RUSH at Lernerville
#1
Posted 22 November 2016 - 12:22 AM
By Mike Leone
November 18, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sarver, PA)...After two years of operating as a pilot program for regional Stock Cars running GM crate engines at RUSH affiliated speedways, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Pro Stock Series powered by Pace Performance is proud to announce that Lernerville Speedway has signed to have its Sportsman/Stock division become the Series' first fully-sanctioned speedway in 2017. The RUSH Pro Stocks will be part of Lernerville's famous "Fab 4" racing program on Friday nights that also features the "410" Sprint Cars, Super Late Models, and Big-Block Modifieds.
Lernerville's Sportsman/Stock division had been one of RUSH's affiliated speedways in 2015 and 2016 by holding RUSH Late Model and Sportsman Modified events. This past season, Lernerville became the first regional speedway to have its Stock division 100% crate engines. Track champion, Corey McPherson, captured the 2016 Sweeney RUSH Pro Stock Weekly Series crown doing it on the $135 sealed, spec RUSH Bilstein Bandits Shocks. McPherson will receive $1,000 for his efforts at the awards banquet on January 21, 2017 Overall throughout the RUSH Pro Stock pilot program period, over $25,000 in cash and actual product contingencies have been distributed to GM crate engine Pro Stock racers in the region.
"It was a big step for Lernerville to make the move this past season to be 100% crate engine in its Sportsman/Stock division," acknowledged RUSH Director Vicki Emig. "When all was said and done, Lernerville's average count was very close to 2015's at near 20 cars per night with an impressive 24 cars participating throughout the season- not bad for the first season. With our continued support of the division in 2017 and all of the valuable programs RUSH brings to the table, we expect continued growth for the track's popular division."
RUSH'S strong technical program, which has been at the heart of the Series' success, will be put in place to assist Lernerville officials; the overall rules package will be very similar to what Lernerville Sportsman racers competed under in 2016.
Like all of RUSH's divisions, membership is not required to compete in any RUSH-sanctioned event, only to be eligible for point fund monies. Members also receive $100,000 in excess participant accident insurance, and discounted pit passes at Lernerville. For the third straight year, the RUSH "Manufacturers Night" will take place at Lernerville with a date TBA. Over $5,000 in products have been given away each of the past two seasons.
"We're looking forward to our continued involvement with RUSH," expressed Father Tim Tomson, who will begin his first full season as the Lernerville promoter in 2017. "The Stock division has been an integral part of Lernerville's Fab 4 program for many years now, and with RUSH bringing their quality tech program, point fund, and Manufacturers Night to the track that will ensure success into the future. We also look forward to having the RUSH Late Models and Sportsman Modifieds back at the track for their typical slate of events in 2017."
Lernerville is a 4/10-mile high-banked clay oval located 11 miles southeast of Butler, Pa. on Route 356 at 313 North Pike Road, Sarver, PA 16055. Lernerville is just 30 miles northeast of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. For more information, check out their website at www.lernerville.com or call 724-353-1511 (office) or 724-353-1350 (track).
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 Pro Stock website is www.rushprostocks.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushprostocks and follow us on Twitter @RUSHProStocks.
#2
Posted 25 November 2016 - 06:18 PM
I'm sure she is already trying to get Crate Mods and Crate LM's added to the weekly show, probably at the expense of Big Blocks and Supers. If it comes to pass it will ruin the brand and the fans will quit coming. Back gate might work elsewhere, but it won't work at Lernerville. I hope the Tomson's are smart enough to realize it.
#3
Posted 25 November 2016 - 07:08 PM
"Ditto"
#4
Posted 26 November 2016 - 07:28 AM
I hate to say it. But, that is the racing here in the south. Crate late models are everywhere. There is what they are advertising as a 3 day show at Oglethorpe this week and i have been there 3 times to watch them. BORING as hell. You have the guys that have the new equipment with all the latest parts, running up front of course, then you have the guys buying used stuff that are just out there trying to get around the track 1 to 2 seconds off the pace. I don't no nor do i care but the people that are the ones spearheading there brand of racing in my meaningless opinion are going to hurt racing in the long run. Let me kick this dead horse one more time, yea right, Lernerville's sportsman class. In the last 2 years if you wanted to go out and buy a competitive car, let's just say new, you are going to put down close to 25 to 30K. ENTRY LEVEL. So, if your looking at the classifieds and you see that 2010 PINK space craft for sale and think hell i can go Late model racing cheaper than sportsman racing. It is going to take over the Big Block Mods. in western pa. as we no them. These PEOPLE walk in and tell the track owner hey we will do all the advertising, we will bring tech personal, we can do this for you, we can do that for you, and your bottom line is going to be cheaper for you, hence you put more cash in your pocket. Track owner man says GREAT it's all yours. IT is what today's racing is becoming. So if a speedway does not have a class for those 2 guys that have been sitting in the stands for a couple years, where the hell are they going to get new racers from ? 4 cylinders, get serious. The safety alone makes me think I hope these guys never go into the wall at a place like ppms. So those 2 buddies in the stands have no entry level class to get into. They have been going to Lernerville, they want to try it out, BUT, the rule makers and promotors can't see it. After Racin Ralphie, Sodeman, Lynch, Matus, Dionise, Kiley, and many many more finally say we can't do it anymore, and I only used the sprint car guys as a example because you can look at each class at lernerville and see the same thing happening. Most of the crate racing is just prolonging some careers because the love of the sport nothing more. The racing will become boring there also and the fans support will dwindle. O but wait. LET'S CHARGE FOR CAMPING. LMAO. Your like politicians and taxes, more for me, less for you. The same people that have supported you for years. Don Martin's Lernerville speedway. I don't think so........not anymore
#5
Posted 26 November 2016 - 10:14 AM
I hate to say it. But, that is the racing here in the south. Crate late models are everywhere. There is what they are advertising as a 3 day show at Oglethorpe this week and i have been there 3 times to watch them. BORING as hell. You have the guys that have the new equipment with all the latest parts, running up front of course, then you have the guys buying used stuff that are just out there trying to get around the track 1 to 2 seconds off the pace. I don't no nor do i care but the people that are the ones spearheading there brand of racing in my meaningless opinion are going to hurt racing in the long run. Let me kick this dead horse one more time, yea right, Lernerville's sportsman class. In the last 2 years if you wanted to go out and buy a competitive car, let's just say new, you are going to put down close to 25 to 30K. ENTRY LEVEL. So, if your looking at the classifieds and you see that 2010 PINK space craft for sale and think hell i can go Late model racing cheaper than sportsman racing. It is going to take over the Big Block Mods. in western pa. as we no them. These PEOPLE walk in and tell the track owner hey we will do all the advertising, we will bring tech personal, we can do this for you, we can do that for you, and your bottom line is going to be cheaper for you, hence you put more cash in your pocket. Track owner man says GREAT it's all yours. IT is what today's racing is becoming. So if a speedway does not have a class for those 2 guys that have been sitting in the stands for a couple years, where the hell are they going to get new racers from ? 4 cylinders, get serious. The safety alone makes me think I hope these guys never go into the wall at a place like ppms. So those 2 buddies in the stands have no entry level class to get into. They have been going to Lernerville, they want to try it out, BUT, the rule makers and promotors can't see it. After Racin Ralphie, Sodeman, Lynch, Matus, Dionise, Kiley, and many many more finally say we can't do it anymore, and I only used the sprint car guys as a example because you can look at each class at lernerville and see the same thing happening. Most of the crate racing is just prolonging some careers because the love of the sport nothing more. The racing will become boring there also and the fans support will dwindle. O but wait. LET'S CHARGE FOR CAMPING. LMAO. Your like politicians and taxes, more for me, less for you. The same people that have supported you for years. Don Martin's Lernerville speedway. I don't think so........not anymore
It's promoting if it could be bought at Wal-Mart. Think about it. She has little to no overhead. She gets distributors and manufacturers to hand out a bunch of free, outdated crap, and she promises a track X number of cars for Y purse at Z back gate profit. Package it with a minimum one main class to attract some fans. Her brand doesn't sell the front gate at all. When was the last time you sat in the stands and heard anyone that was not affiliated with a RUSH driver or crew express excitement over the upcoming RUSH race? Most fans don't even know what it is, and when they find out, they could care less. Time to go get another beer or visit the head. In short, it is not growing racing on the bleacher side of the fence, nor will it ever.
To me, the difference between her and Stan Lester is that I really believe Lester cares about dirt track racing in general, and the teams in particular. Vikki cares about the size of her bank account and nothing else. I'm sure there are drivers and teams out there that are having fun racing with RUSH. Good for them and God Bless. But I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her. It's real easy to make promises when you don't have a lot of skin in the game.
Edited by Skull, 26 November 2016 - 10:16 AM.
#6
Posted 28 November 2016 - 11:35 AM
#7
Posted 29 November 2016 - 12:18 PM
I guarantee it will hurt the front gate, maybe only $14 a week and not every week, but if it's easier for me to stay home, I assume that it's easier for other fans too. The reason Lernerville used to be my go to track is because it was a rare night that Lernerville didn't have at least one good race, and that one was most often the stock/sportsman class. Now it's four features of follow the leader, and the top five is locked in by lap 5, unless one of them breaks or wrecks. I can watch that for $5 at a go kart track.
Edited by FanJim24, 29 November 2016 - 01:10 PM.
My dad drove late models in the early 70's at North Hills, Butler, Mercer, Blanket Hill, and occasionally Tri City. We won the last late model track championship at Blanket Hill.
#9
Posted 29 November 2016 - 04:56 PM
So the racing sucks because of crates yet you say all 4 divisions are follow the leader. Makes sense I think ppl just like to complain
No, what I'm saying is that even if the other divisions weren't competitive the sportsmen usually were. They weren't last year. There were 4 guys who could pass after lap 5 in the sportsman.
My dad drove late models in the early 70's at North Hills, Butler, Mercer, Blanket Hill, and occasionally Tri City. We won the last late model track championship at Blanket Hill.
#10
Posted 29 November 2016 - 07:48 PM
#11
Posted 29 November 2016 - 09:23 PM
I'm not going to get into an argument over this, but, Lernerville does not have four features of follow the leader. How many races did Williamson win from 10th starting spot or further? weekly late model features are best in area even with only 15 or less cars every week. 3 first time stock feature winners. I just don't understand what people want for $14 sometimes!!
#12
Posted 29 November 2016 - 09:31 PM
Agreed.There is definitely NO or VERY LITTLE follow the leader racing at Lernerville. Last year's track conditions and feature racing were top-notch.
#13
Posted 30 November 2016 - 09:15 PM
Edited by Rocky Kugel, 30 November 2016 - 09:16 PM.
#14
Posted 01 December 2016 - 10:41 AM
#15
Posted 01 December 2016 - 11:53 AM
Agreed.There is definitely NO or VERY LITTLE follow the leader racing at Lernerville. Last year's track conditions and feature racing were top-notch.
Thoes track conditions broke several motors..
#16
Posted 01 December 2016 - 02:45 PM
#19
Posted 01 December 2016 - 08:51 PM
#20
Posted 01 December 2016 - 09:42 PM
I laugh at some of you. we have run crate lm's for 11 or so years. right on the engines it says do not turn over 5900 rpm's. all the guys run a 7000 chip in them. never blew one up ever, except when our rad got punched, and had a half of lap to go, and blew the head gasket. 11 years turning them 1100 rpm's over what is said, and they keep running. they are very reliable, period. as for the racing, it is like any division, if you have a track you can 'pass' on, you will see passing. headliners suck on a single fie track too. lernerville's crate lm shows have been the best race everytiime i was there. because you can pass. pretty simple. if you have a track you can pass on, you have people there to watch. that is why eriez and lernerville get what you call people, and cars. the others don't, because the racing is sub par.
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