Lunger Takes 2018 Rush Pro Mod Weekly Title; Mods Return To Stateline & Bradford In ’19

Story By: MIKE LEONE / RUSH RACING SERIES – PULASKI, PA – With the 2018 season for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Pro Mod Series powered by Pace Performance concluded, the Series has confirmed that the class will return in 2019 on a weekly basis to both Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY on Saturday nights and Old Bradford Speedway on Sunday nights.

In addition, the Series is hopeful that RUSH-sanctioned special events will take place at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa on dates that do not conflict with Stateline or Bradford.

“We wanted to reassure everyone that the RUSH Pro Mod class will be back stronger than ever in 2019,” stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig. “There were several new racers that joined the class in 2018 and we’re hearing of several new ones that will be taking part in 2019. We’re also hoping for several sanctioned events at McKean in 2019 to give racers additional opportunities to earn points. Hopefully Mother Nature cooperates better in 2019 as rain cost the Pro Mod racers numerous nights of action this season.”

For the first time, “Manufacturers Night” presented by MSD Performance will take place at Bradford later in the summer on a date to be announced. The inaugural “Manufacturers Night” was held at Stateline in 2017 as over $11,100 in useful products were distributed, while this past season at Stateline saw the product giveaways’ value increase to over $12,500!

The RUSH Pro Mods completed their third season of existence in 2018 with Dennis Lunger, Jr. winning the $3,500 Sweeney Weekly Series Championship for the second consecutive season over Chad Carlson. Second year RUSH Pro Mod racer, Nate Hartzell, improved from ninth to third in points and earned $1,200. Justin Carlson, the Series’ inaugural champion in 2017, was fourth for $1000 over newcomer to the Series, Adam Ashcroft. The total posted “Weekly” and “Futures Cup” Pro Mod Championship programs total $15,650.

Also, 18-year-old Jarrod Silvis of Corry, Pa., who finished eighth in the Weekly Series points, became the third “Futures Cup” Champion. In addition, Lunger captured the Stateline track championship, while Carlson won at Bradford.

“I like the Series a lot,” said the 50-year-old Lunger of Albion, Pa. on the Pro-Mods. “It’s fantastic and the most economical class of anything. It’s just an affordable class and you can pick up a motor for $5,000. I just hope we can get more tracks involved.”

“Unbelievable…great, great”, is what the 54-year Carlson of Lakwood, NY said about the RUSH Series after earning the $2,000 Sweeney Weekly Series runner-up for the second straight year. “The pay is good and I like the rules. It keeps everyone in the same stuff. There’s about four to five new drivers coming in for next year so maybe we can travel to a few other tracks.”

The RUSH Pro Mods are typical E-Mod race cars that utilize the GM Performance 604 or 602 crate engine on the $135 sealed/spec Bilstein Shocks, RUSH 91 gas, and spec Hoosier Tires. No major rule changes are expected for 2019.

FINAL 2018 Sweeney RUSH Pro Mod Weekly Series Championship Points (based on best 12 point finishes; must be a RUSH member to earn points): 1. DENNIS LUNGER, JR. 1321 ($3500) 2. Chad Carlson 1298 ($2000) 3. Nate Hartzell 1226 ($1200) 4. Justin Carlson 1222 ($1000) 5. Adam Ashcroft 1152 ($900) 6. Scott Gurdak 1048 ($800) 7. Zach Johnson 895 ($700) 8. Jarrod Silvis 884 ($600) 9. Nick Mohawk 873 ($500) 10. Jeremy Wonderling 632 ($400) 11. Jason Covey 624 ($390) 12. Vaughn Nystrom 583 ($380) 13. Jeramy Williams 580 ($370) 14. Matt Harvey 503 ($360) 15. Brian Mohawk 396 ($350) 16. Kyle Babcock 290 ($340).