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MAX BLAIR WINS 1ST EVER CRATE LATE MODEL RACE AT SPORTSMAN’S SUNDAY IN SWEENEY RUSH WEEKLY EVENT
June 2, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Knox, PA)…Over the winter, RUSH Dirt Late Model Series Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone went to work to secure some additional Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Weekly Series events at speedways that do not run the class on a weekly basis. Sunday at Sportsman’s Speedway was one of the two events that were scheduled for the Knox, Pa. oval. Despite an 80% chance of rain in the forecast all week, the weather was fair with only isolated storms that bypassed the Speedway.


The Blair Family has had a long storied career at Sportsman’s Speedway over the years. On Sunday evening, Max became the third generation to win at the Speedway! Blair capped off a great weekend backing up his Friday night win at McKean County Raceway by sweeping both the heat race and feature. The $700 victory was Blair’s fifth of the season in Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Weekly Series action, which includes four victories at McKean as he sets his sights on the $5,000 to-win Weekly Championship.

“It means a lot to be able to win here,” acknowledged the 23-year-old standout, who will go down as the first ever Crate Late Model winner at Sportsman’s. “I remember coming here as a kid watching my dad (Robbie) race and I always wanted an opportunity to race here. I’m just really shocked that more guys didn’t come. I expected around 25 cars. Outside of Lernerville on opening day, this was the smoothest and nicest track I’ve run on all season. I really hope we get an opportunity to come back.”

Blair started third and passed both Joe Martin and Bobby Whitling on the opening lap in his Specialty Products/Moody & Son Welding/Wescoat Excavating/Genesis Shocks-sponsored #111. Blair went on to lead every lap of the non-stop affair by 2.9 seconds over Martin, who was victorious in Saturday’s $1,000 to-win Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Weekly Series event at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway. Whitling, who excelled in the Stock Cars at the Speedway for many years earning the nickname “The Seneca Slider”, was third. Pat Willar, who made his first RUSH start, was fourth.

“To say we were disappointed was an understatement,” said Emig. “Racers have asked for years about competing at Sportsman’s. We were thrilled to be able to get the opportunity to have two Sweeney Weekly Series events this year. We can’t thank Jim and Louise Colwell for making that happen and providing a great surface for the racers to compete on. When we made the announcement in the winter, the response was overwhelming and guys were really looking forward to the chance to race at Sportsman’s. Several racers were planning on coming even up until Sunday morning. We know the weather forecast wasn’t good as probably many didn’t expect the event to be able to be completed.”

RUSH Late Model Feature (15 laps, $700 to-win): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Joe Martin (55) 3. Bobby Whitling (7W) 4. Pat Willar (39).

RUSH weekly-sanctioned speedways include Allegheny Mountain Raceway (Kane, PA), A.M.R (PA) Speedway, McKean County Raceway (East Smethport, PA), Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway (Imperial, PA), Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex (Markleysburg, PA), Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH), and The Rock – Allegany County Speedway (Cumberland, MD).

2013 RUSH marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, RainEater Wiper Blades, Hoosier Tire, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, The Brake Man, K&N Filters, Lincoln Electric, TurboStart, 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.