76 replies to this topic

[RUSH Racing Series]

RUSH ALIGNS WITH DIRTCAR TO ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF SPORTSMAN MODIFIED DIVISION PRESENTED BY SWEENEY FOR 2014; LERNERVILLE, SHARON, PPMS & AMP COMMIT TO MULTIPLE EVENTS; OTHERS ON BOARD
By Mike Leone

October 4, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)…It’s been a successful year for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Series and with the inaugural season set to wrap up in about a month, RUSH Series Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone are thrilled to announce that a Sportsman Modified class will be added under the Series umbrella for the 2014 season! Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC in Boardman, Ohio will back the GM 602 Crate Engine division, which will share specifications with DIRTcar’s Sportsman Modified division, as sanctioned by DIRTcar throughout the Northeast.

Five regional speedways have already announced their commitment to each host multiple events in 2014 including Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA), Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH), Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway (Imperial, PA), America’s Motorsports Park (Clearfield, PA), and Bradford (PA) Speedway. Through the support of these four speedways alone, it is expected that the inaugural schedule will be comprised of over 35 events, a combination of weekly and touring shows.

McKean County Raceway (East Smethport, PA), which is located in the northern most part of the region, has also expressed a desire to schedule possible two events. Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex, a great partner of RUSH, would consider participating if feasible. Other regional speedways are also expected to be added to this list. Speedways are urged to contact the RUSH office if interested in becoming part of this program.

“We believe the time is right for the development of the Sportsman Modified division in the eastern Ohio and western and central Pennsylvania region,” stated RUSH Series Co-Director Vicki Emig. “The division has flourished throughout the Northeast and East Coast and we expect the same here in time. Not only does the area need an affordable Modified division, but a feeder division for the DIRTcar Big-Block Modified class.”

The RUSH Sportsman Modified division will mirror the RUSH Late Model Series very closely and will bring many of the same important pieces that have already proven to be very successful to the Late Model division to the Sportsman Modifieds. Foremost, the implementation of strong rules enforcement and teching procedures that are keys to preserving the integrity of a crate-motored division will be put in place. The experience of both current RUSH Late Model Competition Director Travis Harry and DIRTcar’s Competition Director Joe Skotnicki will be brought to the table.

A minimum of a $10,000 regional cash point fund has been guaranteed for RUSH member racers. In addition, one lucky racer will win a brand new GM 602 engine in a promotion to be announced, additional contingency programs, and a preferred starting spot in a B Main Qualifier at Super DIRT Week XLIII in 2014 will also be part of the program. As the Series progresses, individual “Touring” and “Weekly” point funds will be established along with the addition of a popular “Futures Cup” program for the teenage racers. All three of these programs have already proved successful with the RUSH Late Models Series.

The rules package will model DIRTcar’s, but just as in the Late Models with the NeSmith Series, RUSH will have the freedom to make adjustments and changes as we see fit for our region. One exception is the requirement of a $135 Bilstein “sealed” shock program with three selections and a more minimal selection of Hoosier tire compound choices. Sweeney currently offers the GM 602 motor at the cost of $3,149. The partnership will allow the Series to work together toward mutually beneficial events and promotions in the future. The entire rules package along with the eligibility requirements can be found at www.rushsportsmanmods.com.

Precise Racing Products has 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. The Membership form is on the website. More exciting discount and promotional programs are expected to be offered from other companies in the weeks to come.

Two regional informational meetings have been scheduled. The first will be on Saturday, October 26, during the weekend of the "Steel City Stampede" at 12 PM at Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, 110 South Pike Road, Sarver, PA; the second will be at the Hyde Fire Hall, 1622 Washington Ave., Hyde, PA (near Clearfield) on Wednesday, October 30 at 7 PM.

“The Northeast Modified division has been a traditional part of racing in the western Pa. area since the coupes back in the 1950s,” said RUSH Series Co-Director Mike Leone. “We certainly don’t want to see the class die out and feel the Sportsman division can rekindle the growth and sustainability into the future. There are a lot of Modifieds just sitting and we feel this will give people the incentive to get back into racing or an affordable option to start racing.”

Sharon and Lernerville Speedways are the region’s only weekly Big-Block Modified facilities. Pittsburgh has hosted a few Big-Block Modified events in recent years, and the Miley Family is a big proponent of crate racing. Each facility will run approximately six events or more in 2014 with every effort being made to ensure racers at least one event per weekend.

America’s Motorsports Park, formerly known as Hidden Valley Speedway and Gamblers Speedway, was once a prominent home of “358” Modified racing in the 1990s and 2000s. AMP concluded its first season under the ownership of Jeff Taylor, who has brought the facility back to life. The former NFL player and Sprint Car racer is a big fan of open wheel cars and is excited about the prospects of the class and has already committed to running the class bi-weekly.

In a late development, Bradford Speedway is also very excited about the concept and owner/promoter Jeff Andrulonis has already begun talks with Taylor to work together and develop a schedule of events between the two speedways.

RUSH Series Directors believe that through the support and partnership of regional speedways, a strong alliance with DIRTcar, valuable point fund and contingency programs, and a credible technical inspection program, a strong foundation has been laid for racers from throughout the region to take part and enjoy the excitement of the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modified division.

RUSH welcomes all interested speedways and potential new sponsors to contact the Series office at 724-964-9300. Drivers can also contact the RUSH office with any questions they may have.

Our new website is www.rushsportsmanmods.comE-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Those on social media can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rushsportsmanmods and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSportMods.

###

Edited by RUSH Racing Series, 04 October 2013 - 10:50 AM.

[RUSH Racing Series]

Here is the direct link to the 2014 Rules

[scruffy1a]

First of all, I hope Sue Honey has a towel handy for the soaking that is imminent while reading this press release. With already thin big block fields, will this be a good feeder division? I think it depends on what some low buck big block teams do. Hopefully, if they want to stay in the bb division, they now potentially have more guys to sell parts to. But if they choose to go the sportsman route, it may really whittle down the bb division. However, these might be teams that do their own engine work, and the crate may not be that appealing to them. If a track wants to pick up the sportsman modified class on a weekly basis, they could get their stock cars on 602s, making the sportsman mods a class to feed into (from stocks) and from (to big blocks). I know an effort was made with the 602 stock car concept already, but having another division running the 602 might offer more incentive for the potential to move up to modifieds without the expense of a new engine.

[T-440]

First of all, I hope Sue Honey has a towel handy for the soaking that is imminent while reading this press release.

With already thin big block fields, will this be a good feeder division? I think it depends on what some low buck big block teams do. Hopefully, if they want to stay in the bb division, they now potentially have more guys to sell parts to. But if they choose to go the sportsman route, it may really whittle down the bb division. However, these might be teams that do their own engine work, and the crate may not be that appealing to them.

If a track wants to pick up the sportsman modified class on a weekly basis, they could get their stock cars on 602s, making the sportsman mods a class to feed into (from stocks) and from (to big blocks). I know an effort was made with the 602 stock car concept already, but having another division running the 602 might offer more incentive for the potential to move up to modifieds without the expense of a new engine.

Have to agree that this press release should have had a rain coat and umbrella provided with it!!!

I also agree with your thoughts on the 602 stocks.

[Mod Pro]

Well... I kind of have mixed feelings/opinion here... With the bb mod field thinning... Probably primarily due to cost, they should have all gone crate already at this point. The struggle... I have a hard time understanding how this is going to benefit the mods as a whole. There is already a regional mod touring body... Brp, and dirt used to be larger but have shrunk to primarily another regional series as well. I do think rush is heading in the right direction... As realistically... I think it would be cool if a series were able to field a complete night of racing... I can imagine seeing the adds for "rush night of racing... Mods, lates, sprints, etc" and can roll into a track and run the entire show... Basically the track owner fronts the track, the purse, and the weenie stand and rush provides the racers and draws a crowd. I don't know... Kind of mixed here. What do others think? Mike and Vicki are go getters... Let's hope for the best for all.

[Stock Stroker]

Good news! Congrads Vicky and Mike. Should have happened five years ago! JMO

[Walt Wimer]

From where I sit I think this will effect the 358 Mods much more than the big blocks!! Much will depend on what Mercer & Sportsmans do with the 358s, if anything, And given options, what teams will move up to big blocks or down to the Sportsman. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the winter and into next year!! The big blocks need a "feeder" class and the 358's aren't really doing the job in that respect. Only about 10-12 really good cars, and only two drivers, Fink and Holden, run both tracks on a regular basis. These guys running just one night a week at Mercer really don't have much incentive to move to the big blocks and the competition between them is very strong, so new guys are having a problem breaking into the class. Most of the regulars in the 358s have been around quite a few years with several of them having run big blocks before. Walt

[Ddowner]

They said the magic word affordable. Sure the crate engine is affordable, but when you put top of the line parts as a add on, then not so much. They will run the 602 the first year or two and add the 604 as an option. In theory its a great idea! I hope it works!

Edited by Ddowner, 04 October 2013 - 06:31 PM.

[suhoney18]

I like the idea...hopefully this class grows at amp like the limited late class is

[Rocky Kugel]

I'm almost positive I'm going to put a car together for this deal...sound good...I'm ready for a change

[LernervillePRDirector]

Seems like it might be a rough start for car counts. But if the powers that be are committed to it for a few years and work to help it grow this could be a really good thing. I have to share the concern of others though, If this turns into a situation where the less competitive cars, due to affordability, stop running Lernerville/Sharon in order to be more competitive in the Sportsmen, that hurts in the short term. I really haven't paid much attention to the NY/Canadian sportsman mods. I've seen them at Canandaigua and they were a good support class. Are there any rules against big block guys dropping down into the sportsmen based on big block experience?

[Hot Dog]

Seems like it might be a rough start for car counts. But if the powers that be are committed to it for a few years and work to help it grow this could be a really good thing.

I have to share the concern of others though, If this turns into a situation where the less competitive cars, due to affordability, stop running Lernerville/Sharon in order to be more competitive in the Sportsmen, that hurts in the short term.

I really haven't paid much attention to the NY/Canadian sportsman mods. I've seen them at Canandaigua and they were a good support class. Are there any rules against big block guys dropping down into the sportsmen based on big block experience?

You used to have to sit out a year before competing in the Sportsman. I'm pretty sure that's still the case.

I don't think you would see many guys drop down at first. That'll only start when they start having high paying shows like the crate lates do. Where you'll draw most of your cars would be guys that are in the classes like the Mod Lites and Stocks looking to move up that can't afford the expense of a good big block motor, or guys like Rocky looking for a change. The modified cars and components aren't really all that expensive compared to the other main classes. Where you run into the high costs is the motor and shocks. With this class they've eliminated both of those with this class.

Seems like they are off to a good start and hope it goes well for them.

Edited by Hot Dog, 04 October 2013 - 10:03 PM.

[LernervillePRDirector]

You used to have to sit out a year before competing in the Sportsman. I'm pretty sure that's still the case.

I don't think you would see many guys drop down at first. That'll only start when they start having high paying shows like the crate lates do. Where you'll draw most of your cars would be guys that are in the classes like the Mod Lites and Stocks looking to move up that can't afford the expense of a good big block motor, or guys like Rocky looking for a change. The modified cars and components aren't really all that expensive compared to the other main classes. Where you run into the high costs is the motor and shocks. With this class they've eliminated both of those with this class.

Seems like they are off to a good start and hope it goes well for them.

I look at it like this, WRG/Dirtcar involvement here is a good thing. It sends a message that they truly want to help grow the division in this area. I guess the only other concern would be how well the rules are enforced. On DTD it seems like there's a new crate sportsman "Cheaters" thread every week in NY.

[PAstate]

This is great !!! Last year Rob Curtis tryed really hard to get this goin hope he is still involved. And everyone that is unsure of the car counts every one of the crate late events that i was in attendence the car counts where around 40 cars and wasnt many super late guys jumpn down to run with the crates

[Tyler Beichner]

You used to have to sit out a year before competing in the Sportsman. I'm pretty sure that's still the case.

I don't think you would see many guys drop down at first. That'll only start when they start having high paying shows like the crate lates do. Where you'll draw most of your cars would be guys that are in the classes like the Mod Lites and Stocks looking to move up that can't afford the expense of a good big block motor, or guys like Rocky looking for a change. The modified cars and components aren't really all that expensive compared to the other main classes. Where you run into the high costs is the motor and shocks. With this class they've eliminated both of those with this class.

Seems like they are off to a good start and hope it goes well for them.

Straight off the rules.

Eligibility:
Drivers will be ineligible to compete in the RUSH Sportsman Modified division if any one of the following apply:
 Driver is a full-time competitor in Big-Block Modified, 358 Modified, or any other headlining division.
 Driver is a top 5 point finisher in Big-Block Modified, 358 Modified, or any other headlining division in the past 2 seasons.
 Driver is a feature winner in Big-Block Modifieds or any other headlining division in the past 2 seasons.
 Driver moves up to compete with Big-Block or 358 Modified class with Sportsman-legal car on the same night the Sportsman Modified class is in competition.

[3799]

This is great !!! Last year Rob Curtis tryed really hard to get this goin hope he is still involved. And everyone that is unsure of the car counts every one of the crate late events that i was in attendence the car counts where around 40 cars and wasnt many super late guys jumpn down to run with the crates

Unless there's been a come to Jesus moment Rob Curtis will not be involved in this venture. He and Vicki were at odds the last year she owned Mercer. He's ineligible to compete also by the rules as is every current big block or 358 weekly driver as well as weekly RUSH Crate Late drivers from any of their weekly tracks.
It will be interesting to see if it goes forward. Nobody built a car last year. It does not say in the release any of the tracks are adding the division as a weekly division. I suspect Sharon might add them. The 602 stock car class drew only 4 cars when Vicki tried to get another 602 series going in the past. Maybe this time it will go better.

Edited by 3799, 05 October 2013 - 01:33 PM.

[TurnLeft22]

Straight off the rules.

Eligibility:
Drivers will be ineligible to compete in the RUSH Sportsman Modified division if any one of the following apply:
 Driver is a full-time competitor in Big-Block Modified, 358 Modified, or any other headlining division.
 Driver is a top 5 point finisher in Big-Block Modified, 358 Modified, or any other headlining division in the past 2 seasons.
 Driver is a feature winner in Big-Block Modifieds or any other headlining division in the past 2 seasons.
 Driver moves up to compete with Big-Block or 358 Modified class with Sportsman-legal car on the same night the Sportsman Modified class is in competition.

These should be the same eligibility rules for the crate late models too!

[SRT93]

Unless there's been a come to Jesus moment Rob Curtis will not be involved in this venture. He and Vicki were at odds the last year she owned Mercer. He's ineligible to compete also by the rules as is every current big block or 358 weekly driver. It will be interesting to see if it goes forward. Nobody built a car last year. It does not say in the release any of the tracks are adding the division as a weekly division. I suspect Sharon might add them. The 602 stock car class drew only 4 cars when Vicki tried to get another 602 series going in the past. Maybe this time it will go better.

I think with the tracks they have on board for a couple specials and AMP already committing to a bi-weekly schedule, they're have a decent car count in 2014. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 602 stock car class only around for half a year before they decided they would just give them a weight break? Not to mention the $10,000 guaranteed point fund.

[3799]

The 602 Stock cars were a division unto themselves until failed and folded. I called several 3 car features.

[longtimeracefan101]

I think with the tracks they have on board for a couple specials and AMP already committing to a bi-weekly schedule, they're have a decent car count in 2014. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 602 stock car class only around for half a year before they decided they would just give them a weight break? Not to mention the $10,000 guaranteed point fund.

NO MORE CLASSES. BUT. MONEY. RULES