SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL TOUR SET TO OPEN 2019 SEASON WITH "BATTLE OF THE BAY" SPEEDWEEK PRESENTED BY WEHRS MACHINE APRIL 17-20 AT DELAWARE, GEORGETOWN, POTOMAC & WINCHESTER WITH INCREASED PURSES & BONUSES

By Mike Leone

 

April 11, 2019                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Pulaski, PA)...The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series powered by Pace Performance is set to open the 2019 season on Wednesday night, April 17 at Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, DE for the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" that kicks off the four-night "Battle of the Bay" Speedweek presented by Wehrs Machine & Racing Parts.  Speedweek then heads to Georgetown (DE) Speedway on Thursday night, Potomac Speedway in Mechanicsville, MD on Friday night before wrapping up on Saturday night at Winchester (VA) Speedway. 

 

This year, racers will be vying for over $17,000 in additional purse monies over last year's inaugural "Battle of the Bay".  The Huffman Family decided to have their daughter Raelyn's memorial event to be the kickoff, which will pay $4,000 to-win, $300 to-start.  That announcement was the catalyst that due to the great support at last year's "Battle of the Bay", prompted track promoters at Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester to increase their events from the $2,000 to-win purse to the $3,000 to-win purse.  In the event Wednesday's show would be rained out, the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" will move to Georgetown on Thursday.  (See complete payoffs below.)

 

The $3,000 "Battle of the Bay" point fund returns with $1,000 to the champion paying down 10 positions to RUSH member racers in cumulative points over the four-night Speedweek.  (See complete point fund below).  Also returning is a potential $1,800 in the RUSH travel package.  The top 12 teams from 2018 Tour points will be eligible for $150 provided they compete in the first event and in at least two of the events. 

 

NEW for 2019 is the "$500 Club" that will take place at the majority of Sweeney Tour events.  At the Delaware and Georgetown shows, the top 15 drivers in 2018 DIS track points that compete will be eligible for the five $100 drawings, and will be presented by PJ1 Motorsports.  At Potomac, the five $100 drawings will be for drivers in the 2019 Potomac track points, and will be presented by J&L Electric and Three Mules Welding Supply.  At Winchester, the five $100 drawings will be for drivers in the 2019 Winchester track points, and will be presented by ARC Racing and Round Hill Auto Service.

 

Each event will also include $100 "Shock the Clock" Qualifying and $25 to-win each races presented by FK Rod Ends.  The dash for the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" will pay $100 to-win and $50 for second due to extra money raised.

 

Ray and Brenda Huffman have been heavily involved in racing over the years with their R&J Poultry business and have sponsored RUSH Late Model drivers such as Max Blair and Cody Dawson.  Shortly after last year's "Battle of the Bay", Raelyn lost her life in a tragic accident on May 4.  Ray Huffman is Raelyn's father, while Brenda is her step-mother.  Raelyn's mother is Billie Jo Justice and her step-father is Tim Justice.    

 

Raelyn was 22 years old and from Delmar, DE- the home of Delaware International Speedway.  Raelyn graduated from nearby Seaford High School and worked for Lowe's Home Improvement.  She loved her job, racing, and any four-legged furry friends.  Raelyn spent her weekends growing up at the races; from Friday nights at the go-kart track, Saturday nights watching RUSH Late Models, and Sundays at the US 13 Dragway with her longtime boyfriend, Matt Adams.  Raelyn was a big animal lover thus the Brandywine Valley SPCA will be setup in the grandstand midway on Wednesday taking donations.

 

"It was just part of her lifestyle and that is why we we're so adamant on perusing this memorial race," explained Raelyn's sister Shelby.  "She was a beautiful girl with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was completely contagious.  We are so proud of her and how much of an amazing person she turned out to be.  We love and miss her everyday and we strive to pass on her memory and share stories that celebrate her life.  Our family, the Lowe's family and the racing community lost a very loved and valued member, and we all miss her very much.  There are many memories that our family, co-workers and friends share that we will always cherish, but there are so many we didn’t get to make.  She was a one of a kind girl with a big heart, a bright smile and a loving nature.  There aren’t words for how loved and missed she is."

 

"We're honored that the Huffman Family contacted us about doing a memorial for Raelyn," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig.  "The R.J. Poultry name has been very recognizable over the years in racing.  This event will honor Raelyn's memory and her love of racing.  We cannot thank all of the contributors that made this event possible (see list below), along with the promoters of Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester for stepping up and increasing their payoffs.  We also have to thank Wehrs Machine for coming on board to present the entire 'Battle of the Bay' swing that also includes the point fund and travel money."

 

In 2017, a total of 63 different drivers competed in at least one of the four "Battle of the Bay" events.  The car counts were 46 at Delaware, 40 at Georgetown, 41 at Potomac, and 44 at Winchester.  Max Blair opened the season victorious in the first ever Tour race at Delaware, while Ross Robinson won round two for his first career RUSH win at his home track at Georgetown.  Logan Roberson ended the Speedweek winning the final two events to capture the "Battle of the Bay" title by one over Robinson and two over Blair! 

 

Prior to last year's "Battle of the Bay", other past Sweeney Tour winners at Potomac include Rick Singleton (2014) and Walker Arthur (2015), while at Winchester victories have gone to Singleton (2014), Arthur (2015), and Allen Brannon (2015).

 

Roberson has started the year off hot winning three RUSH Weekly Series events including both at Winchester and one at Potomac to take the early Sweeney Weekly Series points lead.  Other winners include Michael Duritsky, Jr., who made the long tow to Georgetown to win their opener, and Darren Alvey capturing the Potomac opener.

 

Jeremy Wonderling will start his Sweeney Tour title defense on Wednesday at Delaware.  Last year was Wonderling's second year on the Tour, and he finished in the top 12 each night at the "Battle of the Bay" including a second at the Winchester finale.  Meanwhile, his nemesis, Jason Genco, returns for his second year on the Tour after coming up just six points shy of Wonderling for the title. 

 

Several heavy hitters have stated their intentions to follow the Tour, which will be the richest in Series history boasting more than half of the shows paying $3,000 or more to win and six at $4,000 or more to win including the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial", the $10,000 to-win "Bill Emig Memorial" at Lernerville Speedway, the $4,000 to-win/$400 to-start events in Quebec along with the "Jook George Steel City Classic" and the "Bill Hendren Memorial" at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway.  All 2019 shows will be a minimum of $2,000 to-win, $225 to-start along with $200 to-win, $150 to-start non-qualifiers with $125 tow.    

 

Precise Racing Products will award a $100 gift card for the "Pedal Down" Hard Charger that passes the most cars at each event..  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 each night.  RUSH Late Model Series Officials will also determine the Dirt Defender "Defensive Drive" to the driver that best defended his position throughout the night, and will receive a $40 product package each night. 

 

New contingency programs for the 2019 season include the "$500 Club", Sunoco 5-Gallon Race Jugs, and Ontime Body & Graphic "Spoiler Alert.  A Sunoco 5-Gallon Race Jug will go to the winner of each Tour race.  Ontime's "Spoiler Alert" will award a $150 spoiler in race one to the winner, followed by second place at race two, and so on throughout the season.  Combined these programs will influx approximately $800 of additional value into each Tour event.

 

You do not have to be a member of RUSH to compete; only to be eligible for "Battle of the Bay" point fund along with Weekly and Touring points.  The AMB/MyLaps transponders will be used at Delaware and Georgetown, while the Westhold transponders will be used at Potomac and Winchester.  One-way driver radios are always mandatory on the default 454.000 channel.  There will be a $100 entry fee and $35 pit pass each night. 

 

Pit gate opening times: 4 p.m. (Delaware & Georgetown), 3 p.m. (Potomac), and 2 p.m. (Winchester)

Driver meeting times: 6 p.m. (Delaware & Georgetown), 7 p.m. (Potomac), and 5 p.m. (Winchester)

Warm-up times: 6:30 p.m. (Delaware), 6:20 p.m. (Georgetown), 7:30 p.m. (Potomac), and 5:30 p.m. (Winchester)

 

Delaware Feature Payoff: 1. $4,000  2. $2,000  3. $1,000  4. $800  5. $600  6. $550  7. $500  8. $450  9. $425  10. $400  11. $390  12. $380  13. $370  14. $360  15. $350  16. $340  17. $330  18. $320  19. $310  20-24. $300.

 

Georgetown, Potomac & Winchester Feature Payoff: 1. $3,000  2. $1,500  3. $800  4. $600  5. $500  6. $475  7. $450  8.$425  9. $400  10. $350  11. $310  12. $300  13. $275  14. $270  15. $265  16. $260  17. $255  18-24. $250.

 

Non-Qualifier Payoff Each Night: 1. $200 2. $190 3. $185 4. $180 5. $175 6. $170 7. $165 8. $160 9. $155 10-24. $150.  Tow $125

 

"Battle of the Bay" Speedweek Point Fund ($3,000*): 1. $1,000  2. $500  3. $350  4. $225  5. $200  6. $180  7. $150  8. $140  9. $130  10. $125. (Must be a RUSH member.  A minimum of three events must be completed or will be pro-rated with two events being completed.  No point fund if only one event is completed.)

 

Special thanks to the following contributors that have made the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" increased payoff possible: Aqua Electric (Lewes, DE), Tim Justice Farms (Delmar, DE), Hastings Butcher Shop (Laurel, DE), Quality Automotive (Seaford, DE), Coastal Maintenance (Seaford, DE), Bi-Rite Auto Sales (Seaford, DE), Dawson & Bedsworth Electrical Contractors (Georgetown, DE), Amick Farms (Batesville-Leesville, SC), Denny Electric Supply of Delaware (Millsboro, DE), K&B Auto (Delmar, DE), Robert Nibblett, Jr. (Seaford, DE), Dukes Lumber (Seaford, DE), Mullins Auto Brokers (Bridgeville, DE), Cornerstone Builders (Seaford, DE), R&J Poultry Servicing (Seaford, DE), Tax Free Liquors of Delmar (Delmar, DE), and Tacaco Alpacas of Delaware (Laurel, DE).

 

Delaware International Speedway is a 1/2-mile track located at 37854 Sussex Highway, Delmar, DE 19940.    DIS is located on a 125 acre Motorsports Complex which house's three racing facilities in one.  The Speedway will celebrate their 48th consecutive year, when it opens in April of 2018. For more information on DIS, check out their website at www.delawareracing.com.  The track office number is 302-846-3911.  You can like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DelawareRacing and follow them on Twitter @delawareracing. 

 

Georgetown Speedway is a 1/2-mile clay oval located at 24505, 24513 S. Dupont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947.  Deyo signed a three-year lease that runs through 2019 and improvements continue at the Sussex County track, which hosted its first race in 1950.  The speedway operates on a special-events-only schedule with high-profile programs from March through October.  For more information on Georgetown, check out their website at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com.  You can like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GeorgetownSpeedway and follow them on Twitter @thegtownspdwy. 

 

Potomac Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile dirt track located on Route 234 at 27963 Budds Creek Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.  The track first opened in 1973, and is located about an hour south of Washington D.C and Baltimore.  For information, check out their website at www.potomacspeedway.com or call 301-481-8855.  You can like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacSpdwy and follow them on Twitter @PotomacSpdwy.

 

Winchester Speedway is also a high-banked 3/8-mile dirt track located just off Route 50 at 950 Airport Road Winchester, VA 22604.  The track first opened in 1936 under the name of Airport Speedway.  The track has been home to the Winchester 200, a major Super Late Model event, since 1963!  For more information, check out their website at www.winchestervaspeedway.com or call 301-481-8855.  You can like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/wincvaspeedway and follow them on Twitter @Wincvaspeedway.

 

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, 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 Late Model Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM. 

 

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