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DARYL CHARLIER ENDS 3-YEAR WINLESS DROUGHT ON HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR WITH HIS 1ST EVER TRI-CITY WIN WORTH $4000

DARYL CHARLIER ENDS 3-YEAR WINLESS DROUGHT ON HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL FLYNN'S TIRE/GUNTER'S HONEY TOUR WITH HIS 1ST EVER TRI-CITY WIN WORTH $4000

By Mike Leone

May 25, 2025

(Franklin, PA)...After a rainy Friday and Saturday, the sun returned on Sunday as the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants was in an action for a doubleheader at Tri-City Raceway Park. After seven rainouts in the first nine Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Late Model Touring Series events, Tri-City was able to host their first of two 2025 appearances, while the Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modifieds made their season debut at the half-mile Venango County oval, which is in its second year of ownership by the Shiffer Family. Celebrating in the Landrum Performance Springs Victory Lane were Daryl Charlier (Late Models) and Chas Wolbert (Sportsman Modifieds).

After capturing the 2024 $3,000 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year honors, Daryl Charlier ended what was nearly a three-year victory drought on the Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour with his first career Tri-City win. Charlier passed race-long leader Jason Knowles on lap 18 and pulled away late for the $4,000 victory. Charlier, who owns 77 career wins at "Dirt's Monster Half-Mile" Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway, was able to find success for the first time in his career at one of western Pennsylvania's other half-mile speedways on Sunday.

"These corners are definitely a lot tighter than Pittsburgh- my arms are hurting," revealed the 41-year-old Bulger, Pa. veteran. "I was white knuckled the entire time just trying to hold on to the steering wheel, but it was a fun time. Last year we finished fourth in this race so to be able to pull off a win this time is fantastic for this team. This Tour is tough and tough to do when everyone is working a full-time job. I give these guys credit that have been doing it for years; Jeremy (Wonderling) and all those guys. A lot of the races the last two years have been rained out and we haven't even had to travel to many of them."

"I was trying to get to the front as fast as possible and wasn't saving anything," Charlier added. "I know it's tough to pass here. I was getting a good run in (turns) one and two and thought I could criss-cross and stuff like that. I was finally able to get to the inside and thought I kept the car down; hopefully I didn't get into him (Knowles) too much or do anything dirty. I don't want to race like that- that's just tough short-track racing. I have to thank the three Dobnak Brothers- Matt, Gus, and Wayne that put this together to allow me to run."

Following the Dave Poske's Performance Parts "Feel the RUSH" 4-Wide Salute, Knowles rocketed into the lead at the start of the 30-lap feature, while Charlier passed Austin Hauser for second. The event's only caution slowed action with one-lap scored when Jamie Wrightsman required the towing service. Back under green, Knowles quickly pulled away from Charlier, while Hauser maintained third. After losing fourth on the opening lap, Zack Carley was able to regain the spot on lap four from fellow New York racer Demetrios Drellos with seventh starting Ashton Briggs following in fifth.

By lap five, Charlier reeled Knowles back in. The duo raced side-by-side for the next several laps before Charlier slipped high in turn four on lap 10 allowing Knowles to open up some breathing room. By the halfway point, the lead duo distanced themselves from the pack. Charlier closed back in on Knowles on lap 17 and the two again raced side-by-side on lap 18. Contact was made in turn four with Charlier making what would be the winning move.

Knowles stayed within striking distance until 10 laps to go when Charlier opened up his advantage. Charlier caught lapped traffic on lap 22 and that wouldn't deter him over the final laps. Charlier continued to pull away taking the checkered flag first by 3.859 seconds in the John Dobnak-owned, Dobs Automotive/Three Rivers Karting/Ron's Barber Shop-sponsored #42. It was Charlier's fourth career Tour victory, but first ever for the Dobnak Family. Charlier's last Tour win came on July 22, 2022 at Lernerville Speedway, and prior to that had wins at Pittsburgh in 2017 and 2018.

Knowles earned $2,000 for runner-up matching his career best finish from back on August 30, 2014 at McKean County Raceway. "I have to give it to him (Charlier)- I raced him pretty tight down there when he got underneath me," explained the 43-year-old Addison, NY resident. "I've never won one of these Tour races so I was like 'I'm going to run him tight'. I didn't want to tear anything up but I was going to give it to him, but he got it. I was fighting it at the end and was getting free going into (turn) one. I don't know if I couldn't find the right angle again or something. I have to thank everyone that helps me. It's tough racing in this Tour and to come out of here with a second- I'm more than happy!"

Hauser earned $1,000 for his career best third on the Tour, which beat his prior best of fourth on June 11, 2023 at Knox Raceway. Hauser also received a spoiler kit from Ontime Body & Graphic and also a three-pack of Heritage Wine. Carley was a season best fourth. In his five season of RUSH Late Model racing and four as a full-time Tour competitor, Briggs had recorded four eighth place finishes as his best effort prior to Sunday when he brought the #11A home in fifth!

Drellos continued his strong start to the season with his third top six finish to continue to lead the 3C Graphix Rookie-of-the-Year points. Ben Easler, a 2024 rookie, beat his prior best effort of eighth on two occasions with a seventh on Sunday. Points leader Jeremy Wonderling, who won at Tri-City in his rookie season on the Tour in 2017, struggled all night and managed just an eighth place finish. After winning the D&V Jewelers Non-Qualifier in his Tour debut at Eriez Speedway on May 11, 13-year-old Logen Lockhart, was an impressive ninth. Kyle Zimmerman completed the top 10. Mike Wonderling went 22nd to 15th to capture the $50 Precise Racing Products "Pedal Down" Hard Charger gift card.

Hauser earned his first career FK Rod Ends "Shock the Clock" fast time honors worth $100 with a lap of 18.913 shattering the previous track record of 19.232 set by Jared Miley one-year ago. Winning $25 FK Rod Ends heat races were Carley, Drellos, and Charlier, while Bill Holmes III won the last chance B main. Knowles captured the Sunoco Dash to earn a $100 Sunoco fuel card. The 29-car field was the highest RUSH Late Model count at Tri-City for a non-Manufacturers Night event since August 16, 2015.

Also winning $100 Sunoco Fuel cards through the random drawings were Tour racers Charlier and Holmes, while the $50 Sunoco Fuel cards went to Colby Beighey, Jared Costello, Jacob Peterson, and Lockhart. Landrum Performance Springs, which will award a $5,000 “Loyalty Bonus” later in the year to a lucky full-time Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series regular, distributed ‘buy one, get one’ spring certificates to Dusty Waters, Austin Allen, Leo Iarrapino, Zimmerman and Knowles.

Waters, who made his 2025 Tour debut, also received a $50 certificate from Holley Performance Group for being the "Nosed Out" recipient as the first feature non-qualifier. Iarrapino, who also made his 2025 Tour debut, was the lucky recipient of the RUSH Hoosier Tire courtesy of Tri-City.

The Flynn's Tire/Gunter's Honey Tour will return to action on June 6 at McKean County Raceway for $4,000 to-win in the only appearance of the season at the East Smethport, Pa. track. Saturday's rained out event at The Dirt Track at Genesee has been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 22 in a $4,000 to-win event part of the Genesee County Fair. The May 3 rained out $5,000 to-win event at Winchester Speedway has been rescheduled to September 6.

Chas Wolbert made it two-for-two in 2025 Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modified action following his victory in the 15-lap feature. After winning on opening night at Sharon on May 17, the 2024 $3,500 Weekly Series Champion passed Karston King on lap four and kept Rob Kristyak at bay for the $600 victory. It was also Wolbert's second straight at Tri-City after winning last year on August 25.

"We really weren't too fast in the heat race," acknowledged the 30-year-old Warren, Ohio driver. "Once you get in clean air here the car really picks up speed. I feel like the old guys are starting to lose it. Karston (King) was doing a heck of a job. I watched him on that first start and watched him on the restart and made sure I was the one dictating the race. Hats off to the young ones trying, but old guys still rule as I saw Robbie (Kristyak) got second. The track was great. I don't think it really lost speed tonight. Kudos to the track crew for keeping up with it all night and thanks to Tri-City for having us."

King used the outside to power into the lead past JC Boyer on the start with Wolbert following in third. Wolbert and Boyer battled side-by-side for second on lap two with Wolbert taking the spot. Twelve-year-old Russ King Racing Futures Cup rookie, Nolan Burns, took a wild flip in turn three on lap three. He was okay.

When racing resumed on lap four, Wolbert made the winning pass with Boyer following in second. King though was able to regain the spot on lap five as Kristyak followed in third. Kristyak then made the pass of King for second on lap seven.

Kristyak cut into Wolbert's lead in the ensuing laps, but Wolbert pulled away late and took the checkered flag first by 2.111 seconds in his Alcon Mechanical/CT Wolbert Trucking/Ohio Intra Express/Dunkin of Warren/Y-Town Powder Coating/Russ King Racing/Scoville Designs/Race 1-sponsored #c3. Wolbert's first career Tri-City win came on September 10, 2017 then went nearly seven years without a victory at the track until last year. Wolbert's third career Tri-City win upped his all-time RUSH Sportsman Modified win total to 56!

Kristyak was second. King's third matched a career best effort from last year at Pittsburgh. After starting on the pole for the second straight race, Boyer dropped to fourth over Todd English. Completing the top 10 were Jacob Rutana, Dalton Gabriel, Brian Schaffer, Cole Edwards, and Brandon Ritchey. Kole Holden and English won the heat races over the 17-car field. Doug Rutana was the lucky recipient of the RUSH Hoosier Tire courtesy of Tri-City.

The next event for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds will be this Friday (May 30) at Raceway 7 for the Conneaut, Ohio track's season opener part of the "Route 7 Rumble" Series.

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter's Honey Touring Series Race #3 (30 laps, $4,000 to-win Platinum): 1. DARYL CHARLIER (Dobnak 42) 2. Jason Knowles (4) 3. Austin Hauser 51) 4. Zack Carley (2) 5. Ashton Briggs (11A) 6. Demetrios Drellos (111) 7. Ben Easler (02) 8. Jeremy Wonderling (3J) 9. Logen Lockhart (58) 10. Kyle Zimmerman (Stockdale 31) 11. Austin Allen (Mullen 32) 12. Bryce Davis (94) 13. Tom Snyder, Jr. (10s) 14. Bud Watson (225) 15. Mike Wonderling (18) 16. Colby Beighey (36) 17. Noah Brunell (31) 18. Bill Holmes III (8) 19. Braeden Dillinger (14) 20. Kurt Stebbins (26) 21. Ryan Hare (29) 22. Jacob Peterson (112) 23. Brad Mesler (Sturdevant 87s) 24. Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 25. Cody Dawson (36). (Note: Cody Dawson took a Tour provisional)

DNQ for the feature: Dusty Waters (14), Rob Coffaro (24C), Jared Costello (87), Leo Iarrapino (45L).

Car Count: 29
Feature Margin of Victory: 3.859 seconds
Feature Lap Leaders: Jason Knowles (1-17), Daryl Charlier (18-30)
Heritage Wine Cellars 3-Pack of Premium Products: Daryl Charlier, Jason Knowles & Austin Hauser
Holley Performance Group “Nosed Out”: Dusty Waters
Hoosier Tire presented by Tri-City Raceway Park: Leo Iarrapino
Landrum Performance Springs BOGO Certificates: Dusty Waters, Austin Allen, Leo Iarrapino, Kyle Zimmerman & Jason Knowles
Ontime Body & Graphic “Spoiler Alert” Spoiler Kit: Austin Hauser
Precise Racing Products “Pedal Down” Hard Charger: Mike Wonderling (+7)
Sunoco Fuel Card Winners presented by Bazell Race Fuels: Daryl Charlier ($100), Bill Holmes III ($100), Colby Beighey ($50), Jared Costello ($50), Jacob Peterson ($50) & Logen Lockhart ($50).

FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Qualifying ($100 for fast time) (Track record 19.232 by Jared Miley on 5/26/24): 1. 51-Austin Hauser, 00:18.913*[2] [NTR}; 2. 111D-Demetrios Drellos, 00:18.973[15]; 3. 4-Jason Knowles, 00:18.997[19]; 4. 2C-Zack Carley, 00:19.093[16]; 5. 32A-Austin Allen, 00:19.144[11]; 6. 42-Daryl Charlier, 00:19.166[27]; 7. 11A-Ashton Briggs, 00:19.226[5]; 8. 02-Benjamin Easler, 00:19.230[23]; 9. 36B-Colby Beighey, 00:19.251[3]; 10. 31-Kyle Zimmerman, 00:19.260[18]; 11. 58L-Logen Lockhart, 00:19.288[26]; 12. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling, 00:19.309[17]; 13. 225-Bud Watson, 00:19.311[24]; 14. 29-Ryan Hare, 00:19.335[6]; 15. 18-Mike Wonderling, 00:19.342[4]; 16. 8-Bill Holmes, 00:19.343[25]; 17. 14D-Braeden Dillinger, 00:19.346[9]; 18. 94-Bryce Davis, 00:19.370[22]; 19. 10S-Tom Snyder Jr, 00:19.517[21]; 20. 31B-Noah Brunell, 00:19.660[29]; 21. 87-Jared Costello, 00:19.667[7]; 22. 112-Jacob Peterson, 00:19.729[14]; 23. 36-Cody Dawson, 00:19.739[1]; 24. 87S-Brad Mesler, 00:19.747[12]; 25. 26-Kurt Stebbins, 00:19.896[28]; 26. 14W-Dusty Waters, 00:20.005[8]; 27. 24C-Rob Coffaro, 00:20.475[10]; 28. 45L-Leo Iarrapino, NT; 29. 21J-Jamie Wrightsman, NT.

FK Rod Ends Heat 1 (8 laps, Top 6 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 2C-Zack Carley[2]; 2. 51-Austin Hauser[1]; 3. 11A-Ashton Briggs[3]; 4. 31-Kyle Zimmerman[4]; 5. 225-Bud Watson[5]; 6. 10S-Tom Snyder Jr[7]; 7. 8-Bill Holmes[6]; 8. 112-Jacob Peterson[8]; 9. 26-Kurt Stebbins[9]. DNS: 45L-Leo Iarrapino.

FK Rod Ends Heat 2 (8 laps, Top 6 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[1]; 2. 32A-Austin Allen[2]; 3. 58L-Logen Lockhart[4]; 4. 02-Benjamin Easler[3]; 5. 29-Ryan Hare[5]; 6. 14D-Braeden Dillinger[6]; 7. 21J-Jamie Wrightsman[10]; 8. 36-Cody Dawson[8]; 9. 14W-Dusty Waters[9]; 10. 31B-Noah Brunell[7].

FK Rod Ends Heat 3 (8 laps, Top 6 transfer to A, $25 to-win): 1. 42-Daryl Charlier[2]; 2. 4-Jason Knowles[1]; 3. 3J-Jeremy Wonderling[4]; 4. 87S-Brad Mesler[8]; 5. 94-Bryce Davis[6]; 6. 36B-Colby Beighey[3]; 7. 18-Mike Wonderling[5]; 8. 24C-Rob Coffaro[9]; 9. 87-Jared Costello[7].

Last Chance B Main (10 laps, Top 6 transfer to A): 1. 8-Bill Holmes[1]; 2. 21J-Jamie Wrightsman[2]; 3. 112-Jacob Peterson[4]; 4. 18-Mike Wonderling[3]; 5. 31B-Noah Brunell[11]; 6. 26-Kurt Stebbins[7]; 7. 14W-Dusty Waters[8]; 8. 24C-Rob Coffaro[6]; 9. 36-Cody Dawson[5]. DNS: 87-Jared Costello, 45L-Leo Iarrapino.

Sunoco Dash (6 laps, $100 Sunoco fuel card to-win): 1. 4-Jason Knowles[1]; 2. 51-Austin Hauser[2]; 3. 42-Daryl Charlier[4]; 4. 2C-Zack Carley[5]; 5. 111D-Demetrios Drellos[3]; 6. 32A-Austin Allen[6].

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Sportsman Modified Weekly Series Race #2 (15 laps, $600 to-win): 1. CHAS WOLBERT (c3) 2. Rob Kristyak (00) 3. Karston King (165K) 4. JC Boyer (12) 5. Todd English (711) 6. Jacob Rutana (57R) 7. Dalton Gabriel (333G) 8. Brian Schaffer (Schaffer 10s) 9. Cole Edwards (29) 10. Brandon Ritchey (1R) 11. Darin Gallagher (Schaffer 10) 12. Doug Rutana (46R) 13. Jackson Kristyak (00K) 14. Kyle Martell (8) 15. Kole Holden (2) 16. Nolan Burns (70B). DNS: Jerry Schaffer (14).

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, 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, Dusted Steak Seasoning, Ontime Body & Graphic, D&V Jewelers, Dusted, 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.

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