Change of plans leads URSS to Northwest Kansas
OBERLIN — A change in plans isn't about to ruin Zach Blurton's weekend. Instead, he and the rest of the drivers in the Kansas Region of the United Rebel Sprint Series will hit the road for a tripleheader weekend.
The Rebels will battle the 3/8-mile track at Thomas County Speedway in Colby on Friday night, then head to Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton on Saturday and Sunday. The URSS originally was scheduled to compete at the Great American Dirt Track at Jetmore Motorplex on Saturday, but track officials canceled the URSS portion of the evening due to hot weather. Saturday's races on the 1/2-mile track in Norton will be a Kansas Region points race, while Sunday's event will not be for points but will pay $700 to the winner.
Blurton finished third at Colby a year ago and is hoping for another good run Friday. "I like that track," he said. "It's a big 3/8, and it's fast." Blurton is second in the national points race entering the weekend with 2,314 points in 18 races. Brian Herbert leads the way with 2,642 points in 19 races, and Ray Seemann is third with 2,260 points in 16 races. Josh Fairbank is fourth (16 races, 2,212 points), and Mike Woodruff is fifth (17 races, 2,138 points).
"I think Colby will be a good show," series founder Rick Salem said. "It's usually one of the race tracks that slicks off from the bottom to the top. There's a good contingent of cars coming from Colorado, and the heavy-hitters from Kansas will be there, too."
Saturday's race on the big track in Norton is sure to produce an exciting time for fans. And Blurton is looking forward to the chance to run there for the first time in his career. "I'm really excited," he said. "I like the big half-mile tracks. You just put your foot on the floor and go."
Salem said it will be nice for the series to make a return to another northwest Kansas track. “It's good we get to go back to Norton,” he said. “That place puts on a pretty good race. It's good to get those guys back into the fold.”
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