$4K Raelyn Huffman Mem at DIS to kickoff RUSH LM Tour Battle of Bay Speedweek 4/17/19

"BATTLE OF THE BAY" SPEEDWEEK TO RETURN IN 2019 TO KICKOFF SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL TOURING SERIES APRIL 17-20 AT DELAWARE, GEORGETOWN, POTOMAC & WINCHESTER; "RAELYN HUFFMAN MEMORIAL" AT DELAWARE TO PAY $4000 TO-WIN
By Mike Leone

November 7, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Pulaski, PA)...With the 2018 season for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series concluded, the attention has quickly turned to preparation for the 2019 season. For the second straight year, the "Battle of the Bay Speedweek" will kickoff the Sweeney Tour campaign at Delaware International, Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester Speedways April 17-20. This year however, the opening round at DIS will be highlighted by the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" paying $4,000 to-win!

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 this year's "Battle of the Bay", Raelyn lost her life in a tragic accident on May 4. 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."

The opening round Marquee Tour event at Delaware will pay a minimum of $4,000 to-win, $300 to-start and will be followed up by $2,000 to-win Marquee Tour events at Georgetown, Potomac, and Winchester. In the event the Delaware race would be rained out, the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" will move to the next night at Georgetown.

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 driver in 2018 Sweeney Tour points. Driver must compete in at least two events including the first race of Speedweek to be eligible.

"We're honored that the Huffman Family contacted us about doing a memorial for Raelyn," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig. "The R.J. Poultry name has been very recognizable over the years in racing and I look forward to working with the Huffman Family to present an event that will remember Raelyn and honor her memory and love of racing. Kicking the 'Battle of the Bay' Speedweek off with a $4,000 to win event is definitely going to add more prestigious and excitement to the entire concept! Raelyn was also a lover of animals like myself and so many of our RUSH racers and their families. We will also be working together to raise monies for the Delaware ASPCA through the Brandywine Animal Rescue via the Delaware events in her memory."

In 2017, a total of 63 different drivers competed in at least one of the four "Battle of the Bay" events. The car counts were 46 at Delaware, 40 at Georgetown, 41 at Potomac, and 44 at Winchester. Blair opened the season victorious in the first ever Tour race at Delaware, while Ross Robinson won round two for his first career RUSH win at his home track at Georgetown. Logan Roberson ended the Speedweek winning the final two events to capture the "Battle of the Bay" presented by Pancho's Racing Products title by one over Robinson and two over Blair!

Stay tuned for more information regarding the "Raelyn Huffman Memorial" and the "Battle of the Bay" Speedweek throughout the offseason.

Delaware International Speedway is a 1/2-mile track located at 37854 Sussex Highway, Delmar, DE 19940. DIS is located on a 125 acre Motorsports Complex which house's three racing facilities in one. The Speedway will celebrate their 48th consecutive year, when it opens in April of 2018. For more information on DIS, check out their website at www.delawareracing.com. The track office number is 302-846-3911. You can like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DelawareRacing and follow them on Twitter @delawareracing.

Georgetown Speedway is a 1/2-mile clay oval located at 24505, 24513 S. Dupont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947. Deyo signed a three-year lease that runs through 2019 and improvements continue at the Sussex County track, which hosted its first race in 1950. The speedway operates on a special-events-only schedule with high-profile programs from March through October. For more information on Georgetown, check out their website at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. You can like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GeorgetownSpeedway and follow them on Twitter @thegtownspdwy.

Potomac Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile dirt track located on Route 234 at 27963 Budds Creek Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. The track first opened in 1973, and is located about an hour south of Washington D.C and Baltimore. For information, check out their website at www.potomacspeedway.com or call 301-481-8855. You can like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacSpdwy and follow them on Twitter @PotomacSpdwy.

Winchester Speedway is also a high-banked 3/8-mile dirt track located just off Route 50 at 950 Airport Road Winchester, VA 22604. The track first opened in 1936 under the name of Airport Speedway. The track has been home to the Winchester 200, a major Super Late Model event, since 1963! For more information, check out their website at www.winchestervaspeedway.com or call 301-481-8855. You can like their Facebook at www.facebook.com/wincvaspeedway and follow them on Twitter @Wincvaspeedway.

2018 RUSH Late Model marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, Earl's Performance Plumbing, Quick Fuel Technology, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Dirt Defender, Dynamic Drivelines, Wrisco Industries, Frankland Racing Supply, Alternative Power Sources, Precise Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Lincoln Electric, Pancho's Racing Products Velocita-USA, Classic Ink USA, Landrum Performance Spring, Schwartzmiller Ground Maintenance, CrateInsider.com, Valley Fashions.

E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Office phone is 724-964-9300 and fax is 724-964-0604. The RUSH Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM.
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