Intense title chases continue on First Responders Night at DCRP

[rebelracewriter]

Intense Title Chases Continue on First Responders Night at DCRP

by Lonnie Wheatley

 

DODGE CITY, Kan. (July 24, 2014) Colorados Jake Bubak carries the hot hand for the United Rebel Sprint Series into Friday nights First Responder Night event at Dodge City Raceway Park that kicks off the annual Dodge City Days festival.

A winner of the most recent URSS event atop the 3/8-mile Dodge City Raceway Park clay oval on June 28, Bubak has since run his season total to five wins to lead both URSS National and Kansas Regional points.

While Bubak faces a strong field of cars set to disrupt his momentum, Ryan Heger will be among several drivers trying to protect track championship point leads as IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Thunder Cars will be in action as well.

The reigning URSS National champion, Arvadas Bubak has opened up a 178 point advantage over Liberals Steven Richardson in the URSS National points race. The Kansas points chase is much closer however, with only 20 points separating Bubak from Richardson. Zach Blurton, who topped last years season finale at DCRP, is another 26 points back in third with Jeremy Huish in fourth. Jed Werner and Luke Cranston are tied for fifth.

Friday marks the third URSS stop of the year at DCRP with Wyomings Zac Taylor topping a field of 28 on May 10 and then Bubak making a last corner move around Ray Seemann to top the URSS portion of the Steve King Memorial on June 28.

While the Sprint Cars battle it out, four of the tracks championship chase divisions will be in action as well. And a critical night it will be, as only three nights of action remain following Fridays card.

IMCA Modifieds:

The intensity continues to build in the Modified ranks with a championship battle that is as close as it gets. Ryan Heger holds all of a one-point lead over defending track champ Austin Allen with Cole Traugott just 13 points out of the lead. If Heger can hold point until the final night, odds could be in his favor as he has topped the season finale each of the past two years.

Missing the show at last weeks Modified Stampede put a damper on title hopes for both Jesse Smith and Kale Beavers.

Feature Winners: Brendon Gemmill 2, Scott Brown 1, Van Gemmill 1, Joel Lane 1, Clay Sellard 1, Jesse Smith.

Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Ryan Heger (Hugoton, KS) 895, 2. Austin Allen (Wichita, KS) 894, 3. Cole Traugott (Woodward, OK) 882, 4. Jesse Smith (Dodge City, KS) 830, 5. Mike Lunow (Dodge City, KS) 821, 6. Kale Beavers (Pierceville, KS) 817, 7. Nick Link (Rolla, KS) 811, 8. Joel Lane (Ulysses, KS) 715, 9. William Nusser (Larned, KS) 713, 10. Tracy Link (Hugoton, KS) 709.

IMCA Sport Modifieds:

A last-lap skirmish last Saturday kept Jeff Kaup outside the top eight for the first time in seven races this season. Yet, his rivals did little to capitalize, with the defending champ escaping the night with a 74-point lead over Austin Walker.

The battle for second is a tight one with only 23 points separating the quartet of Walker, Toby Witthuhn, Josh Appel and Jason Lunow.

Fridays card is one of just two tuneups remaining before the Inaugural $1,000-to-win Sport Modified Mayhem event on August 23.

Feature Winners: Jeff Kaup 2, Michael Shenberger 2, Josh Appel 1, Nate Ginest 1, Clay Money 1.

Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Jeff Kaup (Woodward, OK) 969, 2. Austin Walker (Utica, KS) 895, 3. Toby Witthuhn (Garden City, KS) 889, 4. Josh Appel (Dodge City, KS) 886, 5. Jason Lunow (Dodge City, KS) 872, 6. Tristen Barton (Dighton, KS) 848, 7. Randle McRoberts (Dodge City, KS) 826, 8. Jeremy Sigler (Great Bend, KS) 793, 9. Brian May (Spearville, KS) 790, 10. Mike Appel (Dodge City, KS) 779.

IMCA Stock Cars:

Perry Misner made it back to victory lane last Saturday to make it four-for-six on the season after coming up short in the previous two races with finishes of second and fifth.

Among the top five each time out, Misner has opened up 77 points worth of breathing room over Michael Pepper, who is just two points ahead of Dusty Witthuhn.

Feature Winners: Perry Misner 4, Scott Drake 1, Angel Munoz 1.

Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Perry Misner (Garden City, KS) 880, 2. Michael Pepper (Lakin, KS) 803, 3. Dusty Witthuhn (Bazine, KS) 801, 4. Reagan Sellard (Bucklin, KS) 783, 5. Randy Dowell (Ulysses, KS) 749, 6. Brett Copeland (Fowler, KS) 711, 7. Marlin Hogie (Ulysses, KS) 710, 8. Kyle Tillery (Beaver, OK) 605, 9. Justin Lewis (Dighton, KS) 597, 10. Shane Tillery (Laverne, OK) 572.

Thunder Cars:

Matt OHair stole a win last Saturday night and climbed to within 13 markers of points leader William Bauer, who finished fourth last week for the fourth time this season with other finishes of fifth and sixth.

Feature Winners: Cody Davis 3, Matt OHair 1, Sonny OHair 1, Dan Rogers 1.

Current Top Ten in Points: 1. William Bauer (Ness City, KS) 819, 2. Matt OHair (Laverne, OK) 806, 3. Dustin Walker (Buffalo, OK) 786, 4. Dan Rogers (Buffalo, OK) 784, 5. Tom Reed (Kalvesta, KS) 744, 6. Norman Carr (Garden City, KS) 724, 7. Bryan Habiger (Ingalls, KS) 720, 8. Tobby Schield (Sublette, KS) 645, 9. Michael Penrod (Moscow, KS) 616, 10. Cody Davis (Bucklin, KS) 595.

Hornets:

Jarett Lunow is six-for-six in Hornet action on the inner asphalt oval. Hell have to wait for a shot at seven in a row until the next time Hornets are in action on August 23.

Feature Winners: Jarett Lunow 6.

Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Jarett Lunow (Dodge City, KS) 900, 2. Brandon Bogner (Wright, KS), 829, 3. Marci OHair (Laverne, OK) 750, 4. (tie) Jarred Nightengale (Dodge City, KS) and Kohle Ricke (Dodge City, KS) 701, 6. Andy Copeland (Fowler, KS) 676, 7. Zak Moore (Dodge City, KS) 396, 8. Tyler Olson (Tyrone, OK) 270, 9. Nathan Barton (Dighton, KS) 213, 10. Cheryl Copeland (Fowler, KS) 132.

First Responders and family get in free to Friday nights action. Adult admission for Friday nights action is $15 with children 11 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Pit passes are $30.

Dodge City Raceway Park is located on the south edge of Dodge City, KS, on US 283, then 0.9 miles west on US 56, then 0.1 miles south. For more information, contact the track at 620-225-3277 or check www.dodgecityraceway.com.