Traffic assists Blurton in season-opening URSS victory at Salina

Results

Zach Blurton picked up where he left off at the end of last season, topping Saturday’s 2020 United Rebel Sprint Series opener at Salina Speedway. (Photo by Jeff Quinn)

By David Smith, Jr., OKTidbits

SALINA, Kan. (May 23) – Two-time and defending tour champion Zach Blurton picked up right where he left off last season, taking advantage of late-race lapped traffic to capture the exciting season opener for the Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing opened their 2020 race season in front of a near-capacity crowd at Salina Speedway on Saturday night. 

J.D. Johnson and Blurton started on the front row for the 25-lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car fea­ture with Johnson taking the lead as the green flag fell. Johnson kept Ty Williams behind him for the first several laps before Blurton passed Williams for second on lap five.

Blurton stayed glued to Johnson’s rear bumper and at the race’s midway point on lap 13 it was still Johnson, Blurton, Williams, Jason Danley and 16th starting Toby Chapman the top five. The leaders approached slower cars on lap 17 and that’s when Johnson picked the wrong line to lap Howard Van Dyke. Blurton took advantage and got around both the lapped car and Johnson to take the lead. 

Blurton had Johnson glued to his rear bumper before putting another slower car between himself and Johnson on lap 20. Johnson settled for second while Danley came home third and Williams held on for fourth.      

Chapman earned the features Keizer Aluminum Wheels hard-charger award.

Feature results – 1. Zach Blurton; 2. J.D. Johnson; 3. Jason Danley; 4. Ty Williams; 5. Toby Chap­man; 6. Brian Herbert; 8. Steven Richardson; 9. Cale Cozad; 9. Kyler Johnson; 10. Koby Walters; 11. Kaden Taylor; 12. Jack Potter; 13. Howard Van Dyke; 14. Tyler Knight; 15. Buddy Tubbs; 16. Shane Sundquist; 17. Jeremy Huish; 18. Tyler Drueke; 19. Taylor Velasquez; 20. Jor­dan Knight.

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Events

URSS slated for Western Kansas doubleheader June 27, 28

COLBY, Kan. – The Mel Hambelton Ford Racing POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series is slated to take on a doubleheader weekend June 27 and 28.  Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series drivers will head to Thomas County Speedway in Colby, Kan., on Saturday, June 27. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. General admission is $15 with kids 12 and under free.  On Sunday, June 28, competitors will head east on I-70 to WaKeeney Speedway complete the doubleheader weekend. With the Sprint Cars will be IMCA Kansas Thunder Racing Series Modifieds, Sports Mods, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks. Racing will begin at  6 p.m.. General admission is $15 with kids 12 and under free.  Both events pay $700 to win and $200 to start, and were originally scheduled for late-May, but restrictions in effect forced the postponement to a later date.