"BATTLE OF THE BAY" SPEEDWEEK TO RETURN IN 2020 FOR SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODELS APRIL 15-18 AT DELAWARE, GEORGETOWN, POTOMAC & WINCHESTER; WILL KICKOFF THE $12,000 TO-WIN TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

By Mike Leone

December 10, 2019                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone are pleased to announce that for the third straight year, the "Battle of the Bay" Speedweek will kickoff the new season for the Late Model Touring Series.  The four-race Speedweek will take place April 15-18, 2020 at Delaware International, Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester Speedways.  It was recently announced that the 2020 Tour point fund was nearly doubled with $12,000 going to the champion! 

For the second straight year, the opening round at DIS will be designated as the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" paying a minimum of $4,000 to-win, $300 to-start!  Also for the second straight year, the events at Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester will pay $3,000 to-win, $250 to-start thanks to the continued strong support of these shows. 

Once again, there will be a $3,000 "Battle of the Bay" point fund for RUSH member racers that will pay $1,000 to-win down 10 positions providing at least three of the events are completed.  If two events are completed, the point fund will be pro-rated.  And in addition, a $150 travel package will again be available for each competing top 12 drivers in 2019 Sweeney Tour points.  Driver must compete in at least two events including the first race of Speedweek to be eligible. 

“You’re not going to find a better deal for crate racing than this Battle of the Bay,” stated Max Blair after winning last year's Georgetown event.  “Huge props to Mike (Leone) and Vicki (Emig) along with all of the race tracks.  This is a really, really good deal for crate guys.  It’s the best stretch deal going in the country for us.  This is a really stout field of race cars and to be able to win the first two nights is pretty awesome." 

The 2019 "Battle of the Bay" saw 62 different drivers compete from eight different states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina) plus Ontario, Canada in the three completed events as the Potomac show was rained out.  Thirty-five drivers participated in all three events (DIS, Georgetown & Winchester), which was an increase of seven from the 28 that participated in all 2018 events.  The opening event at DIS attracted 53 cars, which was a "Battle of the Bay" record and matched the "Bill Emig Memorial" as the season high car count.  Seven of the eight scheduled "Battle of the Bay" events have been completed over the two years with no less than 40 cars at any of the events!

"The 'Battle of the Bay' has been tremendous the last two years," acknowledged RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "The drivers have really supported it each of the last two years and have been rewarded with increased payoffs, the point fund, and travel money.  It's an honor to again have the Huffman Family utilize RUSH and the 'Battle of the Bay' to hold Raelyn's memorial event at Delaware.  We have to thank the promoters of these great speedways for continuing to allow us to open our Touring season in such a great fashion.  This year's events are once again going to be an incredible kickoff to the $12,000 to-win championship!"  

Ray and Brenda Huffman have been heavily involved in racing over the years with their R&J Poultry business and have sponsored RUSH Late Model drivers such as Max Blair and Cody Dawson.  Shortly after the 2018 "Battle of the Bay", Raelyn lost her life in a tragic accident.  Ray Huffman is Raelyn's father, while Brenda is her step-mother.  Raelyn's mother is Billie Jo Justice and her step-father is Tim Justice.    

Raelyn was 22 years old and from Delmar, DE- the home of Delaware International Speedway.  Raelyn graduated from nearby Seaford High School and worked for Lowe's Home Improvement.  She loved her job, racing, and any four-legged furry friends.  Raelyn spent her weekends growing up at the races; from Friday nights at the go-kart track, Saturday nights watching RUSH Late Models, and Sundays at the US 13 Dragway with her longtime boyfriend, Matt Adams.

"It was just part of her lifestyle and that is why we we're so adamant on pursuing this memorial race," explained Raelyn's sister Shelby.  "She was a beautiful girl with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was completely contagious.  We are so proud of her and how much of an amazing person she turned out to be.  We love and miss her everyday and we strive to pass on her memory and share stories that celebrate her life.  Our family, the Lowe's family and the racing community lost a very loved and valued member, and we all miss her very much.  There are many memories that our family, co-workers and friends share that we will always cherish, but there are so many we didn’t get to make.  She was a one of a kind girl with a big heart, a bright smile and a loving nature.  There aren’t words for how loved and missed she is."

Stay tuned for more information regarding the "Battle of the Bay" Speedweek throughout the offseason.

Delaware International Speedway is a 1/2-mile track located at 37854 Sussex Highway, Delmar, DE 19940.    DIS is located on a 125 acre Motorsports Complex which house's three racing facilities in one.  The Speedway will celebrate their 48th consecutive year, when it opens in April of 2018. For more information on DIS, check out their website at www.delawareracing.com.  The track office number is 302-846-3911.  You can like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DelawareRacing and follow them on Twitter @delawareracing. 

Georgetown Speedway is a 1/2-mile clay oval located at 24505, 24513 S. Dupont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947.  Deyo signed a three-year lease that runs through 2022 and improvements continue at the Sussex County track, which hosted its first race in 1950.  The speedway operates on a special-events-only schedule with high-profile programs from March through October.  For more information on Georgetown, check out their website at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com.  You can like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GeorgetownSpeedway and follow them on Twitter @thegtownspdwy. 

Potomac Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile dirt track located on Route 234 at 27963 Budds Creek Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.  The track first opened in 1973, and is located about an hour south of Washington D.C and Baltimore.  For information, check out their website at www.potomacspeedway.com or call 301-481-8855.  You can like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacSpdwy and follow them on Twitter @PotomacSpdwy.

Winchester Speedway is also a high-banked 3/8-mile dirt track located just off Route 50 at 950 Airport Road Winchester, VA 22604.  The track first opened in 1936 under the name of Airport Speedway.  The track has been home to the Winchester 200, a major Super Late Model event, since 1963!  For more information, check out their website at www.winchestervaspeedway.com or call 301-481-8855.  You can like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/wincvaspeedway and follow them on Twitter @Wincvaspeedway.

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC & Pace Performance along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Trailer-Alarms.com, Bonnell's Rod Shop, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.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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