Story By: MARCIE BARLOW / RUSH RACING SERIES – PULASKI, PA – Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series action continues to keep fans on the edge of their seats in the region with late race passes and drama that beats any in a Hollywood script. Dave Hess, Jr. has competed in various divisions throughout the Eastern seaboard but had never won a Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model Touring Series event until this past Saturday when he scored the biggest payday of his career by winning the Bill Emig Memorial at Lernerville Speedway. Kole Holden (RUSH Sportsman Modifieds) and John Mollick (RUSH Sprint Cars) ended victory droughts at Sharon Speedway, while Randy Hall, Brett Marlatt and Davin Kaiser added to their win totals in RUSH Late Model weekly action. Past 3C Graphix Futures Cup Champions Zain Harvey (RUSH Pro Mods) and Kaden Michael (RUSH Stock Cars) also continue to tally victories in their respective divisions.
The “Bill Emig Memorial” presented by Sunoco Race Fuels with support from Joseph J. Olivia is the premier event on the Hovis RUSH Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Tour and the 2024 edition certainly lived up to its reputation. In spite of the oppressive heat, 54 teams from six states participated in the event that saw Dave Hess, Jr. get by three-time event winner Max Blair on lap 44 and then get under race leader Bryce Davis coming to the white flag lap to score his career first RUSH Tour victory. Hess collected $20,000 for the win as well as a championship ring, designed by D&V Jewelers, valued at $7,000. At the checkered flag, the top five were Hess, Davis, Blair, Mason Zeigler, and Logan Roberson. It should also be noted that the 50-lap event went caution free and was completed in just under 17 minutes.
Former UMP Mod standout Randy Hall tallied his second RUSH Late Model City Chevrolet Weekly Series victory of the season at Stateline Speedway on Saturday. Hall led the entire distance of the 20-lap A-Main and scored the win over Jason Genco, Scott Gurdak, Jake Wilber, and Ward Schell.
Davin Kaiser started on the outside of the front row at Winchester Speedway and immediately pulled away from the field when the action got underway. There were several cautions during the half of the 20-lap main event but each time the action resumed Kaiser maintained the lead. Kaiser went on to score his second consecutive victory at the speedway defeating Tyler Hoy, Jeremiah Marshall, Mike Franklin, and Steven Payne.
The Hovis RUSH Pro Mods were also in action at Stateline and competing for a $1,500 to win payday. Tim Peterson led the first four circuits before Zain Harvey took the top spot. Harvey went on to lead the final 25 laps to score the win at the speedway for the second consecutive week. It was also Harvey’s sixth divisional victory of the season. Peterson, Al Brewer, Vaughn Nystrom, and Josh Wilcox followed.
Brett Marlatt and Steve LeBarron led the field to green Saturday evening at Woodhull Raceway. In the early stage of the race, the duo battled for the top spot before Marlatt went on to score the win, which was his third of the season at the southern tire New York oval. Brian Knowles got by LeBarron to claim the second spot at the checkered. LeBarron, Joe Layfield and Rich McNeil completed the top five.
The Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modified teams were in action at Raceway 7 and Sharon Speedway for a pair of Wedge Motorsports “Route 7 Rumble” Series events. Friday evening it was all Rob Kristyak as the veteran led the entire distance of the 20-lap main event to score his second victory of the season. 3C Graphix Futures Cup racer Brayden Beatty had his best run of his young career coming home second followed by Ayden Cipriano in third. Lucas Canon and Doug Rutana completed the top five.
Saturday evening the RUSH Sportsman Modified teams visited Sharon Speedway for the first time this season. Former Sprint Car driver Darin Gallagher made his first ever divisional start aboard his wife Chelsie’s #10. Gallagher and Kole Holden traded the lead with Holden getting by for good on lap 18. Holden led the final three circuits to claim his first victory at Sharon in nearly 5 years. Holden continues to lead the $3,500 to-win Weekly Series points. Gallagher was second. JC Boyer earned the hard charger award as he leads the Wedge Motorsports “Route 7 Rumble” Series points. Brandon Ritchey was fourth in his first RUSH start of the season as Rob Kristyak rounded out the top five.
The Hovis RUSH Sprint Cars competed in a Sunbelt Rentals weekly event at Sharon Speedway. Arnie Kent, who was victorious at Sharon on June 12, and veteran John Mollick led the field to the green for the 20-lap Billy’s Garage feature with Mollick immediately taking the lead. Mollick used the top of the speedway to lead the entire distance of the event and score his first ever RUSH Sprint Car win at Sharon and first at the Hartford, OH oval since a 2017 Big-Block Modified win. Gale Ruth, Jr. came home in second with Kent finishing third. Brent Rhebergen and Blaze Myers finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
RUSH Stock car competitors visited Hummingbird Speedway for the second time this season last Saturday night. Teenager Kaden Michael continued to dominate the division as he tallied another victory over William Baker, Jr and Raiddan Wilson. It was Michael’s sixth overall win of 2024 as he leads the $2,000 to-win Weekly Series points.
Several of the RUSH-sanctioned speedways were dark over the weekend. Bradford Speedway, Tri-City Raceway Park and Eriez Speedway were rained out as was the debut of the RUSH Sprint Cars at Blanket Hill Speedway for the second time this season.
This weekend the Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series will be in action on Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30 for the rescheduled Stateline-Eriez weekend that was rained out in May. Saturday will be the “Bill Law Memorial” in the only appearance of the season at Stateline Speedway followed by an event at Eriez Speedway on Sunday. Both events pay $3,000 to-win.
RUSH Late Model City Chevrolet Weekly Series action is scheduled at McKean County Raceway, Dog Hollow Speedway and Raceway 7 on Friday. Saturday evening RUSH Late Model weekly action is scheduled at Genesee Speedway, Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway, Tyler County Speedway, and Woodhull Raceway.
The Hovis RUSH Sprint Cars will try again to compete at Hummingbird Speedway on Saturday in an event that pays $900 to win and then venture to Tri-City Raceway Park on Sunday.
Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modified teams will be in action on Friday at Raceway 7 and then on Saturday at Sharon Speedway.
RUSH Pro Mod competitors have a busy three-day weekend that kicks off at McKean County Raceway on Friday followed by Stateline Speedway on Saturday and Bradford Speedway on Sunday.
RUSH Stock Car drivers will head to McKean County Raceway on Friday and then compete at Bradford Speedway on Sunday.
Another action-packed weekend of Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH racing action is scheduled throughout the region so be sure and visit your favorite track to enjoy the action.