“APPLE FESTIVAL NATIONALS” THIS WEEKEND AT SHARON; $2000 TO-WIN PLUS “FUTURES CUP” TRIFECTA RACE #2
September 11, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)…After the big “$50,000 End of Summer Blowout” Labor Day Weekend followed by a weekend off, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series will resume action this weekend and kickoff a big fall stretch of races to close out the inaugural 2013 season. Sharon Speedway kicks off the busy fall slate Friday and Saturday that features six big weekends over the next seven weeks.
The annual “Apple Festival Nationals” will be a big two-day event at the Hartford, Ohio oval featuring six divisions in action with Bobby Lake Motorsports “Shock the Clock” group qualifying ($100 to fast time), Bobby Lake Motorsports heat races ($25 to-win) and the “Futures Cup” Trifecta race on Friday night followed by the K&N Dash, last chance B main(s), the $2,000 to-win 30-lap feature, and the non-qualifier event on Saturday night.
“The Apple Festival Nationals has really become a traditional event for Sharon as the kickoff to the fall racing season,” stated RUSH Co-Director Vicki Emig. “Sharon is paying out a lot of money over the weekend. We’re glad to be part of this event and allowing us to be showcased in another $2,000 to-win event. Sharon has been a great partner to work with and we always enjoy having Tour events at their state-of-the-art facility.”
The “Apple Festival Nationals” is Sweeney Tour race #17 and marks the fifth and final one of the season at Sharon. Mike Pegher, Jr. and Ryan Montgomery split the “Bill Emig Memorial” victories over Memorial Day Weekend, Max Blair won on Sweeney Chevrolet Night when a new GM 604 engine was awarded to Bobby Whitling, and Montgomery captured the $2,000 “Gary Knollinger Memorial” victory on August 17.
Defending Sharon champion Will Thomas III will be looking for his third straight victory at the speedway, but has never won a tour event at his home track. Thomas has five victories this season and is the division’s all-time winner at Sharon, but due to missing a pair of events trails Dennis Lunger, Jr. in the Sharon standings. Lunger has four wins at Sharon this year and is currently fourth in the Sweeney Weekly Series points. Lunger would also love to capture his first career Sweeney RUSH Tour win.
Pegher leads the Sweeney Tour contingent to Sharon. After starting the year on fire winning three of the first six events, the Wexford, Pa. driver has cooled off with only one win in the last 10 events. He’s also seen his point lead shrink to 20 over Montgomery, who has beaten Pegher seven times in those 10 races. Pegher though has an incredibly consistent season recording 13 top four finishes with just one finish outside the top 10- that being a 14th.
Rick Singleton, who won the opener for the Sweeney Tour back on April 20 at Hagerstown, is currently third in points over Joe Martin. Butch Lambert has moved into fifth place in points and is closing on Martin for the fourth spot. Completing the top 15 points paying positions are Matt Glanden, Chad Ruhlman, Cody Dawson, Jorden Peters, Andrew Wylie, Michael Lake, Max Blair, W.L. Stile, Matt Latta, and John Over.
The second of three “Futures Cup” Trifecta races for 2013 will be held on Friday night paying $200 to-win. Sharon regular Eric Wilson currently leads 12-year-old Michael Lake by 14 points. Wilson has a victory at Sharon, while Lake has three wins at Roaring Knob including the Labor Day $2,000 Sweeney Tour victory! Canadian Jorden Peters won the first “Trifecta” race back in July at Pittsburgh and is currently third in points. Sharon regular Clay Ruffo is fourth over Matt Glanden. The “Futures Cup” takes in member drivers’ best 15 point finishes plus the addition of the three “Trifecta” races. There are 10 eligible racers.
The K&N “Cold Air Induction” Dash will be run awarding $100 K&N certificate for the win, $50 certificate for second with $25 cash to all other starters. Saturday’s K&N Dash will determine the beginning of the feature lineup. It took until the 16th event to get a repeat winner when Lake won at Roaring Knob. Montgomery is the K&N point leader.
Other programs taking place will be the Precise Racing Products “Pedal Down Hard Charger” as the driver that passes the most cars in the feature will receive $100 Precise certificate. RUSH Officials will choose The Brake Man “Tough Brake of the Night” as this driver will receive three bottles of Xtreme6 Racing Brake Fluid valued at approximately $45 along with a certificate good for either $50 off of a purchase of $100 or more or 20% off any The Brake Man purchase.
The “Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge Series will be held for drivers failing to qualify for the feature. There has yet to be a repeat winner in the nine races run in 2013. Scott Fitch is the current point leader.
Sharon Feature payoff: 1. $2,000 2. $1,000 3. $650 4. $550 5. $470 6. $435 7. $410 8. $370 9. $340 10. $310 11. $280 12. $270 13. $260 14. $250 15. $240 16. $230 17. $220 18-24. $210.
Non-Qualifier: 1. $175 2. $150 3. $140 4. $135 5. $130 6. $125 7. $120 8. $115 9. $110 10-24. $105. Tow $100.
“Futures Cup” Trifecta race: 1. $200 2. $100 3. $90 4. $85 5. $80 6. $75 7. $70 8. $65 9. $60 10 on back. $55.
Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Touring Series DRIVER Points (must be Touring member to receive points): 1. Mike Pegher, Jr. 1656 2. Ryan Montgomery 1636 3. Rick Singleton 1503 4. Joe Martin 1328 5. Butch Lambert 1299 6. Matt Glanden 1096 7. Chad Ruhlman 1083 8. Cody Dawson 1070 9. Jorden Peters 1026 10. Andrew Wylie 873 11. Michael Lake 863 12. Max Blair 833 13. W.L. Stile 810 14. Matt Latta 798 15. John Over 665 16. Josh Double 651 17. Dennis Lunger, Jr. 645 18. Josh Holtgraver 644 19. Nico Dabecco 640 20. Glenn Elliott 617 21. Justin Tatlow 557 22. Eric Wilson 536 23. Bryce Davis 436 24. Will Thomas III 407 25. Scott Tessman 362 26. Dan Angelicchio 350 27. Lauren Longbrake 326 28. Adam Sixt 324 29. D.J. Troutman 304 30. Russell Baird, Jr. 288 31. Andrew Satterlee 263 32. Shane Weaver 229 33. Paul McGinley 217 34. Mike Wharton 151 35. Luke Carleton 143 36. Jamie Brown & Mike Laughard 140 38. Nolan Dalton 88 39. Darren Peters 87 40. Troy Swindell 85 41. Steve Beatty 79 42. Randy Wible 70.
You do not have to be a RUSH member to compete in any RUSH-sanctioned event. There will be a $100 entry fee. RACEceivers are mandatory and transponders will be required.
Pits open at 4 p.m. both days. Group qualifying will begin Friday night at 7 p.m. and racing will start on Saturday at 7. Live entertainment and a bonfire will be held after the races each night; Friday night will feature Dakota Rock and then “Fast Freddie” from 93.3 The Wolf on Saturday night. Breakfast will be available on Saturday morning from 8-10 a.m. Free camping is permitted all weekend beginning on Wednesday night.
Sharon Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt track with a GPS address of 3241 Custer-Orangeville Rd. NE, Burghill, OH 44404. For more information, check out their website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. As for their social media outlets, you can like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SharonSpeedway or follow them on Twitter @SharonSpdwy.
2013 RUSH marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, RainEater Wiper Blades, Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, The Brake Man, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, TurboStart, Beyea Headers, FK Rod Ends, K1 RaceGear, Bobby Lake Motorsports, Wrisco Industries, High Gear Speed Shop, Utsinger’s Towing, RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.
E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com 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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