URSS Series Prepares For July 4th Weekend Tripleheader

The United Rebel Sprint Series will be celebrating the Fourth of July weekend with its Racers and Fans as the Rebels are set to do battle in a tripleheader weekend of non stop racing action.

First up is the URSS Series second trip to the Lightning fast 3/8’s oval at Hutchinson Raceway Park on Friday July 3rd. The Rebels inaugural visit proved to be a fruitful one for Kinsley Kansas’s Darren Bowman as he battled his way to first URSS Feature win. Bowman used the high side to take the victory over a hard charging Willie Wynn, with Young Gun Tanner Mullens and C.J. Johnson in the mix as well. Race time is 8:00 pm with this Friday being Buddy Night. Bring a friend and get in for only $5.00, a savings of $3.00 over the single admission price. Visit the Hutchinson Raceway Park website at http://h-r-p.tripod.com/  for more information.

Saturday July 4th, the URSS Rebels make their second appearance at Dodge City Raceway Park for the Budweiser Firecracker Nationals. This race pays $1,000.00 to the winner and it will draw some of the Series heavy hitters to DCRP to do battle for the top prize. 2008 URSS National Points Champion Brian Herbert took the win at the first URSS race at DCRP, and will be one of the favorites to take the top prize again Saturday night.  Race time is 7:30 pm with a fireworks show to follow the races. For more information visit the DCRP website at http://dodgecityraceway.com/

Sunday night July 5th, the United Rebel Sprint Series will make its final appearance of the year at the Liberal Fairgrounds Speedway. In the first two appearances, C.J Johnson and Liberal’s own Jason Martin have claimed victories at the 3/8’s mile track. In both races, Ray Seemann was a man on a mission as he battled his way to 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Sunday’s close to the Fourth of July tripleheader should be another barnburner with the race being decided on the last lap. Please note that race time has been changed to a 7:00 pm start time.  For more information visit the DCRP website at http://dodgecityraceway.com/

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

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Jason “The Hitman” Martin Holds On For URSS Win At Liberal

The United Rebel Sprint Series checked into Liberal for the second time in 2009 and sprint car fans witnessed Jason “The Hitman” Martin pick up his first Rebel feature win of the year in front of his hometown crowd. Charging from the fourth row, Martin was able to grab the lead midway through Sunday night’s main event, and hold on for his fifth triumph in his URSS career.

Seventeen sprint teams stepped into the ring for a twenty five lap bout with John Colbert on the pole position but when the green flag dropped it would be Barry Crane, using the high side to gain the early advantage and the first circuit. Darren Bowman, Ray Seemann, Ritchie Dewell, and Jason Martin would settle into the top five.

As Crane continued to show the way, racing was high and tight. Brian Herbert had cracked the top five by the third lap as Seemann would work Bowman advancing to the runner up slot. Bowman would continue to drop as Martin, Herbert, and Dewell would battle for position.

Lurking just outside the top five would be C.J. Johnson. Buried in the field, Johnson would begin to reel in the lead pack. Coming from his ninth-place starting slot, Johnson would bust into the top five on the sixth circuit. A back and forth battle between Johnson, Herbert, and Dewell would ensue, as the trio would slice and dice for position, not more than inches apart at times.

Back at the front, Seemann would continue to pressure Crane and on the seventh lap, Seemann would move his 72 into the top position. Martin, Herbert, Crane and Johnson check the top five and the frantic pace would continue.

The action would be halted on lap eleven with a tense moment on the front chute. As the leaders hit lapped traffic Johnson would clip a lapped car trying to follow Martin through traffic. Johnson would be able to continue but would be sent to the end of the line.

With fifteen laps remaining, Seemann would hold the top slot with Martin, Herbert, Velasquez, and Dewell rounding out the top five. Martin would put the pressure on Seemann and just two laps into the next green flag run, Martin would own the show position.

With laps continuing to wind away, the caution flag would be pulled twice more for incidents involving Ty Williams and Keefe Hemel. Martin would lead with Seemann, Herbert, and Velasquez in tow but it would be Johnson using the yellows to his advantage to blast back into the top five after the front chute incident with the marker.

Martin would bring the field back to the green and the final circuits of the main event. With heavy hitters on his tail, Martin would not waiver hitting his marks time and time again. Herbert would find his way around Seemann for second with Velasquez and Johnson battling for fourth and fifth.

But Martin would not waiver and checked out of Liberal and into victory lane for the first time in 2009 and the fifth time as a Rebel sprinter. Herbert would finish in the runner up slot with Seemann dropping to third. Velasquez and Johnson would round out the top five.

The Keizer Aluminum Wheels “Hard Charger Award” went to Turpin, Oklahoma’s Taylor Velasquez. Starting in the sixteenth position after front end damage in his heat race, Velasquez would make a spectacular push to the front weaving his way through the field advancing twelve positions to secure with his fourth place finish.

Heat race winners were Ray Seemann, CJ Johnson and Jason Martin

A Main: 1-Jason Martin, 2-Brian Herbert, 3-Ray Seemann, 4-Taylor Velasquez, 5-CJ Johnson, 6-Barry Crane, 7-Darren Bowman, 8-Richie Dewell, 9-John Colbert, 10-Jerry Caldwell, 11-Keefe Hemel, 12-Justin Pack, 13-Justin Chaffin, 14-Michael Williams, 15-Ty Williams, 16-Lance Davis, 17-Tobby Shield.

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SUNY Canton Series Weekend for Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints: Two Nights at Can-Am, One Night at Utica-Rome all $2,000 to win!

SYRACUSE, NY – When the 2009 racing schedule was released for the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) many race teams and fans took notice of the 4th of July holiday weekend.  All three nights are a part of the SUNY Canton Series which pay $2,000 to win with unique back to back events at Can-Am Motorsports Park and then on Sunday to the Utica-Rome Speedway.

The two nights in a row at one race track is a first in the 26 year history of ESS.  Last year the 4th of July holiday weekend event at Can-Am was greeted by a standing room only crowd.  This year it was decided to make it two shows on Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th itself.

The events will be two complete full point shows for the Lucas Oil and SUNY Canton titles.  After Friday night’s event is run, the slate is wiped clean and a whole complete show will be run again on Saturday.  Race teams should note that if they were not on hand on Friday, there is no penalty the next night.  Fans will also see a special award as if they attend on Friday night they will receive $5 off Saturday’s admission.

Rt. 37 Building Supply along with Cook’s Plumbing Heating and Hardware will bring you the Cobra Coaches dash events which will precede the 25 lap, $2,000 to win SUNY Canton A-Mains on each night.

On Sunday, it’s the second of three holiday visits to Utica-Rome where 34 entries were in the pits for the first event.  Jessica Zemken took the win back on May 24th to lead the SUNY Canton Series coming into the big weekend.  The first $2,000 event wasn’t decided to the last turn of the last lap which thrilled the big crowd that always greets the winged warriors.

Current ESS point leader Lance Yonge will lead the pit log for the weekend which will include defending champion Steve Poirier, Justin Barger, Tommy Wickham, Chuck Hebing, Cook, Michael Parent, Brian McDonald, Anthony Cain, SUNY Canton leader in Zemken, Alain Bergeron, Justin Harris, Lee Ladouceur, Jason Barney, Doug Emery, Mike Stelter and many more. 

Expected to make special appearances on the weekend will be Dan Kaszubinski, Rick and April Wilson, Judi Bates, Russ Bennett, Gordy Button, Bubby Kerrick, Chris Jones, Tyler Rand, Joe August, Paul Pekkonen, Bruce DeWick, Andy Noto, Kory Gurney and more surprises.

Not only will there be fireworks in the sky, but the stars and cars from the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will bring there own as they invade two fast half-mile ovals.  Can-Am, Utica-Rome…it’s the SUNY Canton Series and it will be excitement guaranteed!!!

For more information:
www.canammotorsports.com
www.uticaromespeedway.com
www.empiresupersprints.com

Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Can-Am Motorsports Park.
July 30, 1987 John Brutcher
July 28, 1988 John Birosh
July 27, 1989 John Birosh
Aug. 2, 1990 Mal Lane
Aug. 1, 1991 Jeff Thomas
July 30, 1992 Tim Kelly
July 28, 1994 Mike Woodring
June 22, 1995 Craig Lane
June 19, 1996 Mike Woodring
June 19, 1997 George Suprick
June 18, 1998 Mike Woodring
June 24, 1999 Dan Kaszubinski
June 22, 2000 Dan Kaszubinski
June 21, 2001 Dan Kaszubinski
Aug. 25, 2001 Alain Bergeron
June 20, 2002 Ryan Coniam
Aug. 17, 2002 Dan Kaszubinski
May 29,2004 Rick Wilson
July 3, 2004    Rick Wilson
May 28,2005 Lance Yonge
July 2, 2005 Dan Kaszubinski
May 27, 2006 Jessica Zemken
July 1, 2006 Justin Barger
July 27, 2006 Jeff VanDusen
July 5, 2008 Justin Barger

Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Utica Rome Speedway
May26, 1986 Dave Kelly
July 27, 1986 Bill Peri
May 25, 1987 Gordy Button
Oct. 3, 1987 Mike VanDusen
June 11, 1989 George Sifo
July 9, 1989 Rob Hart
Aug. 20, 1989 Mal Lane
July 8, 1990 Bob Podolak
Aug. 11, 1990 Jeff Thomas
Aug. 9, 1992 Lance Yonge
May 29, 1994 Bobby Parrow
May 26, 1996 Mike Woodring
Sept. 1, 1996 Mike Woodring
Sept. 2, 2001 Steve Dow
Sept. 1, 2002 Dan Kaszubinski
Oct. 9, 2002 Doug Emery
May 25, 2003 Mike Lutz
July 6, 2003 Justin Barger
Aug. 31, 2003 Justin Barger
May 30, 2004 Jeff VanDusen
July 4, 2004 Dan Kaszubinski
Sept. 5, 2004 Lance Yonge
May 29, 2005 Dan Kaszubinski
July 3, 2005 Mike Stelter
Sept. 4, 2005 Lance Yonge
May 28, 2006 Steve Poirier
July 23, 2006 Chuck Hebing
Sept. 3, 2006 Jeff VanDusen
May 27, 2007 Justin Barger
July 1, 2007 Chuck Hebing
Sept. 2, 2007 Steve Poirier
May 25, 2008 Jason Barney
July 6, 2008 Jason Barney
Aug. 31, 2008 Steve Poirier
May 24, 2009 Jessica Zemken

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JJ GRASSO HAS THREE WINS IN SIX STARTS HEADING TO NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY SATURDAY NIGHT

With six Rislone URC Sprint Series events in the books for 2009, JJ Grasso, the "Jersey Jet" of Pedricktown, NJ has three wins is six starts and he's looking forward to Saturday night when he returns to the New Egypt Speedway, a track where he won four out of five events in 2008. Grasso now leads the URC point chase, but the season is long and we still haven't seen the best of six time champion Curt Michael and the Valley Forge INC sprint car.  

Other title contenders include Chris Coyle Davey Sammons, Michael Carber, Robbie Stillwaggon and Becca Anderson.  All still in the chase with a long season still ahead.

Big Moves Over the weekend. . . .
Curt Michael ran the "B" at Williams Grove and delivered an eighth place finish in the feature.

JJ Grasso finished fifth at the Grove, but put on quite a show battling with Fred Rahmer.

Josh Weller with a last lap last turn pass, beat out Fred Rahmer to win his heat.

Davey Sammons pulled together a ninth and a second place finish this weekend.

Kyle Purks and Tim Hogue delivered a strong third and fourth place finish at Delaware International.

Nick Schlauch Jr finished sixth at Delaware International and now ranks seventh in the season long point chase.

URC Rookie Andy Best delivers a tenth place finish at Delaware International.

URC Rookie Eddie Wagner scored his first URC checker by winning the B Main Saturday night.

URC Rookie driver Jonathan Baker finished eleventh at Delaware and earned the Fred's Trailer Parts Hard Charger award, for advancing ten spots in the feature.

URC Next Event:  Saturday, July 4th New Egypt Speedway

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Ryan Hunsinger scoress sprint car win

by Tommy Goudge (June 26, 2009) - When the green flag waved for the start of the Sprint main event, Keith Dempster and Kevin Job were in the front row. The green was short lived as Wayne Ashton got tangled up and rolled in turn one.  With a complete restart called for, Dempster roared to the lead with Job giving chase, followed by Hunsinger, and a hard charging group of drivers which included point’s leader Tom Huppunen, Jamie Collard, Glenn Styres, and Brad Malloy.  As the race approached the halfway mark, Hunsinger charged around Job for the second spot and set his sights on Dempster.  Dempster held the lead for another lap, but Hunsinger was not to be denied on this night, driving around Dempster during the eleventh circuit.

Lap twelve saw Dave Dykstra and Tom Huppunen tangle in turn one while racing for the fifth spot, resulting in nose wing damage for Huppunen and a flat left rear tire on Dykstra’s machine.  With Huppunen entering the night as the point’s leader, the remaining laps would prove important as he tried to minimize the damage to his lead.  The race went green for two laps before Chris Durand’s damaged machine came to rest at the exit of turn four to bring out the yellow flag again.  Another short green flag spurt followed, as Kevin Job’s loose nose wing finally came off in turn two, forcing another caution period and relegating Job, who had been fast in spite of the wing issue, to the back of the pack.

The final few laps were nerve-wracking for Hunsinger, whose nose wing also began to come loose.  Behind him, the action was frantic between Dempster, Styres, and Collard for the runner-up spot.  Collard took over third from Styres on lap eighteen, but Styres returned the favour the next lap.  On the last lap while Hunsinger was driving to victory, Styres, Collard, and Dempster went three-wide for the runner-up spot, with Styres getting it at the line, followed by Collard, Dempster, and Brad Malloy.  Adam West quietly advanced through the pack from sixteenth to finish sixth, while Huppunen came home seventh without a nose wing, followed by Brad Knab, Dave Dykstra, and Jim Huppunen.  Heat races for the twenty-six Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars were claimed by Tom Huppunen, Ryan Hunsinger, and Glenn Styres.

Friday Night Thunder resumes on Friday, July 3 when Corr/Pak Merchandising presents the second annual Northern Summer 360 Nationals, featuring the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ASCS Patriots, ASCS Sprints on Dirt, and Southern Ontario Sprints, plus the ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers! Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission for this special event is just $15, while Seniors and Students are $8, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. On Friday night, gates open at 6:00p.m., with the first race at 7:45p.m.

SPRINT CAR FEATURE (20 laps)
1. 77x Ryan Hunsinger
2. 0 Glenn Styres
3. 27 Jamie Collard
4. 5 Keith Dempster
5. 5m Brad Malloy
6. 30 Adam West
7. 12c Tom Huppunen
8. 38 Brad Knab
9. 5d Dave Dykstra
10. 14h Jim Huppunen
11. 21x Kevin Job
12. 90 James Evans
13. 18 Kevin Loveys
14. 57 Doug Bowman
15. 31 John Burbridge, Jr.
16. 67 Chris Durand  DNF
17. 4z Joel Lehman  DNF
18. 71 Travis Cunningham DNF
19. 21j Mikey Kruchka  DNF
20. 9jr Tim Zack  DNF
21. 81 Derek Jonathan  DNF
22. 3 Wayne Ashton  DNF
No Time

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JJ GRASSO IS THREE FOR THREE  IN URC COMPETITION AT DELAWARE
INTERNATIONAL

JJ Grasso of Pedricktown, NJ led all twenty-five laps of the Rislone URC Sprint feature Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway.

For Grasso it was his third URC win in six starts this season and his ninth career win.   Grasso won the first heat race of the night, earning himself the pole starting position in the feature event.  All three wins for Grasso were part of the Taylor & Messick Delaware State Sprint Series.  Driving the Palladino Motorsports/BK Leasing sprint car, the "Jersey Jet"  ran a spectacular race for the fans as he sliced his way through lapped traffic with amazing  speed, skill and grace.  There is no doubt that lapped traffic was his biggest challenge of the night.

A field of twenty-eight sprint cars took part in the racing program with heat race victories going to JJ Grasso, Becca Anderson and Kyle Purks as the Don Ott "B" win went to rookie driver Eddie Wagner.

In the twenty-five lap feature, Grasso led the field into turn one but as the field charged out of turn four, Brett Schoenly, Art Liedl and Mark Bitner tangled causing the yellow flag to be displayed. On the restart, Grasso once again powered into the lead and away from the rest of the field.  Tim Hogue followed in second holding a slight advantage over Chris Coyle, Davey Sammons and Kyle Purks.

The second yellow of the race was displayed on lap thirteen, this time for Jeff Quackenbush who stopped in turn four. Once again the drivers were asked to regroup and at the drop of the green flag, Grasso immediately went to work to build that comfortable lead he had just prior to the yellow flag.

At the halfway point, Grasso was the pace setter followed by Hogue, Sammons, Purks and Anderson.   On lap fourteen, Sammons moved into second and tried to reel in the leader but at the point, Grasso already had a seven second lead over the second place car.

Six time URC Champion Curt Michael started ninth and  became a factor in the closing laps advancing to the top five. The final caution of the race was displayed on lap nineteen when Mike Kostic came to a stop in turn three.

On the restart, Sammons  took his best shot at Grasso but it made no difference as the Jet was off and running.   On the last lap, Kyle Purks passed Tim Hogue for  third place money with Hogue fourth and Curt Michael fifth.

FEATURE FINISH: JJ Grasso, Davey Sammons, Kyle Purks, Tim Hogue, Curt
Michael, Nick Schlauch Jr., Randy West, Becca Anderson, Chris Coyle, Andy Best, Jonathan Baker, Mark Bitner, Art Liedl, Joe Zuczek,  Kenny Meisner, Eddie Wagner, Kramer Williamson, Jim Walters,  Mike Kostic, Jeff Quackenbush, Gary Gollub, Jonathan Swanson, Danny Massey, Robbie Stillwaggon, Robbie Stillwaggon, Brett Schoenly.  DNQ- - Kevin Darling, Michael Carber, Scott Pursell.

URC Next Event:  Saturday, July 4th New Egypt Speedway

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URC points
1. JJ Grasso   545
2. Chris Coyle  532
3. Michael Carber 514
4. Rory Janney  476
5. Robbie Stillwaggon 470
6. Davey Sammons 470
7. Curt Michael  455
8. Trevor Lewis  443
9. Kramer Williamson  424
10. Nick Schlauch Jr. 412

AARON OTT POCKETS $4,000 IN RISLONE URC SPRINT NATIONALS FRIDAY NIGHT AT WILLIAMS GROVE

Seventeen year old Aaron Ott was the star of the show on Friday night at
the Williams Grove Speedway.   After winning the twenty-five lap 410 sprint car feature (his first career 410 win at the Grove) Ott powered his way to the front of the field and went on to win the fourth annual Rislone URC Sprint Nationals.   Ott of East Berlin, PA took the lead on lap six from pole sitter Trevor Lewis then held off several late races challenges to take the win. Ott's first career URC win was worth $4,000.

Under threatening weather conditions,  the management of Williams Grove
Speedway pushed on to get the show in the books.  A field of thirty-eight  sprint cars turned out  for the Rislone Nationals with fast time of the night going to Michael Carber driving the John PInter owned sprinter.   Four heat race events were presented with victories going to Davey Sammons, Blane Heimbach, Josh Weller and Nick Schlauch Jr. as Brett Schoenly won the Don Ott "B" Main.

In the twenty-five lap Rislone Sprint Nationals, front row starters Trevor Lewis and Josh Weller made contact going into turn one with Weller spinning and tapping the outside wall to display the yellow.   On the restart, Trevor Lewis of Upper Black Eddy, PA set the pace followed by Michael Carber and third place runner Aaron Ott.   On lap five Ott moved into second and set his sights on the leader.

The second yellow of the race was displayed on lap six when Brett Schoenly stopped in turn four.   On the restart, Ott used the outside groove to take the lead but Lewis was not about to give up that easily. Lewis fought back but after three laps, Ott had a solid lead.    Fred Rahmer moved into third on lap seven followed by JJ Grasso and Michael Carber. 

With ten laps to go, Lewis once again began to reel in Ott and this time he was bringing along Brian Montieth.   It quickly turned into a three car race for the lead with Lewis working the low groove as  Aaron Ott and Montieth used the outside lane.    On lap twenty-one, Lewis and Montieth  were side-by-side in a battle for second and on the rear bumper of Ott.

On lap twenty-three, driveline issues sidelined the Scott McClaren owned sprinter driven by Trevor Lewis and an awesome performance came to an end.  On the restart,  the late race shuffle went on with Ott getting away quickly from Montieth as Cory Haas made a bid and took over third with Fred Rahmer fourth and  JJ Grasso fifth.   Making up the top ten were  Michael Carber, Phil Walter, Curt Michael,  Davey Sammons and Nicole Bower.

FEATURE FINISH:  Aaron Ott, Brian Montieth, Cory Haas, Fred Rahmer,  JJ
Grasso,  Michael Carber,  Phil Walter, Curt Michael, Davey Sammons, Nicole Bower, Blane Heimbach, Chris Coyle, Andy Best,  Billy Johns, Robbie Stillwaggon,  Nick Schlauch Jr.,  Kramer Williamson,  Kevin Darling, Bryn Gohn, Brett Schoenly, Gerard McIntyre, Art Liedl, Trevor Lewis, Jason Clauss, Josh Weller. 

NEXT EVENT:  Saturday, June 27   Delaware International Speedway/Delmar,
DE  Starting Time 7 PM.

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