JORDAN ECK WINS DEBUT OF SWEENEY RUSH SPORTSMAN MODS; AMP UP NEXT ON SATURDAY FOLLOWED BY LERNERVILLE MAY 9
April 28, 2014
(By Mike Leone) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)…After nearly seven months of planning, the debut of the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modifieds took place on Saturday night (April 26) at Sharon Speedway for a Weekly Series event as part of the $10,000 plus point fund for the inaugural season. The event drew 10 cars including two from New York, while an additional 12 drivers continue to make preparations and will be hitting the speedway in the coming weeks.
Jordan Eck will go down in the history books as the very first winner of the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds as the former E-Mod and Crate Late Model racer captured his first career win in the 15-lap Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC feature.
“It would have been great if dad was here to see my first win,” expressed the 29-year-old Corry, Pa. driver and son of Super Late Model racer Doug Eck. “My wife is cold, we have a three-year-old, and she’s seven months pregnant. I’m so setup to run Late Models, but it’s so expensive; the motor rebuild at the end of the year is still $8,000-9,000 even if you don’t blow it up. I can’t see spending that kind of money nor I can I afford it. I can buy three of these motors brand new for that! I’d like to thank Vicki (Emig) for getting this series going down here.”
“I’d like to thank my crew chief Andy Larson- he’s been a ton of help to me,” continued Eck. “Also the Kings; I had way too much gear in the heat and went over and got a set of gears from them so I have to thank Russ and those guys. I hope there’s more guys coming and I’m looking forward to coming back- that’s for sure!”
Veteran racer Jerry Schaffer led the first five laps before slipping high in turn two allowing Eck to take the lead. Greg Martin started fourth and after racing Schaffer side-by-side for three laps made the pass stick on lap nine. Eck had built a straightaway lead by the time Martin moved into second. On lap 12, Eck slipped high in traffic allowing Martin to close in. Eck though would hold on for the victory over Martin in his C&H Sports Center-sponsored #20 by 0.918 of a second.
Adam Hilton passed Schaffer on lap 12 to finish third. Schaffer dropped to fourth over Jamie Duncan, who also competed in the Stock Car class. Rookies Mike Kiezer, who carried the #77 in honor of his fire station, and third generation racer Michael Kristyak were sixth and seventh. Martin won the heat race.
Seven of the 10 cars competed as three did not pass pre-race tech and are in the process of having their engines inspected by a RUSH Authorized Engine Repair Facility. Drivers that have purchased used engines to compete are encouraged to have their engine inspected by one of the Authorized Engine Repair Facilities listed on our website under the Engine tab at www.rushsportsmanmods.com. In fact, Brad Hibbard of Race-1 would be happy to answer any questions on the legality of bolts at 330-540-7223.
“DIRTcar applauds the effort made by RUSH and their inspection team,” acknowledged Joe Skotnicki of DIRTcar. “It is critical as the sport continues to evolve that we must maintain the integrity of this program. We also want to remind competitors that DIRTcar has a system in place for resealed engines, which is maintained to ensure the seals have not been tampered with and competitors are encouraged to ask for and reference the paperwork used in the DIRTcar process.”
Coming up this Saturday night (May 3) is the second event under the Sweeney Weekly Series program as action shifts east to America’s Motorsports Park for the Clearfield, Pa. speedway’s season opener. Following that show will be a Sweeney RUSH Racing Weekly Series doubleheader at Lernerville Speedway on Friday, May 9 as both the Late Models and Sportsman Modifieds will be on the card with the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars.
Two promotional events later this summer include the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC/Pace Performance GM 602 Engine Giveaway Night at Sharon Speedway on Saturday, June 2 and the “Manufacturers Night” to be held at Lernerville Speedway on a date TBA. Also, several companies will be distributing event contingencies such AERO Race Wheels, Driven Racing Oil, FK Rod Ends, and Precise Racing Products.
Remember as well that both Precise Racing Products and Big Daddy’s Speed Center have offered a 5% discount on all racing parts (excluding the sealed Bilstein shock, fuel, and tires) for the entire 2014 season to all RUSH Sportsman Modified member drivers!
Sharon Speedway 4/26/14 Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modified (15 laps): 1. JORDAN ECK (20) 2. Greg Martin (4) 3. Adam Hilton (3A) 4. Jerry Schaffer (4) 5. Jamie Duncan (18) 6. Mike Kiezer (77) 7. Michael Kristyak (404). (Note: Rocky Kugel (1), J.C. Boyer (1M) & Adam Siegel (91) did not pass pre-race tech.)
Additional drivers planning to compete in 2014 include Adam Ashcroft, Eric Beggs, Chris Habbyshaw, John Hartman, Ken Moy, Jr., Jeremy Paup, Billy Schaffer, Bobby Siegel, Jeff Stuchel, Rick Thompson, Walt Tutak, Jeremy Zufall, and possibly Walt Tutak, Jr.
2014 RUSH Sportsman Modified marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, AERO Race Wheels, Driven Racing Oil, Precise Racing Products, and B.R.A.K.E.S.
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 Sportsman Modified website is www.rushsportsmanmods.com. Those on social media can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rushsportsmanmods and follow us on Twitter @RUSHSportMods.