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C&R Tire & Ohio Intra Express to present new "Wheelman" Bonus Event nightly for RUSH Sportsman Modifieds in 2019

By Mike Leone

January 23, 2018               

(Hartford, OH)…As previously announced by the RUSH Sportsman Modified Series, in 2019 Sharon Speedway will host a separate race for drivers that have never won a feature event in a full-size race car (excluding Mini Stocks) nightly for the HTMA/Precise Racing Products-sponsored division.  This new program called the "Wheelman" Bonus Event will be presented by C&R Tire and Ohio Intra Express. RUSH will provide the separate points fund for RUSH members that will pay five positions with the "Wheelman" Champion receiving $300.

"This new program will afford drivers that have never won a feature event before the opportunity for additional track time and extra purse money, while at the same time compete for their own championship title," explained Sharon GM Dave Willoughby. "It's pretty neat that two of our current RUSH Sportsman Modified racers in Rob Kristyak (C&R Tire) and Chas Wolbert (Ohio Intra Express) that aren't even eligible for the program have given back to racers in their own division.  The RUSH Sportsman Mod car counts have grown each year pushing over a full field average at 27 and we want to continue to make sure all racers have incentive to continue to come to Sharon Speedway and race."

The event will pay $75 to win nightly (see complete payoff below) and will be a limited number of laps based on car count per night. The event lineup will be determined based on an invert four of eligible drivers from the night's regular heat race results.  The winning driver can start no better than sixth the following event, 12th for two straight wins, and the tail for three or more consecutive wins.  If a driver wins a regular feature event, he or she will no longer be eligible to race in the events.  The new program will get underway when the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds open their season on Friday, April 12 with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.   

In the inaugural 2014 season for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds at Sharon, the average car count was 10.6 per night. That average grew to 14.3 in 2015 and really jumped in 2016 to 22.5 per night.  The 2017 season saw more growth with 23.9 per night and even more this past season at 26.8 per night.  An all-time division record 38 cars turned out for "Manufacturers Night" on August 25.  Only two times in the past three years has the car count dropped below 20 and not since August 12, 2017. 

"Wheelman" Bonus Event Payoff*: 1. $75 2. $60  3. $50  4. $40  5. $35  6. $30  7. $25  8. $20.  (*Note: payoff is in addition to feature money.  Drivers not qualifying for the feature will be guaranteed $50 tow money and free pit pass with the ability to win up to $75; however will not receive these amounts over and above tow money.)

Sharon Speedway is owned by the Blaney, Weller, and Kirila Families and is a 3/8-mile dirt track located on Custer-Orangeville Road in Hartford, Ohio near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305. For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com or call 330-772-5481. Become a fan of Sharon Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sharonspdwy.

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