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MICHAEL NORRIS WINS $7010 "JOOK GEORGE STEEL CITY CLASSIC" FOR 4TH TIME IN 5 YEARS AT PITTSBURGH FOR HOVIS RUSH LATE MODELS; BECOMES 6TH DIFFERENT WIN

MICHAEL NORRIS WINS $7010 "JOOK GEORGE STEEL CITY CLASSIC" FOR 4TH TIME IN 5 YEARS AT PITTSBURGH FOR HOVIS RUSH LATE MODELS; BECOMES 6TH DIFFERENT WINNER IN 8 FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR RACES AS 46 CARS COMPETE
By Mike Leone

July 27, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Imperial, PA)...The 35th annual "Jook George Steel City Classic" presented by All Interior Painting for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Dirt Late Model Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants was held on Saturday night at Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway. Race #8 of the 2024 Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series season was the second visit to "Dirt's Monster Half-Mile" and attracted 46 cars from six states. Special thanks to event coordinator Branden Lockwich, who brought approximately $19,000 to the event, which was added to the typical RUSH Tour purse thanks to so many gracious sponsors and contributors. The event and was streamed live by The Cushion.

For the fourth time in five years, Michael Norris stood in the Landrum Performance victory lane for the "Jook George Steel City Classic". Norris started in third, but was as far back as fifth on lap 17 before charging forward and made the winning pass on lap 29 from Kyle Lukon. Norris went unchallenged over the final laps of the 40-lap feature to become the 6th different winner in eight Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series events this season. Norris earned $6,010 from the base purse along with the $1,000 bonus for contributing to the event from Lockwich and track owner Blair Cress, Jr.! Norris now has seven career Touring Series victories with six of them coming at Pittsburgh as he won also the 2021 "Bill Hendren Memorial" and the 2022 "Herb Scott Memorial".

"It means a lot to win this," expressed the 32-year-old Sarver, Pa. racer. "This race is what got us starting running crate cars. I love this race track- it's by far my favorite track. I just wish I could race here more. Cleetus (Branden Lockwich) puts so much into this. Kudos to Blair (Cress) and the track crew. Even though it was pretty rough, man at the end it good pretty good as we started carving some of the lumps off. When it gets like this you can really search around."

"The bottom was just so good early and I wasn't free enough to run down there," explained Norris. "They were just beating me up down there and I was just trying to maintain because I knew eventually that it would probably get cleaned off enough to where the top was better. On that next to last restart when I got by (Jeremy) Wonderling and (Bryce) Davis, I thought if I got another restart and get clean air in front of (Kyle) Lukon I'd be ok. He's so good here as are all of those guys up front. I had a lot of fun. I have to thank Nico (Dabecco). This car has been phenomenal down here. He and Vinny work real hard and make me look good. Thanks to Cleetus (Branden Lockwich) for putting this on- he does a fantastic job along with RUSH and all of my sponsors and family. I'm just happy and blessed to be here."

Making his first Pittsburgh start since his 2017 championship season, Bryce Davis raced into the early lead over fellow New Yorker Jeremy Wonderling, track standout Brandon Burgoon, and Norris. By lap four, Davis and Wonderling distanced themselves from the field. Fifth starting Lukon dropped back to seventh on the opening lap before picking off cars and found himself up to fourth when the caution was displayed for a slowing Garret Paugh with seven laps scored.

When green replaced yellow on lap eight, Lukon charged into the lead, while Wonderling passed Davis for second. Norris and Michael Reft traded the fourth spot back and forth numerous times over the first 18 laps before Norris got by for good on the 18th circuit. Lukon stretched out his lead to 1.375 seconds when he caught lapped traffic on lap 19; however, Wonderling began to close in on Lukon and was right on the leader on lap 22.

Dave Hess, Jr., who won the $20,000 "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by Sunoco Race Fuel last month at Lernerville was looking for another big pay day, but he slowed to bring out the caution with 23 laps completed. The caution wasn't what Wonderling wanted to see as he struggled on the restart losing second and third to Norris and Davis. Wonderling dropped back to fifth on lap 26 when 21st starting Demetrios Drellos continued his progression forward. The event's final caution was for Mason Zeigler, who blew a tire with 28 laps completed. Zeigler at one point had cracked the top five from his 24th starting spot!

Back under green, Norris made the outside work on the restart for what would be the winning move on lap 29, while Drellos got by Wonderling for third. Drellos though would fade over the remaining laps as Wonderling regained third on lap 31. As Norris pulled away, Wonderling battled Lukon for second, while Drellos had his hands full with Davis and Brock Pinkerous.

At the checkered flag, Norris crossed the line first by 1.604 seconds in the ND Motorsports/Ingram Engines/Rocket Chassis/Millerstown Pic-A-Part/Integra Shocks/Lojack Cycle-sponsored #N1. Norris moved into a tie with Ryan Montgomery for eighth on the all-time win list at seven wins despite only running a handful of races annually over the past five seasons. It was also Norris' 23rd career win overall at Pittsburgh.

Lukon earned $3,000 for his runner-up finish in just his second Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour start of the season and first since his fourth place back on April 20 at Pittsburgh. Lukon picked up an extra $200 in lap money for leading lap 10 in memory of Jook George and lap 22 in memory of Chuck Herr. Wonderling's third place finish was worth $2,000 as it was his fourth podium finish of the season and also received a three-pack of Heritage Wine Cellars premium products as did Norris and Lukon.

Fresh off runner-up finishes in the "Bill Emig Memorial" and the "Bill Law Memorial", Davis came home fourth after leading the first seven laps for a $1,500 payday. Davis has now won over $10,000 in the last three Tour events despite not winning! Pinkerous quietly went 12th to 5th for $1,300 as it was his sixth top 5 in eight races to maintain the points lead.

Drellos lost three spots over the final nine laps, but still impressively came home sixth for his career best Tour finish beating his seventh place run from last Saturday at Stateline. Drellos earned $1,200 for his feature finish; however, took home a lot of other bonuses. He received the $200 longest tow award in memory of former track owner/promoter Matt Miley for travelling eight hours from his home in Queensbury, NY. He was the $288 rookie of the race in memory of Tub Charlier. And he also received $100 from Stan's Transmission in memory of Bob Bentz, Sr. and a $50 Precise Racing Products gift card for being the hard charger!

Two-time 2024 Pittsburgh City Chevrolet Weekly Series winner, Daryl Charlier, went 15th to 7th for $1,100 and overtook the points lead in the $3,000 to-win 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year standings. After being as high as third early, Burgoon dropped to eighth for $1,050 and also received a spoiler kit from Ontime Body & Graphic. Reft was ninth for $1,000. Justin Chance drove a second Phil Lukon #184 entry from 14th to 10th and received $900 plus a $110 bonus from the Jook George Family in memory of Jook.

Former RUSH Late Model racer, Christian Schneider, who has been winning around the circuit this season in the Pro Stock division, made a winning debut for Touring Series car owner John Deller. Schneider led all 10 non-stop laps of the D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier for a $400 payday. The 27-year-old Lower Burrell, Pa. driver crossed the finish line first by a commanding 2.378 seconds in the Deller Professional Services/Pam's World of Travel/Randig Towing/Panza Supply/Burns Equipment/Kress Tire-sponsored #75 to become the amazing 78th different winner in 96 races run all-time! Zach Gunn passed Brad Mesler on the opening lap to finish second. Seventh starting Ben Easler passed Mesler on lap six to finish third. Mesler was fourth and also received a $50 certificate from Holley Performance Group for being the first feature non-qualifier. Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. completed the top five after starting 12th.

Lukon set fast time overall against the 46-car field in FK Rod Ends "Shock the Clock" Qualifying with a 19.509 and received $125 from Our Cars Auto Detailing and Tire Service and $100 from FK Rod Ends. Zach Kane set fast time in the other flight of qualifying and received $100 from Stan's Transmission. Winning $25 FK Rod Ends heat races were Davis, Burgoon, Reft, Lukon, Wonderling, and Norris. The three last chance B mains paid $50 and were won by Marino Angelicchio, Joe Martin, and Drellos. Davis won the "John Beatty Memorial" Sunoco Dash for $204 plus a $100 Sunoco fuel card. Also winning $100 Sunoco fuel cards in the random drawings for Tour drivers were Mesler and Mike Wonderling, while the $50 Sunoco fuel cards went to Drellos, Schneider, Davin Kaiser, and Lincoln Smith.

The Landrum Performance Springs BOGO certificates were captured by Hess, Angelicchio, Charlier, Zeigler, and Jacob Gunn.

The Flynn’s Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series will return to action on Tuesday, August 6 at Woodhull (NY) Raceway for a $4,000 to-win Platinum Event, which has a rain date of August 7. That will be followed up by a western Pa. doubleheader weekend with the second appearance at Marion Center (PA) Raceway on Saturday, August 10 and then "Manufacturers Night" presented by MSD Performance at Eriez Speedway on Sunday, August 11. Both of those events will pay $3,000 to-win.

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model "Jook George Steel City Classic" Flynn’s Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series Race #8 (40 laps, $7,010 to-win): 1. MICHAEL NORRIS (Dabecco N1) 2. Kyle Lukon (184) 3. Jeremy Wonderling (3J) 4. Bryce Davis (94) 5. Brock Pinkerous (555) 6. Demetrios Drellos (111) 7. Daryl Charlier (Dobnak 42) 8. Brandon Burgoon (Chernik/Bentz 60) 9. Michael Reft (9R) 10. Justin Chance (Lukon 184C) 11. Dan Angelicchio (14) 12. Mike Wonderling (18) 13. Ben Policz (14B) 14. Damian Bidwell (1/2-Pt) 15. Joe Martin (Snyder 10s) 16. Jacob Gunn (14G) 17. Ashton Briggs (11A) 18. Kassidy Kamicker (72B) 19. Zach Kane (25) 20. Cody Koteles (Chernik 5x) 21. Tim Shaffer (45) 22. Marino Angelicchio (55) 23. Mason Zeigler (25z) 24. Dave Hess, Jr. (Anderson 44) 25. Austin Allen (32) 26. Garret Paugh (03). (Note: Damian Bidwell took a Tour provisional & Kassidy Kamicker took a Track provisional)

D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier (10 laps, $400 to-win): 1. Christian Schneider (Deller 75) 2. Zach Gunn (17G) 3. Ben Easler (02) 4. Brad Mesler (Sturdevant 87s) 5. Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. (8s) 6. Colby Beighey (36B) 7. Ryan Hare (29) 8. Brodie Oravetz (91B) 9. Chuck Medved (2M) 10. Matt Benard (15) 11. Mike Stephans (38) 12. Tom Klein (77) 13. Frank Magill (05). DNS: Lincoln Smith (31), Jim Rasey (Wrightsman 21J), Davin Kaiser (Beverlin 11), Jacob Billyk, Jr. (4JR), Kyle Zimmerman (Stockdale 31), Austin Hauser (51), Dave Goble (20G).

Car Count: 46
Feature Margin of Victory: 1.604 seconds
Feature Lap Leaders: Bryce Davis (1-7), Kyle Lukon (8-28), Michael Norris (29-40)
Heritage Wine Cellars 3-Pack of Premium Products: Michael Norris, Kyle Lukon & Jeremy Wonderling
Holley Performance Group “Nosed Out”: Brad Mesler
Landrum Performance Springs BOGO Certificates: Dave Hess, Jr., Marino Angelicchio, Daryl Charlier, Mason Zeigler & Jacob Gunn
Ontime Body & Graphic “Spoiler Alert” Spoiler Kit: Brandon Burgoon
Precise Racing Products “Pedal Down” Hard Charger presented by Stan's Transmission "In Memory of Bob Bentz, Sr. ($100): Demetrios Drellos (+15)
Precise Racing Products 5-Gallon Race Jug: Michael Norris
Sunoco Fuel Card Winners: Brad Mesler ($100), Mike Wonderling ($100), Christian Schneider ($50), Davin Kaiser ($50), Demetrios Drellos ($50) & Lincoln Smith ($50)
Rookie of the Race "In Memory of Tub Charlier" presented by Charlier Family ($288): Demetrios Drellos
Longest Tow "In Memory of Matt Miley" presented by Ulrich Edward Jones Financial Advisor ($200): Demetrios Drellos
Leader on lap 10 "In Memory of Jook George" presented by George Family ($110): Kyle Lukon
Leader on lap 22 "In Memory of Chuck Herr" presented by Trevor Herr ($100): Kyle Lukon

FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Flight A Qualifying (Track record 18.332 by Michael Norris on 9/29/23) ($100 for fast time from Stan's Transmission): 1. 25K-Zachary Kane, 00:19.536[2]; 2. 60-Brandon Burgoon, 00:19.634[1]; 3. 9R-Mike Reft, 00:19.758[5]; 4. 94-Bryce Davis, 00:19.842[21]; 5. 44-Dave Hess Jr, 00:19.845[4]; 6. 75-Christian Schneider, 00:19.856[16]; 7. 5X-Cody Koteles, 00:19.899[12]; 8. 42-Daryl Charlier, 00:19.969[11]; 9. 11A-Ashton Briggs, 00:20.062[13]; 10. 72B-Kassidy Kamicker, 00:20.093[7]; 11. 55A-Marino Angelicchio, 00:20.121[9]; 12. 77-Tom Klein, 00:20.169[15]; 13. 18-Mike Wonderling, 00:20.362[18]; 14. 91B-Brodie Oravetz, 00:20.408[8]; 15. 14B-Ben Policz, 00:20.425[10]; 16. 11K-Davin Kaiser, 00:20.476[23]; 17. 20G-Dave Goble, 00:20.517[19]; 18. 10S-Joe Martin, 00:20.637[3]; 19. 2M-Chuck Medved, 00:20.757[17]; 20. 87S-Brad Mesler, 00:20.879[14]; 21. 02-Benjamin Easler, 00:20.931[6]; 22. 31-Kyle Zimmerman, 00:21.139[20]; 23. 15B-Matthew Benard, 00:21.260[22].

FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Flight B Qualifying (Track record 18.332 by Michael Norris on 9/29/23) ($225 for fast time from FK Rod Ends & Our Cars Auto Detailing and Tire Service: 1. 184-Kyle Lukon, 00:19.509[14]; 2. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling, 00:19.534[19]; 3. N1-Michael Norris, 00:19.580[23]; 4. 184C-Justin Chance, 00:19.596[7]; 5. 14G-Jake Gunn, 00:19.634[20]; 6. 555-Brock Pinkerous, 00:19.675[6]; 7. 03-Garret Paugh, 00:19.760[9]; 8. 25Z-Mason Zeigler, 00:19.910[13]; 9. 05-Frank Magill, 00:19.923[16]; 10. 36B-Colby Beighey, 00:19.985[18]; 11. 17G-Zach Gunn, 00:20.130[3]; 12. 1/2PT-Damian Bidwell, 00:20.265[15]; 13. 8S-Tommy Schirnhofer Jr, 00:20.349[10]; 14. 45-Tim Shaffer, 00:20.375[5]; 15. 31S-Lincoln Smith, 00:20.391[11]; 16. 14A-Dan Angelicchio, 00:20.395[2]; 17. 21J-Jim Rasey, 00:20.425[1]; 18. 111D-Demetrios Drellos, 00:20.441[4]; 19. 29-Ryan Hare, 00:20.473[8]; 20. 51-Austin Hauser, 00:20.780[17]; 21. 32A-Austin Allen, 00:20.923[12]; 22. 4JR-Jacob Billyk Jr, 00:20.944[21]; 23. 38-Michael Stephans, 00:21.554[22].

FK Rod Ends Heat 1 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 94-Bryce Davis[2]; 2. 25K-Zachary Kane[1]; 3. 18-Mike Wonderling[5]; 4. 72B-Kassidy Kamicker[4]; 5. 2M-Chuck Medved[7]; 6. 5X-Cody Koteles[3]; 7. 31-Kyle Zimmerman[8]; 8. 11K-Davin Kaiser[6].

FK Rod Ends Heat 2 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 60-Brandon Burgoon[1]; 2. 44-Dave Hess Jr[2]; 3. 42-Daryl Charlier[3]; 4. 55A-Marino Angelicchio[4]; 5. 87S-Brad Mesler[7]; 6. 91B-Brodie Oravetz[5]; 7. 15B-Matthew Benard[8]; 8. 20G-Dave Goble[6].

FK Rod Ends Heat 3 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 9R-Mike Reft[1]; 2. 11A-Ashton Briggs[3]; 3. 14B-Ben Policz[5]; 4. 75-Christian Schneider[2]; 5. 10S-Joe Martin[6]; 6. 77-Tom Klein[4]; 7. 02-Benjamin Easler[7].

FK Rod Ends Heat 4 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 184-Kyle Lukon[1]; 2. 03-Garret Paugh[3]; 3. 184C-Justin Chance[2]; 4. 8S-Tommy Schirnhofer Jr[5]; 5. 36B-Colby Beighey[4]; 6. 14A-Dan Angelicchio[6]; 7. 29-Ryan Hare[7]; 8. 4JR-Jacob Billyk Jr[8].

FK Rod Ends Heat 5 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling[1]; 2. 14G-Jake Gunn[2]; 3. 45-Tim Shaffer[5]; 4. 21J-Jim Rasey[6]; 5. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[3]; 6. 51-Austin Hauser[7]; 7. 17G-Zach Gunn[4]; 8. 38-Michael Stephans[8].

FK Rod Ends Heat 6 (8 laps, Top 3 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. N1-Michael Norris[1]; 2. 555-Brock Pinkerous[2]; 3. 32A-Austin Allen[7]; 4. 05-Frank Magill[3]; 5. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[6]; 6. 31S-Lincoln Smith[5]; 7. 1/2PT-Damian Bidwell[4].

Last Chance B Main 1 (8 laps, Top 2 transfer to A, $50 to-win): 1. 55A-Marino Angelicchio[2]; 2. 5X-Cody Koteles[5]; 3. 87S-Brad Mesler[4]; 4. 2M-Chuck Medved[3]; 5. 15B-Matthew Benard[8]; 6. 91B-Brodie Oravetz[6]; 7. 11K-Davin Kaiser[9]; 8. 31-Kyle Zimmerman[7]. DNS: 20G-Dave Goble, 72B-Kassidy Kamicker.

Last Chance B Main 2 (8 laps, Top 2 transfer to A, $50 to-win): 1. 10S-Joe Martin[3]; 2. 14A-Dan Angelicchio[6]; 3. 75-Christian Schneider[1]; 4. 36B-Colby Beighey[4]; 5. 02-Benjamin Easler[7]; 6. 77-Tom Klein[5]; 7. 4JR-Jacob Billyk Jr[9]; 8. 29-Ryan Hare[8]; 9. 8S-Tommy Schirnhofer Jr[2].

Last Chance B Main 3 (8 laps, Top 2 transfer to A, $50 to-win): 1. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[4]; 2. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[3]; 3. 17G-Zach Gunn[7]; 4. 31S-Lincoln Smith[6]; 5. 05-Frank Magill[2]; 6. 21J-Jim Rasey[1]. DNS: 51-Austin Hauser, 1/2PT-Damian Bidwell, 38-Michael Stephans.

"John Beatty Memorial" Sunoco Dash (6 laps, $204 to-win plus $100 Sunoco fuel card): 1. 94-Bryce Davis[1]; 2. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling[3]; 3. N1-Michael Norris[5]; 4. 60-Brandon Burgoon[2]; 5. 184-Kyle Lukon[6]; 6. 9R-Mike Reft[4].

Sponsors for the "Jook George Steel City Classic": Jook George Family, Pete and Kim Lockwich, Russell Rech, Hendren Racing Engines, All Interior Painting, Jack & Jim Chambers In Memory of Buck Johnson, Donny Schmac, Darren Ferguson, Imperial Tire and Auto, Dale Charlier, Nick Sutton, Kristin Peifer In Memory of John & Carol Beatty, Bryan Hoffman, Lonnie Lamb & Racers for Tots, Nathan Langer, Castleveter Landscaping, Mike Smyzchek, Ron's Barber Shop, Dobs Automotive, Paul Duratz, Zach Yost Racing Photography, Hoods Up Quicklube, Veronica Brant, Nick Kocuba, David Parks & Erika Ulrich, Cole Petrelle, Tom Klein, Bob Siemon Garage Doors, Charley Burgender Whip Wash, Lukon's Reb Fab, Austin Allen, Shining Rides Detailing, D&T Autobody, Rohrich Chevy Performance, Bryce Davis, 3 Rivers Karting Entertainment Park, Close Racing Supply, Russ King Racing, Kendrew's Lounge, Shaffer Speedway, Tony Musolino, Kamicker Racing , Ed Tourney & Kelly Hoche, Medved Motorsports, Jeremy Wonderling, Mike Wonderling, Jake Brake Customs, Damian Bidwell, Doug Smith Schaeffer's Oil Rep, Garrett Paugh, Jeris Collins, Anderson Motorsports, Billy Kessler, Crewl Landscaping, Russ Kolesar in memory of Pap Jack, Stan's Transmissions In Memory of Bob Bentz, Sr., Matthew Knupp, Ben Policz In Memory of Mark Policz 84, Atallah Equipment Services, Kurt Thompson ReMax Realty Services, Frankland, Losego Automotive, Northeast Paving & Sealcoat, Joe Squatriglia, Deller Motorsports, Afterburner Performance, Rocket Chassis, Tom Snyder, Jr., Tanya Charlier, Don Gamble from Rappin' on Racin', Nico Dabecco, Dave Hess, Jr., Russ Kolesar, Trevor Herr, Michael Reft, Tommy Schirnhofer & RUSH Racing Series.

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, Sunbelt Rentals, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, 3C Graphix, Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Dusted Steak Seasoning, Ontime Body & Graphic, Sherwood Wheels, D&V Jewelers, Dusted, Heritage Wine Cellars, Precise Racing Products, Wedge Motorsports, Racing Electronics, and Billy’s Garage.

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. The RUSH Late Model website is www.rushlatemodels.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @RUSHLM.

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