JEREMY WONDERLING CAPTURES $20,000 HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR TITLE AS HIS 3RD VICTORY OF 2026 COMES IN SEASON ENDING "STEEL CITY STAMPEDE" AT LERNERVILLE; $5,000 LANDRUM PERFORMANCE SPRINGS "LOYALTY BONUS" TO ASHTON BRIGGS

Darin Gallagher (RUSH Sportsman Mods) & Brayden Blackshear (RUSH Sprints) are also victorious

By Mike Leone

 

October 15-18, 2026               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Sarver, PA)...The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants closed out the 2026 season on Sunday afternoon in spectacular style at Lernerville Speedway with the running of the 18th annual "Steel City Stampede".  After a practice session on Thursday night, all day rain on Friday pushed the program to Saturday and Sunday.  Celebrating in the Landrum Performance Springs victory lane were Jeremy Wonderling (Hovis RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series), Darin Gallagher (Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modified Weekly Series) and Brayden Blackshear (Hovis RUSH Sprint Car Rustler Sales & Service Weekly Series).  Ashton Briggs was the lucky recipient of the $5,000 Landrum Performance "Loyalty Bonus" for eligible Late Model Tour drivers!  The event was streamed live by Dirt.tv.

 

Jeremy Wonderling entered Sunday’s event trailing Demetrios Drellos by one-point in the battle for the $20,000 Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour Championship.  Drellos had beaten Wonderling in the last five events and seven of the last eight to take his first ever points lead; however, on Sunday, Wonderling led all 30 laps of the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model feature fending off Lernerville standout, Michael Norris, while Drellos failed to finish in the top 10 for the first time this season.  Wonderling earned $4,000 for his third Tour victory of the season, $20,000 for his sixth Tour title, and another $5,000 for his sixth Colussy Chevrolet National Weekly Series Championship! 

 

“Mission accomplished,” stated the 46-year-old Wellsville, NY racer.  “I’ve won the championship enough times; don’t get me wrong, that part is still big, but it’s just as exciting for me to win a race at Lernerville as that’s hard to do.  I had (Michael) Norris next to me, who I think is one of the best ever here and I thought ‘this is going to be pretty tough’.  We had a few restarts and I was able to get away from him every time.  I just tried to hit my marks and I felt really good.  I figured if someone was going to drive around me on the outside they were going to have to be really good.”

 

A determined Wonderling charged from sixth to win Saturday’s Sunoco Dash to earn the feature pole, and in essence that’s what won him the title.  Norris meanwhile started fifth in the feature and raced into third on the opening lap.  The top three of Wonderling, Kurt Stebbins, and Norris distanced themselves from the field by lap five.  Norris closed in on Stebbins on lap seven with the duo racing side-by-side over the next three laps before Norris made the pass.  Once he reached the runner-up spot, Norris faced a deficit of 1.962 seconds to leader Wonderling.

 

Jason Knowles started second, but slipped back to fifth by lap three.  Knowles worked his way back forward getting by Christian Schneider for fourth and then Stebbins for third on lap 10 before the event’s first caution.  When racing resumed, Knowles slipped past Norris for second before Norris regained the spot on lap 12.  Norris tracked down Wonderling and was on the leader on lap 17 before the event’s final caution for a spin by Dusty Waters. 

 

The last 12 laps went green-to-checkered.  Wonderling got away after taking off in the IllusionCoats Powder Coating “Firing Zone”; however, five laps later Norris was right on Wonderling.  Norris, who won the “Steel City Stampede” in 2023 and 2024, would get alongside Wonderling on a couple occasions, but was unable to make the pass as Wonderling took the checkered flag first by 0.599 seconds for his 33rd career Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour victory in his Close Racing Supply/Shuttleworth Auto Sales/955 Automotive/Southern Tier Ice/Young's Lawn Care/Penske Shocks by JDS/Swift Springs-sponsored #3J. 

 

Wonderling was also the season’s only multi-time winner at three as there were 11 winners in 13 races!  It was Wonderling’s second career Lernerville win and first in the “Steel City Stampede” in 10 years of trying!  Wonderling becomes the 14th different winner in 18 years of Crate Late Model action during the “Steel City Stampede”.   

 

After winning the $3,000 Super Late Model feature earlier in the day, Norris earned $2,000 for his runner-up finish with RUSH.  Knowles was third for the third time this season and received $1,000.  Schneider was fourth for his fifth top five finish, which secured him third in points and the $3,000 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year!  Bill Holmes III was fifth as he matched his career best Tour finish from Winchester Speedway on September 19.

 

After getting to second early in the feature, Stebbins dropped to sixth as he finished fourth in points in his rookie season on the Tour.  Ben Easler was seventh.  Austin Allen went 13th to 8th.  Brett Marlatt made just his second Tour start of the season and went 22nd to 9th after nearly pulling off an upset career first win at Woodhull Raceway on July 11.  Making his first Tour start in more than six years, Matt Dobnak raced from 24th to 10th to earn the $100 Hoosier Tire Western PA/Big Daddy’s Speed Center Hard Charger gift card. 

 

Kyle Zimmerman received a spoiler kit from Ontime Body & Graphic for finishing 11th.  Zack Carley was credited with 24th after losing a driveshaft, and was chosen as the Close Racing Supply “Tough Break of the Night” recipient.  Carley received a $100 CRS gift card.  Chuck Medved missed the feature by one spot in the first B main and received a $50 Holley Performance gift card for being the “Nosed Out” recipient.

 

After finishing third two weeks ago in the Real Merchant Services DMV Non-Qualifier at Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway, Canadian Steve Baldwin led all 10 laps of Sunday’s Non-Qualifier in his first ever Lernerville appearance.  The 54-year-old Trenton, Ontario driver of his QBT Excavating/AK Custom Landscaping/The K Shop-sponsored #5 went third to first on the opening lap and was never challenged.  Baldwin earned $200 as he became the 95th different winner in 120 races all-time.  Veteran Sammy Stile went fourth to second.  After an early spin, Jamie Wrightsman charged back through the field to finish third.  Luke Vrana was fourth in his first ever Late Model race.  Southern Ohio invader, Brian Nethers, was fifth in his first Tour start of the season.  Rob Coffaro got caught up in a late race accident, but was still able to claim the Real Merchant Services DMV “Wheelman” Championship for the second straight year.

 

Holmes started off the long weekend fastest in Schneider Trucks practice with a lap of 16.933 to earn $50.  Norris set fast time overall against the 40-car field in FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Qualifying with a lap of 18.069 to earn $100 on Saturday.  The $25 FK Rod Ends heat races were won by Norris, Schneider, Drellos, and Stebbins.  Sunday’s last chance B mains were captured by Logan Stockdale and Marlatt.  Wonderling received a $100 Sunoco fuel card for his second Sunoco Dash win of the season.

 

Also receiving $100 Sunoco Fuel cards in the random drawings presented by Bazell Race Fuels were Tour racers Brodie Oravetz and Holmes, while the $50 Sunoco Fuel cards went to Stockdale, Medved, Waters, and Cory Sines. 

 

For the third straight year, Landrum Performance Springs awarded a $5,000 Loyalty Bonus to a lucky driver that competed in 75% of the completed Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour events.  Ashton Briggs, who is in his fifth year on the Tour, joined past winners Allen and Knowles as this year’s big recipient.  Landrum also distributed BOGO certificates, which were won by Cody Koteles, Mike Wonderling, Marlatt, Drellos, and Curtis King. 

 

The Capital Contracting Service "Allegiance Rewards" drawings were held for Touring member drivers that competed in 75% of the completed events and were won by Schneider ($300), Briggs ($200), and Daryl Charlier ($100).  Henry's Headers & Exhaust Systems awarded a $500 certificate towards the purchase of stainless-steel Crate Late Model Henry's headers in a random drawing won by Schneider, which is part of the Tour's Loyalty Program.

 

Darin Gallagher led all 20 laps of the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Sportsman Modified feature holding off Series Champion, Kole Holden, for his first Series victory of the season.  Gallagher became the amazing 12th different winner in 13 “Steel City Stampede” events for the Mods!  The victory was worth $800 plus a $200 bonus from Paul Campbell’s Automotive in Warren, Pa.

 

“He (Paul Campbell) walked over (before the feature) and said I have something a little extra for you and I said we’d give her heck,” explained the 36-year-old Butler, Pa. resident.  “He sponsors Kole (Holden) and I see he got second so he’s super happy with a one-two for his sponsorship.  I’ve been fast this year, but have been in the wrong spot and different stuff happens.  The last time I raced, I won at Mercer and now the elusive (Steel City Stampede) Belt Buckle I’ve been wanting here.  This means a lot to my wife and crew, and my baby Blair is here for my first Belt Buckle.  I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out this weekend.  The track is smooth and that’s my favorite kind of surface.”

 

Gallagher and Kyle Hanshaw led the field to green with Gallagher racing into the lead, while Karston King and fifth starting Holden moved into second and third on the opening lap.  Four cautions slowed action in the first four laps.  In between those cautions, Holden raced past King for second.  The final 16 laps went green-to-checkered with Gallagher taking the checkered flag first by 2.721 seconds in the Jerry Schaffer Racing/Robinson's Greenhouse & Farm Market/The Burg Bar & Grill/Innovative Fitness/Jerry Rents-sponsored #23.  It was Gallagher’s second career Series win as he also won at Sharon Speedway on August 9, 2025.

 

Holden, a four-time RUSH winner this season, was second.  Holden had locked up his first RUSH Weekly Series Championship worth $3,500!  King, the 2025 Russ King Racing Futures Cup Champion, was third.  Todd English, who won three races this season, went sixth to fourth.  Hanshaw dropped to fifth over Jake Rutana.  Teammates Leyton Wagner and Dalton Gabriel were seventh and eighth.  Wagner did triple duty on the day winning in the “305” Sprints and also finishing fifth in the “410” Sprints.  Jordan Ehrenberg and Ryan Riffe completed the top 10.  Heat winners on Saturday were Holden and King.

 

Brayden Blackshear led all 20 laps of the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Sprint Car feature for his first career win worth $800.  Blackshear became the second 14-year-old to win his first career feature in the division this season joining Logen Lockhart.  Blackshear also captured the Russ King Racing Futures Cup title thanks to 10 top 5s and ended the season strong with five straight top four finishes!

 

“This means a lot,” acknowledged the Brookfield, Ohio racer.  “I’d like to thank all my sponsors, my mom and dad, Anthony, and my grandpa Don.”

 

Cooper Macormac and Blackshear led the field to green with Blackshear using the outside to race into the lead.  Blackshear and Macormac distanced themselves from the pack by lap three.  Blackshear then pulled away by lap seven.  Lapped traffic came into play on lap 11 before a spin by Kevin Kaserman, which erased a big lead for Blackshear.  The final nine laps went green-to-checkered and Blackshear wasn’t challenged aboard the Brandon Blackshear-owned, Blackshear Brothers Trucking/Bala Management/Race City Performance/Intense Fab-sponsored #10.  Blackshear became the third first time winner in 2026 and 27th different driver all-time to win a RUSH Sprint Car feature all-time.

 

Wyatt Long, who was the 2025 Russ King Racing Futures Cup Champion, started fourth and passed Macormac for second on lap 12 to record his third runner-up finish of the season as he still searches for his first career win.  After tying his career best finish in fourth the last two races as Michaels Mercer Raceway Park, Macormac held on to third achieving a new career best effort for the 15-year-old.  Devon Deeter went ninth to fifth and earlier in the day was the lucky recipient of the $1,000 Loyalty Bonus from Arnie Kent in memory of Kenny Kent.  Ashton Riggle was fifth as none of the top five finishers had ever won a RUSH Sprint Car event prior to Sunday. 

 

Three-time 2026 winner, Trent Marshall, was sixth over Zach Morrow.  Ricky Tucker III was eighth.  Jesse Armstrong was ninth and received a $100 bonus from Kent part of “Kenny’s Cash” for the first time this season.  Kaserman completed the top 10.  Heat winners on Saturday were Long and Blackshear.

 

The 2026 RUSH Racing Series Awards Banquet & Dinner will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2027 at Gatherings Banquet & Event Center in Edinburg, Pa.  Stay tuned for more information.

 

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series Race #13 (30 laps, $4,000 to-win): 1. JEREMY WONDERLING (3J)  2. Michael Norris (Dabecco N1)  3. Jason Knowles (4)  4. Christian Schneider (56)  5. Bill Holmes III (8)  6. Kurt Stebbins (26)  7. Ben Easler (02)  8. Austin Allen (Mullen 32)  9. Brett Marlatt (99)  10. Matt Dobnak (42D)  11. Demetrios Drellos (111)  12. Tim Shaffer (45)  13. Kyle Zimmerman (Stockdale 101)  14. Daryl Charlier (Dobnak 42)  15. Cory Sines (25s)  16. Tanner Zulisky (58TAZ)  17. Brodie Oravetz (91B)  18. Cody Koteles (Beach 33x)  19. Logan Stockdale (31)  20. Tom Snyder, Jr. (10s)  21. Wyatt White (5w)  22. Dusty Waters (14)  23. Clinton Hersh (16)  24. Zack Carley (2).

 

Real Merchant Services DMV Non-Qualifier (10 laps, $200 to-win): 1. Steve Baldwin (5)  2. Sammy Stile (Zulisky 58z)  3. Jamie Wrightsman (21J)  4. Luke Vrana (16)  5. Brian Nethers (34)  6. Curtis King (07)  7. Chuck Medved (2M)  8. Matt Martin (6)  9. Rob Coffaro (24c)  10. Ian Travis (36). DNS: Justin Neff (33), Jacob Peterson (112), Mike Wonderling (White 18), Tyler Shaffer (2T), Jake Gunn (14G), Zach Gunn (17G).

 

Car Count: 40

Feature Margin of Victory: 0.599 seconds
Feature Lap Leaders: Jeremy Wonderling (1-30)

Capital Contracting Service "Allegiance Rewards": Christian Schneider ($300), Ashton Briggs ($200) & Daryl Charlier ($100)

Close Racing Supply “Tough Brake of the Night: Zack Carley

Henry's Headers $500 Certificate for Crate Late Model Headers: Christian Schneider

Holley Performance Group “Nosed Out”: Chuck Medved

Landrum Performance Springs $5,000 "Loyalty Bonus": Ashton Briggs

Landrum Performance Springs BOGO Certificates: Cody Koteles, Mike Wonderling, Brett Marlatt, Demetrios Drellos & Curtis King

Ontime Body & Graphic “Spoiler Alert” Spoiler Kit: Kyle Zimmerman

Hoosier Tire Western PA/Big Daddy’s Speed Center Hard Charger: Matt Dobnak (+14)

Schneider Trucks “Hottest of the Hot” Fastest in Hot Laps: Bill Holmes III (16.933)

Sunoco Fuel Card Winners presented by Bazell Race Fuels: Bill Holmes III ($100), Brodie Oravetz ($100), Logan Stockdale ($50), Chuck Medved ($50), Cory Sines ($50) & Dusty Waters ($50)

 

FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Flight A Qualifying ($100 for fast time) (Track record 16.750 by Bryce Davis on 10/15/21): 1. N1-Michael Norris, 18.069[3]; 2. 56-Christian Schneider, 18.296[13]; 3. 8-Bill Holmes, 18.513[14]; 4. 16-Clinton Hersh, 18.591[2]; 5. 101-Kyle Zimmerman, 18.595[7]; 6. 4-Jason Knowles, 18.635[12]; 7. 32A-Austin Allen, 18.720[9]; 8. 91B-Brodie Oravetz, 18.742[19]; 9. 45-Tim Shaffer, 18.800[10]; 10. 42-Daryl Charlier, 18.874[15]; 11. 18-Mike Wonderling, 18.950[8]; 12. 33X-Cody Koteles, 19.102[4]; 13. 5B-Steve Baldwin, 19.104[6]; 14. 31L-Logan Stockdale, 19.156[16]; 15. 6M-Matt Martin, 19.458[5]; 16. 112-Jacob Peterson, 19.631[17]; 17. 2M-Chuck Medved, 19.849[18]; 18. 33N-Justin Neff, 20.519[11]; 19. 2T-Tyler Shaffer, 20.565[1]; 20. 14G-Jake Gunn, NT.

 

FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Flight B Qualifying (Track record 16.750 by Bryce Davis on 10/15/21): 1. 111D-Demetrios Drellos, 18.181[8]; 2. 02-Ben Easler, 18.523[6]; 3. 25S-Cory Sines, 18.781[17]; 4. 26-Kurt Stebbins, 18.782[13]; 5. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling, 18.843[2]; 6. 21J-Jamie Wrightsman, 18.940[10]; 7. 2C-Zack Carley, 18.942[1]; 8. 14W-Dusty Waters, 19.015[9]; 9. 36T-Ian Travis, 19.289[5]; 10. 58TAZ-Tanner Zulisky, 19.337[16]; 11. 34-Brian Nethers, 19.378[3]; 12. 5W-Wyatt White, 19.440[18]; 13. 10S-Tom Snyder Jr, 19.512[4]; 14. 99M-Brett Marlatt, 19.526[7]; 15. 58Z-Sammy Stile, 19.623[19]; 16. 16V-Luke Vrana, 19.657[12]; 17. 42D-Matt Dobnak, 19.787[14]; 18. 07-Curtis King, 20.122[11]; 19. 24C-Rob Coffaro, 20.748[15]; 20. 17G-Zach Gunn, NT.

 

FK Rod Ends Heat 1 (8 laps, Top 5 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. N1-Michael Norris[1]; 2. 8-Bill Holmes[2]; 3. 101-Kyle Zimmerman[3]; 4. 32A-Austin Allen[4]; 5. 45-Tim Shaffer[5]; 6. 18-Mike Wonderling[6]; 7. 5B-Steve Baldwin[7]; 8. 2T-Tyler Shaffer[10]; 9. 6M-Matt Martin[8]; 10. 2M-Chuck Medved[9].

 

FK Rod Ends Heat 2 (8 laps, Top 5 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 56-Christian Schneider[1]; 2. 4-Jason Knowles[3]; 3. 16-Clinton Hersh[2]; 4. 42-Daryl Charlier[5]; 5. 91B-Brodie Oravetz[4]; 6. 31L-Logan Stockdale[7]; 7. 33X-Cody Koteles[6]; 8. 33N-Justin Neff[9]. DNS: 112-Jacob Peterson & 14G-Jake Gunn.

 

FK Rod Ends Heat 3 (8 laps, Top 5 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[1]; 2. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling[3]; 3. 2C-Zack Carley[4]; 4. 25S-Cory Sines[2]; 5. 10S-Tom Snyder Jr[7]; 6. 36T-Ian Travis[5]; 7. 42D-Matt Dobnak[9]; 8. 58Z-Sammy Stile[8]; 9. 24C-Rob Coffaro[10]; 10. 34-Brian Nethers[6].

 

FK Rod Ends Heat 4 (8 laps, Top 5 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 26-Kurt Stebbins[2]; 2. 02-Ben Easler[1]; 3. 5W-Wyatt White[6]; 4. 58TAZ-Tanner Zulisky[5]; 5. 14W-Dusty Waters[4]; 6. 99M-Brett Marlatt[7]; 7. 21J-Jamie Wrightsman[3]; 8. 16V-Luke Vrana[8]; 9. 07-Curtis King[9]. DNS: 17G-Zach Gunn.

 

Last Chance B Main 1 (8 laps, Top 2 transfer to A): 1. 31L-Logan Stockdale[2]; 2. 33X-Cody Koteles[4]; 3. 2M-Chuck Medved[9]; 4. 5B-Steve Baldwin[3]; 5. 33N-Justin Neff[6]; 6. 6M-Matt Martin[7]; 7. 112-Jacob Peterson[8]; 8. 18-Mike Wonderling[1]. DNS: 2T-Tyler Shaffer & 14G-Jake Gunn.

 

Last Chance B Main 2 (8 laps, Top 2 transfer to A): 1. 99M-Brett Marlatt[2]; 2. 42D-Matt Dobnak[3]; 3. 36T-Ian Travis[1]; 4. 58Z-Sammy Stile[5]; 5. 16V-Luke Vrana[6]; 6. 21J-Jamie Wrightsman[4]; 7. 34-Brian Nethers[9]; 8. 07-Curtis King[8]; 9. 24C-Rob Coffaro[7]. DNS: 17G-Zach Gunn.

 

Sunoco Dash (6 laps, $100 Sunoco fuel card to-win): 1. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling[6]; 2. 4-Jason Knowles[1]; 3. 26-Kurt Stebbins[2]; 4. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[3]; 5. N1-Michael Norris[4]; 6. 02-Ben Easler[8]; 7. 56-Christian Schneider[7]; 8. 8-Bill Holmes[5].

 

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Sportsman Modified Weekly Series Race #11 (20 laps, $1,000 to-win): 1. 23-DARIN GALLAGHER[1]; 2. 2-Kole Holden[5]; 3. 165K-Karston King[3]; 4. 711-Todd English[6]; 5. 22-Kyle Hanshaw[2]; 6. 57R-Jacob Rutana[11]; 7. 33-Leyton Wagner[10]; 8. 333G-Dalton Gabriel[8]; 9. JD57-Jordan Ehrenberg[4]; 10. 21X-Ryan Riffe[12]; 11. 119-Joe Gibson[13]; 12. 28J-Jacob Jordan[7]; 13. 46R-Doug Rutana[9].

 

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Sprint Car Rustler Sales & Service Weekly Series Race #27 (20 laps, $800 to-win): 1. 10-BRAYDEN BLACKSHEAR[2]; 2. 63L-Wyatt Long[4]; 3. 7-Cooper Macormac[1]; 4. 54-Devon Deeter[9]; 5. 82-Ashton Riggle[3]; 6. 17-Trent Marshall[5]; 7. 68-Zach Morrow[7]; 8. 1T-Ricky Tucker III[6]; 9. 20A-Jesse Armstrong[8]; 10. 13K-Kevin Kaserman[11]; 11. 90-Owen James[10].

 

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Colussy Chevrolet Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, Rustler Sales & Service, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Capital Contracting Service, Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, Russ King Racing, 3C Graphix, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Real Merchant Services DMV, IllusionCoats Powder Coating, Hoosier Tire Western Pennsylvania/Big Daddy's Speed Center, Close Racing Supply, Keyser Manufacturing/Integra Racing Shocks, Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, MotoRad, Schneider Trucks, Ontime Body & Graphic, Henry's Headers & Exhaust Systems, D&V Jewelers, AERO Race Wheels, 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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