Four-Race ‘Battle Of The Bay Speedweek’ To Open 2020 RUSH Late Model Tour

Story By: MIKE LEONE / RUSH RACING SERIES – PULASKI, PA – Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series powered by Pace Performance Directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone are pleased to announce that for the third straight year, the “Battle of the Bay Speedweek” will kickoff the new season for the Late Model Touring Series.

The four-race Speedweek will take place April 15-18, 2020 at Delaware International, Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester Speedways. It was recently announced that the 2020 Tour point fund was nearly doubled with $12,000 going to the champion!

For the second straight year, the opening round at DIS will be designated as the “Raelyn Huffman Memorial” paying a minimum of $4,000 to-win, $300 to-start! Also for the second straight year, the events at Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester will pay $3,000 to-win, $250 to-start thanks to the continued strong support of these shows.

Once again, there will be a $3,000 “Battle of the Bay” point fund for RUSH member racers that will pay $1,000 to-win down 10 positions providing at least three of the events are completed. If two events are completed, the point fund will be pro-rated. And in addition, a $150 travel package will again be available for each competing top 12 drivers in 2019 Sweeney Tour points. Driver must compete in at least two events including the first race of Speedweek to be eligible.

“You’re not going to find a better deal for crate racing than this Battle of the Bay,” stated Max Blair after winning last year’s Georgetown event. “Huge props to Mike (Leone) and Vicki (Emig) along with all of the race tracks. This is a really, really good deal for crate guys. It’s the best stretch deal going in the country for us. This is a really stout field of race cars and to be able to win the first two nights is pretty awesome.”

The 2019 “Battle of the Bay” saw 62 different drivers compete from eight different states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina) plus Ontario, Canada in the three completed events as the Potomac show was rained out. Thirty-five drivers participated in all three events (DIS, Georgetown & Winchester), which was an increase of seven from the 28 that participated in all 2018 events. The opening event at DIS attracted 53 cars, which was a “Battle of the Bay” record and matched the “Bill Emig Memorial” as the season high car count. Seven of the eight scheduled “Battle of the Bay” events have been completed over the two years with no less than 40 cars at any of the events!

“The ‘Battle of the Bay’ has been tremendous the last two years,” acknowledged RUSH Director Vicki Emig. “The drivers have really supported it each of the last two years and have been rewarded with increased payoffs, the point fund, and travel money. It’s an honor to again have the Huffman Family utilize RUSH and the ‘Battle of the Bay’ to hold Raelyn’s memorial event at Delaware. We have to thank the promoters of these great speedways for continuing to allow us to open our Touring season in such a great fashion. This year’s events are once again going to be an incredible kickoff to the $12,000 to-win championship!”

Ray and Brenda Huffman have been heavily involved in racing over the years with their R&J Poultry business and have sponsored RUSH Late Model drivers such as Max Blair and Cody Dawson. Shortly after the 2018 “Battle of the Bay”, Raelyn lost her life in a tragic accident. Ray Huffman is Raelyn’s father, while Brenda is her step-mother. Raelyn’s mother is Billie Jo Justice and her step-father is Tim Justice.

Raelyn was 22 years old and from Delmar, DE- the home of Delaware International Speedway. Raelyn graduated from nearby Seaford High School and worked for Lowe’s Home Improvement. She loved her job, racing, and any four-legged furry friends. Raelyn spent her weekends growing up at the races; from Friday nights at the go-kart track, Saturday nights watching RUSH Late Models, and Sundays at the US 13 Dragway with her longtime boyfriend, Matt Adams.

“It was just part of her lifestyle and that is why we we’re so adamant on perusing this memorial race,” explained Raelyn’s sister Shelby. “She was a beautiful girl with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was completely contagious. We are so proud of her and how much of an amazing person she turned out to be. We love and miss her everyday and we strive to pass on her memory and share stories that celebrate her life. Our family, the Lowe’s family and the racing community lost a very loved and valued member, and we all miss her very much. There are many memories that our family, co-workers and friends share that we will always cherish, but there are so many we didn’t get to make. She was a one of a kind girl with a big heart, a bright smile and a loving nature. There aren’t words for how loved and missed she is.”

Stay tuned for more information regarding the “Battle of the Bay” Speedweek throughout the offseason.