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CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO
MEMBERS – 20 RACES IN 2021
(Upland, CA, December 25, 2020) On Christmas morning, Alex
Grigoreas, the President of the California Lightning Sprint Car Series played
like Santa Claus and gave a special gift to the club’s racing teams and fans.
It is the 2021 season schedule that will see the series compete 20-times on five
different tracks in the sunshine state.
In addition to its own series, the CLS board worked diligently
with the BCRA (Bay Cities Racing Association) board to avoid schedule conflicts
in 2021. Thus, in addition to the 20 dates on its own schedule, there are 12
BCRA dates that do not conflict with the CLS. That will give teams from both
clubs the opportunity to race 32 times in the upcoming season. There will also
be some other non-conflicting dates with the POWRi Southwest Sprint Car Series
giving racers more opportunities to hit the track.
“We are going to be very busy,” Grigoreas said on Christmas Eve.
“The schedule is a great one for people who want to race. And we worked with
BCRA to minimize schedule conflicts. I am excited that we were able to do that
so we can give teams even more opportunities to get on the track. Big thank you
to our board and the BCRA board for making that possible.”
The CLS 27th season will commence at “The West’s Fastest 1/3 Mile
High Banked Clay Oval,” the Bakersfield Speedway, on March 13th. It will
conclude a little over seven months later with three nights of co-sanctioned
racing with BCRA at the Hangtown 100 at the Placerville Speedway in November.
Bakersfield Speedway will be the track that hosts the most CLS
races in 2021 with six. Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway will see the exciting
series compete on the beachside oval five times. Santa Maria Speedway will be
the scene of four races. Northern California’s Placerville Speedway will
present three CLS races and the Merced Speedway will host two.
In addition to the three nights of the Hangtown 100 in November,
there will be several other special events during the year. The “Civil War
Series” with BCRA will be back with four races beginning with the Wayne Albright
Memorial at Merced on April 24th. Added intrigue for the Albright Memorial will
be the fact that it is a wingless race. Other dates for the Civil War Series
will be August 7th at Merced, September 18th, and November 16th at Bakersfield.
The November 16th race will also be the annual Western States Lightning Sprint
Car Championship. The CLS will also be parts of Santa Maria’s Winged Madness
shows on July 24th and September 25th. In addition to the CLS, the Winged
Madness shows will also feature the NARC 410 Sprint Cars, 360 sprints, and the
Legends of the Kearney Bowl.
“I am glad we will be part of the Hangtown 100 at Placerville to
close the 2021 season,” Grigoreas said. “We were looking forward to being
included at Hangtown this year, but it had to be canceled due to Covid. Along
with Hangtown we also have four Civil War races, the Wayne Albright Memorial,
the Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championship and the two-Winged Madness
shows at Santa Maria. I think our teams and fans will love all of those special
shows. I am overly excited about this season and the larger schedule. I wish
it was time to start now.”
Eight of the 20 races on the 2021 CLS schedule will be run in
conjunction with USAC shows. All eight will be streamed live around the world
on Flo Racing. Those races are June 5th at Ventura, July 3rd, and August 28th
at Santa Maria, September 28th and November 16th at Bakersfield, and all three
nights of the Hangtown 100, November 18th, 19th, and 20th, at Placerville.
If the 20 races already on the CLS schedule are not enough,
negotiations are ongoing with another Southern California racetrack for one more
date.
If you or your company would like to become part of the series
for the 2021 season, please call Alex Grigoreas at (909) 437-3170.
To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at
http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints/
2021 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule
March 13 Bakersfield Speedway
March 20 Ventura Raceway
April 10 Bakersfield Speedway
April 24 Merced Speedway ( Wayne Albright Memorial - Round #1
of the Civil War Series with BCRA – Wingless)
May 1 Ventura Speedway
May 15 Bakersfield Speedway
June 5 Ventura Raceway
July 3 Santa Maria Speedway
July 24 Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #1)
August 7 Merced Speedway (Civil War Series #2 with BCRA –
Winged)
August 14 Bakersfield Speedway
August 28 Santa Maria Speedway
September 4 Ventura Raceway
September 18 Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #3 with BCRA – Winged)
September 25 Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #2)
October 2 Ventura Raceway
November 16 Bakersfield (Civil War #4 with BCRA – Winged and Western
States Lightning Sprint Car Championship)
November 18 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with
BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)
November 19 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with
BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)
November 20 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with
BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)
PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS
1994 Tony Everhart
1995 Gary Sexton
1996 Rob Sczymczak
1997 Jon Rahe
1998 Chris Rahe
1999 Brent Sexton
2000 Greg Bragg
2001 Greg Bragg
2002 Greg Bragg
2003 David Cardey
2004 Keith Janca
2005 Johnny Bates
2006 Donny Gansen
2007 Shane Rossen
2008 Brent Sexton
2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr.
2010 Jarrett Kramer
2011 Tim Brown
2012 Bobby Michnowicz
2013 Stephen Limon
2014 Bobby Michnowicz
2015 Bobby Michnowicz
2016 Bobby Michnowicz
2017 Bobby Michnowicz
2018 Jarrett Kramer
2019 Jarrett Kramer
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PACE RUSH RACING
SERIES 2020
SEASON DEEMED
VERY SUCCESSFUL
DESPITE COVID-19
PANDEMIC; 8 NEW
CHAMPIONS
CROWNED PLUS 4
IN THE NEW
KARTING SERIES
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By Mike Leone &
Doug Kennedy
January 19,
2021) - FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
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(Pulaski, PA)...While
the COVID-19
pandemic
certainly did
its best to
disrupt the Pace
Performance RUSH
Racing Series
together with
Sweeney
Chevrolet Buick
GMC 2020 season
and forced the
cancellation of
the awards
banquet that was
scheduled for
January 16,
Series Directors
Vicki Emig and
Mike Leone were
still able to
crown champions
for all of the
RUSH
divisions. Despite
the pandemic,
2020 featured
strong car
counts in all of
the RUSH Series
divisions and
also saw debut
of the new RUSH
Karting
Series. In fact,
the Late Model
Tour averaged
more than 38
cars per event
for the second
straight
year!
Capturing 2020
championships on
the dirt were
Jeremy
Wonderling (Late
Model National
Weekly & Touring
Series), Logan
Zarin (Late
Model Futures
Cup), Kassidy
Kamicker (Late
Model Wheelman),
Jeremy Weaver
(Sprint Car
Equipment Rental
Options Weekly
Series), Nolan
Groves (Sprint
Car Futures
Cup), Chas
Wolbert
(Sportsman Mod
Hovis Auto &
Truck Supply
Weekly Series),
Rob Kristyak
(Sportsman Mod
Wedge
Motorsports
Route 7 Rumble),
Ayden Cipriano (Hovis
Sportsman Mod
Futures Cup),
and Dennis
Lunger, Jr. (Pro
Mod Weekly
Series).
In the new RUSH
Karting Series,
the following
won the
inaugural
titles: Jay
Groves (Adult
Flat), Nolan
Groves (JR-2),
Ryan Chase
(JR-1), and
Kaden Pyle
(Amateur/Rookie).
For the third
consecutive
year, Jeremy
Wonderling
earned the RUSH
Late Model
Touring Series
thanks to top
six finishes in
all six races;
meanwhile on the
Weekly side,
Wonderling
captured nine
feature wins
propelling him
to his first
National Weekly
Series
Championship,
worth $5,000. Wonderling
beat out Max
Blair, who had
won the crown
five of the last
seven years, by
just one-point! Wonderling
also won the
Bradford
Speedway track
championship.
Wonderling, 40
of Wellsville,
NY, has had a
very successful
racing career
starting in an
IMCA Modified in
1998 before
moving on to
"360" Late
Models and
winning four BRP
Series
championships. From
there,
Wonderling
started his RUSH
Late Model
career in 2014. Wonderling
has won better
than 100 feature
events.
It certainly
wasn’t an easy
year for race
tracks to deal
with the
pandemic, but in
the case of
RUSH, Wonderling
felt they did
about as good as
anyone. “They
tried to keep
everything as
safe as possible
and tried to get
as much racing
in as
possible.”
“Financially,
RUSH is the
smartest thing
to do and the
most
economical,"
stated
Wonderling, who
also ran a
limited schedule
of Super Late
Models in 2020.
“It’s hard not
to run the RUSH
Series for what
they pay and
what Vicki and
Mike do for the
series. I have
to give a shout
out to Joel
Smith of Close
Racing Supply,
Jim Stephens
from Penske
Shocks, and
Jason Ore from
955, who all
keep my racing
program going."
Eighteen year
old, Logan Zarin,
is the son of
longtime Super
Late Model
driver, Jim
Zarin. Zarin,
who lives in
Moon Township,
Pa., has been
racing since
2017. Besides
his 2020
"Futures Cup"
championship,
Zarin won the
prestigious
Western
Pennsylvania
Rookie of the
Year in 2018.
“I think RUSH is
a great class,”
said the
18-year-old who
won three
features in 2021
at Pittsburgh's
PA Motor
Speedway. “They
do a lot of
great things
like
Manufacturers
Night and keep
their costs as
feasible as
possible. Vick
is a great
promoter; she’s
brave and not
afraid to take
chances. RUSH
did what they
could to get us
a place to race,
in fact, all of
the promoters
did a pretty
good job of
working to allow
us to race."
New to the RUSH
Racing Series in
2020 was Kassidy
Kamicker. In her
rookie RUSH Late
Model season,
the 17-year-old
Aliquippa, Pa.
driver not only
was able to win
the "Wheelman"
title as part of
Touring Series'
non-qualifier
events, but also
finished
runner-up in the
"Futures Cup",
and 10th in
Touring Series
driver points.
Prior to last
year, Kassidy’s
racing
experience came
with seven years
of racing a
go-kart
racing. Her
racing program
is a family run
operation that
also includes
her parents
Craig and
Melanie along
with her uncle
Jason George.
“I think she did
very well for
being her first
year,” said her
mom
Melanie. “She
raced at PPMS
and Lernerville
and expects to
do that again
this upcoming
season.”
“It’s a good
program,”
Kassidy
said. “There are
a lot of drivers
and I like
it. Winning the
title was really
cool. I didn’t
think I was
going to come
close to winning
something like
that in my first
year. I’m really
looking forward
to 2021.”
In his first
year in a Sprint
Car, Jeremy
Weaver captured
the Equipment
Rentals Weekly
Series
Championship. The
19-year-old
Stoneboro, Pa.
racer was
victorious five
times in the
Hull Racing #41
with wins coming
at Lernerville,
Sharon,
Tri-City, and
Tyler County
Speedways. Weaver
is also a past
winner in the
RUSH Sportsman
Modified
division where
he was the 2017
"Futures Cup"
champion. While
Weaver is moving
on to "410"
Sprint Car
racing in 2021,
legendary hall
of fame racer
Rod George will
return to racing
and move into
the Hull Racing
#41.
“I’ve been
involved in
racing my entire
life and there
is no other
track or series
that has ever
had a point fund
like the RUSH
Series,"
acknowledged
owner Ted
Hull. “It’s all
about the
points. There
are rules that
are working that
would never work
for any other
track or series
and that’s
because they
tech so well.
When the race
is over, you
better be right
because they
will be
looking.”
“It’s been a
blessing for
me,” Weaver said
of RUSH. “I
started my
career through
RUSH. It has
given me a great
stepping stone
for other types
of racing in the
future. It’s an
affordable and
diverse division
for anyone from
beginners to
future hall of
famers who
haven’t raced in
a couple of
years.”
After finishing
second or third
for each of the
past four years,
Chas Wolbert
finally got over
the hump to
garner the Hovis
Auto & Truck
Supply Weekly
Series
Championship for
the RUSH
Sportsman
Modifieds. The
26-year-old
Warren, Ohio Mod
Lite graduate
led the way with
11 feature wins
in 2020 and has
upped his
all-time leading
total in the
RUSH Mod
division to
33.
“I love the
Series and its
very
economical,”
expressed
Wolbert, who
finished second
in the Route 7
Rumble Series
points. “It’s
the closest
thing to having
a Big-Block
Modified without
spending $40,000
for a
motor. Vicki did
a great job of
trying to keep
us racing in
2020. I’m sure
they (Vicki and
Mike) will
continue to work
hard in the
offseason to get
us places to
race and do
things to expand
our car counts.”
While he came up
17 points shy of
Wolbert in the
Hovis Weekly
Series points,
Rob Kristyak was
able to win the
inaugural "Route
7 Rumble" Series
Championship
presented by
Wedge
Motorsports. The
42-year-old
Bristolville,
Ohio racer
accumulated the
most points of
any racer
amongst all
Raceway 7 and
Sharon Speedway
events in
2020. While
Kristyak earned
$500 for the
championship,
the program will
return to bigger
and better for
year number two
with $1,000
going to the
2021 champion
and paying down
eight positions.
Kristyak's
racing career
began in 1986 in
a Go-Kart. For
17 years he
competed in the
Big Block
Modifieds. In
2017 he decided
to sell all of
his big-block
equipment and
move into the
RUSH Sportsman
Modifieds. Kristyak's
last two seasons
have been very
rewarding and he
points to the
RUSH Series as
one of the main
reasons.
“We’ve been
really enjoying
it,” Kristyak
said of the
Sportsman
division. “It’s
very competitive
and there are a
lot of top
runners out
there. For a
limited budget
team like ours,
it’s been
excellent, and
Vicki works very
hard to make
this Series
right.”
Ayden Cipriano,
who is 14 years
old, has been
racing since he
was seven
competing first
in a Junior
Sprint. This
past year was
Ayden’s first
year in a
full-size car
and capped it
off with the
Hovis Auto &
Truck Supply
"Futures Cup"
crown in the
Sportsman
Modifieds. In
addition, Ayden
finished sixth
in points in
both the Weekly
Series and
"Route 7
Rumble". He had
five top five
finishes
including a
career best
third at
Pittsburgh on
September
26. His parents,
William and
Sara, are his
biggest
supporters, both
physically and
financially.
“I love the
Series,” said
William. “Vicki
does a great job
finding places
to race and even
with the virus
this year, it
was still good
and I’m very
happy with it.”
As for his
rookie season,
Ayden said,
“This season
could have been
better, and it
could have been
a lot worse. I
feel like I
could have
improved my
driving earlier
in the season,
but I definitely
feel like I got
better as the
season went
on. To win the
championship is
special. As far
as RUSH, I like
it a lot. I like
my competitors
and the people
in control."
“I felt like
they were smart
with all the
precautions they
took with
wearing masks
and keeping
social
distances,”
added Ayden. “I
felt RUSH did a
whole lot better
than other
places we went
to this season.”
Speaking of
Ayden's mom
Sara, she will
be presenting
the "Loyalty
Program" through
Waterstone
Mortgage
Hermitage in
2020. One lucky
RUSH Mod member
racer will win a
complete RUSH
Sportsman
Modified Pace
Performance 602
crate engine
package (carb to
pan) valued at
$8,000 at the
season ending
event on October
16 at
Lernerville.
At 52 years of
age, Dennis
Lunger, Jr. just
keeps on
winning. The
Albion, Pa.
veteran has
raced a Stock
Car, E-Mod,
Super Late
Model, RUSH Late
Model, and most
recently, a RUSH
Pro Mod where
he's coming off
his
unprecedented
fourth straight
Weekly Series
Championship! Overall,
he's won 11
titles, seven of
those coming
with RUSH.
“We’ll go for
five next year,”
Lunger said, who
was still manage
to win four
feature events
and finished out
of the top two
only four times
in 14
starts. But he
also added that
this upcoming
season could be
his final one.
While there are
currently 44
RUSH Pro Mod
races scheduled
at four
different tracks
for 2021, Lunger
would like to
see more tracks
get involved
with the Series.
“I raced more
RUSH races this
year, but at
fewer
tracks. Losing
Stateline
(COVID-19) was
big for me. I
like the RUSH
Series. They’ve
always run a
tight ship by
enforcing the
rules and you
can’t beat the
payouts plus
it’s
economical.”
The Groves
family of Sugar
Grove, Pa.
captured three
RUSH titles this
past racing
season! Jay, a
16-year veteran
of Micro Sprint
racing in
addition to two
years in a "360"
Sprint Car, was
in a Kart for
his very first
time and won the
Adult division
title, worth
$1,000.
“I thought it
was great,”
Groves said of
this past
season. “The
class is very
competitive and
is very well
matched. It’s
not only good as
an introductory
class, but also
as a class that
drivers are
looking forward
to doing
something
different. Being
the first year
for the Karts
and having the
pandemic put
them somewhat
behind the
eight-ball, but
I definitely see
it growing for
2021 and
beyond."
In addition to
the "Futures
Cup" title in
the RUSH Sprint
Cars, Jay's son
Nolan also
campaigned a
JR-2 Kart and
won that
championship,
worth $500. “It
was challenging
at times, but we
learned a lot
and came on
pretty strong at
the end of the
season,” Nolan
said of his 2020
season. “With
our knowledge of
Karts, we knew
we had some high
expectations
coming in, but I
think we also
learned a lot
throughout the
season.”
Nolan grew up
racing Karts,
having won eight
titles along the
way, but it’s a
Sprint Car where
he hopes his
future lies. “My
goal is to
eventually get
into a Sprint
Car full-time,”
said
Nolan. “It’s
always been a
dream of mine.”
The Groves own
Kart Works,
which is run by
Jay, his
father-in-law
Jay Anderson
along with
Nolan. They are
a distributor
for Go-Karts and
accessories as
well as a
dealership for
RUSH. Kart Works
has been
integral in the
development of
the RUSH Karting
Series. Kart
Works has been
around for about
10 years and has
50 plus
customers in
Kansas, New
York,
Pennsylvania,
and Ohio.
At 11 years old,
Ryan Chase of
Youngsville, Pa.
has been racing
a Go-Kart for
the last four
years. Ryan
earned $400 for
winning the
inaugural JR-1
class title. His
dad, David,
really likes the
Series and hopes
it will take
off. “I really
like the idea of
no tire prep. I
like the sealed
motors and the
spec tires.”
“I really think
the Adult
division is
going to
take-off, but I
hope it does for
the kids as
well,” added
David. “It’s a
good playground
for drivers who
want to do
something
different as
well as for
young kids who
are getting
started in
racing. Hopefully,
we’ll be doing
RUSH for a
longtime to
come, no matter
what division we
are in.”
Nine-year-old
Kaden Pyle has
been racing for
the last year
and a half and
garnered the
inaugural
Amateur class
title, worth
$300. “I was
proud of him
winning that
championship,”
expressed his
father Cody, who
has raced Mini
Stocks. "He
definitely
improved as the
season went
on. Last year
was kind of hard
for everyone
because of the
virus, but Vicki
was always there
when we needed
to get answers
to
questions. His
plans next year
are to move up
to the JR-1
class. We’re
definitely going
to stick with
RUSH no matter
what even when
he’s ready to
move into a
bigger car, like
a Modified.”
RUSH Racing
Series is
brought to you
by Pace
Performance
together with
Sweeney
Chevrolet Buick
GMC along with
the support of
Hoosier Tire,
Bilstein Shocks,
Sunoco Race
Fuels, Bazell
Race Fuels,
Insinger
Performance, MSD
Performance,
Holley
Performance
Products, Hovis
Auto & Truck
Supply, Flynn's
Tire, FK Rod
Ends, Wehrs
Machine & Racing
Products,
Schoenfeld
Headers, Jones
Racing Products,
TBM Brakes,
Performance
Bodies & Parts,
Racing
Electronics,
Dirt Defender,
Wrisco
Industries,
Frankland Racing
Supply, Landrum
Performance
Spring, Ontime
Body & Graphic,
Zarin Truck &
Automotive,
Sherwood Wheels,
Alternative
Power Sources,
Precise Racing
Products,
Lincoln
Electric,
Velocita-USA,
Waterstone
Mortgage
Hermitage,
CrateInsider.com,
Vahlco Wheels,
and Wedge
Motorsports.
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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STATELINE KARTS
SET TO CONTINUE
TO GROW &
DEVELOP THE RUSH
KARTING SERIES
IN 2021;
INAUGURAL RUSH
KARTING
CHAMPIONS
CROWNED
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(Pulaski, PA)...The
COVID-19
pandemic may
have stunted the
growth of the
inaugural season
of the RUSH
Karting Series
in 2020;
however, it's
full speed ahead
in 2021 as once
again Stateline
Karts will not
only be the home
base of the
Series, but the
Busti, NY
facility will
expand their
involvement with
the RUSH Karts.
The Adult Flat
class grew
throughout the
season and with
many new drivers
expected for
2021, promoter
Stateline Karts
promoter Mark
Matthews has
already
announced that
opening
night will pay
$200 to-win! The
RUSH Karts will
also be featured
during their
traditional
"Under the
Lights" program
late in the
year, and the
Adult Flat class
will be vying
for another $150
to-win
payoff. The
three other RUSH
Kart classes at
Stateline
featuring the
kids can also
expect some
exciting events
and promotions
throughout the
season.
Debuting in 2021
will be the
"Manufacturers
Night", which
will award
valuable
products to
competitors in
the RUSH Karting
Series. This
will take place
at Stateline at
a date TBA;
unfortunately,
due to COVID-19,
this was unable
to take place in
2020.
Capturing 2020
RUSH Karting
Championships
were Jay Groves
(Adult Flat -
$1000), Nolan
Groves (Jr-2 -
$500), Ryan
Chase (Jr-1 -
$400), and Kaden
Pyle
(Amateur/Rookie
- $300). Each
champion will
receive their
above posted
championship
point fund
monies along
with a custom
leather RUSH
Championship
Karting jacket!
The additional
RUSH members in
each class will
also receive
their point fund
monies.
"We can't thank
Mark Matthews
enough for being
the flagship
Karting facility
to debut the new
RUSH Karting
Series and being
the home of our
inaugural group
of Kart racers,"
stated Vicki
Emig. "It
certainly wasn't
the most
opportune time
to debut this
program with the
unfortunate
situation of
COVID-19, but
through it all,
Mark stayed the
course and by
season's end had
a respectable
group of RUSH
competitors at
Stateline."
As expected, the
RUSH sealed
engine package
and untreated
Hoosier Tires
performed
flawlessly
providing very
competitive
racing. We know
the first year
of the
development of
any new racing
division is
always the most
difficult; we've
been through it
before many
times with all
of the other
RUSH 'big car'
divisions. We're
settled in now
with the Kart
program and look
forward to
growing the
concept with the
same success
into the
future!"
Nine-year-old
Kaden Pyle of
Chicora, Pa. has
competed in
Karting just one
and a half
years. "I was
proud of him
winning the RUSH
Championship,"
Kaden's father
Cody said. "He
definitely
improved as the
season went
on. He plans to
move up to
Junior 1 next
season. Last
year was tough
on everyone due
to the pandemic,
but Vicki was
always there
when we needed
answers to
questions. We're
definitely going
to stick with
RUSH no matter
what even when
he's ready to
move into a big
car, like a
Modified!"
Eleven-year-old
Ryan Chase of
Youngsville, Pa.
has been racing
Karts for the
last four
years. His dad
David, who raced
motorcycles some
20 years ago, as
well as Ryan's
grandfather
Mike, likes the
Series and hopes
it will take
off. "I really
like the idea of
no tire prep,
the spec Hoosier
Tires, as well
as the RUSH
sealed
engine. Hopefully
we'll be doing
this RUSH thing
a long time, no
matter what RUSH
division we're
in."
"I really think
the Adult
division is
going to take
off and hope it
does for the
kids as well,"
David
added. "It's a
great concept
for drivers who
want to do
something
different as
well as for
young kids just
getting started
in racing!"
The Groves
Family, of
father Jay and
son Nolan, are
no strangers to
RUSH. Nolan
drives a RUSH
Sprint Car and
captured the
prestigious
"Futures Cup"
Championship in
2020 in just his
second year of
competition. Jay
was a 16-year
standout in the
Micro Sprint
division as well
as a former
"360" Sprint Car
driver, but
never raced a
kart until
climbing into a
RUSH Adult Kart
in 2020. Jay
went on capture
the $1,000 to
win Adult
Championship!
Sixteen-year-old
Nolan Groves,
who grew up
racing karts
winning eight
titles along the
way, can now add
the $500 RUSH
Jr-2 Karting
Championship to
his
accomplishments. "With
my knowledge of
karts, we had
high
expectations
coming into the
RUSH Kart
Series, but
regardless
learned a lot
throughout the
season, as there
are some
differences with
the RUSH
program. It's
always been my
dream to get
into a Sprint
Car full-time
and the RUSH
Sprint Car
program is a
great catalyst
to accomplishing
that goal!"
The Groves own
Kart Works, a
very well-known
and successful
kart operation
located in Sugar
Grove, Pa.,
which
specializes in
various aspects
of the Karting
industry. Kart
Works is a
dealer for the
RUSH Kart sealed
engine as well
as the required
Hoosier Karting
Tires. In
addition, Kart
Works is a RUSH
Authorized
Repair Facility
for the sealed
Kart engines.
Jay Anderson,
father-in-law of
Jay and
Grandfather of
Nolan, was
instrumental in
working with
RUSH in the
development of
the Series.
"The RUSH
Karting Series
was put behind
the eight-ball
right out of the
box with the
pandemic, but
for next season
and beyond I
definitely see
the Series
growing for
sure," stated
Jay Groves. "The
class is very
competitive and
well
matched. It's
great not only
as an
introductory
class, but for
drivers who are
looking forward
to doing
something
different."
2021 RUSH
Karting Series
Point Funds:
Amateur/Rookie:
1. $300 2.
$150 3. $140 4.
$130 5. $125 6.
$120 7. $115 8.
$110 9. $105 10.
$100
Jr-1:
1. $400 2.
$200 3. $175 4.
$150 5. $140 6.
$130 7. $120 8.
$115 9. $110 10.
$100
Jr-2:
1. $500 2.
$300 3. $200 4.
$175 5. $150 6.
$145 7. $140 8.
$135 9. $130 10.
$125
Adult Flat:
1. $1,000 2.
$500 3. $350 4.
$300 5. $275 6.
$250 7. $225 8.
$210 9. $205 10.
$200
RUSH Racing
Series is
brought to you
by Pace
Performance
together with
Sweeney
Chevrolet Buick
GMC along with
the support of
Hoosier Tire,
Bilstein Shocks,
Sunoco Race
Fuels, Bazell
Race Fuels,
Insinger
Performance, MSD
Performance,
Holley
Performance
Products, Hovis
Auto & Truck
Supply, FK Rod
Ends, Wehrs
Machine & Racing
Products,
Schoenfeld
Headers, Jones
Racing Products,
TBM Brakes,
Performance
Bodies & Parts,
Racing
Electronics,
Dirt Defender,
Wrisco
Industries,
Frankland Racing
Supply, Landrum
Performance
Spring, Ontime
Body & Graphic,
Zarin Truck &
Automotive,
Sherwood Wheels,
Alternative
Power Sources,
Precise Racing
Products,
Lincoln
Electric,
Velocita-USA,
CrateInsider.com,
Vahlco Wheels,
and Wedge
Motorsports.
|
|
THE
TRADITION CONTINUES AS RUSH READIES TO
DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN $66,500 IN VALUABLE
PRODUCTS TO ELIGIBLE MEMBER RACERS AS PART OF
2020 "MANUFACTURERS NIGHTS" PRESENTED BY MSD
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By Mike Leone
(December 5, 2020) - FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
|
(Pulaski, PA)...All
be it in a slightly different manner than usual
as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted
"Manufacturers Nights" presented by MSD
Performance that are presented throughout the
regular season at RUSH-sanctioned speedways
annually; more than $66,500 in products will
still be distributed to eligible member racers
through each division's Weekly Series
Championship points thanks to the excellent
support of the Pace Performance RUSH Racing
Series' corporate marketing partners! Specific
"Manufacturers Nights" for each division will
return in 2021 to various RUSH-sanctioned
speedways throughout the region.
The
"Manufacturers Night" debuted in 2012 for the
Late Model division and has since become a much
anticipated staple and signature of the RUSH
Racing Series. With each successive year, the
amount of products and overall value distributed
to RUSH racers have grown tremendously; what
began with just $10,000 in products now
typically sees well over $100,000 of products
dispersed and includes events for the RUSH
Sportsman Modifieds, RUSH Pro Mods, and RUSH
Sprint Cars.
In 2017,
a "traveling" "Manufacturers Night" was added to
accommodate RUSH Late Model racers on the
northern and southernmost end of the RUSH region
and allows these racers the ability to take home
valuable products as well. In 2021, the
"traveling" Manufacturers Night is set to take
place at Genesee Speedway in conjunction with
their "Topless Nationals" September 24-25, which
will feature back to back $2,000 to-win RUSH
Late Model Touring Series events. The
traditional event's location and date will be
announced in the near future. The new RUSH
Stock Cars will also have their own
"Manufacturers Night" in 2021 at Dog Hollow
Speedway!
"I went
at the idea on a wing and a prayer," explained
Emig when looking back at creating a
Manufacturers Night in 2012. "We announced we
would distribute $10,000 in product, I honestly
at that time had nothing! 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 definitely been a lot
easier. I never imagined when I made my first
phone call to a manufacturer that nine years
later we'd be typically distributing well over
$100,000 of product in the years to come,
excluding 2020 due to the pandemic."
"We are
blessed with numerous nationally recognized and
regional corporate marketing partners who
believe not only in the various concepts that
have helped build RUSH," continued Emig. "Being
able to award tens of thousands of dollars in
actual product via these companies directly into
the hands of our racers in the long run helps
RUSH stay healthy and viable and provides a
trickledown effect to all of our RUSH partners;
racers, speedways, and of course our
sponsors. By awarding a racer a product package
that is valued at a minimum of $300 and as high
as $1800 allows him to utilize those dollars in
other ways to keep his team viable. We strive to
make sure all the contributed products are
utilized and needed by our teams."
"When
COVID-19 began taking a foothold back in the
spring we weren't sure if there was even going
to be a season, let alone Manufacturers Nights,"
acknowledged Emig. "Asking companies for money
and product was the last thing on our minds for
several months. To still be able to pay out the
point funds that we are and offer over $66,500
in product for these Manufacturers Nights after
what everyone faced this year is truly a
testament to our wonderful marketing
partners. We ask as always that RUSH racers
support these manufacturer that so greatly
support them!"
Close
Racing Supply owner Joel Smith has been a
longtime supporter of not only RUSH, but racing
all throughout the Northeast over the
year. Smith is now one of the partners at McKean
County Raceway in his new venture of race track
promoting beginning in 2021. Smith had the
following to say. "The RUSH Series does a great
job at giving back to its racers with
Manufacturers Nights. Every racer puts to good
use these products that are donated by these top
notch manufactures. I think every racer is
grateful for the Series and all these
manufacturers that put this deal on. RUSH
continues to grow and does great things for not
only the racers, but also the promoters and race
tracks."
RKR
owner Russ King has substantially contributed to
"Manufacturers Nights" throughout the years and
had the following to say. "I support all RUSH
divisions and contribute to both the RUSH Late
Model and RUSH Sportsman Modified divisions'
Manufacturers Nights. I believe that if it
wasn't for RUSH and Chevrolet Performance crate
engine racing a lot of people couldn't race. The
cost of open engine racing is so expensive that
it makes it hard for a guy to get in our sports;
RUSH offers a great option!"
Steve
Dixon has been one of the top RUSH Late Model
racers for many years and has also competed in
the RUSH Pro Mods in recent years. "I've been a
supporter of RUSH Series since its inception,"
stated the Smethport, Pa. racer. "The low cost
crate engines have allowed me to race more
within my budget. Recently I've been fortunate
to drive for a couple car owners allowing me to
race in both the RUSH Late Model and Pro Mod
divisions, also because of the cost of these
cars and RUSH'S cost-saving rules. Myself and
my car owners look forward to getting rewarded
each year at Manufacturers Night- it's a great
thing the RUSH Series does for its competitors."
Parameters of eligibility for this year's
"Manufacturers Nights" vary slightly per
divisions; however, order of the draw for all
divisions will be Weekly Series Champion car
owner first followed by second place, third
place, etc. Championship tiebreaker will be used
to break ties in all positions order of
drawings. Owners/Drivers will be contacted very
soon to make their initial selection.
For the
Late Models, the top 50 in National Weekly
Series points will receive a prize valued at a
minimum of $400 and will share approximately
$29,000 of products. The top prize is four F3
Tornado Brake Calipers and brake fluid from TBM
Brakes valued at $1,845. The Late Model list is
available at the following link:
http://www.rushlatemodels.com/Manufacturers%20Night%20Prize%20List%202020.pdf
For the
Sportsman Modifieds, the 14 members that did not
compete in a non-RUSH sanctioned 602 event
against a contested RUSH show will share nearly
$16,000 in 32 prizes as each driver will receive
at least two prizes valued at a minimum of
$300! The top prize is two F1 Tornado Calipers
and two F3 Tornado Calipers along with brake
fluid from TBM Brakes valued at $1,420. The
Sportsman Modified list is available at the
following link:
http://www.rushsportsmanmods.com/Manufacturers%20Night%20Mods%20Prize%20List%202020.pdf
A random
draw will be conducted for the remaining
Sportsman Mod and Pro Mod prizes after drivers
select their first two prizes. That means four
Sportsman Modified and four Pro Mod drivers will
be guaranteed to take home more than $1,000 in
products each!
The following companies have made
the 2020 "Manufacturers Nights" possible:
Allegheny Tool & Supply, Applebee Motorsports,
Bazell Race Fuels, Benic Enterprises, Bicknell
Racing Products, Big Daddy's Speed Center,
Bilstein Shocks, Close Racing Supply, Crate
Insider, Dirt Defender, FK Rod Ends, Frankland
Racing Supply, Holley Performance Parts, Hoosier
Tire Distributors, Insinger Performance, Jones
Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs,
Lincoln Electric, MSD Performance, Ontime Body &
Graphic, Performance Bodies & Parts, Precise
Racing Products, Race 1, Racers New & Used Parts
Warehouse, Racing Electronics, Russ King Racing,
Schoenfeld Headers, Sherwood Wheels, Sunoco Race
Fuels, TBM Brakes, Triple X Components, Vahlco
Wheels, Velocita-USA, Wedge Motorsports, Wehrs
Machine & Racing Products, and Wrisco
Industries.
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|
 
 
 
KENYON
MIDGET SERIES |
CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES |
|
2021 California Lightning
Sprint Car Series Schedule
March 13
Bakersfield Speedway
March 20 Ventura
Raceway
April 10
Bakersfield Speedway
April 24
Merced Speedway ( Wayne Albright Memorial - Round #1 of the Civil War Series
with BCRA – Wingless)
May 1
Ventura Speedway
May 15
Bakersfield Speedway
June 5
Ventura Raceway
July 3
Santa Maria Speedway
July 24
Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #1)
August 7 Merced
Speedway (Civil War Series #2 with BCRA – Winged)
August 14
Bakersfield Speedway
August 28 Santa
Maria Speedway
September 4 Ventura
Raceway
September 18
Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #3 with BCRA – Winged)
September 25 Santa
Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #2)
October 2 Ventura
Raceway
November 16
Bakersfield (Civil War #4 with BCRA – Winged and Western States Lightning
Sprint Car Championship)
November 18
Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in
companion with the USAC National Midgets)
November 19
Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in
companion with the USAC National Midgets)
November 20
Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in
companion with the USAC National Midgets)
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RUSH
SPRINT CAR SERIES |
TOP GUN SPRINT SERIES |
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