CAREER 1ST SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL WIN FOR SNAYCZUK AT GENESEE; 1ST WINS OF 2016 FOR DELLINGER & BARE; WONDERLING & LUNGER DOUBLE UP

By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

August 24, 2016                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)…The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance speedways had to dodge the rain throughout last weekend.  Most of the speedways were able to beat Mother Nature as three Late Model drivers were able to earn their first wins including Nick Snayczuk, Alan Dellinger and Tyler Bare, while Jeremy Wonderling and Dennis Lunger, Jr. had big weekends picking up a pair of Late Model wins each.       

The weekend got started early on Thursday night at East Smethport, Pennsylvania’s McKean County Raceway.  After some early scattered storms, skies cleared for the annual fair race.  In weekly competition, Jeremy Wonderling has had a stellar year winning five times at four tracks. Thursday at the McKean County Fair race he broke through with his first ever win in the Sweeney Touring Series. Wonderling’s win in the 25-lap event made him the eighth different tour winner in the 2016 campaign.  John Waters and Paul Grigsby led the front row to green with Wonderling and Randy Hall lurking just behind. The Wonderling-Hall duo moved past pole sitter Waters for the second and third position. That put Wonderling in a position to battle Grigsby for the lead, which he captured on lap four and held for the balance of the race to take the win.  Grigsby settled for second with Hall, Brady Wonderling and Waters making up the rest of the top five.

"This feels pretty good," expressed the 26-year-old Wellsville, New York driver, who became the fifth different McKean County Fair winner in as many races.  "It feels good anytime you win, but to win with the quality of cars that come with the RUSH Touring Series means a lot.”  Up next at McKean is the 11^th Annual "Fall Classic" on September 30-October 1.

Fresh off his Tour race win at McKean, Jeremy Wonderling was looking for more on Friday night at Delevan, New York’s Freedom Motorsports Park. Wonderling, who started in the 10th position in the 20-lap race, was bringing 12th starting Randy Hall with him through the field.  By the fourth lap, Wonderling was up to a top five spot when the caution flew.  The restart had Brady Wonderling up front while Jeremy continued his charge to the front.  After a series of caution periods, Jeremy had caught Brady and the two raced for the top spot until lap 11 when "Mr. Excitement" Jeremy Wonderling pulled a full throttle slide job to take the lead for good.  Brady Wonderling finished second with Hall, Damian Bidwell and Nick Snayczuk completing the top five.  With the points coming to a close soon, Bill Holmes was able to hold a slim six-point margin over Adam Sixt for the Freedom title.  Freedom Returns to action on Friday with a regular racing program.

Friday at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee New York, Jason Knowles and Wayne Robertson led the field to green with Knowles leading early.  Brian Knowles took the lead and had the task of holding off Robertson. It was quite the battle for Robertson, who battle for the lead both high and low, but came up short to Brian Knowles efforts.  Behind Robertson were Jason Knowles, Bob Buono and Adam Depuy.   “I would see his nose every once in awhile,” said Knowles in Outlaw Victory Lane.  “There was a bump in turn three that would bottom out the right front, and when I hit that I’d slide up and see his nose again.  I just focused on hitting my marks, run my line and not let him get a run on me.”  Outlaw gets back to racing this Friday with “Back to School” racing.

Winchester moved their normal Saturday night program to Friday to accommodate the Winchester-Hagerstown Shootout Series that was taking place on Saturday night.  That didn't stop an excellent turnout of 25 RUSH Late Model filling the pit area.  It marked the third time this season more than a full field of competitors turned out.  With the Friday program, it allowed non-regular Tyler Bare to make his third start of the season a successful one taking his first RUSH win of the season over Greg Roberson, "Bilstein Bandits" point leader Kris Eaton, Transton Stoner, and Path Valley regular Tim Snare, who made his first ever appearance. 

Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, the RUSH Late Models was a bit of a yellow-fest for much of the race as a season-high 22 cars were on hand.  That said, the restarts throughout the 20-lap feature event were something to behold as Michael Reft and Jammin’ Johnny Mollick started one-two for each of the five or six restarts.  Nearly each time the green flag was displayed for a restart, Reft would take the early lead with Mollick attempting to take the lead only to have Reft take it back all within the first lap each time. But by the 17^th lap, Mollick made it stick as he got around Reft for the win.  At the finish, Reft had faded to third just behind the hard charging point leader Daryl Charlier. Brandon Burgoon and Steve Beatty rounded out the top five.  The RUSH Late Models return to action at PPMS this Saturday as part of the “Red Miley Rumble,” a Super Late Model event honoring the late Red Miley of Miley Motorsports, owners of the track.

In a conversation with PPMS promoter, Matt Miley, Miley confirmed with RUSH Series Director, Vicki Emig that there are no pending agreements in place that will curtail racing at PPMS in 2017.  Miley Motor Sports plans on returning for season 29.

Stateline Speedway was the scene of the RUSH Pro Mods feature event where Scott Gurdak grabbed the lead from pole sitter Dennis Hagg, Jr. at the drop of the green.  By lap four, Justin Carlson had come forward from his seventh starting spot to the runner up position. As the race rolled on, Gurdak stretched out his lead until late in the race when Carlson took over the lead.  Carlson went on for his second straight win and division-leading sixth of the year.  Gurdak, Kelly Frederes, Hagg, and Bill Silvis were second through fifth.

The RUSH Late Models were also part of the program at Stateline, where Mike Wonderling and Dave Hess, Jr. led the field to green with Hess taking the early lead.  Hess had a series of challenges though the caution-filled event, each time taking a convincing lead.  That was until the halfway point when Dennis Lunger, Jr. showed up and gave Hess a run for his money.  The two ran side-by-side for a time until Lunger started to pull ahead and gained his first victory at Stateline in 2016.  Hess was overtaken at the end by Dave Lyon for the runner up spot.  Hess wound up third with Jason Genco and Darrell Bossard rounding out the top five. The car counts have picked up in recent weeks with 20 and a season high 21 last Saturday night.  Racing resumes this Saturday night when it is a regular night of racing on Pepsi Fan Appreciation Night.

In Orrville, Ohio last Saturday night, the RUSH Late Model feature rolled on to the track at Wayne County Speedway where Alan Dellinger took the lead from points leader Justin Chance and never looked back in the non-stop affair.  It was Dellinger's first win of the season on the $135 sealed, spec Bilstein Shocks.  Dave Airgood took second from Chance with Charlie Duncan and Kyle Harper rounding out the top five. Season Championship Night is up next on Saturday at Wayne County Speedway.

North to Fulton, New York where Billy Eisele led the opening lap of the RUSH Late Model feature at Fulton Speedway on Saturday night.  By lap two however it was Johnny Hill taking the top spot.  Eisele dropped to third as Hill and Kevan Cook battled for the lead.  After a spin for Eisele, Cook went to the lead with Jason Parkhurst and Hill racing hard.  The two got together sending Hill to the wall and Parkhurst to the pits for a flat. AJ Kingsley inherited the lead and went on to his second straight victory and fourth of the season.  Bret Belden, Chris Fleming Steve Coit and Brandon Ford were second through fifth.  The first of only two nights of racing left in the 2016 campaign at Fulton Speedway comes up this Saturday.

Batavia, New York’s Genesee Speedway was the site of the first career RUSH win by Nick Snayczuk of Arcade, NY.  Using the high line around the track, Snayczuk led all 20 laps of the feature, becoming the ninth winner in 14 races this season in the very stout RUSH Late Model division.  With his win, Snayczuk held off the likes of Brady Wonderling, Beamer Guzzardi, Dave DuBois, and Jimmy Johnson.  Another Five Star Racing program is on tap for this Saturday at Genesee as the 360 Sprints join the card.

Sharon Speedway on Saturday night saw Kyle Martell and Steve Slater out front at the start of the RUSH Sportsman Modified feature.  Martell and Slater made contact with Martell dropping to third as Rocky Kugel moved to second.  Kugel would pass Slater on lap two and once in front never gave it up.  Kugel's second win of 2016 came after having his car destroyed at Tri City Raceway Park in June. “I got turned at Tri-City and got clobbered,” acknowledged the 40-year-old East Liverpool, Ohio driver. “Tom Glenn gave me an awesome deal on this and I couldn’t refuse it. I have to thank my dad. I was done for the year and as you probably know he sold his race car. He spent day, night, and more time on this to put it together by himself- I don’t know where he got it.”  Kugel was followed to the line by Brandon and Nick Ritchey, Martell and Jeremy Weaver. Brandon Ritchey holds a slim 15-point lead over Kole Holden going into this Saturday’s final points night for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.

Sunday night at Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, Ontario, the winning ways of Dennis Lunger, Jr. continued as he used his front row position to jump to an early lead and was able to keep it throughout the entire event.  An occasional challenge came on many of the restarts including one for Colton Ledingham’s flip down the front stretch.  Ledingham was ok and climbed from the car under his own power.  The rest of the field got a good look at the rear of Lunger’s car as he put a big distance between himself and the rest of the field for his sixth Humberstone win of the season.  The runner-up was Tim Gillespie with Rob Pietz, Sam Pennacchio and Jeff Dayman rounding out the top five.  Action returns to Humberstone this Sunday for the Pete Cosco Memorial.

Racing will return to Eriez and Bradford Speedways this Sunday night after weather cancelled their programs.  Also, both Potomac and Path Valley Speedways will return to racing this Friday night.   Several RUSH Sportsman Modified races have been added recently including Friday, September 2 at Lernerville Speedway with the World of Outlaws Late Models along with Saturday, September 24 and Saturday, October 1 at Pittsburgh.

Current RUSH Late Model point leaders are Bryce Davis (Tour), Max Blair (Weekly & Summer Chase), Kris Eaton (Bilstein Bandits), and Wyatt Scott (Futures Cup).  Current RUSH Sportsman Modified point leaders are Brian Schaffer (Weekly), Chas Wolbert (Tour), and Kyle Martell (Futures Cup).  Current RUSH Pro Mod point leaders are Kelly Frederes (Weekly) and Brian Mohawk (Futures Cup), while Corey McPherson leads the Sweeney RUSH Pro Stock Weekly Series points.

RUSH Late Model marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Maxima Racing Oil, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, FK Rod Ends, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Rocket Chassis, Bobby Lake Motorsports High Gear Speed Shop, CrateInsider.com, B.R.A.K.E.S., RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.

RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners: Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Bicknell Racing Products, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, MSD Ignition, Maxima Racing Oil, Jones Racing Products, FK Rod Ends, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Velocita-USA, Precise Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, K&N Filters, TBM Brakes, Lincoln Electric, CrateInsider.com, 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 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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