1/12/2026
RUSH Late Model Series
HOVIS RUSH LATE MODELS TO RETURN TO SHARON JUNE 6 AFTER A 4-YEAR ABSENCE FOR A FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR EVENT PRESENTED BY KUHNLE MOTORSPORTS
HOVIS RUSH LATE MODELS TO RETURN TO SHARON JUNE 6 AFTER A 4-YEAR ABSENCE FOR A FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR EVENT PRESENTED BY KUHNLE MOTORSPORTS PARK
By Mike Leone
January 12, 2026
(Hartford, OH)...For the first time in nearly four years, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Dirt Late Model Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants will return to Sharon Speedway on Saturday, June 6 for a Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series event. Kuhnle Motorsports Park in Thompson, Ohio will be the presenting sponsor of the $4,000 to-win event, which will be streamed live on DIRTVision.
The 3/8-mile red clay oval in Hartford, Ohio has hosted 12 RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series events all-time, but none since July 9, 2022 when Joe Martin was victorious for the second straight time. Other two-time Touring Series winners at Sharon include Max Blair and Ryan Montgomery, while Will Thomas III, Mike Pegher, Jr., Matt Latta, Chub Frank, Rick Singleton, and Russell King have also reached Landrum Performance Springs Victory Lane.
Thomas, who joined Dave and Ryan Blaney as part of the new Sharon Speedway ownership group in 2025, ironically leads the Chevrolet Performance division's all-time win list at the track with 15 victories. Thomas was also the 2012 and 2014 track champion. There have been 87 races run all-time at Sharon with 24 different winners. Latta, who owns four wins at Sharon including the April 16, 2016 RUSH Tour victory, presents the $3,000 Rookie-of-the-Year award for the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour through his 3C Graphix company.
"We're looking forward to adding this event to our already exciting 2026 schedule at Sharon," stated Sharon Speedway General Manager Dave Willoughby. "The upcoming season already features a pair of World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and Worlds of Outlaws events along with the Super DIRTcar Modifieds, All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney Memorial, Western PA Speedweek, and more. The RUSH Late Model Touring show adds even more diversity and if this race is anything like the past ones, fans should be in for a real treat!"
"It's going to be great to return to Sharon this coming season," stated RUSH Director Vicki Emig. "Sharon has produced some amazing races and last lap winning passes in our most recent visits. Sharon is always one of the most requested venues by our racers and the slick, red clay surface is very conducive to excellent racing by our RUSH Late Models. We have to thank Kuhnle Motorsports Park for stepping up and presenting this event."
Kuhnle Motorsports Park, formerly Thompson Drag Raceway, has been an Ohio racing landmark since 1960. Kuhnle Motorsports Park is NHRA-sanctioned and delivers nonstop action with bracket racing, grudge nights, semi drags, tractor pulls, nostalgia shows, karting, autocross, festivals, and more. Kuhnle Motorsports Park is proud to host the annual " Semi Stampede", Ohio's only Quebec-style Uphill, loaded and bobtail semi truck drag racing event which will take place June 26-28, along with the "Fall Brawl" which will be held September 25-27. For more information, check out www.kuhnlemotorsports.com and like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KuhnleMotorsportsPark
Kuhnle Motorsports Park also sponsors the Jonathan Stockdale-owned RUSH Late Models driven by veteran Kyle Zimmerman and Logan Stockdale. Veteran Joe Martin also runs a Jonathan Stockdale entry on a part-time basis. Zimmerman won a Weekly Series event in 2025 at Muskingum County Speedway and finished third in the season ending Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey "Steel City Stampede" Tour event at Lernerville. Stockdale meanwhile finished second in the Russ King Racing Futures Cup points, third in Track Pack points in points at Raceway 7 and fifth at Muskingum. Martin finished fourth in the 2025 "Bill Emig Memorial" at Lernerville, which had a record 62-car field, and then second in the prestigious "Jook George Steel City Classic" at Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway.
As the 2026 Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series schedule nears completion, the Series is proud to add this beautiful facility to its slate of events. Drivers will again compete for the $20,000 to-win championship amongst a points fund of more than $76,000! The Series will compete throughout the season at many of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest's premier speedways with the complete schedule of events released soon.
Sharon will join Mansfield Speedway as the second Buckeye State track to host a RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series event in 2026, while Ohio's Raceway 7 and Muskingum County Speedway will host Weekly Series events.
Sharon Speedway is located at 3241 Custer-Orangeville Road, Hartford, Ohio 44424 near the intersection of Routes 7 & 305. For more information, check out the website at www.sharonspeedway.com. Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sharonspeedway and follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @sharonspdwy.
The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Flynn's Tire, Gunter's Honey, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Billy's Garage, Joseph J. Oliva Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, Landrum Performance Springs, Russ King Racing, 3C Graphix, Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Velocita-USA, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Seal-Tite Paving & Excavating, Schneider Trucks, Dusted Steak Seasoning, Ontime Body & Graphic, D&V Jewelers, AERO Race Wheels, Heritage Wine Cellars, Precise Racing Products, Racing Electronics, Design Creations, and Competition Crate Parts.
E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and 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.
Article Credit: Mike Leone
