From URSS
The URSS/IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Series rolled into Wakeeney Speedway Sunday night for round number two of the 2016 racing season. Fourteen teams made the trek to the 3/8’s mile oval and the fans were not disappointed as the Rebels put on a show with Liberal, Kansas driver Steven Richardson taking the win in a three lap shoot out with Ness City, Kansas driver Luke Cranston.
Nate Berry led the field to the green but the yellow flag flew before a lap could be scored as Craig Jecha spun in turn four to bring out the caution. Berry once again brought the field to the green with Steven Richardson taking the point with Berry, Lance Davis, CJ Johnson and Jeff Radcliffe rounding out the top five after the first circuit. With Richardson out front second running Berry pulled off the backstretch on lap three allowing Davis, Johnson, Radcliffe and Luke Cranston to move up into the top five. Cranston soon was on the nerf bar of Radcliffe taking away the fourth spot on lap five. Lap six saw third place CJ Johnson pull off the track with mechanical issues while back in the pack fourteenth starter Brian Herbert started making his way to the front weaving through traffic making up spots each lap.
John Webster made his way to fifth spot and set his sights on Jeff Radcliffe, with Jed Werner and Zach Blurton hot on their heels. Up front Richardson continued to lead with Lance Davis and Luke Cranston were starting to reel the leader in. Davis started to catch Richardson in lapped traffic and made it to the leader but could never make the move on Richardson. Meanwhile Cranston was right in the tire tracks of Davis using every bit of racetrack to take the runner up spot away. On lap eighteen Cranston made the pass stick and took over the second position relegating Davis to third.
The battle for the lead started to really heat up as Cranston put the pressure on Richardson. The pair diced it up for several laps with Cranston never quite making the pass when on lap twenty two the caution fell for the last time setting up a three lap shootout for the win. With the field bunched up once again Richardson took the point but this time Cranston was right on his tail tank. The pair battled it out as Cranston tried everything he could to gain the advantage on Richardson and as the white flag was waved Cranston made one final charge going into turn one. Richardson dove to the bottom to protect his line with Cranston trying to pull past Richardson coming off of turn two.
Behind them the race for the fifth spot was on as John Webster and Zach Blurton diced it out in turns three and for a Blurton tried to use the low line to dive under Webster to no avail. As the checkers fell it was Richardson taking his first win of the 2016 season with Cranston, Davis, Radcliffe and Webster rounding out the top five.
Steven Richardson also was victorious the in the Cash Dash. Willie and Kelsey Wynn sponsored he six car dash with the winner picking up $200.00 for the win. Steven Richardson, Ken Lutters, Jed Werner, Lance Davis, Craig Jecha and Aaron Ploussard were the six drivers in the dash.
Heat race winners were Ken Lutters and Lance Davis.
The Keizer Aluminum Racing Wheels Hard Charger Award went the Brian Herbert who came from his fourteenth starting position picking up seven spots to finish seventh.
Wakeeney KS results 4/24
1 Steven Richardson
2 Luke Cranston
3 Lance Davis
4 Jeff Radcliffe
5 John Webster
6 Zach Blurton
7 Brian Herbert
8 Jed Werner
9 Cody Lampe
10 Aaron Ploussard
11 CJ Johnson
12 Ken Lutters DNF
13 Craig Jecha DNF
14 Nate Berry DNF