RUSH, a Northeast Crate organization, set for 2013
By Mike Leone
RUSH Late Model SeriesBuilding on six years of Crate Late Model racing, former FASTRAK Northeast co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone this week announced the formation of the Northern States RUSH Late Model Series. The new organization will sanction weekly and touring racing in 2013 with more than $120,000 in cash and contingencies on the line.
“After six years of association with the Fastrak Racing Series, we believe that the needs of our part of the country are sufficiently unique,” Emig said. “With that said, we have elected not to renew our annual contract with Fastrak founder Stan Lester’s organization. We salute Stan for his great concept and the time we were associated saw Crate Late Model Racing grown and thrive in the Northeast.
"We had no complaints with Stan’s program ... only that we believe that we can better serve our racers by being an independent series. By being a regional organization rather than a national one will allow us to be more responsive to our tracks, teams, and fans.”
Four tracks have announced plans for weekly RUSH competition: Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio; McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa.; Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa.; and Allegany County Speedway in Cumberland, Md., a track running weekly Crate Late Models for the first time while switching to Sundays.
RUSH will align itself closely with the South’s NeSmith Chevrolet-sanctioned Crate Late Model organization, following the rules closely with minor differences.
RUSH’s Northeast Weekly Series championship pays $5,000 to the champion from a point fund of more than $25,000 among the top 30 drivers. Points will be tabulated from a driver’s best 15 finishes from April-September. A touring schedule is also planned with 20-25 events.
For more information, call RUSH offices at (724) 964-9300 or visit rushracingseries.com.
