Area’s Best To Battle In Norton For URSS Doubleheader
by: Terry J Pfeifer

OBERLIN, KS (Aug 27) - With Norton being the only race scheduled in the state of Kansas for the 305 Sprint Cars, the best drivers in the country will converge on the famed half-mile for an exciting and very competitive Labor Day weekend. URSS founder Rick Salem said he is excited about the field of cars that are planning to participate in this weekends two-day show at the Elmwood Park Speedway. “We have 25 to 30 cars coming and probably 15 of them very capable of winning, so this will be a real barn burner and will be one of the most competitive races all year”. said Salem.

Heading into Norton, URSS Points Leader Smokey Fairbank from Ransom has been the model of consistency this Season. Fairbank picked his first URSS Win at Lexington Nebraska early in the Season and has put together a string of runs that has him at the top of the standings.

Last years URSS Champion Jon Johnson has been on a hot streak as of lately, winning 4 out of the last 7 URSS Features. The “Kansas Tornado” from Utica tops the list of winners with six URSS Feature wins this season plus he picked up two wins in the Non-Sanctioned Non Wing Specials held this Season at LaCrosse and Oberlin.

Last years Runner-up in the URSS Championship, Justin Schwien from Russell, KS, picked up his first win of the 2007 Season at Hays a few weeks ago and has been gaining momentum. Justin is hungry for another win and he has stepped up his program as of late and is also looking to defend his first URSS win at Norton last year.

Winner of this years URSS 305 Nationals, Jetmore native Raymond Seemann has been fast all Season and is always a threat to win when he pulls through the gate.

Dodge City’s Keefe Hamel has four wins at DCRP this Season and is currently leading the HDSS Points at Dodge City Raceway Park. Keefe has one URSS Feature win at Hays in 2006. Keefe is always a hard charger and will definitely bring his “A” Game to Elmwood Park Speedway.

Another Dodge City hot shoe coming will be Brian Herbert, who has two URSS Feature wins in 2007 along with a win at DCRP and is second in DCRP points. Brian is always a threat and has been a consistent top five finisher all season.

A member of the “Ransom Rat Pack”, Ken Lutters picked up his first URSS Feature win at Lamar and has been exceptionally fast as of late with several consistent finishes.

Parker Colorado’s Tim Perkins will make the tow and also picked up his first career URSS Feature win at Minneapolis Raceway and is very capable of a repeat performance.

Oberlin native Cody Salem, now residing in St. Joseph Mo, will also be making the tow to Norton. Salem who really like the “fast” tracks, and the Flying Angels Racing team have been really fast all year, but plagued by mechanical woes. Look for them to be a threat to win their first URSS main event on the fast ½ mile.

Making his URSS debut this weekend is Fremont Nebraska’s Gregg Bolte. The veteran driver recently picked up a new Myers Engine Service powerplant and with his experience and hard charging style of driving will be quick and should be a threat to win.

Axtell Nebraska’s Doug Roth has stepped up his program after acquiring a Myers Engine Service power plant. Doug has several top 10 finishes this year and is hitting his stride as the Season draws to a close.

Norton’s Randy Bantam, who is currently 2nd in the points race, has had his share of up’s and down’s this season. Randy has really improved since acquiring his new Triple XXX chassis and will give it his best to pick up his first URSS Feature win in front of his hometown crowd.

Kinsley Kansas native Darren Bowman has been running well lately and has several top five finishes with a 2nd last week at DCRP. Darren is always a threat to win and is determined to get one before years end.

Kris Miller will also be making the tow from Arnett, Ok is capable and looking for his first feature victory.

So the list of talented drivers is building and definitely promises to be one of the best fields assembled for a great Labor Day Weekend of Sprint Car Racing. The racing action starts at 7:00 PM both Saturday and Sunday at Norton’s Elmwood Park Speedway. Admission is $10 for Adults, Children 6-11 $5.00, 5 an under always free.

For more information contact Rick Salem at 785-475-7010, e-mail rksalem@eaglecom.net  or visit the United Rebel Sprint Series website at www.unitedrebelsprintseries.com .