SWEENEY RUSH SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS RETURN TO SHARON SATURDAY; ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED; GM 602 ENGINE GIVEAWAY ON AUGUST 23
By Mike Leone

 

July 31, 2014                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)…After a weekend off, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modifieds return to the track this Saturday (August 2) for their fourth appearance at Sharon Speedway.  The event is part of the inaugural season for the GM 602 engine division on $135 Bilstein “sealed” spec shocks along with steel wheels on spec Hoosier Tires.

 

Sharon has yet to have a repeat winner.  Jordan Eck won the inaugural event in April then Greg Martin won his first in May as did Rocky Kugel in June.  In fact, at the last event at Sharon, a record 11 cars battled for the victory.  A total of 21 different drivers have competed this year in at least one of the 10 events in 17 different cars.

 

Sharon has added two more events to the original schedule with August 23 and September 12 as the Sweeney RUSH Sportsman Modifieds will now be part of both days of the “Apple Festival Nationals”.  The August 23 event will feature the drawing for the $3,500 GM 602 engine that will be awarded to one lucky competing driver.  Member drivers will receive two chances with all other receiving one chance. 

 

With the addition of the August 23 date at Sharon, the Raceway 7 date has been moved from August 22 to August 15 so there will be an event that weekend as not to double up the following weekend.  The Mods will be back at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 30, and the inaugural “Manufacturers Night” presented by Bilstein Shock Absorbers will be on Saturday, September 6 at Lernerville Speedway.  Be sure to check out the schedule link at www.rushsportsmanmods.com.

 

During this year’s inaugural season, a $10,000 plus point fund has been posted to member racers in the top 15 of the Sweeney Weekly Series points for drivers’ best 10 finishes.  Currently Adam Hilton of Buffalo, New York leads the way in the $3,000 to-win title.  Hilton also leads the Series with four victories including two at Lernerville Speedway and one each at Pittsburgh and Raceway 7.  Ironically, Hilton has yet to win at Sharon.

 

Hilton has a 20-point lead on Kugel, who moved over from Sweeney RUSH Late Model division.  Kugel is in his first year of racing a Northeast-style, center-sitting dirt Modified.  Rocky’s father Larry, a veteran Late Model and E-Mod standout, is planning on joining the class in 2015.  Larry had been racing his E-Mod at Sharon this season before putting everything up for sale.    

 

Jamie Duncan, who has moved up from the Stock Car division, is third in points and is looking for his first win.  Jeremy Zufall, who won at America’s Motorsports Park, is fourth over former Big-Block and “358” Modified racer Adam Siegel. 

 

“We’re excited to add the two additional dates at Sharon and looking forward to the engine   giveaway and Manufacturers Night,” stated RUSH Co-Director Vicki Emig.  “We've been really encouraged by the continued inquiries from several racers throughout the region that are planning to  participate in this class next season. The inaugural year of anything new is always it's most challenging, but we feel we have accomplished our goal of successfully introducing affordable Modified racing to our area and know that the division will continue to grow."

 

"The racing has been extremely competitive with six different winners in ten races," continued Emig.  "Most importantly those competing have been very satisfied with the complete RUSH package, which includes the GM 602 engine, sold by Series sponsor for $3250, or complete dress out kit from carburetor to pan at the an unbelievable $4900, the $135 Bilstein "sealed" shocks, and Hoosier spec tire that has proven it's long lasting durability allowing racers to very efficiently manage their tire cost."       

 

"We’re thankful America’s Motorsports Park and Eriez Speedway gave us a chance to compete, but until the class grows we feel it’s better to focus in our immediate area," said RUSH Co-Director Mike Leone.  "Both promoters will welcome the class in the future.  We’re also encouraged by several racers planning on participating in the future and know that by next season the class will grow even more.”

 

Pits open at 4 p.m. at Sharon with 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, Velocita-USA, Driven Racing Oil, Precise Racing Products, Rocket Racing, 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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