HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY 2026 TOURING SERIES SET TO LAUNCH AS DRIVERS REVEAL THEIR THOUGHTS & GOALS

By Doug Kennedy & Mike Leone

April 13, 2026             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)…The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series is gearing up for its 2026 season, which is set to kick-off this Saturday (April 18) at Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway.  The richest season in Series history will include a minimum of 20 events at 12 different speedways all paying between $4,000 and $20,000 to-win, and boasting a $76,200 point fund with $20,000 to the champion!  Many of the events will be streamed live by FloRacing, DIRTVision, The Cushion, and Dirt.tv. 

Future Hall of Fame racer Dave  Hess, Jr., a legend throughout western Pennsylvania, western New York, and eastern Ohio with more than 400 victories and numerous track and series championships had this to say following his victory in the 2025 "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance at Eriez Speedway.

"These RUSH Late Model races are so competitive," stated the 41-year-old Waterford, Pa. standout, who won the 2024 $20,000 "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by Sunoco Race Fuels.  "I've said it before but they are as tough as any regional tour and damn near as tough as any national tour.  To get qualified and get a good starting spot is so crucial as everyone is so equal and good."

"Dave's quote is certainly a testament to the RUSH Late Model Touring Series, our drivers and the phenominal events they produce each and every time they hit the speedway, said RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "There's always two and three-wide racing throughout the field with last lap passes for the win not uncommon.  Couple that with strong fields of 35-40+ cars battling for $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, $10,000 and of course our marquee $20,000 to win 'Bill Emig Memorial' all while chasing a $76,000+ Touring Series Championship points fund, and good things are going to happen!"       

"No other Late Model-type division throughout our footprint is producing our numbers, and I believe that is a testament to the cost versus reward formula of the Chevrolet Performance crate engine and our strong technical rules package, the steadfast support of our RUSH sanctioned speedways, and of course our tremendous marketing partners," added Emig.  "The bottom line is racers just want to race, and we believe RUSH is a great product to help them continue to do so; whether they are up and coming young racers, seasoned veterans, or anyone in between, we just want to provide them with a great program to allow them to do so." 

Jeremy Wonderling has been competing on the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour for the past nine season winning 30 events and the title an unprecedented five times.   Known as "Mr. Excitement", the Wellsville, NY driver has always lived up to his moniker and is always a force to be reckoned with wherever he goes.  Wonderling has also won the Colussy Chevrolet National Weekly Series Championship five times thanks to 114 career victories. Wonderling recently received a check for a record $26,300 in championship monies for his efforts in 2025; unmatched by any like Chevrolet Performance Series in the nation!

“I like the travel, the competition, which is really stiff as there's different drivers who show up all the time, and of course the affordability of RUSH," explained the 45-year-old.   "In my area, there’s not a good feeling for the Super Late Models so that’s good for the RUSH Crate Late Models to step right in.  Obviously the $20,000 to-win Tour championship and the minimum $4,000 to-win for each event are also great incentives to follow the Tour.   Besides the payouts, Vicki (Emig) does a stellar job with things like Manufacturers Night.  With all of that, it’s pretty hard not to be involved with RUSH.  Every year there seems to be two to three guys who have stepped up their programs and are ready to challenge for the championship.  Just because I’ve won five times, it doesn’t mean it gets any easier.” 

Demetrios Drellos, a standout Big-Block Modified racer, made the move 100% to RUSH Late Models in 2025.  Drellos took on the Tour and in addition to finishing third in points, captured the $3,000 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year title after a back and forth battle with Zack Carley.

 “I wanted to go Late Model racing and we choose RUSH," stated the 29-year-old Queensbury, NY resident.  "I feel it's the most competitive Late Model Series in the Northeast, as well as the most affordable series around.  RUSH also pays extremely well during the season and at the end via their Touring Series points fund.”

“You have to run consistently because the competition level is so difficult- honestly for me it’s more difficult than the Super Late stuff," revealed Drellos, who was the recipient of the 2025 "Miles Traveled" Award for towing over 13,000 miles to compete in the Touring events alone.  “My main goal for the 2026 season is to get a RUSH Touring Series win!  I also want to get better at Eriez and Tri-City- two tracks that give me trouble, always be competitive and have as much fun as I can!”

Daryl Charlier has competed with the RUSH Late Models each of the past 12 seasons; however, in 2024 hit the road full-time for the first time with the Tour.  The Bulger, Pa. driver finished fourth in points in route to winning the $3,000 3C Graphix rookie-of-the-year.  This past season saw Charlier once again drive for the Dobnak Family and finish fourth in points; however, Charlier was able to capture the first Tour victory for the Dobnaks, which came at Tri-City.  For Charlier, it was his fourth career Touring Series victory, but ended a winless drought of nearly three years.  For 2026, Charlier will have a teammate, Tony Musolino, for select events.

“I honestly feel RUSH and their Chevrolet Performance crate engine program is the future of racing," expressed the 42-year-old.  "Fielding a Super Late Model is just too expensive.  RUSH provides a great opportunity for more people to get in the sport as well as stay in the sport.  The RUSH Tour is extremely tough; you have a dozen or more guys can win at anytime.  We get to compete against guys you may not normally race against, especially at the higher paying  events as well as the regulars at the RUSH Weekly Series tracks when we travel in to them.  We finished fourth two years in a row in points and would really like to improve upon that in 2026.”

Although only 19 years old Ben "Hollywood" Easler completed his fifth year of RUSH competition at the completion of the 2025 season; three in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds and two in the RUSH Late Models.

“The RUSH Touring Series provides regional guys with the opportunity to compete in a professional series- it’s what you would see on a national basis," acknowledged the Linesville, Pa. racer.  “I feel the RUSH Late Model Touring Series is one of the best in the nation!  It has a professional feel like you get with World of Outlaws or the Lucas Oil Series.  RUSH is the hardest type of racing not only competition wise, but it’s also the most challenging and rewarding series that I’ve ever competed in.  For 2026 my goal is to just win!  We've spent the last two years learning and getting better in the Late Models, so now in my third year, it’s time to step up to the plate and win some races and eventually win the championship!”

Austin Allen is set to begin his sixth year of RUSH Late Model racing and third on the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour.  The Canisteo, NY driver won the 2023 "Track Pack" points at Woodhull Raceway then took on the Tour for the first time in 2024 finishing sixth in points and second in the 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year standings.  This past season saw Allen improve one spot to sixth in points.  

"Everywhere we go on the Tour we have to be on our A game," acknowledged the 28-year-old.  "I really want to win my first RUSH Tour race, and working to put myself up front is important to us in achieving that goal this season."  

“Besides the substantial event purses, it’s also what you get back at the end of the year via the RUSH Championship Touring points fund," added Allen.  "Other programs like Manufacturers Night that annually sees over $35,000 of valuable product given to the racers at one event, as well as the Landrum Performance $5,000 'Loyalty Bonus' that I was fortunate enough to win in 2024 plus the thousands of dollars of other event contingencies are a huge plus!   I don’t know any other series that pays back like RUSH does; it’s a great Series that Vicki and Mike (Leone) have put together for their racers.  Lastly, the friendships you develop on the road are great.”

Second generation RUSH racer, Zack Carley, took on the Tour for the first time.  Carley challenged Drellos for the title as the two New York drivers swapped the lead back and forth with Drellos ultimately capturing the title after a string of bad for Carley. 

"Vicki has a good series with the pay at $4,000 or more for every event," stated the 35-year-old Freedom, NY racer.   “It’s a heavy hitters event each and every week.  I’ve become friends with a lot of the drivers and that’s nice.  Last year was very disappointing.  We were running in the top five all season and had two engine meltdowns in my final two races and ended up seventh.  We’ll start off with the Tour and see what happens this year.”

Allen's good friend Jason Knowles has competed in RUSH every year since its inception, but returned to the Tour full-time in 2025.  The Addison, NY driver finished eighth in points, and was the lucky recipient of the $5,000 Landrum Performance Springs "Loyalty Bonus".  Knowles also won a free powder coating and sandblasting of his frame from IllusionCoats Powder Coating, who is taking on a bigger role in 2026 as the "Official Powder Coater" and presenter of "Firing Zone". 

 “The competition level is so tough and is one of the most competitive series in the Northeast," expressed the 44-year-old racer.  "What Vicki and Mike give back to the racers is second to none- there’s no other series that gives as much back.  I’ve won championships and local races, but now I need a RUSH Tour victory.”

Austin Hauser returned to the Tour full-time in 2025 and matched his 10^th from his rookie 2023 season.  Despite a blown engine that set him back, the story of the season was the vast improvement in speed.  Hauser set fast time twice, and had his first career podium finishes on the Tour at Stateline and Bradford.  Hauser also won a Weekly Series event at Bradford. 

 “I just love the Series," expressed the 29-year-old Grand Island, NY driver.  "The money, the competition, and that with most of the events being within four hours of home all factor in to my commitment in following the Touring Series. It’s a great experience overall with the tracks, drivers, RUSH officials and when you throw in the Championship point fund, it becomes an easy choice." 

"Racing against someone like Jeremy (Wonderling) continuously makes you want to pick up your game and go faster; and overall the competition is great," added Hauser.  “I’ve got one RUSH "Weekly" feature win over the last three to four years, and I would love to double that for this season, and of course I would like to win the RUSH championship.”

Ryan Hare completed his first season on the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour and finished 11th in points.  The 20-year-old became the first driver from West Virginia to run the Tour full-time since 2017. 

“I think the RUSH "Touring" Series has the best drivers around," stated the Elkins, WV resident.  "I appreciate the way Vicki comes around to see how we’re doing and thanks us for being there; she really cares about her racers.” 

“You can’t make any mistakes if you want to win one of these races," explained Hare.  "The veteran guys are so consistent which makes it really hard to win because of that consistency.  This year I would like to finish in the top five in Touring Series points, and I think we have a really good shot at doing that!” 

In 2021, Kyle Hardy took on the Tour full-time and captured not only the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour crown, but also the Colussy Chevrolet National Weekly Series title.   The 32-years-old returned to the Tour in 2025 for the first time since his championship, but came up just shy finishing second in points.   

“It’s a great Series," acknowledged the Winchester, VA standout.  " I plan on racing some of the RUSH Late Model events at Georgetown, Winchester, and the 'Firecracker' at Lernerville.  It’s not too bad of a schedule so I will be able to compete in at least a handful of the Tour races.  I would love to do the entire Tour again someday if  the opportunity presents itself.”

Currently, five drivers have declared for the 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year on the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour including Christian Schneider, Dylan Cecce, Kurt Stebbins, Allan Hammond, and TJ Williams.  

Schneider ran seven Tour events in 2025 recording six top seven finishes including his first career Tour victory in the $6,010 to-win "Jook George Steel City Classic".  Schneider also had a pair of runner-up finishes.  For 2026, he'll be a hired gun driving for Daugherty Motorsports. 

 “I think the RUSH Touring Series is the best there is period," expressed the 29-year-old Pittsburgh driver.  "The competition level is really difficult as so many of the racers really have their programs together.  It's not a demanding series as the majority of the tracks are not that far, and of course both the event payoffs and championship points fund are great!  My goal is to win the championship.  This will be the most races I’ve run in one season, and I believe it's going to give me the experience I need to chase my goal.”

Cecce has won races in various classes including Super Late Models, RUSH Late Models, and Pro Stocks.  After focusing on Super Late Models in 2025, Cecce will take on the RUSH Late Model Tour in 2026 driving for Russ Clark of Williamsport, Pa.

“I think the RUSH Series is great overall," acknowledged the 32-year-old Avis, Pa. racer.  It’s very appealing for the drivers because of the payoffs as well as all of the additional incentives during the season and after.  It's cost effective saving drivers and teams money on motors and tires.  I really don't know really what to expect as get ready compete in our first full year of RUSH.  The competition is so stiff so we will just start the year and see where we are with our program.  I would like to win a RUSH Touring event, but I know it’s not going to be easy.  Overall I just want to have fun racing.”

Stebbins has been a veteran in the RUSH Late Models; however, in recent years he's wore two hats as he's promoted both Genesee Speedway and McKean County Raceway.  This year, Stebbins will solely focus on racing.  Hammond, who resides in New Hampshire, will have guidance from Drellos as both drivers have Big-Block Modified backgrounds.  Williams will be a newcomer to RUSH and is yet another driver with Big-Block Modified experience.

Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway will again host four premier RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series events including the "Herb Scott Memorial", "Jook George Steel City Classic", and the two-day "Bill Hendren Memorial" part of the "Pittsburgher 100" weekend with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

General Manger, Tyler Harris, sees the advantage of how both the track and RUSH can benefit each other, in turn being an overall benefit for racing in general.

“The Mileys were instrumental in partnering with RUSH in the beginning to develop a series for the working man; in the end its done that and more for us," stated Harris.  "It’s now one of the largest Chevrolet Performance crate engine programs in the entire country.

"One of the advantages of what RUSH does for PPMS is that when we host one of their high profile Touring events you are seeing the best of the best of the Series, which in turn puts on a spectacular race for the fans," explained Harris.  "By also being part of this RUSH Weekly Series program, we provide a track that becomes a breeding ground for drivers to learn and grow as well as and develop skills that could help them compete on a national level.  Our weekly racers get a great opportunity to measure themselves with upper level competition when the RUSH Tour comes to town."

"We have two drivers, Daryl Charlier and Christian Schneider, who cut their teeth here at PPMS, and now have moved up to the RUSH Touring Series, and have scored victories," continued Harris.  "Hall of Fame Sprint Car racer Tim Shaffer of nearby Aliquippa can be found wheeling a RUSH Late Model every chance he gets would no doubt call PPMS his home.  Shaffer also scored a fan favorite Touring Series win in the Friday Night portion of the 2023 'Bill Hendren Memorial' and then captured the 'Herb Scott Memorial' the next spring. We’ve been very lucky to enjoy a long term relationship with RUSH, and we look forward growing it into the future.” 

"It's hard to believe that this year will be our 20th season of growing and developing quality Chevrolet Performance crate engine Late Model racing throughout the region," said Emig.  "To say it's been a journey is an definitely an understatement.  Timing is everything, and I'm so glad we began this journey all those years ago and stayed the course to be able today to offer racers a solid program with RUSH; I think the need is greater now more than ever to help keep people racing."    

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, Frankland Racing Supply, Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, 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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