By the URSS
OBERLIN, Kan. — One final night of racing is what the championship in the United Rebel Sprint Series has come down to.
What better place for that historic race to happen than at Decatur County Speedway in Oberlin, the hometown of URSS founder Rick Salem.
The two-day show originally was scheduled for earlier this month, only to be postponed and turned into a one-day show Saturday after Mother Nature rained on the parade.
Now, the 7 p.m. races Saturday will be the crowning event for the Kansas and Colorado regions, as well as the national championship event.
“It should be a great race,” Salem said. “There’s a lot on the line.”
Indeed, there is. Colorado’s Jake Bubak took the URSS national points lead this weekend after a pair of races in Dodge City and Liberal.
Bubak, the 2012 Colorado Region champ and defending national rookie of the year, has a 40-point lead over Plains’ Luke Cranston entering Saturday’s final event.
In order for Bubak to win the national crown, he has to make Saturday night’s feature. If he would have problems in his heat and fail to make the show, Cranston would have to finish at least fifth in the feature. If Bubak makes the feature and has problems and finishes last, Cranston would have to win the race to force a tie.
That means things are going to be exciting this weekend on the 3/8-mile dirt oval in Oberlin.
“We’ll have all the heavy-hitters here, that’s for sure,” Salem said.
Those heavy-hitters include the likes of Bubak, Cranston, Brian Herbert and many others. All three of those guys are in the top three nationally. Adam Trimble is expected to make the trip and is in a tight battle with Bubak for the Colorado Region title. Trimble’s lead is only a mere 2 points over Bubak for the Colorado Championship.
But you can’t count out drivers such as Steven Richardson, who won Sunday night’s race at Liberal Fairgrounds Speedway — his second URSS win of the season.
“I’d love to get win No. 3 and end on a good note,” said Richardson, who said he expects to compete full-time in the URSS next season.
“I’ve heard it’s wide and racy,” said Richardson, who hasn’t raced at the track before. “You can’t necessarily let the leader get far out in front, and you have to take every advantage to get by them if you have a chance.”
Saturday night’s winner will pocket $1,000, and the winner of a special cash dash will pay out $500, thanks to sponsor Stellar Sales.
Races are set to begin at 7 p.m., and tickets are $15 for adults.
Along with the Rebels of the URSS, Salem has scheduled the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association and the Colorado vintage cars to compete.
That will leave a full plate of excitement for fans and drives alike.
For more information about the United Rebel Sprint Series, visit www.unitedrebelsprintseries.
If you can’t make Saturday’s finale, listen live to “The Voice of the URSS” Michael Wilson at www.racinboys.com