PILKERTON & ANGELICCHIO WIN IN SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL WEEKLY SERIES ACTION; PITTSBURGH TO OPEN THURSDAY
By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

April 7, 2014              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              

(Pulaski, PA)…As the weather continues to feel more like spring than what seemed like a never ending winter, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Series member tracks slowly come to life.  Last weekend, Potomac Speedway in Budds Creek, Maryland resumed action and the season opener at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pennsylvania got underway.

Potomac continued their 2014 campaign last Friday (April 4) as the rotating, five-division schedule again included the Sweeney RUSH Late Models.  Former Late Model track champion Jeff Pilkerton started the 20-lap feature on the pole and never gave up the spot leading every lap to take his first career RUSH Crate Late Model win. “I just want to thank all the guys who worked all winter getting this car ready," said Pilkerton. "We haven't won here in a long time and this crate division is a perfect fit for us.”

Ben Bowie, the winner from the Potomac’s season opener, came from the 10th starting spot to finish second.  Defending track champion, John Imler who entered the weekend tied for the Sweeney Weekly Series Championship point lead, was third.  Darin Henderson collected fourth.  Reese Masiello was fifth for the second straight race at Potomac and leads the $1,000 to-win “Futures Cup” standings over last year’s runner-up Michael Lake.  The Sweeney RUSH Late Models return to action at Potomac on April 18, when the Super Late Models are in the spotlight with the 35-lap, $2,500 to win Vernon Harris Memorial.

After a couple practice sessions, the green flag waved Saturday night for the first time in 2014 at the scenic Roaring Knob Motorsports Park.  A solid field of 20 cars was on hand in the first RUSH-sanctioned event in Pennsylvania this season.  When the checkered was displayed over the Sweeney RUSH Late Model feature, it was Greensburg, Pennsylvania’s Dan Angelicchio taking his first RUSH Series win of 2014.  In fact, Angelicchio became the fourth different winner in as many Sweeney Weekly Series events run in 2014! 

John Over continued his consistent finishes with a runner-up and overtook Imler for the Sweeney Weekly Series point lead.  Ryan Montgomery, who finished second on March 22 at Winchester, was a solid third.  Tyler Hershey was fourth filling in for Jennae Piper.  George Kowatic rounded out the top five.  Clinton Hersh made his Late Model debut and finished 16^th.  The son of former Stock Car standout Tony Hersh is also a member of the “Futures Cup” contingent.  Regular six division racing continues this Saturday, April 12 at the Knob.

Other RUSH Dirt Late Model Series member track’s season openers are all soon to follow as the calendar rolls into spring. The Sweeney RUSH Late Models will be a part of the card for Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway’s annual PENNational. The NDRL “Kings of Dirt”-sanctioned PENNational features a $10,000 to win for the Super Lates on the special Thursday night (April 10).  Regular weekly racing continues on Saturday, April 12 at PPMS. 

Winchester’s next event for RUSH is Saturday, April 19.  Both Sharon Speedway and McKean County Raceway start their new seasons on Saturday, April 19.  Regular Sunday night racing begins at Ontario’s Humberstone Speedway on Sunday, May 4, while Delevan New York’s Freedom Speedway begins their 2014 Friday night, six-division program on May 9- three weeks before the Sweeney Tour opener on May 30!

RUSH marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, RainEater Wiper Blades, Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Bilstein Shocks, Lincoln Electric, TurboStart, K1 RaceGear, Beyea Headers, FK Rod Ends, Bobby Lake Motorsports, Wrisco Industries, High Gear Speed Shop, Utsinger’s Towing, B.R.A.K.E.S., RockAuto.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 our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM.

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