SWEENEY RUSH "MANUFACTURERS NIGHTS" PRESENTED BY MSD "EVOLVE" INTO OVER $110,000 OF VALUABLE PRODUCT GIVEAWAYS; LATE MODEL "MFG NIGHTS" COMING THIS WEEKEND
By Doug Kennedy
August 14, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)...One of the most anticipated events on the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Late Model Series powered by Pace Performance schedule is traditionally "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance, and will take place Sunday Night, August 20 at Tri-City Raceway Park. Meanwhile, the newly created "traveling" edition, will take place the night before (August 19) at Winchester Speedway; together distributing over $53,000 of valuable useful product to RUSH Late Model racers throughout the region. Other divisions under the RUSH banner, Sportsman Modifieds, Pro Mods, Pro Stocks, and the new Asphalt Series will reap another $57,000 bringing the total product value given to RUSH racers via these events only to well over $110,000 in 2017!
Look up the word evolution in a dictionary and you will find the following definition; the gradual development of something from a single to a more complex form; i.e. advancement, growth, rise, progress. To say that the RUSH "Manufacturers Nights" concept fits this description would certainly be an understatement.
Six year ago when Series Director Vicki Emig was working throughout the winter to put the 2012 Touring Series schedule together she thought it would be a great promotion to surround one of their events with a product giveaway night for the racers in attendance, thus "Manufacturers Night" was born. Looking back, the inaugural event was billed as $15,000 of giveaways, but reality was that not one single product was secured at that time, but in the end over $20,000 of product was distributed!
"Honestly, I went at the idea on a wing and a prayer," stated Emig. "One of the best things my father ever taught me was; 'Don't ever be afraid to ask, all they can do is say no!' Well over the years I've done a lot of asking, got a lot of no's, but thankfully got many, many yeses!" Since I've gotten the initial foundation in place it's defiantly been a lot easier, but I would have never imagined when I made my first phone call to a manufacturer that six years later we'd be distributing over $110,000 of product to our racers on Manufacturers Nights alone."
Tri-City Raceway Park will once again host the highly-anticipated event and their location in Franklin, Pa. in recent years has been selected for very specific reasons. With the speedway's central location in accordance to the majority of the Series other sanctioned tracks along with its Sunday venue and the fact that two Sunday night speedways, Eriez and Bradford, graciously forego their RUSH race card to accommodate the racers, a perfect scenario has been created to allow more RUSH to participate in the event.
“We are actually in the center of RUSH nation,” said Tri-City General Manager Chad Wagner. “It’s easy for their racers to get to and being a Sunday night track does not conflict with the numerous Saturday Night venues.” The 58 cars at last year’s event was one of the highest in the nation for Crate Late Models, second only to the fall race at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, which surpassed us by just a few cars.
“The event being at Tri-City has really helped us out,” said Late Model driver Jamie Wrightsman of Cortland, Ohio. “It's tough for me to travel to some of the outlying tracks to participate. Tri-City is only an hour and a half from my house. It’s a great deal that gives back to the drivers. It’s an excellent promotional tool for the Series and there’s a lot of stuff that is very useful.”
Last year, Wrightsman won an MSD ignition system valued at $630. Wrightsman’s dad also raced at Tri-City in the ‘80s so going to Tri-City to race brings back a lot of memories.
The 2017 event on August 20 will see 60 actual prizes posted that are valued at a minimum of $300 each. The drawing are random and every racer in attendance will walk away with at least one item that is useful in their racing efforts; some may possibly win more than one.
TBM Brakes, will once again post one of the most sought after prizes, a set of 4 F3 Tornado Brake Calipers valued at $1,800. Other great items such as a Lincoln Electric Welder, numerous sets of FK Rod Ends, Hoosier Tires, Landrum Performance Springs and Schoenfeld Headers, along with a Velocita Custom fire suit and a Holley Carburetor, numerous MSD Product packages and other items fill the product giveaway list.
Many other drawings will occur after the initial round that will offer substantial discounts on services, such as powder coating of a new Late Model frame valued at $600 posted by Absolute Powder Coatings, dyno break-in sessions, and discounts from Authorized Series rebuilders on repair and rebuilds. It is estimated that well over 80 different nationally recognized manufacturers will participate across the board in the Series' various Manufacturers Nights.
Being a participant in Manufacturers Night gives the contributing companies the opportunity to showcase their products to not only the RUSH racers in attendance, but also to the other divisions that are racing at the host track. A long list of marketing amenities that promote and market the participating companies throughout the events is part of the "Manufacturers Night" sponsorship package, some of which continue to give them exposure for an entire year.
All of the RUSH "Official" Sponsors are major contributors to the events, the balance of the product is made up from various companies that feel it is a great way to have a presence within RUSH. The complete list of prizes and donors for both of the upcoming Late Model "Manufacturers Nights" presented by MSD Performance are listed below.
“It’s definitely a positive relationship for us,” said TBM Brakes General Manger Jason Smith. “This year overall we will give approximately $8,000 of TBM product to RUSH racers via these events.” TBM has been part of Manufacturers Night since the event began back in 2012 and is now the "Official Brake System" of RUSH.
“What Vicki is doing with RUSH continues to grow every year,” added Smith. “With us as a small business located in Camarillo, California it helps us expand and grow our brand in other parts of the country, thus both RUSH and TBM benefit from the joint effort.” Smith also sees the benefit of RUSH moving into asphalt racing as a positive for them as well. “We definitely have the products for these platforms also and look forward to RUSH growing in that world as well.,” said Smith.
C.J. Jones of Jones Racing Products, the "Official Belt Drive and Pulley System" of RUSH said, “In addition to supporting RUSH as a Series, Manufacturers Nights provides us a great opportunity to directly support their drivers. These nights allows us to showcase the parts we produce that can be specifically beneficial to each of the RUSH divisions, thus helping the individuals who compete in those classes.”
Super Late Model racer and 2017 RUSH "Touring" Series winner as well as owner of RKR (Russ King Racing) winner Russ Kings brings gives a unique perspective as a business owner who contributes to both the Late Model and Sportsman Modified "Manufacturers Night" events.
"As a racer the Manufacturers Night is awesome because there's so much stuff you can win and actually use," stated King. "From a business standpoint, I appreciate all the business I receive from not only the RUSH Late Models but also the RUSH Sportsman Modified racers, so it's only right to give back to the people that support myself and RKR."
“It’s a great event for the racers and the fans because not only do the racers get the opportunity to get thousands of dollars of product, but it gives the fans the perspective of what goes into these cars and the expenses they can generate,” said Tri-City's Wagner. "I think the alliances that RUSH has with their tracks is great. They work with us on anything we ask and vice versa. It brings in fans not only from the local area, but from outside areas as well. The Series and the Manufactures Night gives us notoriety and visibility for not only our track but our sponsors.”
"I love Manufacturers Night,” said Chas Wolbert, who races in the Sportsman Modified division. “It gives us the opportunity to get something we can actually use in our racing efforts. There are lots of great products up for grabs, which in turn provides for a great car count. Last year, Wolbert received a $500 set of FK Rod Ends for his Bicknell GM 602-powered car. “That really helped us out. I’m really excited and looking forward to it being held again at Sharon Speedway.”
There will also be a "travelling" Manufacturers Night this year for the Late Models that will be held at Winchester Speedway on August 19 and then rotate to other tracks in upcoming years. The destination will likely be somewhere in New York. This event was created this year to give the Late Model racers who compete in the outlying areas of five to six hours away a show of appreciation. This year's "travelling" event will disperse better than $13,000 of product to RUSH racers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, an area that has grown tremendously over the past couple of years.
“Our first ever Manufacturers Night went really well,” said Jennerstown General Manager Bill Hribar. “Even though she (Vicki) posted the $21,000 of product that was going to be given away, I don’t think the drivers really understood what or how much they were getting or had any idea how much it would be worth to them individually. RUSH is the future of asphalt racing, we were drawn to RUSH because of what she had accomplished with GM crate engine racing on dirt. Our expectations with the Series have been met this year and we are really excited about our future partnership, we fully expect our car counts to continue to grow under the RUSH program."
After getting rained out on June 24 then again on July 1, the RUSH Sportsman Mod Manufacturers Night presented by MSD is rescheduled for August 26 at Sharon Speedway. The track also played host to last year's event, while the 2014 and 2015 events were held at Lernerville and Sportsman's Speedway. Sharon was instrumental in working with the Series to develop the division by giving the division a home track.
"It's special to have the Manufacturers Night for the Sportsman Mods here,” said Sharon track General Manager Dave Willoughby. “It’s also special for the racers to put products into their race teams without having to take money out of their own pockets as well. For Vicki to get this stuff all rounded up and make the products available for the racers is pretty awesome.”
The second annual "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD for the Pro Mod division was held at Stateline Speedway in Busti, New York and distributed over $11,000 in products. Besides winning the feature, Dennis Lunger, Jr. took home $675 in products. which included a complete serpentine belt drive system from Jones Racing Products. The grand prize winner was 2016 "Futures Cup Champion" Zach Johnson, who at 15 years of age made up for a not so good night on the speedway with over $1,600 in products, including TBM Brakes valued at $1,115 and MSD package valued at $550.
Pro Mod driver Steve Dixon of Smethport, Pa. also walked away with over $1,000 of product winning the Holley $780 carburetor as well as the $250 gift certificate from Close Racing Supply.
“She (Vicki) does a good job of getting stuff we can use,” said Dixon. “They pay attention to the things that we drivers need. It also drew four to five extra drivers that night, which is great because the class is still growing. Everyone loves that night.”
Overall, Dixon sees a positive with the RUSH involvement with the Pro Mods. “They’re doing a good job of getting classes that racers can afford to race in and be competitive. I’m looking forward to the RUSH Pro Mod class growing which will create better and better competition.”
For the third straight year, Lernerville will host Manufacturers Night for their Pro Stocks, which has been an all GM crate engine division now for two years. The event will take place at their "Autumn-Motive Fest" that is held in September.
Sylvan Easler, the owner of longtime Series sponsor, Alternative Power Sources, has been involved with Manufacturers Night since its inception in 2012 when it began as just as Late Model event. Easler has annually posted one of the most valuable prizes, a Yamaha generator valued at $2,200. This year, Easler will also expand his product distribution to not only the Late Models, but also the Sportsman Mods and the Pro Stocks posting three Yamaha Power washers valued at $790 each!
“I think the night is great,” said Easler, whose son, Aaron competes in the Pro Stock Division at Lernerville. “The Manufacturers Nights give so much back to the racers. I’ve not seen another organization like RUSH anywhere and I support it because of what Vicki does for the racers; I don’t think she gets enough credit for what she has done for racing in our throughout the region." Easler’s company is located in Gibsonia, Pa.
In additional to the "Manufactures Nights," several other thousands of dollars of contingency product will be dispersed to RUSH racers in 2017 via the $6,000 Pace Performance Bucks, $7,500 Rocket Chassis Certificate giveaway, Touring event programs, and numerous other exciting programs; with the grand total being well over $150,000 of product.
RUSH Late Models
“Manufacturers Night” Presented by MSD Prize List
Tri-City Raceway Park - August 20, 2017
1. TBM Brakes- (4) F3 Tornado Brake Calipers ($1,800)
2. Velocita-USA - Full Custom Drivers Suit ($1,000)
3. Holley - One 4150 LTS Aluminum Ultra XP 650 CFM Carburetor ($780)
9. Classic Ink - Quick Crew (48-piece) Apparel Package ($600)
10. Jones Racing Products - SBC 55+ Amp Radius Tooth HTD Alternator Kit ($557)
15. Dynamic Drivelines - One Small Tube Carbon Fiber Crate Driveshaft ($550)
40. Jones Racing Products/Wehrs Machine & Racing Products - SBC Crate Serpentine Belt Drive Kit ($227) & Wehrs Machine $100 Gift Certificate ($327)
Additional prizes:
· Jennerstown Engine Technology - gift certificate for $250 towards a complete rebuild of an engine ($250)
· Jennerstown Engine Technology - gift certificate for $250 towards a complete rebuild of an engine ($250)
· DMI/Bulldog - 50 $25 off the retail purchase of any DMI/Bulldog product ($1,250)
· Keizer Aluminum Wheels – one $50 certificate toward the purchase of a wheel to the top 20 finishers ($1,000)
· Race 1 ($1,350):
o 1/2 off 604 Pro series race prep (with the purchase of engine and dyno break-in)---value $225.00
o 1/2 off Dyno Break-in (with the purchase of engine and pro series race prep)---value $275
o Gift certificate for $100 off the purchase of a new Stealth 700PLUS Carburetor
o Gift certificate for $100 off the purchase of a KRC 16322600 front crate kit
o Gift certificate for $50 off the purchase of a set of Beyea Crate Headers
o Gift certificate for $50 off the purchase of a CV 2508 fuel pump
o Gift certificate for $25 off the purchase of a pro series R2C filter element
o Gift certificate for $25 off the purchase of a pro series R2C filter element
· Race event contingencies from K&N ($150), TBM Brakes ($45), Maxima Racing Oils ($170), Precise Racing Products ($100), CrateInsider.com ($25)
ARbodies Special Drawing
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
· ARbodies Dirt Nose/Fender combo kit ($250)
RUSH Late Models
Mid-Atlantic "Manufactures" Night presented by MSD Performance Prize List*
Winchester Speedway - August 19, 2017:
1. Holley - Holley LTS 4150 Aluminum Ultra XP 650 CFM Carb ($780)
2. Lincoln Electric - One Power Mig 140C Welder & Utility Cart ($700)
3. Ultra Shield Race Products- One VS Halo Seat/Cover ($630)
4. Classic Ink- Quick Crew (48 Piece) Apparel Package ($600)
5. Jones Racing Products- SBC 55+ Amp Radius Tooth HTD Alternator Kit ($557)
6. MSD Performance- Pro Billet Chevy V-8 Distributor with Cap & Rotor, MSD Blaster HVC Ignition Coil & MSD 8.5mm Super Spark Plug Wire Set ($550)
7. FK Rod Ends- One Complete Set of 4130 Black FK Rod Ends ($500)
8. Schoenfeld Headers- One Set of Custom Long Tube Crate LM Headers & Mufflers ($500)
9. Schoenfeld Headers- One Set of Custom Long Tube Crate LM Headers & Mufflers ($500)
10. Sunoco Race Fuels/Insinger Performance- 1 Drum Sunoco 110 or 2 Drums RUSH 91 ($450)
11. Sunoco Race Fuels/Insinger Performance- 1 Drum Sunoco 110 or 2 Drums RUSH 91 ($450)
12. Sunoco Race Fuels/Insinger Performance- 1 Drum Sunoco 110 or 2 Drums RUSH 91 ($450)
13. Oakley/Precise Racing Products- 1 Pair Oakley Driving Gloves & 1 Pair Racing Shoes & (1) 5-Point Shoulder Harness & 200 Tearoffs ($430)
14. Maxima Racing Oil/Roy Anderson Racing- Complete Car Service Package with Oils, Cleaner & Wax & $50 Roy Anderson Racing Gift Card ($400)
15. Pancho's Racing Products- 1 Set of Front Spindles for a MBH or Gen-Z Mastersbilt Race Car or Gift Certificate if Mastersbilt not utilized ($350)
16. Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Distributors- 2 CUSA Hoosier Tires ($316)
17. Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Distributors- 2 CUSA Hoosier Tires ($316)
18. Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Distributors- 2 CUSA Hoosier Tires ($316)
19. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
20. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
21. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
22. Landrum Performance Springs- Package of 4 VB Standard Coil Springs ($300)
23. Bernheisel Race Components/K&N- Lazer Lid with Cap Package & $50 K&N Gift Card ($300)
24. K&N- $300 Product Certificate ($300)
25. K&N- $300 Product Certificate ($300)
26. Jones Racing Products/TBM Brakes- SBC Crate Serpentine Belt Drive Kit & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($272)
27. Superior Steering Wheel/Ultra Shield- 1 Custom Steering Wheel & (1) 5 Point Shoulder Harness & 200 Tearoffs ($270)
28. Marty Brown Race Engines- 1 Set of Valve Springs, Case of Oil & Filter (driver choice) & 2 Sets of Spark Plugs ($250)
29. Earl's Performance Products/TBM Brakes- $200 Product Certificate & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($245)
30. Earl's Performance Products/TBM Brakes- $200 Product Certificate & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($245)
31. Quick Fuel/TBM Brakes- $200 Product Certificate & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($245)
32. Quick Fuel/TBM Brakes- $200 Product Certificate & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($245)
33. Pace Performance/TBM Brakes- $200 Product Certificate & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($245)
34. Pace Performance/TBM Brakes- $200 Product Certificate & 3 Bottles TBM Brake Fluid ($245)
*Eligible drivers for Mid-Atlantic Night: Darren Alvey, Brent Bordeaux, Chuck Bowie, Ben Bowie, Devin Brannon, Trevor Collins, Levi Crowl, Richard Culver, Chip Disharoon, Mike Franklin, Matt Glanden, Richard Hawkins, Darin Henderson, Matt Hill, Steve Lowery, Derek Magee, Megan Mann, James Marshall, Paul McGinley, David Pettyjohn, Jeff Pilkerton, Jacob Piper, Jennae Piper, Tyler Reed, Dakota Riggleman, Logan Roberson, Charles Shawver, Harry Shipe III, Transton Stoner, Brandon Sturgis, Jamie Sutphin, Scott Sweeney, Matt Tarbox, Scott Tessman, Joe Warren, Mike Wharton, Sparky White, Mike Wilson.
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, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Rocket Chassis, Landrum Performance Spring, CrateInsider.com, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.
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, Maxima Racing Oil, Sherwood Racing Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, 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, Maxima Racing Oil, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, CrateInsider.com, 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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