1ST CAREER SWEENEY RUSH WINS FOR JOE MOYER & TIM SEARS JR IN LATE MODELS PLUS RYAN MOYER IN STOCKS; DABECCO ENDS 4+ YEAR WINLESS DROUGHT WITH PITTSBURGH RUSH LM WIN

By Jim Zufall & Mike Leone

 

August 31, 2018                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)...Racing action was hot and heavy during the last full weekend of August for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance family of speedways.  Three drivers won their first career RUSH racers, while Nico Dabecco ended a more than four-year winless drought returning to victory lane at Pittsburgh in the RUSH Late Models.  

 

Racing returned to Maryland’s Potomac Speedway on Friday night where defending RUSH Late Model Champion Darren Alvey picked up his third win of the season in the 20-lap feature event. Alvey used his front row start to his advantage, leading every lap on his way to the seventh win of his career. "We needed this one." A relieved Alvey said in victory lane. "We won two races early in the season and have struggled ever since.” Logan Roberson made several attempts to wrestle the win from Alvey, but settled for second ahead of Ben Bowie, Chuck Bowie and Jimmy Duncan.  Chuck Bowie holds a 47-point lead over Alvey going into the final month of the season.

 

The roofs came off at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio Friday night as the RUSH Late Models competed in the 30-lap, $1,200-to-win “Topless Challenge.”  Point leader Darrell Bossard lined up alongside of the 1/2-Pint of Damian Bidwell at the start of the feature that saw 26 of the season-high 27 cars take the green.  A number of yellow flag periods slowed the first half of the race, but Bidwell remained out front being occasionally challenged by Dennis Lunger, Jr.  After the final caution, Bidwell took off again, extending his lead and picking through lapped traffic with Lunger in tow. Bidwell held on for his first win at Raceway 7 followed by Lunger, Bossard, Matt Latta and Breyton Santee.  Bossard holds an impressive 180-point lead over Matt Latta going into the final night of points this Friday.

 

Friday night at Outlaw Speedway, point leader Chad Homan took the win over Brian Knowles, extending his championship lead going into Championship Night this Friday.  It was Homan's fifth win in the past six races and sixth overall at the Dundee, NY track.

 

Championship points came to an end on Friday night for the RUSH Pro Stocks at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania. Multi-time champion Corey McPherson came into the night with a seven-point lead over Tyler Dietz, who was looking to score his first championship Lernerville.  Dietz was in position to take the win as the laps wound down, but with McPherson just two positions behind, Dietz would settle for second in the championship as well as the 20-lap race itself as Ryan Moyer made a turn four, last lap pass around Dietz on the high side to score his first win of the season.  Joey Zambotti, McPherson and Mark Sanders would round out the top five.  The Stocks will race next at Lernerville’s "Autumn-Motive Fest" on September 15th.  This Friday night will be a RUSH doubleheader at Lernerville featuring the RUSH Sprints and Sportsman Modifieds.

 

A RUSH doubleheader at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday night took place as the weekly RUSH Dirt Late Models were joined by the second appearance of the year by the RUSH Sprints.  In the Sprints, Chad Ruhlman charged from his seventh starting position to grab the lead and hold off Zach Morrow, newcomer and brother Brian Ruhlman, Gale Ruth Jr., and Shawn Smith.  The RUSH Sprints are scheduled to race at the "Monster Half-Mile" once more this season on September 22.

 

In RUSH Late Model action, Nico Dabecco used his front row spot to get him to the lead and hold it through the 20-lap feature for his first win since April 26, 2014!  Justin Lamb and Logan Zarin both challenged Dabecco, but would come up short, finishing second and third. Russ Matejka and Tommy Schirnhofer made up the rest of the top five.  Racing action this Saturday at PPMS is highlighted by the first ever "Betsy Kriegisch Memorial" for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds paying a record $1,2000 to-win.  The RUSH Late Models will also be in competition.

 

Saturday night at Winchester Speedway in Virginia, Devin Brannon scored his second RUSH Late Model victory of the season by leading all 20 laps of the feature event. "We had a great car tonight and to get our second win is awesome." Brannon exclaimed after the race.  Jon Painter, Chuck Bowie, Levi Crowl and Tanner Kerr rounded out the top five.  With his sixth place finish, Mike Franklin was crowned track champion, the first of his career with the RUSH Late Models.  The RUSH Late Models will now have back-to-back special events with $800 to-win this Saturday night as part of the "Winchester 200" then $1,000 to-win on September 8.

 

Saturday night at Dog Hollow Speedway it looked as though Marino Angelicchio may well have had his name added to the first time winner’s list.  But with last week’s first-time winner Colin Casale and Joe Moyer in tow it would prove to be a challenge. With five to go, Moyer caught Angelicchio and after a side by side couple of laps, Moyer made the winning move with two to go and took his first career RUSH win.  Angelicchio crossed second but was disqualified at the scales for being underweight making Clate Copeman, Casale, Troy Shields and Tim Snare second through fifth.  The win also secured the season title for Moyer. The RUSH Late Models will be part of the three-day Thunder Dog 50 Final Showdown on September 20-22.

 

Each of the 20 laps of the RUSH Late Model feature at Fulton Speedway on Saturday night was an exciting one as the group at the front of the field raced in a tight pack for the distance of the race. When it was all settled, it was Tim Sears, Jr. standing in victory lane for his first career RUSH win.  The side-by-side, position swapping battle left Dale Caswell as the runner-up with Jason Parkhurst, Sean Beardsley and Chris Fleming making up the top five.  With just one race to go this Saturday to settle the point titles, Parkhurst has a slim eight-point lead over Kevan Cook in the tight battle.

 

Saturday at Genesee Speedway, Bill Holmes took an early lead and went on to the win, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. While he had a comfortable lead for the bulk of the event, the final few laps found Holmes in heavy lapped traffic giving JJ Mazur an opportunity to make the pass, but Holmes was able to maintain the lead in heavy traffic and take his second win of the season.  Mazur would settle for second with Beamer Guzzardi, Doug Ricotta and David Pangrazio completing the top five.  Racing resumes at Genesee this Saturday night when the 10-point lead of Mazur over Holmes will be challenged and a champion will be crowned.

 

Saturday night at McKean County Family Raceway, Paul Grigsby took the checkered flag over Damian Bidwell, Ward Schell, Eric Wilson and Brad Mesler. It was Grigsby's second win in his last three tries at the East Smtheport, Pa. track  The fifth-place finish secured the RUSH Late Model weekly track championship for Mesler at McKean.  McKean will be off until the season ending "Fall Invitational" on September 28-29.  The RUSH Late Models will run in a complete show each night with Saturday's portion paying $1,500 to-win for a Touring Series event.  The RUSH Sprints have been added to the Saturday show for $600 to-win, $150 to-start for their first ever appearance.

 

Saturday night at Sharon Speedway, Chas Wolbert, who is always a threat to win when behind the wheel of his #C3, came away with his fourth straight win at the Hartford, Ohio oval, but his first Touring Series victory of the season.  Wolbert bested a very stout, record 38-car field signed for the "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance as racers shared in $20,000 of product giveaways.  

 

"This is crazy," stated the 24-year-old Warren, Ohio winner. "Four in a row for us and to win a tour race- I can't believe it. Track was great, my car was great. I had a good starting spot and was patient.”   Wolbert held off season best performances by Steve Slater and Rob Kristyak.  Garrett Krummert and Kole Holden were fourth and fifth.  Sharon's next and final event will be September 7-8 for the "Apple Festival Nationals".  The RUSH Sprints will run a complete show on Friday night for $500 to-win, while the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds will have another Tour race, this time for $800 to-win.

 

In RUSH Asphalt Series racing action at Jennerstown Speedway, Mike Hemminger picked up the win in the RUSH Asphalt Late Models over Gary Wiltrout, Barry Awtey, Bryan Shipp and Zane Ferrell.  In Modified action, Anthony Aiello took yet another victory, this time over Jason Busch, Adam Kostelnik, Chris Brink and Jarrod Barclay. Finally, in the Street Stocks, Mel Wilt took the win over Aaron VanFleet, Jeremy Schaffer, Angie Kimberly and Steve Long. The five-division Motor Mountain Mania returns this Saturday to Jennerstown.

 

Sunday night at the Old Bradford Speedway, Jeremy Wonderling survived multiple cautions, but managed to hold on for his second win in the RUSH Pro Mod division. Chad Carlson was challenging Wonderling in the late laps, but spun in turn four, turning the runner up spot to Adam Ashcroft.  Wonderling held on for the win with Ashcroft, Billy Deming, Adam Peterson, and Jarrod Silvis making up the top five.  This Sunday will be season championship night as the RUSH Late Models return for their final race of the season.

 

Sunday night at Humberstone Speedway Rob Pietz and Colton Ledingham started on the front row for the RUSH Late Model feature event.  Both Pietz and Chad Homan were in a tight battle for the lead when a yellow bunched up the field.  On the lap nine restart, Homan would pull up to the outside and get around Pietz to lead the final 10 laps for six win.  Pietz, Sam Pennacchio, Colton Ledingham and Jeff Dayman made up the top five. The RUSH Late Models return to action at the Port Colborne, Ontario track on September 9 for the final points night when Chad Homan will look to hold onto a 27-point lead to secure a championship.

 

There was no racing at Saturday night tracks Delaware International Speedway and Stateline Speedway, but both will be back in action this Saturday night.  Also no racing took place at Eriez Speedway on Sunday, but the action will return this Sunday.

 

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, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Lincoln Electric, Pancho's Racing Products Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA,  Landrum Performance Spring, Schwartzmiller Ground Maintenance, Close Racing Supply, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, Valley Fashions, Dirt Late Model Magazine, and Three Rivers Karting.

 

RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Schwartzmiller Ground Maintenance, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, Valley Fashions, Dirt Late Model Magazine, and Three Rivers Karting.

 

RUSH Sprint Car marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bonnell's Rod Shop, Bilstein Shocks, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Frankland Racing Supply, Earl's Performance Plumbing, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Landrum Performance Spring, Pancho's Racing Products, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.

 

RUSH Pro Mod and Pro Stock marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Wrisco. Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, 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.

 

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