7/11/2024
RUSH Late Model Series
CAREER 1ST HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL WIN FOR SHANE CROTTY AT ERIEZ; FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR DRIVERS DAMIAN BIDWELL, MIKE WONDERLING & DARYL CHARL
CAREER 1ST HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL WIN FOR SHANE CROTTY AT ERIEZ; FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR DRIVERS DAMIAN BIDWELL, MIKE WONDERLING & DARYL CHARLIER CAPTURE 1ST WINS OF 2024 IN CITY CHEVROLET WEEKLY SERIES ACTION; AYDEN CIPRIANO BECOMES 7TH DIFFERENT RUSH MOD WINNER OF 2024
By Marcie Barlow
July 11, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)...Fireworks, cookouts, and exciting Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series action presented by Born2Run Lubricants were all part of the Fourth of July celebration throughout the region last week. Damian Bidwell benefitted from the cancellation of the RUSH Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour events as he scored his first two victories of the 2024 season at Dog Hollow and Muskingum County Speedways. Shane Crotty claimed his career first RUSH Late Model victory in City Chevrolet Weekly Series action at Eriez Speedway. Chad Silleman made his return to racing a successful one in RUSH Pro Mod action, while Ayden Cipriano won his first of 2024 in the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds.
Dave Hess, Jr. is a veteran of several divisions in the region, who just picked up his first ever RUSH Late Model Tour victory a few weeks ago as he won the prestigious $20,000 "Bill Emig Memorial" at Lernerville Speedway. The Waterford, Pa. driver continued his winning ways on Friday night as he scored the $1,000 victory in his first ever RUSH Late Model start at Raceway 7. Brock Pinkerous came home in second over Kyle Zimmerman. Joe Martin was third in his season debut at the Conneaut, Ohio oval. Billy Henry, Jr. was fifth.
Eldred, Pa. driver Damian Bidwell had planned to visit Tyler County Speedway and the Ohio Valley Speedway with the RUSH Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour; however, Mother Nature cancelled the events, so he opted for “Plan B” on the holiday weekend. Bidwell’s “Plan B” proved to be successful as he began the weekend by scoring a victory at Dog Hollow Speedway Friday evening. It was his first of the 2024 season and his first ever at the Strongstown, Pa. oval. Mike Laughard came home second with Braeden Dillinger claiming third. Colin Casale and Bill Johnston finished fourth and fifth.
On Saturday, Bidwell and his team ventured to Muskingum County Speedway in near Zanesville, Ohio for the first time ever. Logan Reed and Bidwell led the 17-car field to the green. Reed led the first 17 laps of the event with Bidwell staying within striking distance. Lapped traffic gave Bidwell the opportunity he needed as with two laps to go he used the top side of the speedway to wrestle the lead away from Reed. Bidwell went on for the $1,000 victory, his second checkered flag in as many nights. Reed, who won on opening night, held on for the runner-up spot with seventh place starting Lincoln Smith, a 3C Graphix Futures Cup racer, claiming third. Zach Kane and Ryan Hare completed the top five.
Daryl Charlier led the first six laps of the 20-car RUSH Late Model feature at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday before a caution slowed the field. Charlier maintained the lead when the action resumed and would weather two additional cautions before capturing his first win of 2024 and more importantly the first ever for the Dobnak Racing Team owned by brothers Gus and Matt. Cole Petrelle claimed second with Brandon Burgoon third. Ben Policz and Tom Klein rounded out the top five.
A strong field of 26 RUSH Late Model took the green Saturday at Stateline Speedway. Jason Genco led the first 13 circuits before Mike Wonderling muscled his way to the lead on lap 14. Wonderling led the final six laps to pick up his first victory of 2024 in the City Chevrolet Weekly Series event. Genco settled for second with Austin Allen, Randy Hall and David Parker completing the top five.
Jeremy Wonderling added to his win total at Genesee Speedway on Saturday. Wonderling, who hasn’t finished worse than second in his previous visits to the New York oval this year, won his heat event and drew the Number two spot for the feature lineup. Wonderling took the lead at the green flag and withstood the challenges of Chad Homan to garner his fourth victory of 2024 and joined his brother Mike as Saturday night feature winners. Dave DuBois, Alan Chapman and Demetrios Drellos finished third through fifth.
Kyle Hardy, the 2021 RUSH Late Model Touring Series Champion, tallied his second victory of the season at Winchester Speedway. Isaiah Gochenour had a solid run to finish second with Travis Campbell placing third. Davin Kaiser and Shaun Wetzel rounded out the top five.
Eriez Speedway has yet to see a repeat winner in RUSH Late Model action and that streak continued this on Sunday. Shane Crotty withstood the challenges of Breyton Santee to score his first ever RUSH Late Model checkered flag for the Briggs Transport team. Bobby Rohrer was a season best third over Andy Michael and David Parker.
John Mollick scored his third Hovis RUSH Sprint Car win in the last four Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series events on Sunday at Tri-City Raceway Park. Mollick led the entire distance of the 15-lap main event to score his second win of 2024 at the Franklin, Pa. oval by 0.228 seconds over Blaze Myers. Brent Rhebergen finished third as he continues to knock on the door for his first Sprint Car win in his first season aboard Tim Engles' #68. Joe Buccola claimed fourth with Arnie Kent finishing fifth.
The lone Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modified event of the weekend took place at Raceway 7 on Friday night. Ayden Cipriano led the entire distance of the 20-lap main event to score his first victory of 2024 and became the seventh different winner of the season. The event was also part of the Wedge Motorsports Route 7 Rumble Series, which sees JC Boyer atop the standings. Kole Holden, who leads the $3,500 to-win Weekly Series points, came from the eighth starting spot to finish second. Jacob Rutana had his best run of the season to come home in third over Bill Cunningham. Brandon Ritchey was fifth in his first Raceway 7 start of 2024.
The RUSH Pro Mods had a busy Independence Day holiday weekend with three events on their schedule. It all kicked off on Thursday at Bradford Speedway with Larry Mitchell, Jr. getting his second victory of the year. Al Brewer came home second with Josh Canfield claiming third. Joe Chamberlain and Nick Arnold completed the top five.
On Friday, the Pro Mods teams travelled to McKean County Raceway. Nick Arnold and Chad Silleman led the field to the green while Zain Harvey, the division’s winningest driver started ninth. Silleman,who was making his season debut, weathered numerous cautions and drove a flawless race to score the win aboard Larry Mitchell's #47. Joe Chamberlain finished in second with Harvey third. Defending Series Champion, Steve Dixon, made his 2024 season debut and was third at his hometown track. Al Brewer finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
RUSH Pro Mod action moved to Stateline Speedway on Saturday. Josh Wilcox led the first 13 circuits of the main event before Zain Harvey grabbed the top spot. Harvey led the final six laps to score the victory, which was his fourth at Stateline and RUSH leading ninth on the circuit this season. Wilcox claimed second with Al Brewer, Tim Peterson, and Vaughn Nystrom rounding out the top five.
The Hovis RUSH Dirt Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour events scheduled at Tyler County Speedway and Ohio Valley Speedway were rained out. It marked the second straight week that a doubleheader weekend was rained out and the 10th weather cancellation of the season.
This weekend’s racing action includes a $2,000 to win RUSH Late Model Weekly Series special event at Freedom Motorsports Park on Friday. In addition, weekly RUSH Late Model action is scheduled at Dog Hollow Speedway, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Woodhull Raceway, Eriez Speedway and Bradford Speedway.
The Hovis RUSH Sprint Cars have a three-day weekend scheduled for Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series action. It begins on Friday evening with an $800 to-win event presented by Billy's Garage at Sharon Speedway. The teams will then visit Hummingbird Speedway for $1,000 to-win Saturday and then conclude their weekend Sunday evening at Tri-City Raceway Park.
The RUSH Pro Mods will battle for a $1,000 payday at Freedom Motorsports Park on Friday and then compete at Bradford Speedway on Sunday. Zain Harvey continues to lead the $3,500 to-win Weekly Series points.
The lone RUSH Sportsman Modified event is slated at Sharon Speedway on Saturday for an $800 to-win event part of the Wedge Motorsports "Route 7 Rumble" Series.
After enjoying a weekend off, RUSH Stock Car teams will visit Freedom Motorsports Park on Friday and return to Eriez Speedway on Sunday. Kaden Michael continues to lead the $2,000 to-win Weekly Series points.
Once again there are quite a few opportunities for race fans to enjoy exciting RUSH Racing Series action; whether it be close to home or by travelling and taking in a new racing venue we look forward to seeing you at the track.
The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, Sunbelt Rentals, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Joseph J. Olivia Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, 3C Graphix, Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Dusted Steak Seasoning, Ontime Body & Graphic, Sherwood Wheels, D&V Jewelers, Dusted, Heritage Wine Cellars, Precise Racing Products, Wedge Motorsports, Racing Electronics, and Billy’s Garage.
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. The RUSH Late Model website is www.rushlatemodels.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @RUSHLM.
Article Credit: Marcie Barlow
