8/5/2021
RUSH Late Model Series
"JOOK GEORGE STEEL CITY CLASSIC" PRESENTED BY ZARIN TO PAY A MINIMUM $6,010 TO-WIN FOR PACE RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/BORN2RUN LUBRICANTS TOUR SATU
"JOOK GEORGE STEEL CITY CLASSIC" PRESENTED BY ZARIN TO PAY A MINIMUM $6,010 TO-WIN FOR PACE RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/BORN2RUN LUBRICANTS TOUR SATURDAY AT PITTSBURGH; $1000 BONUS IF WINNER CONTRIBUTED TO THE EVENT; STREAMED LIVE ON LERNERVILLE TV
By Mike Leone
August 5, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Imperial, PA)…This Saturday night (August 7), Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway will host the second richest Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC event of the season. The 32nd annual "Jook George Steel City Classic" presented by Zarin Truck & Automotive and coordinated by Branden Lockwich will pay a minimum $6,010 to-win, $425 to-start for the Flynn's Tire/Born2Run Lubricants Late Model Touring Series! In addition, if the winner financially contributed to the event, he or she will receive a $1,000 bonus compliments of Miley Motor Sports and Lockwich!
In order to properly showcase the RUSH Late Model event, Saturday's show will be just a two-division program that will also include the Hobby Stocks. Warm-ups begin at 6 p.m. followed by qualifying and racing. The event carries a rain date of Sunday (August 8) with one hour earlier starting times. For the first time ever, the event will be streamed live thanks to Lernerville TV (https://lernerville.tv).
Starting in 2015, Lockwich took up the effort to make the "Jook George Steel City Classic" the biggest race in the tri-state area for the RUSH Late Models. The event has continued to grow in stature. In 2017, the event was a Tour race for the first time and drew 43 cars with Mike Pegher, Jr. capturing the $4,010 win. In 2018, a record 51 cars were on hand with Jacob Hawkins scoring the $5,010 win. The 2019 event was the richest in RUSH history as Kyle Lukon scored the $10,010 win and the extra $1,000 contributor bonus. While the COVID-19 pandemic left uncertainty for the 2020 event, Lockwich still worked wonders and brought over $17,000 to the event, which was won by Michael Norris in his first RUSH start. Norris was also able to take home $6,010 and the $1,000 contributor bonus.
In 2019, Miley Motor Sports and Lockwich came up with the idea to award the feature winner an additional $1,000 bonus if he or she financially contributed a minimum of $50 to the event. This year, Lockwich added another carrot with 20 random draws of $50 cash for any driver/owner that contributed. As of this release, 30 teams are eligible for the bonuses on Saturday night. Any driver that still would like to contribute to expand the purse and be eligible for the bonuses can contact Branden at 412-639-3723 or see him at the track on Saturday. Contributions from any individuals or businesses are also still welcome.
This year, Lockwich has brought in $2,000 more in contributions than 2020. That has allowed for a purse increase for feature positions 6-26, $400 now to win the Non-Qualifier, along with additional monies for the heat races, dash, and B mains! The increase has guaranteed the top 10 feature finishers to earn a minimum of $1,000 for the first time! New for the 2021 event: Stile's Marine will present the "Rookie of the Jook" as $300 will go to the highest finishing first time "Jook George Steel City Classic" competitor (feature or non-qualifier).
The fastest overall in "Shock the Clock" qualifying will receive $200 with $100 from FK Rod Ends and another $100 from Our Cars Auto Detailing & Truck Service. Heat races will pay $75 to-win with $50 in memory of Pappy Kessler and $25 from FK Rod Ends. The "John Beatty Memorial" Sunoco Dash will be run to determine the beginning of the feature line-up that will pay a $404 to-win thanks to Matt Shuffstall with an increased payoff back through this year. The last chance B mains will pay $50 to-win. Several other bonuses have been posted and are listed below.
William Thomas "Jook" George had a brief driving career himself, but as he turned to car owner he chose and had for most of his racing career the #10 and that was in honor of his racing hero, Lou Blaney, who drove his car on a couple occasions. Other highlights of his career was being nominated as the Sportsman of the Year at PPMS, being nominated into the Pittsburgh Circle Track Hall of Fame, winning the track championship at PPMS in 1990 with John Beatty behind the wheel, and winning the Fall Classic in 1993 with Bill Yakin, also at PPMS. His most dominant stretch as a car owner came in the late ‘70s when Earl Teeters was his driver.
"Miley Motor Sports is ecstatic about the 32nd edition of the RUSH Dirt Late Model Series 'Jook George Classic' to honor our great friend of racing, Jook George," expressed PPMS promoter Matt Miley. "We can’t thank Brandon, the RUSH Team, and all who have contributed enough. It’s a win, win, win, win- racers, fans, sponsors, and the Speedway."
"This is the type of thing that energizes Miley Motor Sports to keep Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway alive," continued Miley. "It’s been a long ride, 33 consecutive seasons! Age and what comes with it takes a toll on us. We simply can’t do everything ourselves. Younger folks who love the sport stepping up and making some of our best events is unbelievably refreshing. It energizes an old ownership team. A very sincere Thank You from all of us at Miley Motor Sports!"
"It's really amazing how this event has grown and how so many people have gotten behind it to make this all possible," expressed RUSH Director Vicki Emig. "Branden has led the efforts of transforming this from a special weekly event to what has become one of the richest RUSH events of the season. We can't thank the George Family, Miley Motor Sports, Branden and so many others for their amazing contributions, while allowing us to present this as RUSH Late Model Touring Series event."
Virginia racer Kyle Hardy leads the way with five Tour wins including a sweep of the "Battle of the Bay" Speedweek plus a victory in his first Eriez Speedway start and the first ever Tour race at Dog Hollow . Hardy sits atop the standings of both the $12,000 to-win Tour by 51 over defending three-time champion Jeremy Wonderling, who has won both Tour races in New York plus his first ever Pittsburgh victory this year. Wonderling has taken over the lead in the $5,000 to-win National Weekly Series standings by one over Hardy as he looks to win that title for the second straight year.
Joe Martin trails Wonderling by 10 points as he's strung together six top five Tour finishes in the last seven shows. Michael Duritsky, Jr. has finished in the top five in points each of the last years and is currently fourth heading into Saturday. J.J. Mazur has worked his way into fifth in points looking to improve on his seventh place points finish in 2019. Bud Watson, Kyle Lukon, Ryan Frazee, John Waters, and Cory Sines complete the top 10 in points.
There have been seven different winners in nine events in Pace Weekly Series action in 2021 at PPMS! The only drivers to repeat are "Monster Half-Mile" standouts Lukon and Daryl Charlier. Other winners include Dan Lepro (career first), Zach Morrow (first career Late Model win), Jeremy Wonderling (first career PPMS win), Logan Zarin, and Ben Policz.
The Tour will return to PPMS for the final time of 2021 on October 1-2 for the "Bill Hendren Memorial" featuring $3,000 to-win events each night plus the "One to Remember" non-winners race on Friday night.
Feature Payoff : 1. $6,010 2. $3,000 3. $1,600 4. $1,400 5. $1,300 6. $1,250 7. $1,150 8. $1,100 9. $1,050 10. $1,000 11. $800 12. $700 13. $600 14. $575 15. $550 16. $525 17. $500 18. $475 19. $450 20. $440 21. $430 22-26. $425. (If the feature winner contributed financially to the event, he or she will receive a $1,000 bonus compliments of Miley Motor Sports & Branden Lockwich) ($107 bonus for 7th place from Gunn Racing; $100 bonus for 10th place in memory of Jook George; $150 bonus for 11th place from Langer Racing; $100 bonus for 15th on lap 16 & 18th on lap 25 from All Interior Painting & Goble Motorsports)
Non-Qualifier Payoff: 1. $400 2. $225 3. $200 4. $190 5. $185 6. $180 7. $175 8. $170 9. $165 10. $160 11-24. $155. Tow $125.
"John Beatty Memorial" Sunoco Dash presented by Matt Shuffstall Payoff: 1. $404 + $100 Sunoco gift card 2. $100 3. $50 4-6. $25.
$300 "Rookie of the Jook" presented by Stile's Marine
Precise Racing Products will award a $100 gift card for the "Pedal Down" Hard Charger that passes the most cars in the feature. The TBM Brakes “Tough Brake of the Night” will award three bottles of Xtreme6 Racing Brake Fluid valued at approximately $45 along with a certificate for a discount off any TBM Brakes purchase.
The feature winner will receive a 5-Gallon Race Jug from Precise. Ontime Body & Graphic's "Spoiler Alert" will award a $150 spoiler kit to the 10th place finisher (note: if a driver has already won a spoiler this season, spoiler will be awarded to the next position).
In addition to $404, the Sunoco Dash winner will also receive a $100 Sunoco gift card. One driver will be randomly selected at the drivers meeting for a $100 Sunoco gift card thanks to the "Fill'er up with Sunoco Bucks" program presented by Sunoco and Zarin Truck & Auto. Performance Bodies will award a $100 gift card to the first non-qualifier as part of the "Nosed Out" program. Close Racing Supply has posted a $100 gift certificate that will be awarded in a manner to be announced.
The pits will be open all afternoon on Saturday. Registration and pre-race tech will begin by 3 p.m. with the drivers meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m., warm-ups at 6 followed by qualifying and then racing at 7. You do not have to be a member of RUSH to compete only to receive Weekly and/or Tour points. The entry fee for the event is $100. AMB/MyLaps transponders will be used; rentals are available for $25. Driver radio will be channel 454.000. The pit notes and agenda for Saturday are available at the following link https://rushlatemodels.com/PPMSAgenda080721.pdf
2021 "Jook George Steel City Classic" Contributor List: 955 Auto, All Interior Painting, Beatty Welding Steve and Mindy Beatty, Ben Laboon , Ben Policz in memory of Mark Policz 84, Bob Schwartzmiller Racing, Bob Siemon Garage Doors, Bryan Hoffman, Bud Watson Racing, BY Automotive Bill Yakin, Castleveter Landscaping, Centerline Collision, Charlier Racing, Chris Lander Racing, Close Racing Supply, Cole Petrelle Racing, Colton Flinner Racing, Crewl Landscaping Logan Crewl in memory of Bucky Johnson, D&T Autobody Troy Holtgraver, Darren Fergusion National Property Inspections, Dennis Angellicchio, Derek Charlier, Dobs Auto Matt and Gus Dobnak, Doug Clark PPMS Super Snuffer, Doug Smith Schaeffers Oil Rep, Dustin Waters Racing, Frankland, Garret Paugh Racing, Gary Heeman, Goble Motorsports, Hendren Racing Engines, Hoodsup Quicklube, Imperial Heights Garage, Imperial Tire and Auto Pete Loria, Jeremy Wonderling Racing, Jesse Marshall, Jim Altvater, John Waters Racing, Jook George Family, Justin Lamb, Kessler Motorsports, Kurt Thompson Realtor, Kyle Lukon Racing, Levi Crowl Racing, Losego Automotive, Lou and Kathy Benish, Lukons Reb-Fab, Matt Shuffstall, Matthew Knupp, Mike Reft Racing, Mike Smyzchek, Mikes Auto Service and Repair, Motor Mafia Photography Jason Spencer, Nate Langer, NexGen Outdoor Services, Nico Dabecco Racing, Our Cars Auto Detailing and Tire Service, Pete and Kim Lockwich, R.W. Frazee Trucking, Rappin on Racin Don Gamble, Red and Jack PPMS Tech, Rocket Chassis, Rohrich Parts Warehouse, Rons Barber Shop Ron Williams, RUSH Racing Series, Russ King Racing, Russ Kolesar in memory of Pap Jack, Russ Rech Racing Engines, Ryan Frazee Racing, Sally Schirnhofer, Schirnhofer Racing, Scott Gunn Racing, Sherry Charlier, Stans Transmissions in memory of Bob Bentz Sr, Stiles Marine Sammy and Jennifer Stiles, Super 6 Late Models, Three Rivers Karting, TJ Downs in memory of Vicki Downs, Tom Snyder, Tony Musolino, Tony White Racing, Tri State Motorsports Dale Charlier, Ultraclassic Salon Lonnie and Cathy Lamb, Veronica Brant, Vince Dubois and Cathy Bish in memory of Bucky Johnson and Tim Hitt, West View Motors/Dan Holtgraver, Zach Yost Racing Photography, Zarin Truck and Auto, Zuks Autobody .
Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway is a ½-mile dirt track with a GPS address of 170 Kelso Rd, Imperial PA 15126, which is located just off the Noblestown exit on Routes 22/30. For more information, check out their website at www.ppms.com or call 412-279-7223. The track number on race day is 724-695-3363 or 724-695-0393. As for their social media outlets, you can like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PittsburghsPennsylvaniaMotorSpeedway or follow them on Twitter @PAMotorSpeedway.
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, Born2Run Lubricants, Flynn's Tire & Auto Service, FK Rod Ends, 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, Stop-Fyre, Lincoln Electric, Velocita-USA, Waterstone Mortgage Hermitage, CrateInsider.com, 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. The RUSH Late Model website is www.rushlatemodels.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM.
Article Credit: Mike Leone
