San Jose racer back to try to three-peat in Carson City

San Jose’s Mike Rush is having the time of his life right now.

He has the chance to raise his two daughters, Savannah, 11, and Bella, 2, during the week. Then he does what he loves and that’s racing motorcycles on the weekend.

The stay-at-home father will be back in Carson City to go for a three-peat when he competes in the Western Flat Track Carson City Deuce’s Wild Pro/Am Flat Track Race.

The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25 at Fuji Park. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the racing beginning at 7:30.

Rush is the two-time defending champion of the pro race in Carson City.

But there’s an added attraction this year. Along with the pro race is the Deuce Pro Invitational in which eight racers compete with one racer going against another in a head-to-head format.

The eight racers each receive $100 for the first round. Racers receive $200 for advancing to the semifinals and $600 for advancing to the finals. The winner receives $2,200.

Along with the $5,000 total purse for the Deuce Pro Invitational, the pro race also offers a total purse of $5,000 for a total purse of $10,000.

The $10,000 in prize money has attracted many of the nation’s top riders from the American Flat Track Series.

Rush will race in both the Deuce Pro Invitational and the pro race. He also competes in the American Flat Track Series and is currently in the top 15 in that series standings.

Rush said he’s looking forward to facing potentially tougher competition.

“It’s been tough the past couple years,” he said. “It should make it a little bit more exciting. That should make for some really good racing for sure.”

But when asked about a three-peat Rush said, “Yeah I would love to go for three in a row. That would be awesome.”

About staying home to raise his daughters during the week and racing on the weekends, Rush said, “it’s a lot on my plate for sure. I enjoy doing it.

“I enjoy hanging out with my kids and I get to do what I enjoy on the weekends and make some money doing it. That’s really awesome.”

Rush also said he likes coming to Carson City. “I think it makes for some really good racing,” said Rush about the Fuji track. “They usually do a really good job with the track. It’s probably one of the funnest tracks I get to do every year.”

On Friday, Aug. 24, practice will be held at Fuji Park from 4 to 8 p.m. At 7 p.m. CMS Carson Motorsports will host a meet and greet with some of the top pro racers.

There will be food, beverages and music. The event is open to the public and kids and fans will have a chance to meet the racers, see the motorcycles and ask for autographs.

Host hotel for the event is the Wyndham Garden.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under. VIP passes that include food, beverages, pit passes and turn 3 viewing area are available for $50.

Tickets are available at: Battle Born Harley Carson City; Michaels Cycles Carson City; Street Riders of Reno; Moto Source Reno; Pizza Factory, which is offering coupons providing $5 off for kids; CMS Carson City; and www.visitcarsoncity.com.