By the URSS
OBERLIN, Kan. — It’s shaping up to be a special weekend for the United Rebel Sprint Series.
The Rebels will compete Saturday and Sunday at Decatur County Speedway in Oberlin, the hometown of URSS founder Rick Salem.
And this weekend’s races will be a tribute to Salem’s father, Bob, who died two years ago.
Drivers already are excited for a chance to compete in the second annual Bob Salem Memorial.
“I don’t care what you say, this series is one of the best,” said Zach Blurton, the 2010 URSS national rookie of the year. “It doesn’t matter where you finish. Everyone has a chance to win.”
Blurton is one of many drivers expected to compete Saturday and Sunday on the 3/8-mile dirt oval. The series began in 2006 under Salem, and his father was one of his biggest supporters on and off the track.
“He’d be happy with the way it’s going,” Salem said earlier this season when talking about the show. “He’s up there looking down and smiling. Hopefully, he’ll help give us some better weather this year.”
Luke Cranston won the first night of the memorial race in 2012, and youngster Jake Bubak won the second night to earn the large payout. Both drivers are locked in a battle for the National Championship with only 4 points separating them as Bubak leads coming in to this weekend.
This year, the winner of Sunday night’s feature will pocket $1,000 with $200 to start, thanks to the sponsorship of Ron’s Tire Service of Oberlin, a primary sponsor. On Sunday, a special cash dash, of the top four from Saturday nights feature, will pay out $500 to the winner of that race sponsored by Stellar Sales
“It’s actually a close race for us,” said Blurton, who has raced on-and-off with the Rebels this year while running weekly at Knoxville, Iowa, where he earned rookie of the year honors. “We went to Oberlin last year and didn’t have the best luck. Hopefully this year will be different. Jon Johnson will have a heck of a motor for us to run with.”
Saturday’s races are set for 7 p.m., while Sunday’s events start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults.
In addition to the URSS sprint cars, Salem also has signed the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association and the Colorado vintage cars. All three classes will compete both nights. Quinter’s C.J. Johnson, the career wins leader in the URSS, is expected to pilot his midget with the RMMRA this weekend.
For more information about the United Rebel Sprint Series, visit www.unitedrebelsprintseries.