5/26/2024
Rodney Sanders
Quartet of top-5 finishes for Sanders in USMTS Memorial Day weekend swing
Rondey Sanders turned in a series of strong Summit USMTS results from Wednesday through Saturday as he finished no worse than fifth in four consecutive nights of racing.
The tough slate got underway on Wednesday with the 14th annual USMTS Spring Classic at Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa. Sanders’ ARMI Contractors No. 20 Modified was among 24 in the pit area with a $3,000 winner’s share up for grabs on the half-mile oval. Sanders turned in a DNF and an eight-place result in his heat race, but drove from ninth to fourth in the B-Main to transfer into the 35-lap feature. He charged from 17th to fifth in the main event, taking the checkered flag behind Jim Chisholm, Gary Christian, Dan Ebert and Kyle Brown. For his efforts, Sanders received the night’s FK Rod Ends Hard Charger Award.
On Thursday, USMTS teams remained in the Hawkeye State and traveled to West Union for the 11th annual War in West Union on the 3/8-mile Fayette County Speedway. Twenty-five Modified drivers registered for a chance at another $3,00 first-place payout. Sanders turned in a runner-up effort in his heat race and began the 40-lap A-Main from the second row. He climbed two positions and finished as runner-up, 1.949 seconds behind winner Chisholm. Christian, Jake Timm and Cayden Carter completed the top five.
The next night, the USMTS field swelled to 42 for the 13th annual USMTS Spring Shootout at the 1/3-mile Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wisconsin. Sanders finished second in his heat, then raced from ninth to fourth in the 40-lap, $5,000-to-win A-Main. He crossed the start-finish line behind Brandon Davis, Timm and Jake O’Neil. Carter took the fifth spot.
Finally on Saturday, 50 USMTS Modifieds took part in the 21st annual LR Waste Services Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota. After steering from eighth to second in his heat on the 3/8-mile track, Sanders began the 40-lap, $5,000-to-win main event from the sixth position. He came home fifth, rounding out the top five behind Lucas Schott, Chisholm, Davis and Terry Phillips.
Five nights of racing were originally planned, but Sunday’s slated ninth annual USMTS Mod Mania at Iowa’s 1/3-mile Mason City Motor Speedway was rained out.
Sanders is now third in the Summit USMTS point standings.
Full results from the Memorial Day weekend shows are at www.usmts.com.
Article Credit: Tyler Rinken image
