By the URSS
OBERLIN, Kan. — Rick Salem and his father, Bob, had a special bond. Even though Salem’s father has passed away, that bond is still evident to this day.
Case in point: The two-day Bob Salem Memorial Sprint Car and Midget Nationals on Sept. 14 and 15 at Decatur County Speedway in Oberlin.
Salem’s father was instrumental in sculpting his son’s racing career, and a big supporter of him beginning the United Rebel Sprint Series in 2006. Since its inception, the URSS has grown into one of the largest 305 sprint car racing series in the nation.
Now, Salem is hoping he has just a little more help from his father to pull off a good weekend for the memorial show.
“He’d be happy with the way it’s going,” Salem said about his father. “He’s up there looking down and smiling. Hopefully, he’ll help give us some better weather this year.”
Rain caused a bit of an issue with track prep a year ago for the races in Oberlin. And earlier this season, bitter cold weather and windy conditions made for less than ideal conditions at two URSS shows in Decatur County.
But no matter the weather, Salem is ready to showcase what the URSS and its supporting classes for the weekend can do.
“I think it will be a good deal, I really do,” he said. “The businesses have stepped up this year and helped out a ton.”
Along with the Rebels of the URSS, Salem also has scheduled the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association and the Colorado vintage cars to compete in the 3/8-mile dirt oval.
All three classes will compete Saturday and Sunday.
Race time is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 14 and 6 p.m. Sept. 15. Tickets are $15 for adults.
Ron’s Tire Service of Oberlin has signed on as a primary sponsor for this year’s races.
The winner of Sunday night’s feature will take home $1,000, while the top 4 from Saturday night will run a special cash dash sponsored by Stellar Sales on Sunday night and the winner will pocket an extra $500. The midgets will also be racing for $750 to win on Sunday night.
Last year, Luke Cranston won the first night of the Bob Salem Memorial, and Jake Bubak won the second night. Both are front-runners in this year’s national championship hunt.
For more information about the two-day races, contact Rick Salem at (785) 475-7010.