Sanders sails to ARMI Salute to Veterans victory at Salina Highbanks Speedway


PRYOR CREEK, Okla. (Aug. 17)--Rodney Sanders had 93 United States Modified Touring Series victories under his belt coming into the 7th Annual ARMI Salute To Our Veterans presented by Bryke Racing, but none at the Salina Highbanks Speedway.

That all changed Saturday night as the 29-year-old from Happy, Texas, notched his first triumph at the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval in Pryor Creek, Okla., and 94th of his USMTS career with a dominating performance.

Sanders had the worst draw of the 34 entries but charged from ninth on the grid to second at the checkered flag in just eight laps during Fast Shafts Heat Race #2.

Another unfortunate selection saw 'The Sandman' draw the seventh starting spot for the 35-lap main event with multiple heavy-hitters taking the green flag in front of him.

He fell back to eighth by the end of the first lap while pole-sitter Hunter Marriott took off and set a furious pace up front, but Sanders disposed of Willie Gammill on lap 2 and screamed past both Jason Hughes and Jake O'Neil one lap later to move up to fifth.

Meanwhile, up front Marriott was working to hold back the challenges from Dereck Ramirez who was hoping to improve on his back-to-back runner-up finishes the previous two nights.

Sanders got around Chad Wheeler for the fourth position with six laps in the books, and then worked his way around Tyler Wolff for third on lap 10 and began to reel in the lead duo.

With Sanders closing the gap, Ramirez got by Marriott to grab the lead with 19 complete and Sanders followed into second the next time around.

By lap 22, Sanders was all over the rear bumper of Ramirez and powered ahead to lead the 23rd lap. With the yellow flag remaining holstered for the entire feature race, Sanders disappeared over the final 13 circuits and rolled to a $3,000 payday plus an additional $100 for earning the FK Rod Ends Hard Charger Award.

For most dirt modified racers, finishing second in a USMTS main event is the second-best feeling in the sport. But for Ramirez, it may feel like a cruel joke. Saturday's second-place effort was the sixth bridesmaid in his last eight starts.

Marriott held on for third with Wolff and Ryan Gustin completing the top five. Sixth through tenth at the finish line Hughes, O'Neil, Terry Phillips, Mitch Keeter and Chad Wheeler.

Four More: Another four-night fandango is on tap again next week for the tireless USMTS touring titans. It all starts this Thursday, Aug. 22, with the 13th Annual Casey's General Store Webster City Wrangle presented by AmericInn at the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa, and then on Friday, Aug. 23, the Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa, hosts the 11th Annual Rapid Rumble presented by Wrisco.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, the series ventures to the Nobles County Speedway in Worthington, Minn., for the 9th Annual USMTS Summer Slam presented by Beyea Custom Headers, and the swing wraps up Sunday, Aug. 25, with the 10th Annual USMTS Summer Slam and Sandy Benson Memorial presented by Out-Pace Racing Products at the Casino Speedway in Watertown, S.D.

To connect with the United States Modified Touring Series, visit usmts.com. You can also like us on Facebook, visit us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn and watch us on YouTube. Keep up to speed, get it first and subscribe to USMTS e-News.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Casey's USMTS National Championship powered by Summit
USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup
7th Annual ARMI Salute To Our Veterans presented by Bryke Racing
Salina Highbanks Speedway, Pryor Creek, Okla.
Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won. The top 12 in heat race passing points advance to the Casey's General Stores "A" Main.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (6) 62 Hunter Marriott (R), Brookfield, Mo.
2. (5) 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.
3. (3) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
4. (1) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark.
5. (4) 15 George Martin, Fort Smith, Ark.
6. (7) 17 Brandon Dean (R), Sapulpa, Okla.
7. (9) 00 Cody Jolly (R), Jasper, Mo.
8. (8) 10h Randy Henson, Alma, Ark.
9. (2) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 7 Willie Gammill, Colcord, Okla.
2. (9) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
3. (6) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
4. (4) 19sb Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif.
5. (8) 34 Jared Russell (R), Muskogee, Okla.
6. (1) 8 Jeremy Vaughn (R), Pocola, Okla.
7. (7) 71 Jim Body, Diamond, Mo.
8. (3) 84c Craig Yeoman (R), Diamond, Mo.
9. (5) 30 Joel Hill (R), Tulsa, Okla.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (8) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (5) 0 Jake O'Neil, Tucson, Ariz.
3. (1) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
4. (7) 52 Mitch Keeter, Webb City, Mo.
5. (4) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
6. (3) 91 Greg Skaggs, Broken Arrow, Okla.
7. (2) 17 Mike Striegel (R), Wheatland, Mo.
8. (6) 73 Jay Arnold (R), Haskell, Okla.

MSD PERFORMANCE HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (4) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (8) 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark.
3. (1) 84 John Yeoman (R), Joplin, Mo.
4. (6) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
5. (5) 13 Jonathon Beyer (R), Inola, Okla.
6. (7) 9 Jimmy Ray, Las Cruces, N.M.
7. (2) 11n Gene Nicholas, Lowell, Ark.
8. (3) D25 David Tanner, Wichita Falls, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #1 (10 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (3) 19sb Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif.
2. (4) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
3. (2) 34 Jared Russell (R), Muskogee, Okla.
4. (1) 84 John Yeoman (R), Joplin, Mo.
5. (7) 00 Cody Jolly (R), Jasper, Mo.
6. (6) 8 Jeremy Vaughn (R), Pocola, Okla., Hughes/BMS, $90.
7. (11) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., GRT/Cornett, $90.
8. (5) 17 Brandon Dean (R), Sapulpa, Okla., Skyrocket/Warrior, $75.
9. (8) 17 Mike Striegel (R), Wheatland, Mo.
10. (9) 10h Randy Henson, Alma, Ark., Extreme/Mullins, $75.
11. (10) 73 Jay Arnold (R), Haskell, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, $75.

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #2 (10 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (1) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
2. (2) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark.
3. (8) 11n Gene Nicholas, Lowell, Ark.
4. (3) 15 George Martin, Fort Smith, Ark.
5. (6) 91 Greg Skaggs, Broken Arrow, Okla.
6. (4) 13 Jonathon Beyer (R), Inola, Okla.
7. (10) D25 David Tanner, Wichita Falls, Texas, WFRC/KPE, $75.
8. (11) 30 Joel Hill (R), Tulsa, Okla., RaceCraft/BMS, $75.
9. (5) 9 Jimmy Ray, Las Cruces, N.M.
10. (7) 71 Jim Body, Diamond, Mo., Shaw/Yeoman, $75.
11. (9) 84c Craig Yeoman (R), Diamond, Mo., Hoffman/Yeoman, $75.

CASEY'S GENERAL STORES "A" MAIN (35 laps):
1. (7) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustoms/Hatfield, 35, $3100.
2. (3) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 35, $1700.
3. (1) 62 Hunter Marriott (R), Brookfield, Mo., Rage/KSE, 35, $1100.
4. (4) 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark., MBCustoms/Hill, 35, $900.
5. (9) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/TriStar, 35, $800.
6. (8) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $700.
7. (5) 0 Jake O'Neil, Tucson, Ariz., LG2/Cornett, 35, $650.
8. (12) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 35, $600.
9. (10) 52 Mitch Keeter, Webb City, Mo., GRT/Yeoman, 35, $400.
10. (2) 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla., MBCustoms/Durham, 35, $500.
11. (6) 7 Willie Gammill, Colcord, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 34, $325.
12. (14) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., Jet/Speedway, 34, $425.
13. (11) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/Hill, 34, $400.
14. (17) 34 Jared Russell (R), Muskogee, Okla., Hughes/Thomas, 34, $250.
15. (15) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, 34, $350.
16. (13) 19sb Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif., MRT/Yeoman, 34, $325.
17. (18) 11n Gene Nicholas, Lowell, Ark., Hughes/Kelly, 34, $300.
18. (21) 00 Cody Jolly (R), Jasper, Mo., Shaw/Yeoman, 34, $250.
19. (22) 91x Greg Skaggs, Broken Arrow, Okla., Rage/ChevPerf, 34, $250.
20. (24) 9 Jimmy Ray, Las Cruces, N.M., AOS/AOS, 34, $300.
21. (20) 15 George Martin, Fort Smith, Ark., MBCustoms/Bob's, 33, $250.
22. (19) 84 John Yeoman (R), Joplin, Mo., Hoffman/Yeoman, 33, $250.
23. (16) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark., Hughes/Mullins, 33, $250.
24. (23) 17 Mike Striegel (R), Wheatland, Mo., GRT/Eagle, 21, $300.
25. (25) 13 Jonathon Beyer (R), Inola, Okla., Mack/Shinook, 16, $250.

(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Lap Leaders: Marriott 1-18, Ramirez 19-22, Sanders 23-35.
Total Laps Led: Marriott 18, Sanders 13, Ramirez 4.
Margin of Victory: 2.96 seconds.
Time of Race: 11 minutes, 3.113 seconds. (no cautions).
Provisional Starters: Striegel, Ray, Beyer (track).
Eibach Spring Forward Award: Sanders (advanced 13 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Sanders (started 7th, finished 1st).
Entries: 34.
Next Race: Thursday, Aug. 22, Hamilton County Speedway, Webster City, Iowa.
Casey's USMTS National Championship Points: Sanders 2732, Ramirez 2548, Marriott 2415, Gustin 2226, Phillips 2215, O'Neil 2089, Zack VanderBeek 1712, Striegel 1706, Kates 1700, Duvall 1471.
USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup Points: Sanders 850, Ramirez 843, Marriott 784, Phillips 764, Saurer 549, Striegel 544, Gustin 539, Kates 536, O'Neil 519, Mari 494.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: Marriott 2048, Striegel 1571, Dustin Hodges 584, Carlos Ahumada Jr. 549, Nathan Hagar 415.
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: MBCustoms 250, Hughes 246, GRT 186, Rage 185, LG2 170.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 224, Cornett 212, KSE 162, Durham 151, TriStar 121.

Phillips fends off Ramirez for USMTS triumph at Lake Ozark Speedway


ELDON, Mo. (Aug. 16)--Terry Phillips earned a hard-fought USMTS victory Friday night at the end of the road to redemption, which was about 60 miles long and stretched from Urbana to Eldon in his home state of Missouri.

After leading the first half of Thursday's main event at the Dallas County Speedway, Phillips collided with a tractor tire after he and eventual winner Ryan Gustin banged wheels in the corner.

Friday's show, presented by PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, offered up a whole new set of challenges with a much larger racetrack and a hammer-down surface made possible by rain that fell on the Lake Ozark Speedway throughout the previous night and into the morning.

Like the night before, Phillips started on the front row for the feature and took the lead at the drop of the green flag, but this time he led the first and second halves of the feature.

Dereck Ramirez, who finished second the previous night by less than a bumper, challenged Phillips throughout the entire 25-lap distance Friday night, but was forced to settle for his sixth runner-up paycheck in the last eight races.

Defending Lake Ozark Speedway USRA Modified track champion Ryan Middaugh came from eighth to finish third right behind the lead duo, while Tyler Wolff bested Joe Duvall after a spirited battle for the fourth spot.

USMTS national points leader Rodney Sanders was running third when a flat left rear tire brought out the race's only caution flag and sent 'The Sandman' to the tail of the field for the restart.

Sanders clawed his way back to a sixth-place finish during the final 16 laps while Hunter Marriott, 11th-starting Terry Schultz, 13th-starting Colson Kirk and 18th-starting Mike Striegel rounded out the top 10.

The Casey's Hunt for the USMTS National Championship resumes Saturday night at the Salina Highbanks Speedway in Pryor Creek, Okla., for the 7th Annual ARMI Salute To Our Veterans presented by Bryke Racing.

Local favorite and four-time USMTS national champ Jason Hughes possesses a series-best six wins here while Ryan Gustin has recorded three of his 100 victories at the Salina Highbanks Speedway. Terry Phillips, Stormy Scott, Bryan Rowland, Jeremy Payne and Johnny Scott have each won once.

ARMI (Arkansas Myriad, Inc.) of Fayetteville, Ark., is sponsoring FREE admission to veterans and active military. The event will kick off with an exciting pre-race military flyover by Paul Mackey and the Warbirds.

The pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5, hot laps start at 6:30. Opening ceremonies get underway at 7 p.m. with racing to follow. AmeriFlex B-Mods, Dawson Roofing Super Stocks and S&J Plumbing Pure Stocks will also be on the card.

Coupons good for $2 off adult general admission tickets are available on race day at Casey's General Store locations in Adair, Chelsea, Claremore, Tahlequah and Wagoner, plus Siloam Springs in Arkansas. To find the location nearest you, visit caseys.com.

Originally built and opened in the 1990s, operations ceased at Salina Highbanks Speedway after the 2006 season. However, Keith Sanders and Dave Bohannan brought new life to the track and racing in Northeast Oklahoma upon re-opening the facility and transforming it into a first-class motorsports venue.

The racetrack is located 7 miles east of Pryor on SR 20 (3164 E Hwy 20, Salina, OK 74361). For more information, visit the website at salinahighbanksspeedway.com.

To connect with the United States Modified Touring Series, visit usmts.com. You can also like us on Facebook, visit us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn and watch us on YouTube. Keep up to speed, get it first and subscribe to USMTS e-News.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Casey's General Stores USMTS National Championship
Casey's Hunt for the USMTS National Championship
2nd Annual Event presented by PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain
Lake Ozark Speedway, Eldon, Mo.
Friday, Aug. 16, 2019

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won. All drivers advance to the Casey's General Stores "A" Main with the top 8 in passing points redrawing for starting position.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (3) 21 Ryan Middaugh (R), Fulton, Mo.
2. (5) 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark.
3. (2) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
4. (1) 9 Jimmy Ray, Las Cruces, N.M.
5. (7) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo.
6. (7) D25 David Tanner, Wichita Falls, Texas.
7. (4) 0 Jake O'Neil, Tucson, Ariz.
DNS - 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 91 Greg Skaggs, Broken Arrow, Okla.
2. (5) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. (6) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
4. (4) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
5. (3) 53r Ronnie Woods (R), Mexico, Mo.
6. (2) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.
7. (7) 27t Bob Test (R), Jefferson City, Mo.
DNS - 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 62 Hunter Marriott (R), Brookfield, Mo.
2. (6) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
3. (4) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
4. (2) 5 Colson Kirk (R), Urbana, Mo.
5. (3) 19sb Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif.
6. (5) 17 Mike Striegel (R), Wheatland, Mo.
7. (7) 22h Dustin Hodges (R), Centralia, Mo.

CASEY'S GENERAL STORES "A" MAIN (25 laps):
1. (2) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 25, $3000.
2. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 25, $1700.
3. (8) 21 Ryan Middaugh (R), Fulton, Mo., GRT/Creason, 25, $1000.
4. (7) 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark., MBCustoms/Hill, 25, $800.
5. (5) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/Hill, 25, $700.
6. (6) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustoms/Hatfield, 25, $650.
7. (3) 62 Hunter Marriott (R), Brookfield, Mo., Rage/KSE, 25, $600.
8. (11) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo., Hughes/Mullins, 25, $375.
9. (13) 5 Colson Kirk (R), Urbana, Mo., Hughes/Dickens, 25, $350.
10. (18) 17 Mike Striegel (R), Wheatland, Mo., GRT/Eagle, 25, $450.
11. (20) 0 Jake O'Neil, Tucson, Ariz., LG2/Cornett, 25, $525.
12. (15) 19sb Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif., MRT/Yeoman, 25, $400.
13. (9) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., MBCustoms/Durham, 25, $375.
14. (12) 9 Jimmy Ray, Las Cruces, N.M., AOS/AOS, 25, $350.
15. (21) 22h Dustin Hodges (R), Centralia, Mo., VanderBuilt/Crane, 25, $325.
16. (10) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, 25, $300.
17. (14) 53r Ronnie Woods (R), Mexico, Mo., GRT/Creason, 25, $225.
18. (16) D25 David Tanner, Wichita Falls, Texas, WFRC/KPE, 24, $225.
19. (17) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., GRT/Cornett, 24, $300.
20. (4) 91 Greg Skaggs, Broken Arrow, Okla., Rage/ChevPerf, 14, $225.
21. (19) 27t Bob Test (R), Jefferson City, Mo., Shaw/Creason, 14, $225.
DNS - 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/TriStar, 0, $90.
DNS - 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., Jet/Speedway, 0, $90.

(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Lap Leader: Phillips 1-25.
Total Laps Led: Phillips 25.
Margin of Victory: 0.328 second.
Time of Race: 9 minutes, 18.129 seconds (1 caution).
Provisional Starters: none.
Eibach Spring Forward Award: Middaugh (advanced 7 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: O'Neil (started 20th, finished 11th).
Entries: 23.
Next Race: Saturday, Aug. 17, Salina Highbanks Speedway, Pryor Creek, Okla.
Casey's General Stores USMTS National Championship Points: Sanders 2631, Ramirez 2452, Marriott 2321, Gustin 2142, Phillips 2139, O'Neil 2011, Zack VanderBeek 1712, Striegel 1656, Kates 1632, Duvall 1405.
Casey's Hunt for the USMTS National Championship Points: Sanders 749, Ramirez 747, Marriott 690, Phillips 688, Striegel 494, Saurer 487, Kates 468, Gustin 455, O'Neil 441, Mari 434.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: Marriott 2029, Striegel 1566, Hodges 584, Carlos Ahumada Jr. 549, Nathan Hagar 415.
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: MBCustoms 240, Hughes 237, GRT 180, Rage 177, LG2 163.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 214, Cornett 203, KSE 154, Durham 147, Stoen 120.