RICHEST SWEENEY RUSH SPORTSMAN MOD RACE IN HISTORY COMING TO PPMS THIS WEEKEND; "BETSY KRIEGISCH MEMORIAL" TO PAY $2,000 TO-WIN FOR HOVIS TOUR AS PART OF "PITTSBURGHER 100"

By Mike Leone

 

October 1, 2019             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Imperial, PA)...The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modified Series powered by Pace Performance is set for its richest event in its six-year history as the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Touring Series will be part of the "Pittsburgher 100" weekend at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway for the first time ever this Friday and Saturday night (October 4-5).  The second annual "Betsy Kriegisch Memorial" will pay $2,000 to-win, $225 to-start in addition to other bonuses and contingencies!  Warm-ups will begin at 6 p.m. both nights.

 

"This is going to be a tremendous weekend for RUSH," stated Director Vicki Emig.  "To have both RUSH classes share the spotlight with the Lucas Oil Late Models is tremendous via the $5,000 to-win 'Bill Hendren Memorial' for the Late Models and the 'Betsy Kriegisch Memorial' for the Sportsman Modifieds.  Through the gracious donations of so many people, we've been able to grow this event into the richest Sportsman Modified race in the history of the region.  We have to thank Miley Motor Sports for allowing us to showcase our division at one of the region's biggest events, and this will also be the RUSH Mods first ever Tour race at the 'Monster Half-Mile'."

 

Friday night will feature Ohio Intra Express "Shock the Clock" Qualifying with $100 going to the fastest qualifier followed by heat races along with the pole position dash for $100 to-win thanks to Branden Lockwich.  Saturday's program will include the last chance B main(s) and 25-lap feature that boasts a minimum payoff of $9,905 for the 24 starters (see complete purse below).  Anyone wishing to still donate towards increasing the purse can contact Chelsie Kriegisch at 724-674-9550 or the RUSH Office at 724-964-9300. 

 

In addition to the standard Tour contingencies, the following other bonuses have been posted.  The Hot Rod 64 Heat Race Draw will offer all fourth and sixth place heat race finishers the opportunity to win $100 in a random draw thanks to Rodney Beltz.  Don and Margie Frickanish have posted a $50 bonus to the driver that finishes last in the feature.  Matus Motorsports will award the hard luck driver a case of Brad Penn Oil.

 

There's also over $3,000 in product giveaways.  In order to be eligible for the giveaways, driver/car owner must donate a minimum of $50 towards the event AND compete on Friday night.  Giveaways will take place on Saturday afternoon at the drivers meeting.  Drivers/owners will receive one chance for a $50 donation and two chances for a $100 or more donation.

 

1. Holley Performance Products- 1 Holley 80541-1 650 Carburetor ($700)
2. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
3. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
4. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
5. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
6. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
7. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
8. Wrisco Industries Inc.- 2 Sheets of White Aluminum ($150)
9. Racing Electronics- 1 Switch Receiver ($100)
10. Ultra Shield Race Products, LLC - $100 Ultra-Shield Certificate ($100)
11. Ultra-Shield Race Products- $100 Ultra-Shield Certificate ($100)
12. Ultra-Shield Race Products- $100 Ultra-Shield Certificate ($100)

 

As for the standard Tour contingencies, Precise Racing Products will award a $100 gift card for the "Pedal Down" Hard Charger that passes the most cars in the feature.  The TBM Brakes “Tough Brake of the Night” will award three bottles of Xtreme6 Racing Brake Fluid valued at approximately $45 along with a certificate for a discount off any TBM Brakes purchase.

 

Officials will determine the new Dirt Defender "Defensive Drive" to the driver that best defended his position throughout the night, and will receive a $40 product package.  Officials will also determine the Sherwood Racing Wheels "Man of Steel" award winner as one that bounced back from an earlier mishap to finish the event strongly.  The selected driver will receive a certificate for a free Sherwood Racing Wheel.  The feature winner will also receive a Sunoco 5-Gallon Race Jug.

 

Defending Hovis Tour Champion, Garrett Krummert, leads the Series to Pittsburgh with an 18-point lead over Jim Rasey.  Chas Wolbert, Rob Kristyak, and Kole Holden are third through fifth.  Completing the top 10 points paying positions are Kyle Martell, Greg Porter, Jacob Jordan, Tony Tatgenhorst, and David Kalb, Jr. 

 

So far in Tour competition this year, Wolbert won the non-point 2018 "Apple Festival Nationals" make-up feature to open the season at Sharon, while Kristyak won his first career Tour feature at Expo in July.  Krummert won both Tour races at Sharon in August, while Eric Gabany topped a 35-car field at Sharon during the "Apple Festival Nationals" for his first career RUSH win.

 

Meanwhile, Kristyak has a two-point lead on Wolbert in the $3,000 to-win Hovis Weekly Series standings with Krummert trailing six points out of the lead.  Holden and Tatgenhorst are fourth and fifth.  Four Weekly Series races have been completed at Pittsburgh this season with Krummert winning the first two, while Tatgenhorst and Connor King won the last two for their first career RUSH wins.

 

Minimum Payoff (as of 10/1): 1. $2,000  2. $1,000  3. $700  4. $500  5. $450  6. $425  7. $400  8. $350  9. $325  10. $300  11. $290  12. $280  13. $270  14. $260  15. $255  16. $250  17. $245  18. $240  19. $235  20. $230  21-24. $225  (25-26. $225 for Tour & Track provisional, if necessary).  Tow/Non-Qualifier $75.

 

You do not have to a member of RUSH to compete.  The AMB/MyLaps transponders are required.  One-way driver radios are always mandatory at 454.000.  The entry fee is $35.  Pit passes are $75 for the weekend.  Pits are open throughout the afternoon.  A drivers meeting will be held at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Friday with pill cutoff at 5:45.  Warm-ups will get underway at 6 p.m. followed by qualifying at racing.

 

"Betsy Kriegisch Memorial" Sponsors: 955 Automotive, Bruce & Leah Altman, Anonymous Donor, Rodney Beltz, Big Daddy's Speed Center, Blackshear Brothers Racing, Bolland Machine, C&R Tire, Preston Cope, Phil Crouse, Rich Gerald, Joe Gibson, Fire Fighter Sales & Service, Flinner Signs & Decals, Don & Margie Frickanish, Kole Holden, Hudzik Racing, Jacob Jordan Racing, Arnie Kent, Connor King, Chelsie Kriegisch, Jessica Kriegisch, Jo & Garrett Krummert, Branden Lockwich, Kevin Long, Kyle Martell, Matus Motorsports, Pat Miller, Ohio Intra Express, Greg Porter, Andy & Lisa Priest, PRS Transit, Ripper Auto Sales, Rock House Bar & Grill, Chad Roland, C.J. Rombold Engines Builders, RUSH Racing Series, Russ King Racing, Jerry Schaffer, Deb Shaffer, Tony Tatgenhorst, Weaver Racing, Wedge Motorsports, Jackie West, Brian Woodhall. 

 

Betsy Kriegisch, the mother of RUSH Sportsman Modified racers Chelsie and Jessica Kriegisch, passed away after an extended illness on February 21, 2018 at the age of 57.  She was a strong supporter of both her daughters' efforts and by their side as they rose to prominence in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.  Both girls quickly became competitive and fan favorites.  A memorial event as a Hovis Weekly Series show was put together and held last year at Pittsburgh that attracted an all-time Pittsburgh record count of 26, and was won by Rocky Kugel. 

 

Both Kriegisch sisters got their start in go-karts, while growing up watching their father compete in the Sprint Car division for many years.  Chelsie made her debut in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds during the inaugural 2014 season running a limited schedule.  In 2015, Jessica debuted in the class running a limited schedule, while Chelsie competed full-time.  Ever since both sisters have raced full-time in the Series. 

 

Chelsie won her first career race on July 13, 2016 in a Tour event at Expo Speedway making history becoming the first female to win a Tour event in the history of Northeast crate engine racing and also became the first female to win in the storied history of Expo.   Chelsie added a second win last year on July 7 at Pittsburgh.  Jessica meanwhile captured her first career win about a year later than Chelsie's first coming on July 24, 2017 at Pittsburgh. 

 

Betsy was the Kriegisch sisters' biggest fan.  She was with them growing up in the grandstands watching Randy race, and was able to see both girls not only win their first career feature, but also was in attendance at both awards banquets when each received their Outstanding Achievement Awards from RUSH. 

 

Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway is a ˝-mile dirt track with a GPS address of 170 Kelso Rd, Imperial PA 15126, which is located just off the Noblestown exit on Routes 22/30.  For more information, check out their website at www.ppms.com or call 412-279-7223.  The track number on race day is 724-695-3363 or 724-695-0393.  As for their social media outlets, you can like their page on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/PittsburghsPennsylvaniaMotorSpeedway or follow them on Twitter @PAMotorSpeedway.

 

RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC & Pace Performance along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, FK Rod Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Trailer-Alarms.com, Bonnell's Rod Shop, Zarin Truck & Automotive, Sherwood Wheels, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, and Valley Fashions.

 

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 Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com. Like the Sportsman Modified Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushsportsmanmods and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSportMods. 

 

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