Rush Racing Series Secures New Branding Sponsor For 2020 Racing Season & Beyond

Story By: MIKE LEONE / RUSH RACING SERIES – PULASKI, PA – Ten years ago Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC forged a partnership with Vicki Emig and Mike Leone to develop Chevrolet Performance crate engine Late Model racing in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Through the years, Sweeney’s name became synonymous with RUSH’s efforts in the expansion of not only Late Models, but Sportsman Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Pro Mods, Pro Stocks, and Asphalt Series.

In 2012, Sweeney acquired Pace Performance; and due to their tremendous growth over the past several years in the motorsports industry, Pace Performance will now move to the forefront as the branding sponsor of the RUSH Racing Series.

“When speaking of a long-term relationship in the motorsports industry you’d be hard-pressed to find any stronger than the one that has been ongoing throughout the years between Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC/Pace Performance with the RUSH Racing Series,” stated Emig. “Sweeney got involved with us in 2011 and we could have not continued our forward momentum without their strong support.”

“Throughout the years, Pace Performance have become one of the top sellers of Chevrolet Performance crate engines and parts,” continued Emig. “Pace is relied upon by numerous entities across the country so it was just a natural transition to move Pace Performance’s role to the forefront of the RUSH Racing Series. With that said we’re thrilled to be able to continue to have the Sweeney name aligned with RUSH as there is no question that they are the top automobile dealership that supports of auto racing in the region. We’re so fortunate to have both of these great companies in our corner.”

Pace Performance is a complete source for racing enthusiasts’ Chevrolet Performance needs with a selection of over 100,000 parts. Don Blackshear, the Director of the Pace Performance Circle Track Division, has been at the forefront of Pace’s circle track expansion. Blackshear was the developer of the RUSH 602 Sprint Car engine package in addition to the 525 Sprint Car package that has been utilized over recent years at Knoxville (IA) Raceway as well as involvement with other sanctioning bodies throughout the country.

In addition, Pace’s technical department has gone to work and developed several new Pace Performance packages based on a computation of several years of customer request for complete, one box, one part number & one price packages. Pace has crate engines, transmissions, rear-end, ignition, water pump, exhaust, carb-intake & engine top end packages available, which they call this exclusive line- the Pace Pac Performance Packages. For more information on Pace, check out their website at www.paceperformance.com, like Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pacecircletrack, and follow them on Twitter @PacePerformance.

#TeamSweeney is proud to have been a part of the Mahoning Valley for nearly 100 years. Always focused on the customer, Sweeney has been willing to change to meet the demands and lifestyles of their customers. This was demonstrated by the addition of the GMC Truck franchise in 1987, Pontiac franchise in 1996, and the Chevrolet franchise in 2004. For more information on Sweeney, check out their website at www.sweeneycars.com, like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/SweeneyCarsYoungstown, and follow them on Twitter @SweeneyCars.

The Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series together with Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is set to enter 2020 full speed ahead coming off a record-setting 2019 season for the Series. Average car counts were up at the majority of the weekly-sanctioned Late Model tracks, while the Touring Series had a record 38-car average for Marquee Events. For 2020, the Late Model Touring Series point fund has nearly doubled with $12,000 going to the champion.

The Sportsman Modifieds have an expanded schedule with bi-weekly races at Raceway 7 along with the addition of the Wedge Motorsports “Route 7 Rumble” point fund and a 36% increase on the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Weekly Series Championship. The Sprint Car division grew for year two and is now set for 30 events throughout the region; in addition, the RUSH Pro Mods will also have a full schedule and the opportunity to compete at some new venues.