Fast start sends Williams to opening night URSS victory

Results

Ty Williams took opening night honors when the 2021 United Rebel Sprint Series launched Saturday night at Dodge City Raceway Park. (Photo by Carl Larson)

DODGE CITY, Kan. (April 24) – The Drive to Zero POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series Presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing kicked off its season atop the 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval of Dodge City Raceway Park on Saturday. Twenty-one cars were in action for the season opener as Ty Williams claimed the victory.

Williams and Connor Atkinson set the early pace for the 30-lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car main event with some heat from Jeremy Huish and Luke Cranston. On lap three, Huish got past Atkinson and lap four saw Cranston passing Atkinson and Huish to take second.  

Williams, Cranston, and Huish remained in the top three while defending URSS champion, Zach Blurton made his march forward from the 10th place starting position. Cranston pull several slide jobs on Williams only to have Williams cross under and continue to lead.

Trouble for Cranston ensued on lap 13, ending his run for the evening. A restart saw Williams, Huish, Blurton, Atkinson, and Herbert sitting within the top five. They remained in position until lap 21, when Taylor Velasquez crept into fifth. 

A late-race restart on lap 27 saw Williams, Huish, Velasquez, Blurton, and Atkinson in the top five. Williams again defended the lead while a battle continued right behind him. 

The final lap saw a position change as Mike Woodruff got past Atkinson for fifth but no one could reel in Williams for the front spot. 

Feature results – 1. Ty Williams; 2. Jeremy Huish; 3. Taylor Velasquez; 4. Zach Blurton; 5. Mike Woodruff; 6. Connor Atkinson; 7. Jordan Knight; 8. Kyler Johnson; 9. Tyler Knight; 10. Brian Herbert; 11. Ray Seemann; 12. Lance Davis; 13. Brandy Jones; 14. Kohl Ricke; 15. Ross Essenburg; 16. Aaron Ploussard; 17. Chad Salem; 18. Jon Freeman; 19. Luke Cranston; 20. Koby Walters; 21. Randy Richardson.

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