United Rebel Sprint Series On-Line Forum

Webmaster

May 14, 08 - 12:22 PM

From the Hays Daily News Website

http://www.hdnews.net/racingstory/smokey051408

Night memorable for Ransom's Fairbank

By NICK SCHWIEN

nschwien@dailynews.net

RANSOM -- Most wins are special, especially the first.

But for Smokey Fairbank, well, he just might remember his second win the most.

That victory came Saturday night at the URSS 305 Steve King Memorial Sprint Classic at Jetmore Motorplex.

The day featured a citywide celebration of the racing feats of Steve King, a former sprint car driver who died after injuries suffered in a wreck at the 2006 Knoxville Nationals in Iowa -- the Super Bowl of sprint car racing. Since then, the King family has started the Steve King Foudation -- an organization that raises money to aid in the recovery of injured race car drivers of all classifications.

That made the win for Fairbank, who won his first and only 305 sprint car feature race May 6, 2007, at Dawson County Speedway in Lexington, Neb., all the more sweeter.

"It was huge," Fairbank said about Saturday's win, which came during a wingless event of the series. "It might not have been as big as the first one, but it was great because it was the Steve King Memorial race. But it was right up there, at the top of the list."

What made it even more special was the fact his family was in attendance Saturday.

"It was so special because my wife was there," he said. " ... My family got to see me win a race, and that's a big deal."

It was the first wingless show since Sept. 16 for Fairbank. But that night ended quite differently when he took a rough ride entering turn three and went end over end and into the catch fence. He wasn't injured, but he was sore for a few days afterward.

"I've been upside down with the wing, and I've been upside down without the wing," Fairbank said. "My wife says it bothers the kids more without it. Reliving that from last year, they get a little anxious."

But the one getting anxious Saturday as the race wore on was Fairbank himself. Not because of fear, but because he could taste victory.

"It was amazing," he said. "I started talking to myself quite a bit. I knew I had to hit my marks getting into the turns. ... I was going to make them pass me on the outside. I was giving it all it would take."

Once he crossed the finish line in first place, there was a new feeling.

"It's a lot of relief," Fairbank said. "I try not to put a lot of pressure on myself, but I wanted to win for my sponsors -- and myself, too. I took the checkers, and the adrenaline went up even more. You just want to get out and celebrate. The pressure's off, but then it kinda comes back because you realize everyone is going to be coming after you the next race."

Those next races will come Saturday and Sunday at Fort Morgan and Holyoke, Colo., at a pair of North and West division races.

Fairbank leads the North Division with 294 points, just ahead of Darren Berry and Cody Salem, who each have 278 points.

Fairbank won the URSS championship a year ago. This year, growth of the URSS left organizer Rick Salem to split the series into four divisions -- along with a national points title as well.

"If I can get in the top three every night and get some money to help pay costs, I'll be happy," Fairbank said about the upcoming races. "And, I'm going to try to get as many points as I can get."

Corey

May 14th, 2008 - 6:01 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

Once again, Nick does a great job on his articles, other than it's about Smokey.

Thanks for your support Nick!!!!!

Schwien 76J

May 14th, 2008 - 7:44 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

Yeah, no kidding Corey. HELLO!!!!!! Im about ready to start a modern day family fued.

Nick

May 14th, 2008 - 9:29 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

No family fued necessary. I can't run as fast as a coyote, and I've heard some stories about Justin's driving chasing those -- so I wouldn't have a chance to get away.
I'm always open to any story ideas -- as long as they're not too crazy. But then again ...
Just give me a shout, and I'll try my best to get something posted. I appreciate the support you guys have given and the help from the URSS with getting information to me. I wish everyone was as helpful.
Personally, I can't wait until you guys get here at RPM on June 6. Maybe I can talk someone into letting me take their car for a quick spin, huh?

Schwien 76J

May 15th, 2008 - 8:18 AM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

My coyote hunting escapades you speak of must be purely speculation. Exaggerations at best.

Jump in mine if your feeling ruggid. Now there's a story Paperboy! Only one question. I'm wondering how your going to explain your at track under garmet change to the fine readers of the HDN?

Nick

May 15th, 2008 - 11:48 AM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

I'm looking for some discreet words in the dictionary right now!!

Corey

May 15th, 2008 - 7:04 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

Nick, make sure they are single syllable so Justin can understand them.

Schwien 76J

May 15th, 2008 - 7:50 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

Wait a sec....! Did you just call be Reed Todd ED?

Nick

May 15th, 2008 - 7:57 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

Here's something for you guys to look at as well. Let me know what you think. And you know me Corey, I don't know a lot of words that are more than one syllable!

http://rubbinracing.hdnews.net/

Corey

May 15th, 2008 - 8:45 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

I dig the site already Nick, Op-ed on racing in W.KS from the HDN..I like it. Publicity is always a good thing!!

Justin, we seriously need an Ed....Ed Zachary would be perfect. You get the other block done???

Wiggy

May 15th, 2008 - 9:20 PM

Re: From the Hays Daily News Website

Hey Nick, nice start to your site, and nice article on Smokey. Look forward to checking it out over the summer to get a taste of what I miss out in the wild west.

Also thanks for adding MidwestDirt.com as a link. I'll be sure to let the people at MidwestDirt.com know about your site as well :)

	United Rebel Sprint Series On-Line Forum Welcome to the URSS on-line forum.
Return to Website

Author	Comment
Webmaster May 14, 08 - 12:22 PM	From the Hays Daily News Website http://www.hdnews.net/racingstory/smokey051408 Night memorable for Ransom's Fairbank By NICK SCHWIEN nschwien@dailynews.net RANSOM -- Most wins are special, especially the first. But for Smokey Fairbank, well, he just might remember his second win the most. That victory came Saturday night at the URSS 305 Steve King Memorial Sprint Classic at Jetmore Motorplex. The day featured a citywide celebration of the racing feats of Steve King, a former sprint car driver who died after injuries suffered in a wreck at the 2006 Knoxville Nationals in Iowa -- the Super Bowl of sprint car racing. Since then, the King family has started the Steve King Foudation -- an organization that raises money to aid in the recovery of injured race car drivers of all classifications. That made the win for Fairbank, who won his first and only 305 sprint car feature race May 6, 2007, at Dawson County Speedway in Lexington, Neb., all the more sweeter. "It was huge," Fairbank said about Saturday's win, which came during a wingless event of the series. "It might not have been as big as the first one, but it was great because it was the Steve King Memorial race. But it was right up there, at the top of the list." What made it even more special was the fact his family was in attendance Saturday. "It was so special because my wife was there," he said. " ... My family got to see me win a race, and that's a big deal." It was the first wingless show since Sept. 16 for Fairbank. But that night ended quite differently when he took a rough ride entering turn three and went end over end and into the catch fence. He wasn't injured, but he was sore for a few days afterward. "I've been upside down with the wing, and I've been upside down without the wing," Fairbank said. "My wife says it bothers the kids more without it. Reliving that from last year, they get a little anxious." But the one getting anxious Saturday as the race wore on was Fairbank himself. Not because of fear, but because he could taste victory. "It was amazing," he said. "I started talking to myself quite a bit. I knew I had to hit my marks getting into the turns. ... I was going to make them pass me on the outside. I was giving it all it would take." Once he crossed the finish line in first place, there was a new feeling. "It's a lot of relief," Fairbank said. "I try not to put a lot of pressure on myself, but I wanted to win for my sponsors -- and myself, too. I took the checkers, and the adrenaline went up even more. You just want to get out and celebrate. The pressure's off, but then it kinda comes back because you realize everyone is going to be coming after you the next race." Those next races will come Saturday and Sunday at Fort Morgan and Holyoke, Colo., at a pair of North and West division races. Fairbank leads the North Division with 294 points, just ahead of Darren Berry and Cody Salem, who each have 278 points. Fairbank won the URSS championship a year ago. This year, growth of the URSS left organizer Rick Salem to split the series into four divisions -- along with a national points title as well. "If I can get in the top three every night and get some money to help pay costs, I'll be happy," Fairbank said about the upcoming races. "And, I'm going to try to get as many points as I can get."
Corey May 14th, 2008 - 6:01 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website Once again, Nick does a great job on his articles, other than it's about Smokey. Thanks for your support Nick!!!!!
Schwien 76J May 14th, 2008 - 7:44 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website Yeah, no kidding Corey. HELLO!!!!!! Im about ready to start a modern day family fued.
Nick May 14th, 2008 - 9:29 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website No family fued necessary. I can't run as fast as a coyote, and I've heard some stories about Justin's driving chasing those -- so I wouldn't have a chance to get away. I'm always open to any story ideas -- as long as they're not too crazy. But then again ... Just give me a shout, and I'll try my best to get something posted. I appreciate the support you guys have given and the help from the URSS with getting information to me. I wish everyone was as helpful. Personally, I can't wait until you guys get here at RPM on June 6. Maybe I can talk someone into letting me take their car for a quick spin, huh?
Schwien 76J May 15th, 2008 - 8:18 AM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website My coyote hunting escapades you speak of must be purely speculation. Exaggerations at best. Jump in mine if your feeling ruggid. Now there's a story Paperboy! Only one question. I'm wondering how your going to explain your at track under garmet change to the fine readers of the HDN?
Nick May 15th, 2008 - 11:48 AM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website I'm looking for some discreet words in the dictionary right now!!
Corey May 15th, 2008 - 7:04 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website Nick, make sure they are single syllable so Justin can understand them.
Schwien 76J May 15th, 2008 - 7:50 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website Wait a sec....! Did you just call be Reed Todd ED?
Nick May 15th, 2008 - 7:57 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website Here's something for you guys to look at as well. Let me know what you think. And you know me Corey, I don't know a lot of words that are more than one syllable! http://rubbinracing.hdnews.net/
Corey May 15th, 2008 - 8:45 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website I dig the site already Nick, Op-ed on racing in W.KS from the HDN..I like it. Publicity is always a good thing!! Justin, we seriously need an Ed....Ed Zachary would be perfect. You get the other block done???
Wiggy May 15th, 2008 - 9:20 PM	Re: From the Hays Daily News Website Hey Nick, nice start to your site, and nice article on Smokey. Look forward to checking it out over the summer to get a taste of what I miss out in the wild west. Also thanks for adding MidwestDirt.com as a link. I'll be sure to let the people at MidwestDirt.com know about your site as well :) Website: http://www.midwestdirt.com