Story By: MIKE LEONE / RUSH RACING SERIES – BUSTI, NY – After four straight rainouts since the last completed event at Lernerville Speedway on June 22, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Dirt Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series finally returned to action on Saturday night for the twice rained out “Bill Law Memorial”.
Sunshine and 80-degree weather was present for race #7 of the 2024 season as 43 cars were on hand tying an event record from 2021! The event paid tribute to the late Law, who had the first Crate Late Model in the Northeast more than 17 years ago. Law was a huge supporter of racing in the region and helped kick-start the racing career of his grandson, Kyle Murray, who has competed over the years in a RUSH Late Model.
The “Bill Law Memorial” has had only three different winners during the running of the six events at Stateline with defending and four-time Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series Champion, Jeremy Wonderling, capturing four of them including last year’s event. On Saturday night, Brock Pinkerous added his name to that prestigious list also joining Tour standouts Joe Martin and Damian Bidwell as winners. Pinkerous led all 30 caution-free laps and held off a furious late race challenge by 2017 champion, Bryce Davis, to celebrate in the Landrum Performance Springs victory lane. Pinkerous earned $3,000 as he became the event’s youngest winner at 14 with his second Tour win of the season and third overall in RUSH competition. The event went non-stop in 9:20.216.
“I’m at a loss for words,” expressed the Ellenville, NY points leader of both the Tour and 3C Graphix Futures Cup. “To come back here to the track I won my first ever race at feels so good. We didn’t have any expectations, but came out here and did our thing and I guess I did what I do best. I heard Bryce (Davis) there, but I knew the middle was a little better than hunkering down on the bottom and going slower. He bumped me at the end, but that’s racing. That was really good racing with Bryce. I love racing with these guys- they’re always pretty clean and race real hard. I would never be as talented as I am at this age if it wasn’t for Russ (King). He sets up this car every week and it’s awesome. I just have to do my job when I get out on the track. I want to thank all my fans for coming out- you’re awesome!”
Pinkerous took off in the lead at the start of the feature at the site of his first career RUSH Late Model win, which occurred in a City Chevrolet Weekly Series event on May 6, 2023. Austin Allen, who charged from fifth to second in the Sunoco Dash, followed in second, while Davis passed Jacob Wilber for third. Pinkerous stretched out his lead before he caught lapped traffic on lap nine allowing Allen to close. The top three then began to pull away as the laps ticked off without a yellow.
On lap 17, Allen was able to pull nearly even with Pinkerous, but Pinkerous maintained the lead. On the following lap, Allen slipped up in traffic allowing Davis to sneak under for second. Prior to that, six cars were in the lead pack before Pinkerous and Davis broke free with 10 laps to go. Davis was all over Pinkerous in traffic on lap 23 and tried everything over the final laps, but Pinkerous was able to hold on by a mere 0.354 seconds in the J&H Pinkz-owned, Northeast Paving/SRI Performance/Pinks Links/NAPA Auto Parts/Off Axis Paint/Accelo Racewear/The Joie of Seating/WABAM/Trick Shot/3C Graphix-sponsored #555. On May 26 at Tri-City Raceway Park, Pinkerous won his first career Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series race and now his win on Saturday gives him four overall between RUSH Tour and Weekly Series competition.
Fresh off his biggest career payday earning $7,000 for his runner-up finish at Lernerville’s “Bill Emig Memorial”, Davis was second once again in another non-stop affair and this time earned $1,500. “I had a good night and the car was good,” stated the 33-year-old Canisteo, NY standout. “It was caution-free so we got into traffic pretty hard. I have to give it to Brock (Pinkerous)- he didn’t mess up. I gave it everything I had and the car got better at the end. I thought maybe I’d rattle his cage on the last lap and get him all flustered, but he held his own and did a real good job. If we had a couple more laps, maybe it would have been different, but congratulations to him and his team. Austin (Allen) had a really good car as well, but got into the turn a little too hot, had to get on the brakes, and slipped up just enough to allow me to get by.”
Allen, who was the 2023 Woodhull Raceway City Chevrolet Track Pack Champion, beat out his prior career best Tour finish of fourth last year at Woodhull with a solid third place effort. Allen is chasing after the $3,000 to-win 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year crown. Allen joined the Pinkerous and Davis teams on the podium to receive a three-pack of Heritage Wine Cellars premium products. “We had a really good night,” expressed the 27-year-old Greenwood, NY racer. “We came here two weeks ago and did some testing. The car was really good and I was excited all week to come back and we topped it off with a good run. I overcooked the corner and had to get on the binder so I didn’t run over Brock, but that’s alright; at least it was Bryce and not someone else and I passed him in the dash!”
Another driver recording his career best Tour finish was Wilber, who came home a solid fourth place giving Empire State racers a sweep of the top four spots! The 24-year-old Hinsdale, NY driver is in his second year of RUSH Late Model racing and is being mentored by longtime car owner Terry Suppa. Saturday night was just Wilber’s third career Tour start and already has a top five finish now to boot! Jeremy Wonderling was unable to win the event for the fifth time, but did go eighth to fifth to maintain runner-up in points.
After winning the $20,000 “Bill Emig Memorial” at Lernerville and being presented the $7,000 D&V Jewelers championship diamond ring on Saturday, Dave Hess, Jr. was sixth for his third top six in as many 2024 Tour starts. Demetrios Drellos made the six-hour tow from his home in Queensbury, NY to Stateline for the first time ever and recorded his career best Tour finish in seventh and also earned a spoiler kit from Ontime Body & Graphic. Ben Easler was eighth over Mike Wonderling and Martin. Andy Michael made his 2024 Tour debut and went 24th to 16th to earn the $50 Precise Racing Products “Pedal Down” Hard Charger gift card.
David Parker led all 10 laps of the D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier. The 34-year-old Sinclairville, NY driver, who has four career Stateline City Chevrolet Weekly Series wins over the past three seasons, disappointingly failed to qualify for the feature. Parker however was able to dominate the non-qualifier to become the amazing 77th different winner in 95 races run all-time! Parker earned $200 aboard his Legend Excavating/Legend Advanced Septic Services/Casset & Sons Towing/Hometown Rent to Own/Martin Dynamics/Chub Frank Racing/Hooter Chassis Outlaw Tour/Brads Pile O Cash/360 Graphics-sponsored #2. John Haggerty was second and also received a $50 gift card from Holley Performance Group for being the first driver to fail to qualify for the feature. Third through fifth were Jacob Tubbs, Billy DuBois, and D.J. Krug.
Davis earned $100 for setting fast time overall against the 43-car field in FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Qualifying with a lap of 17.493. Winning $25 FK Rod Ends heat races were Hess, Wilber, Easler, Davis, Allen, and Pinkerous, while the three last chance B mains went to Bobby Rohrer, Kyle Zimmerman, and Jason Genco. Pinkerous also won the Sunoco Dash for a $100 Sunoco gift card. Also winning $100 Sunoco gift cards through the random drawings for Tour racers were Martin and Hauser, while the $50 gift cards went to Hess, D.J. Krug, Scott Gurdak, and Chuck LaFleur. Winning the $50 Landrum Performance Springs BOGO certificates were Shane Crotty, David Parker, Rick Karash, Kassandra Norman, Daryl Charlier
The Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series will return to action on Saturday, July 27 at Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa. for the “Jook George Steel City Classic” presented by All Interior Painting paying a minimum of $6,010 to-win. If a driver financially contributes to the event, he or she will receive a $1,000 bonus from event coordinator Branden Lockwich and PPMS. The rain date for the event is August 3.
Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model “Bill Law Memorial” Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series Race #7 (30 laps, $3,000 to-win): 1. BROCK PINKEROUS (555) 2. Bryce Davis (94) 3. Austin Allen (32) 4. Jacob Wilber (50) 5. Jeremy Wonderling (3J) 6. Dave Hess, Jr. (Anderson 44) 7. Demetrios Drellos (111) 8. Ben Easler (02) 9. Mike Wonderling (3J) 10. Joe Martin (Snyder 10s) 11. Damian Bidwell (1/2-Pt) 12. Brad Mesler (Sturdevant 87s) 13. Ashton Briggs (11A) 14. Jim Rasey (Wrightsman 21J) 15. Daryl Charlier (Dobnak 42) 16. Andy Michael (17x) 17. Kyle Zimmerman (Stockdale 31) 18. Scott Gurdak (Hollabaugh 5G) 19. Shane Crotty (Briggs 4) 20. Ed Carley (2) 21. Randy Hall (Krug 87) 22. Jason Genco (Craig/Badgley 29J) 23. Bobby Rohrer (11) 24. Ward Schell (61s) 25. Austin Hauser (51). (Note: Ward Schell took a Track provisional)
D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier (10 laps, $200 to-win): 1. David Parker (2) 2. John Haggerty (49) 3. Jacob Tubbs (89JR) 4. Billy DuBois (21B) 5. D.J. Krug (83) 6. Chad Clement (45) 7. Steve Houser (33z) 8. Andrew Chess (8C) 9. Ray Houser (360) 10. Charles Houser (35) 11. Rick Karash (6K) 12. Kassandra Norman (6) 13. Steve Blodgett (23GP) 14. Mason Jaquay (Briggs 99B) 15. Rob Middleton (23). DNS: A.J. Miller (14AJ), Chuck LaFleur (61), Tylar Fedorko (y26JR).
Car Count: 43
Time of feature: 9:20.216
Feature Margin of Victory: 0.354 seconds
Feature Lap Leaders: Brock Pinkerous (1-30)
Heritage Wine Cellars 3-Pack of Premium Products: Brock Pinkerous, Bryce Davis, Austin Allen
Holley Performance Group “Nosed Out”: John Haggerty
Landrum Performance Springs BOGO Certificates: Shane Crotty, David Parker, Rick Karash, Kassandra Norman, Daryl Charlier
Ontime Body & Graphic “Spoiler Alert” Spoiler Kit: Demetrios Drellos
Precise Racing Products “Pedal Down” Hard Charger: Andy Michael (+8)
Precise Racing Products 5-Gallon Race Jug: Brock Pinkerous
Sunoco Fuel Card Winners: Joe Martin ($100), Austin Hauser ($100), D.J. Krug ($50), Dave Hess, Jr. ($50), Scott Gurdak ($50), Chuck LaFleur ($50)
FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Flight A Qualifying (Track record 16.717 by John Waters on 5/14/22) ($100 for fast time): 1. 44-Dave Hess Jr, 00:17.726[5]; 2. 50-Jacob Wilber, 00:17.866[7]; 3. 02-Benjamin Easler, 00:17.992[21]; 4. 21J-Jim Rasey, 00:18.111[9]; 5. 2C-Ed Carley, 00:18.172[6]; 6. 51-Austin Hauser, 00:18.177[2]; 7. 111D-Demetrios Drellos, 00:18.300[16]; 8. 14AJ-AJ Miller, 00:18.366[12]; 9. 87S-Brad Mesler, 00:18.473[10]; 10. 11R-Robert Rohrer, 00:18.481[15]; 11. 5G-Scott Gurdak, 00:18.483[19]; 12. 31-Kyle Zimmerman, 00:18.506[13]; 13. 4C-Shane Crotty, 00:18.534[11]; 14. 83-DJ Krug, 00:18.587[1]; 15. 99B-Mason Jaquay, 00:18.598[17]; 16. 23GB-Steve Blodgett, 00:18.657[8]; 17. 45C-Chad Clement, 00:18.691[18]; 18. 21BD-Billy DuBois, 00:18.760[14]; 19. 49-John Haggerty, 00:19.201[4]; 20. 360-Raymond Houser, 00:19.362[3]; 21. 35-Charles Houser [20] DSQ.
FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Flight B Qualifying (Track Track record 16.717 by John Waters on 5/14/22): 1. 94-Bryce Davis, 00:17.493[3]; 2. 32A-Austin Allen, 00:17.630[13]; 3. 555-Brock Pinkerous, 00:17.642[2]; 4. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling, 00:17.688[9]; 5. 10S-Joe Martin, 00:17.709[16]; 6. 1/2PT-Damian Bidwell, 00:17.774[17]; 7. 18-Mike Wonderling, 00:17.901[20]; 8. 11A-Ashton Briggs, 00:17.982[1]; 9. 42-Daryl Charlier, 00:18.064[12]; 10. 87K-Randy Hall, 00:18.089[7]; 11. 29J-Jason Genco, 00:18.122[15]; 12. 8C-Andrew Chess, 00:18.144[22]; 13. 2-David Parker, 00:18.255[5]; 14. 61S-Ward Schell, 00:18.612[4]; 15. 17X-Andy Michael, 00:18.627[19]; 16. 61-Chuck LaFleur, 00:18.735[21]; 17. 6N-Kassandra Norman, 00:19.053[11]; 18. 23-Rob Middleton 00:19.271[10]; 19. 6K-Rick Karash, 00:19.695[6]; 20. 89JR-Jacob Tubbs DSQ[8]; 21. 33Z-Steve Houser DSQ [18]; 22. Y26JR-Tylar Fedorko DSQ [14].
FK Rod Ends Heat 1 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 44-Dave Hess Jr[1]; 2. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[3]; 3. 21J-Jim Rasey[2]; 4. 11R-Robert Rohrer[4]; 5. 4C-Shane Crotty[5]; 6. 49-John Haggerty[7]; 7. 23GB-Steve Blodgett[6].
FK Rod Ends Heat 2 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 50-Jacob Wilber[1]; 2. 2C-Ed Carley[2]; 3. 5G-Scott Gurdak[4]; 4. 14AJ-AJ Miller[3]; 5. 83-DJ Krug[5]; 6. 45C-Chad Clement[6]; 7. 360-Raymond Houser[7]
FK Rod Ends Heat 3 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 02-Benjamin Easler[1]; 2. 87S-Brad Mesler[3]; 3. 51-Austin Hauser[2]; 4. 31-Kyle Zimmerman[4]; 5. 99B-Mason Jaquay[5]; 6. 35-Charles Houser[7]; 7. 21BD-Billy DuBois[6].
FK Rod Ends Heat 4 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 94-Bryce Davis[1]; 2. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling[2]; 3. 18-Mike Wonderling[3]; 4. 2-David Parker[5]; 5. 87K-Randy Hall[4]; 6. 61-Chuck LaFleur[6]; 7. 6K-Rick Karash[7]; 8. Y26JR-Tylar Fedorko[8].
FK Rod Ends Heat 5 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 32A-Austin Allen[1]; 2. 10S-Joe Martin[2]; 3. 11A-Ashton Briggs[3]; 4. 29J-Jason Genco[4]; 5. 89JR-Jacob Tubbs[7]; 6. 6N-Kassandra Norman[6]; 7. 61S-Ward Schell[5].
FK Rod Ends Heat 6 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 555-Brock Pinkerous[1]; 2. 1/2PT-Damian Bidwell[2]; 3. 42-Daryl Charlier[3]; 4. 17X-Andy Michael[5]; 5. 8C-Andrew Chess[4]; 6. 33Z-Steve Houser[7]; 7. 23-Rob Middleton [6].
Last Chance B Main 1 (10 laps, Top 2 transfer to A): 1. 11R-Robert Rohrer[1]; 2. 4C-Shane Crotty[3]; 3. 49-John Haggerty[5]; 4. 83-DJ Krug[4]; 5. 45C-Chad Clement[6]; 6. 14AJ-AJ Miller[2]; 7. 23GB-Steve Blodgett[7]; 8. 360-Raymond Houser[8].
Last Chance B Main 2 (10 laps, Top 2 transfer to A): 1. 31-Kyle Zimmerman[1]; 2. 87K-Randy Hall[4]; 3. 2-David Parker[2]; 4. 21BD-Billy DuBois[7]; 5. 99B-Mason Jaquay[3]; 6. 6K-Rick Karash[8]; 7. 35-Charles Houser[5]; 8. Y26JR-Tylar Fedorko[9]. DNS: 61-Chuck LaFleur.
Last Chance B Main 3 (10 laps, Top 2 transfer to A): 1. 29J-Jason Genco[1]; 2. 17X-Andy Michael[2]; 3. 89JR-Jacob Tubbs[3]; 4. 8C-Andrew Chess[4]; 5. 33Z-Steve Houser[6]; 6. 61S-Ward Schell[7]; 7. 6N-Kassandra Norman[5]; 8. 23-Rob Middleton [8].
Sunoco Dash (6 laps, $100 Sunoco fuel card to win): 1. 555-Brock Pinkerous[2]; 2. 32A-Austin Allen[5]; 3. 50-Jacob Wilber[1]; 4. 94-Bryce Davis[3]; 5. 44-Dave Hess Jr[6]; 6. 02-Benjamin Easler[4].