INAUGURAL SWEENEY RUSH PRO STOCK SERIES EVENT TO DEBUT AT LERNERVILLE'S “STEEL CITY STAMPEDE”; OVER $15,000 OF PRODUCT CONTINGENCIES TO BE GIVEN AWAY TO STOCK CAR COMPETITORS
By Doug Kennedy
October 19, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)…History will be made Friday night (October 23) as the first Sweeney Chevrolet GMC Buick RUSH Pro Stock event will take place as part of Lernerville Speedway's "Steel City Stampede" racing extravaganza! Not only will this be a $500 to-win event, but if a legal crate engine racer wins Saturday’s “open” Sportsman Stock feature he’ll receive a $500 bonus!
Well over $15,000 of product contingencies (see list below), which will include two new GM 604 engines compliments of Sweeney Chevrolet GMC Buick/Pace Performance and DIRTcar, both dressed with Jones Racing Products belt drive systems valued at over $800 each, along with numerous other valuable contingency products will be awarded to competitors that night in a "Manufacturers Night" setting similar to the highly successful events enjoyed by RUSH Late Model and Sportsman Modified competitors throughout the years.
Eligibility for the exciting night will be as follows: One of the two engines will be awarded to a driver whose car is currently powered by an “open engine” and the second will be awarded to the entire pool of drivers listed below. Only regular weekly competitors of the division, (defined by competing in at least eight of the 16 Budweiser Points races during the 2015 season), are eligible for the engines include; Corey McPherson, Jim Fosnaught, Joe Kelley, Wayne Carbo, Terry Young, Mike Miller, Bob Egley, Brett McDonald, Jeff Miller, Joey Zambotti, Aaron Easler, Paul Schreckengost, Scott Byers, Brandon Wearing, Collin Burke, Noah Brunell, Adam Lipinski, Brian Stivenson, David Smail, Neil Tristani and John Hartman. The remainder of RUSH’s contingency prizes will be given away to legal crate engine racers.
“We are really looking forward to being part of Lernerville's Steel City Stampede", stated Series director Vicki Emig. “I would have never imagined when we introduced our RUSH Pro Stock Series in January that we would have an opportunity to actually present our very first RUSH Pro Stock stand alone event at Lernerville as part of their awesome traditional season ending event! We've been very happy with the results of our pilot program for Pro Stocks and are really looking forward to bringing all of the exciting programs that have helped make the RUSH Racing Series what it is today to Stock Cars.”
“This is a building process, but I believe that as time goes on Stock Car racers competing with the more expensive open type engines will realize the benefits of competing with a crate engine and be part of a program that has already proven to be a positive experience for racers in both our Late Model and Sportsman Modified divisions,” continued Emig.
A number of Pro Stock owners and drivers from throughout the entire Northeast have already been very satisfied with the Series.
“It’s a perfect fit with the business we’re in,” said Sweeney’s Part Manager, Matt Fullerton, regarding the initial season for the Pro Stock Series. “We love the grassroots racing and are glad that we can continue to help with its growth.”
“The RUSH Racing Series has been a great partnership that has allowed us to get our brand out to so many different people throughout the Northeast. We have become more of a regional company over the years thanks to our affiliation.” The Boardman, Ohio dealership is one of the largest suppliers of the Crate Engine in the country.
Mike Franklin, who races Pure Stocks at Winchester and Potomac Speedways, has had an incredible season, winning 16 times of the 21 races he ran at Winchester. Besides the 16 wins at Winchester, Franklin won 11 more at Potomac and another at Hagerstown. With that kind of season, it’s no wonder he won the track championships at both Winchester and Potomac. This season Franklin ran both a Crate and an Open Motor Street Stock. Thirteen of the 27 wins came with the Open Motor and 14 were in a Crate. The tremendous season allowed Franklin to finish fourth in the inaugural Sweeney Weekly Series points.
“I’ve only lost five races,” said the 44-year-old Stephens City, Virginia resident. “To win that many races no matter how many cars you’re racing against is unbelievable. The reality hasn’t set in yet.”
Franklin is sold on the Crate Motor and believes in its durability. “The motor runs better than people think it does. I really hope it takes off and more people realize that the Crate Motor is the way to go in any division of cars. If I stay in this class for next year, I probably will only run the Crate Engine,” said Franklin.
Mike began his racing career in 1999 and competed through 2003 when he took a hiatus to watch the career of his son who was racing Go-Karts grow. During the first five years, Franklin won a championship at Winchester. Since returning to racing in 2011, he has won three more championships at Winchester and the one at Potomac. Franklin will be making his first visit to Lernerville this weekend.
He also wanted to mention that his season was dedicated to one of his loyal crew members, Keith “Rosie” Rosenberry, who passed away during the season.
Three Canadian drivers who competed in the RUSH Pro Stock Weekly Series are Justin Ramsay, who is the inaugural Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Pro Stock Weekly points as well as winning the Brighton Speedway track title, and Doug Anderson, who finished runner-up to Ramsay in both Brighton and RUSH’s points, along with Jonah Mutton, who even though had a two month late start to the season managed to finish tenth in the overall RUSH points.
Regarding the Series, Ramsay said, “It’s a really good idea. I found out about it at the beginning of the season. A lot of the guys I talked to wanted to sign up for it. I think you’re going to see a big increase in the drivers from Canada and the U.S. getting into it.”
“It’s the best motor I’ve had,” said Ramsay of the crate of which nine of his 12 wins this season came in RUSH-sanctioned events. “I had a $10,000 Open Motor that wouldn’t touch it. The Crate has more consistent power than the Open Motor.”
Anderson had a streak of five consecutive track championships at Brighton until Ramsay won it this season. When Doug found out about the Pro Stock Series, he was quick to react and sign up. “I was the first Canadian to pay,” said the 42-year-old Anderson. “It’s time that somebody realizes that the small guys put the time and money into racing just like the big guys.”
Mutton believes the GM 602 engine has saved Brighton's street stock class. We average around fifteen cars a night, of which around eleven are crates. Stock car open engine cost are spiraling out of control and it's pretty obvious that Brighton's decision to incorporate the crate engine option at their speedway has proven beneficial to the overall well being of their stock car program.
Two seasons ago, Corey McPherson won seven features with his Crate engine and was able to win his second Lernerville track championship. This season, he followed it up with a third track title.
“I think the Series is off to a great start," stated McPherson, who finished third in the RUSH Weekly Series points. “$1,000 to win for the Weekly Championship is pretty good.” In the future, he would like to see touring races became part of their regular schedule.
“To be honest, I love it,” continued McPherson of the crate motor. “I've been an advocate of the crate motor. I think it’s much easier and smoother to drive. It may not have as much power, but that really doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting the power to the ground.”
Pat Hanley competed in a crate car and raced at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway. As far as the Series, the 57-year-old Hanley said, “I think it’s great because it helped promote the Stock Cars. I think it will be good for racing overall.”
As for the Crate engine in general, the majority of drivers utilizing it see it as a major benefit for racing.
The Easler brothers, Ben and younger brother, Aaron, who race at Lernerville, both feel the Crate motor is a great option.
“The crate engine is simple, runs well, and is very competitive,” said Ben. “To be able to travel from track to track and have that option is good. I think a Series devoted to crate engine stock cars is going to be a good thing. Having the Crates mixed in with the Open Motors is a good compromise and I don’t think anyone racing with a Crate was at a disadvantage. Next year with the crate motors being the only option at Lernerville it's going to be even competition across the board and the cost to the racer is will go down as well.”
“That’s all I’ve ever run,” said 23-year-old Aaron of the crate motor. “I think it’s a good option for the drivers to save money and not to make a big investment.” Aaron did add that he would still like to see open motors being an option.
Terry Young of Butler and a longtime Lernerville competitor said, “It’s a way more forgiving car. The motors are really durable and you’re not blowing up a $10,000 motor.”
Steve D’Apolito of North Lima, Ohio said, “When people start racing crate engines they will see that it is as competitive as the open motors.” I've ran a crate engine since 2007 long before anyone else did and had great success against open engine cars winning championships at both Sharon Speedway and Mercer Raceway Park in addition to the prestigious “Applefest 100” at Tri-City Speedway, and believe it or not that was with a GM 602 crate engine.” D’Apolito was the first driver in August to make the move to a GM 604 crate when Sharon began allowing the engine as an option in its Stock division.
The GM 602 crate engine provided 16-year-old Noah Brunnell a perfect way to begin his racing career as he has just completed his first full year of competition at Lernerville Speedway. Noah is excited about the RUSH Pro Stock program and its future as he realizes it will allow Stock Car competitors to take part in and enjoy the numerous programs that have been aligned with RUSH'S other division. He is looking forward to 2016 and the possibility of
competing with a new car and new GM 604 engine.
Brandon Wearing drives the #27 Stock for car owners Bob Lambert and Chuck Neely. The two have been heavily involved over the years for various cars driven by Bob’s son, Butch Lambert, who competed for many years with a RUSH Crate Late Model. Butch is a former Lernerville Stock Champion.
One of their drivers, Joey Zambotti, is really looking forward to 2016. “Everyone says it’s good for the sport and it’s the wave of the future,” said the 27-year-old Zambotti who works at the family owned business, Zambotti Collision, which is located in Sunnyside, Pa.
“We started out the year with my older, heavier, car,” said Zambotti. “In July, we got our new motor and chassis. We made the move because we heard that’s what they (Lernerville) was going to do and we wanted to get the jump on them.”
In the second week with his new GM 604 crate motor, Zambotti pulled into victory lane at Lernerville. That was one of his five wins during 2015, three others coming at Marion Center and another at Roaring Knob, but winning the championship next year at Lernerville would be the crown jewel for him.
“Winning that Lernerville championship would be an awesome way to go,” said Zambotti. “It’s good to be on the same playing field with everyone else with a good motor and a good car.”
Four other crate competitors at Lernerville are Tyler Dietz, his cousin John Hartman and Pat Hanley. Dietz has raced in various divisions over the years including Crate Late Models, and debuted with a GM 604 crate engine in his Sportsman Stock late in the year at Lernerville. Hartman, of nearby Cabot, Pa., has campaigned a GM 604 in his Sportsman Stock all season long. Eric Piotrowski was also present and ready to compete with a GM 604 at the rained out “Autumn-Motive Fest” and is expected to be regular Lernerville Sportsman competitors in 2016.
"As with our Late Models and more recently the Sportsman Modifieds the RUSH Pro Stock division will be a building process," stated Emig. "We're excited to see Pro Stock competitors from throughout the entire Northeast already utilizing or seriously considering this great option. It's our job to promote and support crate engine racing, regardless of the division, and I can promise you we will work just as hard for our Pro Stock competitors as our we do for our other divisions to bring them the same quality programs that have helped grow RUSH to over 400 participants throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic."
2015 RUSH Pro Stocks MFG Night Prize List
Lernerville Speedway
“Autumn-Motive Fest”
1.GM 604 Crate Engine valued at $5,800 compliments of Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC/Pace Performance plus Belt Drive & Water Pump System valued at $800 compliments of Jones Racing Products
2.GM 604 Crate Engine valued at $5,800 compliments of DIRTcar plus Belt Drive & Water Pump System valued at $800 compliments of Jones Racing Products
Note: See previously posted eligibility requirements by Lernerville Speedway.
Additional Giveaways for All Crate Engine Event Competitors ONLY:
(Note: If a crate driver wins one of the engines he will NOT be eligible for one of these additional prizes!)
1. TBM "Thunderstorm" Blueprinted Calipers (D52's or D154) ($1100)
2. One Set Schoenfeld Headers ($250)
3. One Hoosier LM Tire ($165)
4. One Hoosier LM Tire ($165)
5. HVH "Super Sucker" Carb Spacer ($140)
6. HVH "Super Sucker" Carb Spacer ($140)
7. Liberty Performance SFI Flex Plate ($140)
8. Liberty Performance SFI Flex Plate ($140)
9. K&N Certificate ($100)
10. One Set of Precise Racing Products Seat Belts ($70)
11. One Set of Precise Racing Products Seat Belts ($70)
12. One VP Fuel Jug & One Box of 200 Ultra-Shield 200 Tear Offs ($45)
13. One VP Fuel Jug & One Box of 200 Ultra Shield Tear Offs ($45)
$500 off an Engine Rebuild from Hendren Racing Engines
$500 off an Engine Rebuild from Hendren Racing Engines
All competing crate engine racers will receive a $25 gift certificate from CrateInsider.com
Additional Giveaways for Lernerville Engine Eligible Racers
1. Monte Carlo Nose Piece
2. Ultra-Shield Full Containment Seat & Cover
3. FSR Radiator
4. Dirt Defender Wheel Covers
5. Dirt Defender Wheel Covers
6. Tire Siping/Grinding Tool
7. R2C Air Filter
8. Ultra-Shield Window Net
9. Ultra-Shield Window Net
10. Longacre Tire Gauge
E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com 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/rushprostocks and follow us on Twitter @RUSHProStocks.
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Edited by RUSH Racing Series, 19 October 2015 - 02:09 PM.
