HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL GUNTER’S HONEY TOUR TO KICKOFF 2027 SEASON MARCH 20 AT PITTSBURGH FOR “POT OF GOLD 4”; $5,000 TO-WIN “HERB SCOTT MEMORIAL” TO BE FEATURED ALONGSIDE FAST 410 SPRINTS

By Mike Leone

October 28, 2026       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Imperial, PA)…Although the 2026 Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series is barely over, Series Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone have already been diligently working on what will be their much-anticipated 20^th anniversary season since their journey to develop Chevrolet Performance crate engine racing throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-Ohio Valley began in 2007.

With that said, the kick-off to the $20,000 to-win 2027 championship season will take on a new precedent as the RUSH Late Model Touring Series has been tapped to become part of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway’s “Pot of Gold 4” featuring the $5,000 to-win “Herb Scott Memorial” in conjunction with the FAST “410” Sprint Cars and Crown Vics on Saturday, March 20! 

“I’ve had my fingers crossed over the past few years that at some point our RUSH Late Model Touring Series would have a shot at becoming part of the ‘Pot of Gold’,” acknowledged Emig.  “To now be able to have it as the opener of our 20^th anniversary season, with a $5,000 to-win event, has helped set the stage for what I’m already working towards- the richest RUSH Late Model Touring season in Series history!”

“Our RUSH ‘Touring’ car counts at Pittsburgh over the years have been phenomenal,” continued Emig.  “This past season the ‘Jook George Steel City Classic’ produced 48 cars and the ‘Bill Hendren Memorial’ a record 58 for an unbelievable 53-car average with drivers from 10 different states and Canada traveling in to support these prestigious events.  Unfortunately, we the ‘Herb Scott Memorial’ and night one of the ‘Bill Hendren Memorial’ were rained out.  I have no doubt that with this early announcement, as well as an early date, which is prior to the majority our sanctioned speedways opening, we will once again see tremendous support for this event.  We can’t thank Blair, Tabetha and Tyler of PPMS enough for this exciting opportunity!”

The “Herb Scott Memorial” was rained out the last two seasons, but attracted 47 cars on April 20, 2024 with National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Tim Shaffer scoring the victory.  The “Pot of Gold” has actually been completed all three years of its existence in March.  While there is no rain date for the “Pot of Gold”, April 17 has been reserved as a rain date for the “Herb Scott Memorial”.

“The goal when we created the ‘Pot of Gold’ three years ago was to bring two of the region’s premier racing series together for one event and kick the Western Pennsylvania racing season into high gear,” explained Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway General Manager Tyler Harris.  “The support we've received from RUSH Late Model competitors over the past several seasons has been outstanding, making the decision to add them to the program an easy one.”

“The addition of the ‘Herb Scott Memorial’ also gives that particular event a fresh start and something new for fans and competitors to look forward to after two consecutive years of weather cancellations,” added Harris.  “We're excited to build on what the ‘Pot of Gold’ has become and make this year's event an even bigger part of the region's early-season racing calendar.”

There have been 36 RUSH Tour events completed all-time at Pittsburgh with 20 different winners!  Michael Norris leads the way with seven victories over fellow PPMS standout, Kyle Lukon, who has five.  Ryan Montgomery is a three-time winner.  The only other repeat winners are Daryl Charlier, Jeremy Wonderling, Shaffer, and Carson Ferguson.  Single wins have went to Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr., Colton Flinner, John Mollick, Mike Pegher, Jr., Jacob Hawkins, Garret Paugh, Levi Crowl, Kyle Hardy, Logan Roberson, 2023 $10,000 "Bill Hendren Memorial" winner Joe Martin, Mason Zeigler, 2024 $10,000 “Bill Hendren Memorial” winner Brandon Burgoon, and 2025 “Jook George Steel City Classic” winner Christian Schneider.

Stay tuned over the offseason for more exciting information on the 2027 RUSH Late Model Gunter’s Honey Touring Series season.

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Colussy Chevrolet Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, Rustler Sales & Service, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Capital Contracting Service, Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, Russ King Racing, 3C Graphix, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Real Merchant Services DMV, IllusionCoats Powder Coating, Hoosier Tire Western Pennsylvania/Big Daddy's Speed Center, Close Racing Supply, Keyser Manufacturing/Integra Racing Shocks, Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, MotoRad, Schneider Trucks, Ontime Body & Graphic, Henry's Headers & Exhaust Systems, D&V Jewelers, AERO Race Wheels, Racing Electronics, Design Creations, and Competition Crate Parts.

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.  The RUSH Late Model website is www.rushlatemodels.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @RUSHLM.

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