keep some heat in the point race.  Jimmy Johnson, who was running second for much of the feature, spun around his potent No. 39J with four laps remaining, allowing Carley to inherit the runner-up spot and giving T.J. Downs the opportunity to finish in third.  Doug Ricotta and Carl Shetler would complete the top five.

Brent Trimble made a successful RUSH Late Model debut in his first ever start in the Groves #32 picking up the victory at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex on Saturday night.  Mark Wells, Dylan Lewis, Bob Nelson, and Troy Shields completed the top five.  Roaring Knob will again be in action this Saturday night featuring the RUSH Late Models.

Perhaps the biggest night of the season for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modified Series came Saturday night when Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio presented the fourth annual "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance.  Steve Slater took the lead in the next-to-last lap from race-long leader Justin Shea. On the final lap, Slater maintained his high line to carry him to his first career win, which came in the 25-lap $600 to-win Bicknell Racing Products Touring Series feature. "Wow; second year- I've dreamed of this," expressed Slater in Victory Lane.  "This is exciting and wonderful- I love this.  I have to thank Vicki (Emig) for making this all possible.  She's putting on a great show for these RUSH Crate Modifieds.”  Shea settled for second with Josh Deems, Chelsie Kriegisch (from 17^th) and Sharon Champion Kole Holden rounding out the top five.  The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds return to action at Sharon Speedway on September 8 and 9 for the “Apple Fest Nationals” to end the season for the speedway in an $800 to-win Bicknell Touring Series event.

In the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, Jennerstown Speedway, the three RUSH Asphalt divisions were in competition and track champions are inching closer to wrapping up their titles. The 30-lap feature for the Late Models saw Jeremiah Kuntz take his fourth of the season over Barry Awtey, pole sitter Joe Maruca, Teddy Gibala and Mike Hemminger. In the Modified division, it was Chris Brink over Jarrod Balclay, Jason Busch, Tom Golick and Zane Ferrell. In the RUSH Street Stocks, Shawn Beam won out over Andrew Kostelnik, Josh Coughenaour. Kuntz, Brink and Lauren Butler are the point leaders in each division going into the final point night of the season at the Somerset County oval.

Sunday night across the border in Canada at Port Colborne, Ontario's Humberstone Speedway, Stan Zanchin and Rob Pietz brought the RUSH Late Models to the green flag for their 20-lap main event with Pietz in the lead as Sam Pennacchio and Chad Homan were moving up through the field and racing in third and fourth place respectively. Pennacchio would take second from Zanchin as Homan moved into third as well. Pennacchio would take the lead away from Pietz on the inside of turn four on lap five. As Pennacchio was leading the race, Rob Pietz was holding off Chad Homan in the battle for second place. Pennacchio would score his third win of the season on the $135 spec, sealed Bilstein Shocks.  Homan took second away from Pietz coming to the checkered flag. Stan Zanchin and Ken Winfield rounded out the top five. Labor Day Weekend will see a full card of racing being presented on Season Championship Night for all classes.

Eriez Speedway was in action on Sunday night just outside of Erie, Pa. as fans saw Chad Wright win his season's third in Sweeney Weekly Series action over Jason Genco, Max Blair, Wyatt Scott and Kyle Zimmerman. Point racing comes to a close at Eriez this Sunday with Mike Knight holding a 40-point lead over 2016 champ Jason Genco.

Sunday at The Old Bradford Speedway, it was another RUSH doubleheader with the Late Models and Pro Mods.  The Late Models were led to the green flag by C.J. Irons and Brad Mesler with Mesler jumping out to the early lead.  At the end of the race it was Mesler picking up his second checkered flag of the season.  Irons came in 2nd followed by Andy Michael, Kyle Murray, and John Haggerty.

Meanwhile in Pro Mod action, Rich Michael, Jr. continued his dominance with his fifth victory in eight tries.  Chad Carlson made his season debut at Bradford and was a strong second over Steve Dixon, Critter Hemphill, and a season best finish by Dana Stephens.  This Sunday was conclude the championship races.

After a night off, Outlaw Speedway will wrap up their championship titles with a double points night this Friday at the Dundee, New York track for the RUSH Late Models.  After several weeks off, Delaware International Speedway returns to action on Saturday night with the RUSH Late Models.  Path Valley Speedway Park in Spring Run, Pa. brings back the RUSH Late Models this Saturday night for twin 15s.  McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa. remains dark until September 28-30.

This weekend will conclude the Pace Performance "Summer Chase" $10,050 point fund in the Late Model division.  Currently Max Blair leads the $3,000 to-win championship.  Blair won the crowd in the inaugural 2013 season and then again last year.

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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