By NICK SCHWIEN

nschwien@dailynews.net

One has been knocking on the door of the winner's circle.

The other has been there and been consistently fast all season.

But Jeff Radcliffe and Paul Flynn both are looking for the same thing this Friday night -- a win.

Radcliffe nearly had his first United Rebel Sprint Series victory Sunday night in Oberlin. But the Hill City racer finished fourth after a caution flag bunched the field back up and veteran Jon Johnson and a pair of other drivers made their way around him.

For Flynn, well, he hasn't raced since Aug. 2 in La Crosse.

His next time in the driver's seat will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at RPM Speedway in Hays.

"We haven't had a whole lot of success since the last time we've been out there," said Flynn, from Abilene. "Not so much specifically Hays, but the Hays area."

Flynn might not have won any of the three URSS races this year in Hays, but he has been fast. He was third the first night of the inaugural Wheatshocker Rebel Nationals on July 12 while nursing a failing engine.

Then he was sixth a night later after rallying from the back of the pack after getting caught up in a first-lap tangle with a couple of other drivers at the front of the pack.

Flynn also was fourth June 6 in Hays.

Now, he's ready to get back to the winner's circle. Flynn last won May 30 at Whiskey Lake Raceway in Junction City.

More importantly, he's feeling confident -- but not cocky -- heading into the weekend, which also features races at Norton on Saturday and Sunday.

"We're not going to unload the car if we don't think we have a chance to win," Flynn said. "Second sucks. I'm not out to race for second place.

" ... If a driver is happy with finishing second, there's no need to be there."

Radcliffe is hoping to start his own success story Friday at Hays. Since the Wheatshocker Rebel Nationals in July, Radcliffe has found a groove.

The first night, he finished 13th out of nearly 40 drivers. The second night, he failed to make the A-main.

"The first night, we came out with a great setup," he said. "The second night, it wasn't too good of a time. But since then, we've had the car set up right and are consistently running in the top 10."

The weekend races at RPM and Norton are North and East division races. URSS promoter Rick Salem says he is expecting another good turnout of cars this weekend.

"The ideal picture is that there are a lot of guys coming out this weekend and for three days of racing," he said. "That's going to be a good deal for the fans and the series."

Races this year in the URSS have been tight, especially with the points races heating up in each division as of late.

Salem is expecting competitive races again this weekend.

RPM Speedway has been owned by Quinter's C.J. Johnson this summer. He's won all three nights of 305 sprint car racing in Hays -- including a $2,000 payout the final night of the Wheatshocker Rebel Nationals.

But Flynn, Radcliffe and a host of other drivers are all gunning for the victory Friday.

And if Radcliffe is able to get his first win Friday, well, he already has plans for the celebration.

"If I get a win, I guarantee the keg is on me that night," he said with a laugh. "I thought I had it (Sunday night), but it just didn't happen. Hopefully it will this weekend."