9/23/2023
Rodney Sanders
Checkered flag for Sanders on Fall Jamboree opening night
While Mother Nature swept the final two rounds of the 2023 edition of the Fall Jamboree at Deer Creek Speedway, Rodney Sanders snared the victory in the single round of action that was contested with his Wichita Tank Racing / Paulson Rock Products / Stussy Construction No. 20 Texas Locomotive Solutions / Kenny’s Tile / ARMI Contractors / MB Customs Race Car / Hatfield Racing Engine Modified.
The win was his 15th of the 2023 campaign.
“I felt like it was going to be top dominant, at least (in turns one and two) pretty much all night, but this end was starting to go away and usually it trickles back down,” Sanders said after collecting a $3,000 paycheck. “I felt like I was kind of just stalling out at the end, but we had a good car and track position really helps, but this car has been on a rail lately. It was a bummer to see the final two nights of the weekend rained out, but that’s part of the game this time of year. We’re looking forward to heading to Mississippi Thunder (Speedway) this weekend.”
Rodney Sanders began the 25th edition of the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) Fall Jamboree on Thursday with a $3,000 victory at the “Mecca of Modifieds.”
Eighty-one USMTS competitors were in the pits at the 3/8-mile Deer Creek Speedway (Spring Valley, Minnesota) for Thursday’s program, which saw Sanders clock the second-quickest time in his qualifying group. The Spring Valley, Texas, native who now calls Minnesota home then turned in a sixth-to-second run in his heat race.
He started on the pole in the 35-lap feature and led every circuit, expertly navigating lapped traffic and keeping competitors at bay throughout the race. Sanders took the victory by 3.672 seconds over Tanner Mullens, with Brandon Davis completing the podium. Jason Hughes finished fourth and Dereck Ramirez came home fifth.
The victory was Sanders’s fourth in USMTS competition this season, moving him into a tie with Jake Timm for the series win lead, and his 15th A-Main win overall. Sanders has also now won 14 times at Deer Creek, tying him with Jason Hughes for the most victories at the high-banked clay oval.
Sanders increased his points lead in the USMTS National standings as well, moving him ever closer to his fifth series title.
The Friday and Saturday events of the Fall Jamboree were rained out and are slated to be made up next Spring.
Full weekend results are available at www.usmts.com.
Rodney returns to action this Friday and Saturday with a pair of USRA Modified events at Mississippi Thunder Speedway (Fountain City, Wisc.).
Full details on the events can be found at www.MississippiThunder.com.
Article Credit: Tyler Rinken image