URSS Top Ten Review

The Inaugural Season for the United Rebel Sprint Series saw a familiar face in the Winner's Circle more often than not, but that didn't mean the Series Champion wasn't in for a year long fight for the top spot. The top five finishers were separated by only 216 markers, making for some exciting battles for positions throughout the season. With the continued growth of the class throughout the region, the upcoming 2007 season should be a phenomenal year with more drivers and tracks coming on board to host the URSS Traveling Series.

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1 - Jon Johnson - “The Kansas Tornado” Jon Johnson from Utica, Kansas seemingly put on a racing clinic to claim the top spot the Inaugural URSS 305 Series. Jon returned to the track season after suffering burns two years ago during races at the Kansas State Fair. Those injuries and the time off to rehab didn't hold Jon back as he put together eight wins on the season and an amazing 10 Top 3 finishes. Even with those statistics, Johnson took the Season Championship by a mere 82 points. This marks Johnson’s Sixth Championship in the Sprint Car ranks, and Ninth Championship overall in his long and storied racing career. Jon’s years of driving experience and leadership were invaluable as he was always there to lend a helping hand and advice to all the competitors in the series.

2 - Justin Schwien - The Russell, Kansas native Schwein claimed the runner spot this year with an impressive string of consistent finishes. Justin claimed his first URSS Series win at the half-mile Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton, Kansas late in the season. With that win along with five-runner up finishes, eight-Top 5’s and ten-Top 10’s, Justin came within 82 points of claiming the top spot. In only his second season in the Sprint Car Ranks, Justin has claimed 4 career wins in 25 starts. Justin was a fixture at most of the stops on the 2006 URSS Schedule following closely in Johnson's tire tracks, looking for that one chance to take over the top pointw position.

3 - Travis Decker - Third place points finisher Travis Decker used three-Top 5’s, eight-Top 10’s finishes along with three B-Main wins to clinch the position by 14 points. Travis’s 3rd place finish did not come without its share of major adversity. The Wakeeney, Kansas driver came back after late season crash, which destroyed his racecar at the Goodland URSS race on August 19th. Decker’s consistent finishes along with the ability to bounce back the late season crash to solidify his points position should make him a force to contend for the title in 2007.

4 - Randy Bantam - One of the Pioneers of the 305 Sprint Car Class in the region Norton, Kansas’s Randy Bantam made good use of his past seasons experience in the Sprint Class in the Inaugural URSS Season. Randy used three-Top 5’s and eight-Top 10’s to claim the fourth finishing spot. With his consistant finishes look for Bantam to improve on his 2006 finish next season. Randy wears several hats at the track as he fields his own car as well as the car driven by Billy Smith. Randy and his father Jerry also own Fractured Rooster Racing Engines, building their own engines as well.

5 - Smokey Fairbank - In his first year behind the wheel of a Sprint Car, Smokey has experienced both the highs and lows the sport. After a sixth and a third place finish in his first two races, the Ransom, Kansas racer found himself with a mangled race car and wondering if it was the right choice to move up to the 305 class. Fairbank returned with a new car and used his three-Top 5 and eight-Top 10 finishes to take the 5th place honors. Smokey nearly scored his first URSS win at the Oberlin season finale only to lose the top spot with a lap and a half to go in the race to the Points Champion Jon Johnson.

6 - Larry Radcliffe - After several years out of the driver’s seat, Hill City, Kansas’s veteran Radcliffe returned to track to race with the URSS series in 2006. With three-Top 5’s, five-Top 10’s and one B Feature win, Larry edged his way to a sixth place finish by only three points over 7th place finisher Mark Bantam. Larry was looking for a fun way to get back into racing and looks like he has found his niche with the 305 class. Radcliffe is also active in the URSS Series as an Owner/Driver as he fields two 305 Sprint Cars, his own 7r car as well the 8 car in the URSS Series.

7 - Mark Bantam - Goodland Kansas racer Mark Bantam only raced eight times with the URSS Series in the 2006 season, but he amassed enough points finish just three points behind Larry Radcliffe. Mark scored two-Top 5’s and six-Top 10’s in route to his 7th place finish. Mark along with his brother Randy and father Jerry have been staunch supporters of 305 Sprint Car racing since it’s introduction to Western Kansas, look for Mark to improve on his point position next year

8 - Billy Smith - Another Norton, Kansas racer made his way to the URSS Series after a short layoff from racing IMCA Stock Cars and Modifieds. Billy Smith driving the Randy Bantam owned Sprint Car scored his only Top 5 finishing in 4th place at the Series first visit to the RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas in his first Sprint car race. Billy scored five additional-Top 10’s to solidify his points position for the 2006 season. With his first season success, it's a sure bet Billy will move up in the standings next season as he gains more experience in the 305’s.

9 - Tommy Williams - A 20 year veteran racer Tommy Williams from North Platte, Nebraska joined the URSS Traveling Series in 2006. Williams used his years of on track experience to score three-Top 5’s and five-Top 10’s on his way to a 9th place finish. Williams over came mechanical woes during hot laps at the series second visit in Hays in August to finish 3rd and then survived for a 4th place finish in Norton after he lost the left side panel on his top wing during the A Main.

10 - Tim Perkins - Parker Colorado’s Tim Perkins ran a limited schedule in his Rookie season with the URSS Series, but used his consistent finishes to round out the Top Ten for the 2006 season. Perkins scored two-Top 5’s, five-Top 10’s and captured the B Feature at Norton, Kansas to solidly take the number ten points position in 2006. Perkins scored a 5th place finish at the Goodland race and a 4th place finish at the season finale at Oberlin to cap off his first season with the URSS.