5.20.12 URSS Sprints Results
LEXINGTON, Neb. — He had thoughts of not making the trip to Dawson County Speedway at first. Then Brian Herbert had a change of mind.
The Dodge City driver in the United Rebel Sprint Series had that change of mind work to his favor Sunday night in Lexington, Neb.
Herbert made a late charge to claim the URSS feature win, becoming the third different driver in as many races to hit victory lane this season.
“Every time we go there, they have two grooves for us to race,” Herbert said. “Hats off to Dawson County Speedway.”
Herbert, who was on his second night running a Myers Engine power plant under his hood, said the rocket-fast engine was a key to the win. With a three-night swing approaching this weekend, Herbert wanted to shake down the car and make sure everything was ready for the weekend — meaning he decided to travel to Lexington to work the bugs out.
“That motor was flawless, and it ran perfect,” he said.
Herbert started inside the fourth row and found himself moving into third about the midway point of the race. By that time, Reed Bernbeck had led the first 15 laps and was running strong.
“I don’t know if we didn’t have the cautions if I would have gotten by the first- and second-place guys,” Herbert said. “I got into third, then the caution came out. There was a little moisture at the bottom I could use, then it was a drag race down the straightaways. Once I could inch by them, I knew the top side was faster.”
Once Herbert had the lead, he slowly distanced himself for the win. Meanwhile, Luke Cranston and Jeff Radcliffe waged a battle for the runner-up spot. That battle allowed Herbert to increase his lead.
Cranston eventually would finish second, with Radcliffe in third. Lance Davis and Bernbeck rounded out the top five.
“Myers has got a lot of good motors out there,” Herbert said. “We had the car right last night, too. It could be a total different story at Hays and Jetmore. We wanted to shake things out, and that’s why we made the pull up there. It worked out well.”
Heat race winners were John Webster and Radcliffe.
Herbert won the Keizer Aluminum Racing Wheels Hard-Charger Award, going from seventh to first.
The win moved Herbert into a tie for third place with Jason Martin on URSS career win list with 17. C.J. Johnson and Jon Johnson hold down the top two spots.
Feature results
1. Brian Herbert, 2. Luke Cranston, 3. Jeff Radcliffe, 4. Lance Davis, 5. Reed Bernbeck, 6. John Webster, 7. Mike Spear, 8. Nate Berry, 9. Greg Reiners, 10. Darren Berry, 11. Monte Hein, 12. Zach Blurton, 13. Tommy Williams, 14. Mike Saathoff, 15. Tom Belsky.