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Sanders tops Modified field in fifth round of Wild West Shootout

Rodney Sanders parked his Wichita Tank Racing No. 20 Kenny’s Tile/ ARMI Contractors/ MB Customs/ Hatfield Racing Engine Modified in Wild West Shootout Victory Lane for the second time in 2021 on Saturday.

The 31-year-old enjoyed his share of success in during the 15th edition of the mini at FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway, scoring five Top-5 finishes in Modified action.

On Friday afternoon for the fourth round of the Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout, Sanders posted a runner-up finish in his Late Model heat behind Jason Papich, which positioned him 12th on the starting grid for the A-Main. With $5,000 on the line, Rodney was an early retiree from the 30-lapper after getting spun around in lap 17.

In the Modified ranks, Rodney jumped up two spots in his heat race to finish second behind Joe Duvall. Holding his spot for all 25 laps of the feature, Sanders recorded a 13th place outing.

The following night, Sanders came in 10th fastest in his Late Model time trial group before placing second in his heat behind Jimmy Mars. Starting the $5,000-to-win A-Main in eighth, Rodney ran a comfortable pace throughout the 40-lapper, marking him eighth on the final rundown when the checkered flag flew.

Passing four cars in his Modified heat race, Rodney recorded a runner-up finish behind Brooks Strength, which positioned him sixth on the starting grid for the A-Main. Outrunning polesitter Tyler Peterson, Sanders soared to his second win of the season over Peterson, Dustin Strand, Clint Johnson, and Lucas Schott. Taking the checkers 2.364 seconds ahead of Peterson, Rodney pocketed a $1,000 prize. (Terry Page photo)

“We had a good car tonight, I was just trying to be patient and save my stuff till the end,” Sanders said in Victory Lane. “The track had a lot of character tonight and it’s a lot of fun when it’s like that. There is a lot of good competition here so if you have a bad start to the night it’s tough to recover. Thankful to we were able to get it done tonight.”

For the final round of the Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout on Sunday, Sanders followed up the fifth-fastest qualifying time in his Late Model group with a second-place finish in his heat race behind Jonathan Davenport. Starting the $25,000-to-win finale in fifth, Rodney was an early exit from the 50-lapper after slowing to draw a caution on lap 25.

In his Kenny’s Tile No. 20 Modified, Rodney edged his way into the $2,000-to-win finale fourth and final transfer spot in his heat race. Wheeling his way into the Top-5 in the 25-lap affair, Sanders marched forward 11 spots to register a fourth-place finish behind Jake O’Neil, Tyler Peterson, and Clint Johnson with Brooks Strength coming in fifth.

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