LARGE LIST OF NATIONAL & REGIONAL CORPORTE MARKETING PARTNERS SET TO RETURN AS PART OF 2016 SWEENEY RUSH SERIES; COLLECTIVELY CONTRIBUTING OVER $110,00 IN ACTUAL PRODUCT TO RUSH RACERS

By Mike Leone

 

April 8, 2016              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)…As the 2016 Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance season begins to roll with three completed Late Model events already in the books at Potomac and Winchester Speedways, the Series is pleased to announce that their entire group of both national and regional long standing corporate marketing partners will return for yet another season with the Series, with the majority participating in all four RUSH divisions.  All told, over $110,000 in actual product and another $115,000 in Championship program cash, for a grand total of over $225,000 of value will be distributed to RUSH racers across all divisions!

 

Always at the forefront of RUSH's efforts is branding sponsor Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC/Pace Performance of Boardman, Ohio.  The Sweeney name continues to be synonymous with RUSH, but also with the continued development of crate engine racing not only affiliated with RUSH, but throughout the country.  The recent addition of Don Blackshear as Pace’s Director of Circle Track Development, Sweeney/Pace has begun to be a major player in DIRTcar 602 Sprint Cars and 525 crate Sprint Cars being incorporated in Knoxville, Iowa.  In March, Sweeney was recognized as the #1 Buick dealership in Ohio and top 20 in the United States. 

 

“This year marks the sixth that Sweeney has been involved with us and their alignment with RUSH continues to allow us to award the majority of the $115,000 plus championship point funds that we award to our racers each year.  Their recent contribution of $6,000 in Pace Performance Bucks was a major additional to our new weekly-sanctioned speedway ‘Track Pack’ program that was designed to influx additional cash and contingencies directly to member drivers at our individual sanctioned tracks.  There is no question that Sweeney has emerged as not only the leading Chevrolet Buick GM dealership, but perhaps all auto dealership in the region, in their support of auto racing and I urge racing's loyal fans to remember them for any of the automobile needs.”

 

Hoosier Tire will once again be the mandated spec tire for the Late Models, Sportsman Modifieds, and new Pro Mods.  The Hoosier tire continues to provide RUSH racers with a superb product that has in turn provided extremely competitive racing throughout the entire region. 

 

Bilstein is once again the “Official Shock” of RUSH.  For the third straight year, the $135 sealed, spec shock will be mandated on the Sportsman Modifieds, and now on the new Pro Mods.  And while not mandatory, RUSH continues to promote the usage of Bilsteins in the Late Models.  The “Bilstein Bandits” program will be in its second year in the Late Models offering a $13,150 cash point fund plus $850 in contingencies for member racers that compete exclusively on the Bilstein sealed spec shock.

 

Sunoco Race Fuels, with its distributors Insinger Performance and Bazell Race Fuels, continue to be a strong marketing partner as the "Official Fuel" of RUSH.  They developed the large network of Sunoco fuel dealers throughout the region to ensure easy accessibility for the racers of the required fuels and will be instrumental is assisting the Series with fuel testing and teching.    

 

Late Model competitors have the option of the Sunoco 110 or RUSH 91 pump gas, while Sportsman Modified and Pro Mod racers are mandated to utilize the very affordable RUSH 91 pump gas.  RUSH Pro Stock racers are also encouraged to use the products.  Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway is offering incentives for Late Model, Sportsman Modified, and Stock racers purchasing the product at their speedway.

 

Bicknell Racing Products will present the Weekly, Touring, and Futures Cup programs for the second straight year in the Sportsman Modifieds.  Greg Martin captured the $3,000 Weekly Series title utilizing a Bicknell car for the second straight year.  Larry Kugel and Kole Holden will go down in the history books as the inaugural Bicknell Touring and Futures Cup champions.  RUSH has a great relationship with Bicknell owners Pete Bicknell, Randy Williamson, and Bobby Slack, and in fact have a Late Model Touring event for the second straight year at Bicknell and Williamson’s owned Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Ontario.

      

MSD Performance will once again be known as the “Official Ignition” of RUSH.  For the second straight year, MSD will present all of the Series’ Manufacturers Nights as well as providing product for giveaways.  The MSD 8727CT RPM (rev) limiting box is mandated in RUSH Sportsman Modified competition in 2016.  MSD was recently purchased by Holley Performance. 

 

Maxima Racing Oils returns as the “Official Oil” of RUSH.  At each Tour event for the Late Models and Sportsman Modifieds, RUSH Officials will choose the "Maxima Performance" Award for a driver that exhibits a performance worthy of such.  The winner will receive a free case of either Maxima Semi-Syn High Performance Racing Oil or Maxima Performance Racing Oil of their choice.  In addition, the winner will receive one can of Speed Wax, one 16-oz bottle of Maxima Cool-Aide concentrate, one 32-oz quart of Maxima PSF power steering fluid, and a Maxima t-shirt.  The value of this prize package is $170!

 

One of the Northeast's longest running crate racing Major Contingency sponsors is K&N.  The Riverside, California based company will again offer over $10,000 in prizes to racers and fans during 2016.  K&N will again present the "Cold Air Induction" Dash held at every Late Model and Sportsman Modified Touring Series event.  Points will again be kept to determine the K&N "Cold Air Induction" Dash Championship in both divisions.  Periodically throughout the season, a cold induction system will be given away valued at up to $500.  Also, a lucky fan will receive a free air filter at each Touring Series event. 

 

For the second straight year, Sherwood Racing Wheels has been named the "Official Racing Wheel" of the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.  At each of the eight Bicknell Racing Products Tour events, RUSH Series Officials will determine the Sherwood Racing Wheels "Man of Steel" award winner as one that bounced back from an earlier mishap to finish the event strongly.  The selected driver will receive a certificate for a free Sherwood Racing Wheel.  An additional six wheels will be given away on the third annual Manufacturers Night presented by to be held this year at Sharon Speedway on Saturday, June 25.  They will also be contributing four 8" wheels to the inaugural Pro Mod "Mfg, Night" that will be held at Stateline Speedway on July 30.

 

In recent years, TBM Brakes has become synonymous with the "Tough Brake of the Night" award at each and every Sweeney Late Model Tour event and Bicknell Sportsman Modified Tour event by providing product and certificates, and has provided one of the largest valued prizes annually with its brake calipers at the popular "Manufacturers Nights" for each division.  Their annual contribution to the Series is over $6,000 in product and that figure will again increase with their product contribution to the new RUSH Pro Mod "Mfg. Night".

 

FK Rod Ends has become one of the Series' longest running Major Contingency Sponsors.  As in years past, FK will again provide four sets of rod ends valued at $2,000 for Late Model Manufacturers Night and two sets for the Sportsman Modified night valued at $1,000.  This year, FK has provided two more sets of rod ends to be given away at RUSH's discretion.  All told, FK will donate $4,000 in prizes to RUSH racers in 2016!  

 

"We are proud to be back again this season working with RUSH," expressed Maria of FK Rod Ends.  "RUSH's Late Model and Sportsman Modifieds are two of the best run series that we have the pleasure of working with.   Vicki (Emig) and RUSH always deliver on what they promise.  From running all of their weekly races, to awesome events, and promoting their sponsors in magazine ads, etc., it has definitely helped our company grow.   RUSH always takes that extra step to keep their drivers safe and happy, and the series are run with respect to its sponsors as well.  RUSH is the 'real deal!"

 

For the sixth straight year, Lincoln Electric is a Major Contingency Sponsor of the RUSH Late Models.  The involvement grew to the Sportsman Modifieds in 2014, and now for 2016 will giveaway three Power Mig 140C machines and utility carts, valued at $750 each!  Once again, one will be given away at the Late Model and Sportsman Modified “Manufacturers Nights” presented by MSD with a third given away at the season ending “Steel City Stampede” at Lernerville Speedway, with the drawing open to all RUSH Late Model, Sportsman Modified, and GM 604/602 competitors in addition to all of the RUSH Pro Mods that competed at Stateline during the season.

 

RUSH is proud to announce ARbodies has renewed their involvement with the Late Models as a Major Contingency Sponsor for the fourth straight year.  Not only will ARbodies carry the “Major Contingency Sponsor” title, but they have once again gone above and beyond to present the “Nosed Out” program in select Sweeney Late Model Tour events.  A total of 15 ARbodies nose kits (valued at $259.95 each) will be awarded to RUSH racers throughout the 2016 season.  The first driver that fails to qualify for the feature will receive a nose kit at eight selected Tour events!    

 

Sarver, PA-based Precise Racing Products, which also serves as the home of Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Pittsburgh, will again present the “Pedal Down” Hard Charger Award for both the Sweeney RUSH Late Model Tour and Bicknell RUSH Sportsman Modified Tour in 2016.  At all Touring Series events in both divisions, Precise will award a $100 Platinum Gift Card to the driver that advances the most positions from his original starting spot.  Precise’s Chris Archer has been a very integral supporter of all RUSH’s concepts and is a leading supplier of many of the products utilized by RUSH racers.

 

Modified racer C.J. Jones' Jones Racing Products of Ottsville, Pa. continues to be a strong supporter of crate racing and the RUSH Series.  Jones will again be a Major Contingency Sponsor of the Series providing over $2,000 in product for Manufacturers Night for both the Late Models and Sportsman Modifieds.    

 

“We have been following the racing of the RUSH Series for several years now; the opportunity to bring the technology of our crate belt drive systems to the forefront of a series that puts the racer first is exciting,” said Jones.  “The alignment of Jones Racing Products and crate racing isn’t a new vision for the company.  We have aligned ourselves directly with crate engine manufactures, top engine rebuilders and racers alike to manufacture a durable, lightweight drive system that is crate specific.  I personally have raced both the 604 and the 602 myself, I completely understand the need to outfit the engine with a complete drive system that will save us the most horsepower, but keep the water temperature in check and always keep the power steering operating correctly, we have what the racer needs to win.”

 

Bobby Lake Motorsports High Gear Speed Shop returns again to present the "Shock the Clock" & "Beat the Heat" programs at all $2,000 to-win or more Late Model Tour events in 2016.  On these nights, the fast qualifier receives $100 cash and all heat race winners earn $25 cash.  Bobby Lake Motorsports in Hopwood, Pa. is the parts supplier to the racers and sells the mandated Hoosier Crate Racin' USA Tires as well as the new Sunoco 110 racing gas and RUSH 91 pump gas.

 

Alternative Power Sources and owner Sylvan Easler has provided for Manufacturers Night for the Late Models annually with the largest prize- a Yamaha Electric Start Generator and Wheel Kit valued at $2,200!  In addition, Alternative Power Sources provided RUSH with a generator for use in race night operations last year.

 

Velocita-USA continues their important involvement with the Series.  Thanks to the generosity of Brad Smith, Velocita-USA will award a custom drivers suit again at the Manufacturers Night for both the Late Model and Sportsman.  These suits will include the RUSH and Velocita-USA logos and have been well appreciated by the winners.  In addition, Velocita-USA provides 10 50% off certificates and one $500 off certificate for the awards banquet to be given away randomly amongst the divisions.  All told, Velocita-USA provides over $7,500 in value to the Series.    

 

Classic Ink is the new “Official Apparel” of RUSH and will provide the opportunity for RUSH-sanctioned speedways to purchase apparel for resale, as well as have RUSH apparel available to fans and racers at numerous RUSH-sanctioned events throughout the season.  Classic Ink will also develop a website apparel store for RUSH and be a contributor to the 2016 RUSH “Manufacturers Nights”.  RUSH racers also have the opportunity to purchase reasonably-price low quantity orders for their own apparel.

 

Kate Dillon of CrateInsider.com is a big proponent of crate racing, thus why she started this website to promote crate racing and products for racers.  CrateInsider.com has been a supporter of RUSH's Manufacturers Nights for several years now and beginning last year started awarding a $25 gift certificate for the driver running last on the lead lap at the finish of every Tour event for the Late Models and Sportsman Modifieds.

 

Rocket Chassis annually provides a $500 gift certificate to a lucky recipient at Manufacturers Night.  This year's event presented by MSD will take place on August 14 where a Late Model driver will go home with this great prize.  Also, Rocket has stepped up to offer a prize of $2,500 off the purchase of a new Late Model chassis.  More on this promotion will be posted in the future.

 

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, Maxima Racing Oil, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, FK Rod Ends, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Rocket Chassis, Bobby Lake Motorsports High Gear Speed Shop, CrateInsider.com, B.R.A.K.E.S., RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.

 

RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners: Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Bicknell Racing Products, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, MSD Ignition, Maxima Racing Oil, Jones Racing Products, FK Rod Ends, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Velocita-USA, Precise Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, K&N Filters, TBM Brakes, Lincoln Electric, Classic Ink USA., CrateInsider.com, and B.R.A.K.E.S.

 

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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