Cranston, Hudson pick up Norton wins
By Mike Hughes
Norton, KS (August 31)—Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton, KS, hosted the United Rebel Series Sprint Cars on Saturday evening, August 31, and were joined by the IMCA Stock Cars.
Keefe Hemel took advantage of his pole starting position to jump to the lead in the 25-lap URSS main event, followed by Kade Hagans and Richie Dewell. Hemel continued to lead to the first of two caution flags when Zac Taylor came to a stop on the backstraight. Hemel led the field back to green, but Luke Cranston of Plains took advantage as he lined up behind Hemel on the restart and then shot by to take a lead he would not relinquish. A late caution for a stalled Darren Berry gave the field one last shot at Cranston, but Luke pulled away for his third URSS win of the year and 14th of his URSS career. Hemel held on to second, followed by heat two winner Jake Bubak, Kade Hagans, and third heat winner ‘Flyin’ Brian Herbert. Steven Richardson also won a heat race.
Josh ‘The Hammer’ Hudson of Kensington led all 15 laps in the IMCA Stock Car feature. The lone caution waved on lap 9 when Travis Milander came to a stop, but Hudson pulled away on the restart and went on to score his first win at Norton this year. Track point leader Dustin McClurg finished in the runner-up spot, with heat two winner Tyler Tipton, Jason Davis and Pat Bedore completing the top five. Hudson was victorious in the other heat race.
The vintage cars held their 12th annual meet at the half-mile oval and 35 drivers from Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska brought their cars for the two-day event.
RESULTS
IMCA Stock Cars
Heat race winners: Josh Hudson, Tyler Tipton.
Feature: 1. Hudson, 2. Dustin McClurg, 3. Tipton, 4. Jason Davis, 5. Pat Bedore, 6. Bob Rutherford, 7. Frank McClurg, 8. John Annon, 9. Travis Milander, 10. Jason McCartney, 11. Darin Racek.
United Rebel Sprint Series
Heat race winners: Steven Richardson, Jake Bubak, Brian Herbert.
Feature: 1. Luke Cranston, 2. Keefe Hemel, 3. Bubak, 4. Kade Hagans, 5. Herbert, 6. Barry Crane, 7. Zach Blurton, 8. Richardson, 9. Jeff Radcliffe, 10. Patrick Bourke, 11. Ron Hadley, 12. Mark Walinder, 13. Howard Van Dyke, 14. Greg Reiners, 15. Darren Berry (DNF), 16. Zac Taylor (DNF), 17. Richie Dewell (DNF), 18. Mike Madden (DNF).
Category: Kansas / Nebraska
