LaCROSSE, Kan. (July 30-31) – Twenty-one cars checked in for night one of Bullring Nationals competition at Rush County Speedway with the Drive to Zero POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series Presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing.
Steven Richardson cashed in on Friday night’s top prize in a tight battle for the top three positions.
Ty Williams and Richardson set the pace for the 25-lap feature. Richardson rushed to the lead with Williams following, both ahead of Jack Potter and Jon Freeman. Adam Gullion moved into the fifth position on lap six. On the ninth circuit, Potter took over the runner-up position while Gullion advanced to fourth.
Just past midway, Williams charged back ahead of Potter to reclaim the second position. One lap later, Potter slowed, allowing Gullion to move into third ahead of Jeremy Huish and Jordan Knight. A hard-charging Zach Blurton used lapped traffic to his benefit, charging into the top five with three laps remaining.
On lap 23, Gullion and Blurton both moved ahead of Williams to take over second and third. The remaining two laps provided excitement, as Gullion and Blurton reeled in on Richardson.
Richardson went on to claim the victory by nine-hundredth’s of a second over Gullion with Blurton completing the podium.
Opening night honors in the United Rebel Sprint Series Bullring Nationals Weekend at Rush County Speedway went to Steven Richardson. (Photo by Carl Larson)
Blurton cashed in on the $1,000 pay day on Saturday.
Kyler Johnson and Williams led the field to green for the 30-lap feature. Williams rushed to the race lead ahead of J.D. Johnson and Blurton. Three laps in, Blurton advanced to second with J.D. Johnson, Luke Cranston and Kyler Johnson in tow.
Much of the first half of the race remained the same top five runners until trouble ensued for race leader Williams, as he was collected in a tangle with two lapped cars. Williams was unable to continue with severe damage.
The restart saw more trouble ensue as Gullion and Cranston collected coming to the green. Another restart showed Blurton to continue with the race lead, while Jed Werner and Kyler Johnson began a charge to move into second and third.
With five laps remaining, Cranston moved to fifth from the tail of the field. Blurton went on to claim the victory over Jed Werner and Kyler Johnson. Koby Walters and Luke Cranston completed the top-five finishers with the United Rebel Sprint Series.
Blurton also took home the Green Mountain Grille furnished by Cates Automotive for being the high point driver for the three race “Rumble at the Bullring” season at Rush County Speedway. Jordan Knight finished second, taking home a set of cornhole boards and bags.
July 30 feature results – 1. Steven Richardson; 2. Adam Gullion; 3. Zach Blurton; 4. Ty Williams; 5. Jordan Knight; 6. J.D. Johnson; 7. Koby Walters; 8. Jon Freeman; 9. Luke Cranston; 10. Tyler Knight; 11. Kyler Johnson; 12. Jeremy Huish; 13. Brian Herbert; 14. Todd Plemons; 15. Ross Essenburg; 16. Cash Beeson; 17. Jed Werner; 18. Jack Potter; 19. Jake Galusha; 20. Darren Berry; 21. Connor Atkinson.
July 31 feature results – 1. Blurton; 2. Werner; 3. Kyler Johnson; 4. Walters; 5. Cranston; 6. Plemons; 7. Jordan Knight; 8. Freeman; 9. Atkinson; 10. Berry; 11. J.D. Johnson; 12. Potter; 13. Beeson; 14. Herbert; 15. Gullion; 16. Galusha; 17. Williams; 18. Huish; 19. Richardson; 20. Tyler Knight; 21. Essenburg.
