26 replies to this topic

[RUSH Racing Series]

SWEENEY RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES RELEASE INAUGURAL 2018 SCHEDULE; CURRENTLY 23 BONNELL'S ROD SHOP WEEKLY SERIES EVENTS CONFIRMED

By Mike Leone

 

December 22, 2017               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)...With the inaugural season for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sprint Car Series powered by Pace Performance less than four months away, Series Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone are excited to release the schedule of events to date for the 2018 Bonnell's Rod Shop Weekly Series Championship.  Currently 23 events at seven different speedways make up the inaugural slate of events with the possibility of a few more events to be added.    

 

The RUSH Sprint Cars are traditional, non-wing Sprint Cars utilizing the cost-effective Pace Performance GM 602 Crate Sprint Car engine package developed by Pace's Director of Circle Track Engine Development, Don Blackshear, $135 sealed, spec RUSH Bilstein Bandits Shocks, affordable spec Hoosier Tires, and RUSH "Visual" Methanol spec fuel produced by Insinger Performance, a Sunoco Race Fuel Distributor. 

 

Lernerville Speedway came on to anchor the RUSH Sprint Cars with 10 events including the inaugural event part of the Sarver, Pa. track's season opener on Friday, April 20.  The RUSH Sprints will join with Tony Stewart's All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars on May 4, Sprint Spectacular events on June 29 and August 31 along with the season ending "Steel City Stampede" October 12-13.  Tentatively the inaugural "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance is slated for August 31.    

 

In addition, the RUSH Sprint Cars will headline Lernerville's new monthly “RK Virgilie Wednesday Night Can’t Wait For The Weekend Mayhem Series” beginning in May and will feature the "Wednesday Night Lightning Series"; five exciting non-wing Sprint Car events with a $3,000 point fund!  These events will also count toward the Bonnell's Rod Shop Weekly Series Championship.

 

"Dirt's Monster Half-Mile" at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway will hold monthly Bonnell's Rod Shop events from June through September.  Three of the four events are paired with "410" Sprint Cars including the All Star event on July 21.  The RUSH Late Models headline action at Pittsburgh on a weekly basis, and the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds make numerous appearances at the track. 

 

Another big western Pa. half-mile to host the RUSH Sprint Cars is Tri-City Raceway Park.  The Sunday night facility will again hold monthly specials-only programs.  The RUSH Sprints have dates on June 17 and July 15. 

 

Two northwestern Pennsylvania tracks and another right across the border that host weekly RUSH Late Model action have stepped up to offer events for the RUSH Sprint Cars.  Eriez Speedway will be the first track outside of Lernerville to have the RUSH Sprint Cars, which will take place on Sunday, May 13.  The Sunday night 1/4-mile bullring of Old Bradford Speedway hasn't had a Sprint Car race of any kind in many years.  That will change in 2018 with a pair of $600 to-win, $150 to-star events on May 20 and August 5.  The RUSH Sprint Cars will again join up with the All Stars on June 9 at New Stateline Speedway then return on June 30 part of "Open Wheel Mania" as both events will pay $600 to-win, $150 to-start.  Stateline is located almost right on the PA/NY border in Busti, NY.

 

The most recent announcement was that the RUSH Sprint Cars will be part of Genesee Speedway's second annual "Topless Nationals" on September 15-16.  The Batavia, NY 1/3-mile is one RUSH's most successful weekly Late Model tracks as track promoter Jim Johnson has completed his second year at the helm.  The RUSH Sprint Cars will run a complete show paying $800 to-win, $160 to-start each day with the overall top point driver receiving a $300 bonus from RUSH for the "Empire State Classic".  The last time full size Sprint Cars raced at Genesee was 2009 when "360" Sprint Cars were part of the weekly program. 

 

"To have seven regional tracks to date commit to helping us put together a 23-event schedule before we've even officially turned a wheel on a RUSH Sprint Car means a lot to not only us, but the numerous racers who are already preparing to compete in the inaugural season," expressed Emig.  "We cannot thank our RUSH partner speedways enough.  We've had talks with a few other speedways that may host an event or two, but we felt it was important to get this confirmed schedule of events out to the public now.  I think the fans are really going to be surprised at what great racing the RUSH Sprint Cars produce.  The cars that we tested at Lernerville turned times very comparable to our fastest 604 Late Model Touring cars at Lernerville events.  Running them wingless is going to produce great side-by-side racing."

 

All events in 2018 will be part of the $20,000+ Bonnell's Rod Shop Weekly Series Championship that will pay $5,000 to-win down 20 spots.  Like all of RUSH's other divisions, drivers' best 12 point finishes will be utilized.  There will also be a "Futures Cup" Championship for eligible teenage racers and combined with the "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series will bring the 2018 championship point funds to over $23,700 (see breakdown below).

 

The GM 602 Sprint Car engine can be purchased directly at Pace Performance in Boardman, Ohio by calling 888-748-4655.  Don Blackshear, a former RUSH Authorized Engine Rebuilder, is the director of Circle Track Operations at Pace.  The printable color flyer with this information is available online at www.rushsprintcars.com/Sprint-Engine-Flyer.pdf.  Know that financing options are available.  You can also check out their website at www.paceperformance.com.

 

In addition, the engine can be purchased through RUSH's Authorized Engine Rebuilders.  The complete list with contact info can be found under the Engine tab on the website or directly at the following link www.rushsprintcars.com/engines.html.

 

2018 Sweeney RUSH Sprint Car Bonnell's Rod Shop Weekly Series Schedule*

 

·         Fri, April 20  Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA)

 

·         Fri, May 4  Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA)

 

·         Sun., May 13 Eriez Speedway (Erie, PA)

 

·         Wed, May 16 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series Kickoff

 

·         Sun, May 20 Old Bradford Speedway (Bradford, PA) - $600 to-win, $150 to-start

 

·         Sat, May 26 Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway (Imperial, PA)

 

·         Sat, June 9 New Stateline Speedway (Busti, NY) - $600 to-win, $150 to-start

 

·         Sun, June 17 Tri-City Raceway Park (Franklin, PA)

 

·         Wed, June 20 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series

 

·         Fri, June 29 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA)

 

·         Sat, June 30 New Stateline Speedway (Busti, NY) - $600 to-win, $150 to-start

 

·         Sun, July 15 Tri-City Raceway Park (Franklin, PA)

 

·         Wed, July 18 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series

 

·         Sat, July 21 Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway (Imperial, PA)

 

·         Sun, August 5 Old Bradford Speedway (Bradford, PA) - $600 to-win, $150 to-start

 

·         Wed, August 15 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series

 

·         Sat, August 25 Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway (Imperial, PA)

 

·         Fri, August 31 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance

 

·         Sat, September 15 Genesee Speedway (Batavia, NY) - "Empire State Classic" -$800 to-win, $160 to-start (3 p.m. start)

 

·         Sun, September 16 Genesee Speedway (Batavia, NY) - "Empire State Classic" -$800 to-win, $160 to-start with a $300 bonus for top point car over the two days (3 p.m. start)

 

·         Wed, September 19 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series Finale

 

·         Sat, September 22 Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway (Imperial, PA)

 

·         Fri-Sat, October 12-13 Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA) - "Steel City Stampede"

 

*Schedule is subject to change.  Additional dates may be added.

 

2018 Bonnell's Rod Shop Weekly Series Point Fund ($20,075): 1. $5,000  2. $2,500  3. $1,750  4. $1,500  5. $1,200  6. $1,000  7. $800  8. $750  9. $700  10. $650  11. $600  12. $500  13. $450  14. $425  15. $400  16. $390  17. $380  18. $370  19. $360  20. $350.

 

2018 "Wednesday Night Lightning" Series Point Fund ($3,000): 1. $1,000  2. $500  3. $350  4. $225  5. $200  6. $180  7. $150  8. $140  9. $130  10. $125.

 

2018 "Futures Cup" Point Fund ($650 minimum): 1. $300  2. $200  3. $100  4. $50.  

 

2018 RUSH Sprint Car marketing partners include partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bonnell's Rod Shop, Bilstein Shocks, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, FK Rod Ends, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Landrum Performance Spring, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.

 

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 Sprint Car website is www.rushsprintcars.com. "Like" our Facebook page at ww.facebook.com/rushsprintcars and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSprints for the latest news and updates.

 

###      

Edited by RUSH Racing Series, 22 December 2017 - 08:51 PM.

[slickfast]

Why doesn't Marion Center, Thunder Mountain or Hummingbird ever jump on these things   I am no promoter and not telling them how to run their tracks but it could bring in some different crowds

[Walt Wimer]

Guess they are just "full fender" tracks??

[sicario]

Isnt thunder mountain going to run Racesaver sprints weekly this season? They had them there throughout last year.

Edited by sicario, 24 December 2017 - 02:18 PM.

[woodhog]

Thunder Mountain dropped racesavers from weekly line up

[Walt Wimer]

If true, that really kills 305 Sprint Car racing around here if Mercer doesn't open.   Those guys will have to move up to 410,  go with the RUSH non-wing, or make long trips west or east!!  If not, try another type of car or just quit!!

 

Walt

[FanJim24]

...and the 305s really were a starter division that drivers moved up from. 

[sicario]

I remember reading the post about TM raising payouts next year and racesaver sprints were attached to that but that was how many months ago.

[woodhog]

They posted on their Facebook page, racrsaver Sprint's dropped in 2018

[sicario]

Thats a bummer


They posted on their Facebook page, racrsaver Sprint's dropped in 2018

[714d]

Why doesn't Marion Center, Thunder Mountain or Hummingbird ever jump on these things   I am no promoter and not telling them how to run their tracks but it could bring in some different crowds

Not 100% sure, but I think you (as a Track) have to PAY for RUSH to come to your track. That usually equals raised admission prices. That works if people are willing to pay to see what you are putting on the track. Not bashing rush, but people at those tracks typically wont pay extra for anything but supers, or a penn Ohio show. If the interest was there it would be a great addition to bring a little different flavor. As for 305s at TM, they put on a good show when they showed up. Last year they all seemed to disappear. Ive heard rumors of some drama in that series, but I wont help spread those if I dont know they are true.

[polish2]

Tri-City on the Rush schedule twice, All Stars ZERO. Not a step in the right direction, for me anyhow!

[RUSH Racing Series]

Thunder Mountain Speedway has added a $500 to-win, $125 to-start event on Friday, July 27. This brings our schedule to 24 events at 8 different speedways. 

[dirtstudent2]

d

Edited by dirtstudent2, 26 December 2017 - 02:44 PM.

[spike]

Always liked the original Racesaver idea.  Winner receives no more than twice the to start amount.  $125 to start pays $250 to win.  $500 to win means $250 to start.  The winner is still the winner.  He has the biggest smile.  But the person who had to buy the same motor, the same tires, the same shocks and the same fuel smiles more at $250 than at $125.

[jo73]

I attended a crate late model race. The entry fee was 105.00 for the race and you had to purchase your pit pass. 

[dirtstudent2]

deleted and I hope someone got to read it before I deleted it

Edited by dirtstudent2, 27 December 2017 - 03:33 PM.

[racer67x]

Let me explain it too you. 
 
Racing is great and can be three wide in the front in the middle pack or in the back for not being last.  Crates have great racing and so do Winged Sprints and 4 cylinder front wheel drive.  Quality racing on the track can be in the back with lesser equipment or up front checked out with junk equipment or top shelf stuff or anywhere in between.   You ALL who preach great racing being the reason to fork over your get in the bleachers money are all full of shit.  YOU FORK OVER YOUR MONEY TO SEE WHAT'S FAST!
 
If you have half a brain you can see GREAT skilled racing from the front to the back and you can see cars being used to their utmost if you have half a brain to see it.  Seeing a ton of cautions after the so called hot shoe got put to the back and moved up every caution is NOT great racing.  That hot shoe with the top shelf equipment SHOULD WIN EVERY RACE.  What make him a legend is he ran with a bunch of racers with less stuff and skills and was able pick off a few cars on every restart.  THAT SAME RACER YOU TOUT AS BEING GREAT, never did squat running against other racers with good equipment and equal skills even when they occasionally ran with the BIG BOYS. 
 
What's fu ckin wrony is the ignorance and bull shit I read on here about "GREAT RACING"..  What the f u ck do you go to the races for?  I go to watch quality driving of a well setup car which is fast.  If it AIN'T THE FAST STUFF it's mediocre half ass, though it still can be great racing.  The trouble with all this crate this and crate that crap is it KILL'S THE HECK OUT OF MY ABILITY TO WATCH THE FAST STUFF RACE.
 
You all complain and bitch about this track and that track closing.  Well, they close because the Vicky's in this world push slow and mediocre at tracks for the sole purpose of PROFIT, bull shitting them into thinking fans come in the front gate ONLY TO WATCH RACING.  Friends I spend my many nickels each year to not just watch racing, I spend them to watch FAST!  It's a SAD day in the racing world when myself and other FANS come through the front gate to watch mediocre FAST.   THAT AIN'T WHY PEOPLE GO WATCH RACING!
 
If a track owner thinks there going to make out off of the backs of racers coming through the back gate without being able to give FAST TO THE FANS, there digging their own grave.   Dang when is this we'll give you squat for payout just shit on the fast stuff going to stop?   

I liked this post and figured it was a little rough but held alot of truth..no sense deleting a good honest assessment..lol

[dirtstudent2]

guess I screwed up again.

 

 

 

 

edit:  Yes Virginia there is no Santa Clause

Edited by dirtstudent2, 27 December 2017 - 05:35 PM.

[Chrome Horn]

I think between you and Jo you could maybe get 1 functioning brain between you imbeciles. Yes, you are right. People would pay 50 bucks to get into a track to watch the cars go FAST! I want to watch them go wfo 150 mph and run against the wall with no passing at all. Bottom line is all you geniuses can bash Vicky all you want. Her record speaks for itself. Every class she has gotten involved with has grown every year. Maybe the people on here who have all the answers should fix the issues in the open classes so they can grow again. When drivers like Russ King freely admit on facebook that it makes more economical sense to run a crate for 2 grand to win then a super for 1500 well I think his opinions holds more water then you geniuses.