By TERRY PFEIFER

Special to The Hays Daily News

As the United Rebel Sprint Series enters it's fourth Season of racing, the strength and reputation of the Series continues to grow as it gains new tracks and drivers. Founder Rick Salem has taken what once were two groups of fledgling racers and given them a foundation of uniform and solid rules combined with strict enforcement of those rules through vigorous tech inspections and built a successful Sanctioning body that puts the racers first and foremost and guarantees Promoters and fans first class shows. In 2008, the Series boasted 20 different winners in the 52 URSS Sanctioned races, a record that few Sanctioning bodies can lay claim to. "It speaks volumes as to the effectiveness of the rules package we have in place" added Salem, "It shows that just about anyone in the Series has a chance to win every night they pull through the pit gate."

This season looks to be even bigger as the URSS continues to have an influx of new cars, drivers and tracks coming into the Series for 2009. New venues for the upcoming season include Hutchinson Raceway Park in Hutchinson, Ks, Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Ks, Thomas County Speedway in Colby, Ks, Liberal Fairgrounds Speedway in Liberal, Ks, Clinton Motorsports Park in Clinton, Ok and the new Colorado Motorsports Park in Byres, Co.

The Season will feature several special shows including the Inaugural URSS Race of Champions in conjunction with the ASCS National Tour stop at the Jetmore Motorplex May 23rd. The Race of Champions will feature the winners of 2008 vying for the $750 to win - $200 to start A Feature. A last chance qualifier will be held earlier in the evening with the winner of that race starting on the pole of the A-Main. URSS Founder Rick Salem added, "The race to watch just may be that Last Chance race as it will give those drivers who have supported the Series through thick and thin the best chance they will ever have to pick up that coveted first URSS Feature win!" Other special shows in the 2009 season will include three $1000 to win shows at Dodge City Race way Park with the Boothill Showdown on May 30th, The Firecracker Nationals July 4th and the Gunsmoke Challenge September 5th.

Back for it's second year is the "Wheatshocker Nationals" held Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12 in conjunction with the Ellis County Fair at the RPM Speedway in Hays. This two-day show features a $2000 to win - $300 to start 30 lap A-Main which is guaranteed to bring all of the best URSS Drivers to battle for the title. This show last year featured some of the closest side by side racing of the year and this year it will be even bigger as drivers will be making the pull to Hays from seven states to compete.

For more information on the United Rebel Sprint Series you can visit the Series Website at www.unitedrebelsprintseries.com or contact Rick Salem at 785-475-7010 or by e-mail at rksalem@eaglecom.net.