Patrick Bourke Wins URSS Debut at I-76 Speedway

The United Rebel Sprint Series Western Region opened it 2008 Schedule with a multi-region show with Drivers from the Northern Region joining them at I-76 Speedway at Fort Morgan, Colorado Saturday night.  When the checkers flew, Western Region racer Patrick Bourke took the win.

Elwood Nebraska’s Bill Hays led the field to the green flag and Norton Kansas’ Randy Bantam jumped to the lead followed by Hays, Willie Wynn, Bourke and Sid Blanford to round out the top five. Bantam held the lead until the “Kansas Tornado” Jon Johnson took the top spot on lap four. Back in the pack, Wynn, Bourke, Sid Blanford and Darren Berry battled for the 3^rd through 6^th positions with Bourke taking over the 3^rd spot on lap eight. Blanford grabbed the 4^th spot on lap nine, leaving Wynn, Berry and Smokey Fairbank to fight for the 5^th position.

Bourke and Blanford relegated Randy Bantam to the 4^th spot on lap thirteen as they set their sights on the leader. Berry battled Bantam for the 5^th spot, with Berry taking the spot, Smokey Fairbank wove his way through the field following Berry. Johnson held the lead until lap fifteen when he slid high in turn one, Bourke wasted no time diving to the inside to take away the top spot. As the laps wound down, Berry and Fairbank made their way past Blanford, Fairbank worked his way to the 3^rd spot moving Berry back to the 4^th position.

When the checkers flew it was Bourke picking up the victory, with Johnson, Fairbank, Berry and Blanford rounding out the top five.

The “Weld Racing Wheels Hard Charger Award” went the Jon Johnson who came from his 8^th starting position the claim the runner up spot.

Heat Race winners were Smokey Fairbank and Darren Berry.

A-Main:

1-Patrick Bourke (27), 2-Jon Johnson (86), 3-Smokey Fairbank (2), 4-Darren Berry (12), 5-Sid Blanford (7), 6-Randy Bantam (5R), 7- Willie Wynn, (36W), 8-Bill Hays (2H), 9-Chuck Lutters (55), 10-Tim Perkins (99), 11-Billy Bingham (4), 12-Garrett Park (10), 13-Ken Lutters (79), 14-Mark Bantam (82)