HISTORICAL & INAUGURAL SWEENEY RUSH SPORTSMAN MODIFIED PROGRAM SET TO LAUNCH SATURDAY AT SHARON
By Mike Leone

 

April 24, 2014                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)…A little over six months since the announcement of the development of GM 602 Crate Sportsman Modified division in 2014 under the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series banner, history is set to be made this Saturday (April 26) as the Sweeney RUSH Sportsman Modifieds will run their inaugural event at Sharon Speedway.  The Hartford, Ohio facility will include the new division Saturday night in their "Steel Valley Thunder" program, which also includes the RUSH Late Models in a Sweeney Weekly Series event with racing at 7 p.m.

 

Interest continues to build for the division, which also features $135 Bilstein "sealed" spec shocks and steel wheels, even in recent weeks with additional drivers added to the line-up.  Though not all are expected to be ready for opening night, 19 drivers have confirmed their participation in the division with several others goal still to take part in the near future.  Most of these drivers were featured in last month's driver press release that includes a nice mix of racers.  One driver not included was Mike Kieser, a rookie racer from Mercer, Pa., who will be ready for Saturday night.

 

A few of the racers have gotten in some seat time at other speedways in the region, but for several Saturday will be the first time behind the wheel of a Northeast-style Modified car.  Not included in the confirmed racer count is New York driver Greg Martin, Adam Hilton, and Ron Johnson, who are all looking forward to participating in the first ever event. 

 

"We're really excited to kick-off our program Saturday at Sharon," stated RUSH Co-Director Vicki Emig.  "In reality it's only been a short period of time since we announced the division and to already have this many drivers committed to the concept is wonderful.  We believe this class will have the same success and grow just as the crate late model division has throughout our region.  I can't thank the  speedways enough for  stepping up and giving us dates before anyone knew if one car was going to participate.  Sweeney's is also to be commended for posting a $10,000 point fund right out of the box along with all of the other sponsors that have come on board with exciting contingency programs.                       

Other speedways hosting Sweeney RUSH Sportsman Modified events this season include America's Motorsports Park, Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway, Lernerville Speedway, Raceway 7, Eriez, and Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex.  The next event after Saturday will be Saturday, May 3 at America's in Clearfield, Pa.

 

Expected drivers to compete in 2014 include Adam Ashcroft, J.C. Boyer, Jamie Duncan, Jordan Eck, Chris Habbyshaw, John Hartman, Mike Kiezer, Michael Kristyak, Rocky Kugel, Ken Moy, Jr., Jeremy Paup, Billy Schaffer, Jerry Schaffer, Adam Siegel, Bobby Siegel, Jeff Stuchel, Rick Thompson, Walt Tutak, Jeremy Zufall, and possibly Walt Tutak, Jr.

 

Make yourself aware of our rules, which do mirror DIRTcar with the exception of the Bilstein "sealed" shocks.  The fuel rule is VP D-98 or pump gas.  Know that tires, fuel and shocks will be available Saturday at the speedway through Wedge Motorsports.  Wedge Motorsports & Precise Racing Products are also dealers of the VP D-98 and have 54-gallon drums and 5-gallon cans for sale.   

 

2014 membership forms are available online under the membership link at www.rushsportsmanmods.com.  Membership cost is $125, which makes driver eligible for the $10,000+ Series point fund, $100,000 of additional excess participant accident insurance over and above driver’s health insurance and/or speedway’s policy, as well as additional perks.  The 2014 champion will receive $3,000 in a point fund that pays down to $200 for 15th spot for driver's best 10 finishes. 

 

Both Precise Racing Products and Big Daddy’s Speed Center have offered a 5% discount on all racing parts (excluding the sealed Bilstein shock, fuel, and tires) for the entire 2014 season to all RUSH Sportsman Modified member drivers! 

 

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. on Saturday.  Pre-race tech will begin at 5 with a drivers meeting at 6:20 followed by warm-ups and racing at 7. 

 

Sharon Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt track with a GPS address of 3241 Custer-Orangeville Rd. NE, Burghill, OH 44404. For more information, check out their website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. As for their social media outlets, you can like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SharonSpeedway or follow them on Twitter @SharonSpdwy.

 

2014 RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, AERO Race Wheels, Precise Racing Products, 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 Sportsman Modified website is www.rushsportsmanmods.com.  Those on social media can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rushsportsmanmods and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSportMods.

 

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