Rodney Sanders took a big step toward his goal of winning the USMTS National Championship Friday at the Lakeside Speedway in scoring his second win of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental.

Polesitter Shad Badder led the first three laps of the 35-lap main event while Ryan Gustin, who started in the third row, and 11th-starting Rodney Sanders quickly began their marches toward the front.

The event was slowed after a caution on the second lap when the track’s medical had to attend to an emergency in the grandstands. A red flag during the incident paused the race for just over 20 minutes.

Back under green, Gustin pounded the cushion around the high side of the half-mile oval and zoomed past Badder to lead the fourth lap.

Meanwhile, Sanders broke into the top five by the third lap and made his way to second with six laps in the books.

For the next six laps, the duo that wears the last four USMTS crowns battled it out in a thrilling high-speed slugfest.

Sanders shut the door to lead for the first time on lap 13, but Gustin did not fade away. Meanwhile, Badder, Stormy Scott and 2007 USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn tried to keep up with the streaking young guns.

The yellow flag waved on lap 18 for debris just as the leaders had reach the back of the field, and Sanders took advantage of the restart to jump out to a ten-car-length lead one lap later.

Badder slipped by Gustin on the restart, but ‘The Reaper’ raced back into second on lap 20. However, Sanders was running away at this point with nearly a full straight-away cushion over his chasers.

Krohn moved in to claim second on lap 24 and, with four laps to go, Gustin ducked into the infield with mechanical troubles.

Sanders sailed the rest of the way to register his second main event win of ‘The Hunt’ and his 18th of the 2015 campaign. The $3,500 triumph-which included a $500 bonus from Kenny’s Tile-helped the 24-year-old from Happy, Texas, pad his points lead and gave him the 63rd win of his USMTS career-just eight shy of matching Gustin’s mark of 71.

Krohn, making his first USMTS start since February, claimed the runner-up spot while Johnny Scott fended off his brother, Stormy Scott, for second. Badder notched a career-best fifth.

Jesse Sobbing, Philip Houston, Dereck Ramirez, Darron Fuqua and Grant Junghans rounded out the top 10. Junghans, who started third, was the recipient of the lap-2 yellow flag and fought his way past 17 fellow competitors over the final 33 orbits.

The USMTS will award $20,000 to the 2015 National Champion, unless that driver is Sanders. By virtue of his three regional titles this season, a $100,000 paycheck awaits if he can capture his third straight crown.

The gear-grinding goliaths of the USMTS return to the Salina Highbanks Speedway on Saturday for what promises to be yet another classic nail-biter. All military veterans and active duty get in free of charge on ‘Salute to Veterans Night’ presented by Bob Hart Chevrolet.

Jason Hughes was the winner when the USMTS Modifieds made their first appearance at the Salina Highbanks Speedway Aug. 27, 2004. He returned to the track’s winners circle two more times when the USMTS visited in 2013.

Terry Phillips, Stormy Scott, Bryan Rowland and Jeremy Payne have also tasted victory at Salina, while Ryan Gustin has three checkered flags here.

Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps get going at 6:30 and the first green flag waves at 7 p.m. with the always-exciting sprint cars of the Oil Capital Racing Series (OCRS) also in action, plus 360 Modifieds and Pure Stocks too.

Tickets for adults are $20, kids are $10 and children ages 6 and under get in for free. Discount coupons good for $2 off adult general admission re available on race day at Casey’s General Stores locations in Wagoner and Tahlequah, as well as Siloam Springs on the Arkansas side of the border.

The Salina Highbanks Speedway is located 7 miles east of Pryor on SR 20. For more information, visit the website at www.salinahighbanksspeedway.com or call 918-434-7223.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.

Two-time USMTS National Champion Ryan Gustin has announced that he will be suited up and ready to battle this weekend when the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental returns to America’s heartland for a pair of critical clashes in the battle to become the 2015 champion of the United States Modified Touring Series.

Two weeks ago, the 24-year-old from Marshalltown, Iowa, became a father for the second time with the birth of his daughter, Ivey, and ‘The Reaper’ will be making his first start with the USMTS since June 18 when action kicks offFriday, Aug. 21, at the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., for the first of two $3,000-to-win blockbuster events.

This will be the 13th time the USMTS has circled the historic Lakeside Speedway since making its debut there three years ago. Gustin won the inaugural race during his second straight USMTS National Championship season in 2012.

Since then, Jeremy Payne has won three times while two-time defending USMTS National Champion Rodney Sanders has two wins. But Terry Phillips leads all drivers with four victories at Lakeside, including the most recent visit on May 1.

2013 USRA Modified National Champion Matt Dotson and defending Lakeside Speedway track champion Nic Bidinger each have one USMTS victory-both coming during the 2013 ‘Sunflower Showdown.’

Friday’s ‘Salute to Military Night’ presented by Budweiser will feature all military personnel getting in to witness the spectacle for just $10, and all fans can enjoy beer specials all night long. USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods will also be turning laps on Friday night.

Pit gate opens at 4 p.m., spectator gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps start at 7 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.Adult grandstand tickets are $18, youth ages 13-16 and military personnel with valid ID are $10, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge. A limited number of seats in the air-conditioned V.I.P. suites are available for $25. Pit passes are $35.

Fans can get discount coupons good for $2 off adult general admission at Casey’s General Stores locations in Kansas City, Leavenworth, Lenexa, Platte City, Nashua and Shawnee. Joe Duvall and his No. 91 AMP Energy machine will be greeting fans in person at the Casey’s General Store located at 13000 State Ave. in Kansas City from 12-2 p.m.Listen to 610 Sports Radio on your AM dial to hear live broadcasts from the appearance.

The Lakeside Speedway is a semi-banked 4/10-mile dirt oval located 1.0 mile west of I-435 (exit 18) on SR 5 (northwest of Kansas City). For more information, call 913-299-9206 or visit www.lakesidespeedway.net.

Then on Saturday, Aug. 22, the gear-grinding goliaths of the USMTS return to the Salina Highbanks Speedway for what promises to be yet another classic nail-biter on the steep clay oval with all military veterans getting in free of charge on ‘Salute to Veterans Night’ presented by Bob Hart Chevrolet.

Jason Hughes was the winner when the USMTS Modifieds made their first appearance at the Salina Highbanks Speedway way back on Aug. 27, 2004. He returned to the track’s winners circle two more times when the USMTS visited in 2013.

Terry Phillips, Stormy Scott, Bryan Rowland and Jeremy Payne have also tasted victory at Salina, while Ryan Gustin has three checkered flags here.

Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps get going at 6:30 and the first green flag waves at 7 p.m. with the always-exciting sprint cars of the Oil Capital Racing Series (OCRS) also in action, plus 360 Modifieds and Pure Stocks too.

Tickets for adults are $20, kids are $10 and children ages 6 and under get in for free. Discount coupons good for $2 off adult general admission re available on race day at Casey’s General Stores locations in Wagoner and Tahlequah, as well as Siloam Springs on the Arkansas side of the border.

In 2011, the unique racetrack reopened after sitting idle for many years and the new owners refurbished the entire facility, including a brand new office and tech garage building on the pit side, and a pit area that can accommodate over 200 race teams with room to expand.

The grandstand side of the facility is a welcome surprise for race fans with new grandstand seating that will accommodate up to 5,000 spectators and, by late afternoon, is completely covered in shade. There is also a new covered 4,000-square-foot open air concession area, a new beer barn, picnic tables and patio seating with awnings. The grandstand concessions, gift shop and restrooms are also totally remodeled.

The real surprise though is the V.I.P. area. Located on the second level of the front stretch grandstand complex overlooking Lake Hudson is a four-star restaurant. The Finish Line Restaurant is open year-round, Thursdaythrough Sunday. V.I.P. passes are available to the general public during the racing season to sit in air-conditioned comfort, enjoy great food and drink, and watch some of the most competitive racing in the Midwest.

Furthermore, V.I.P. suites with home theatre seating and accommodations for up to 16 people can be leased for the season.

But the real draw to the Salina Highbanks Speedway is the track itself. The high-banked oval is 3/8 of a mile at the bottom and close to a half-mile long at the top. The corners are banked nearly 30 degrees while the front- and back-stretches are nearly 20 degrees steep. The clay surface and the layout offer drivers multiple racing grooves which is conducive to close, two- and three-wide racing.

The Salina Highbanks Speedway is located 7 miles east of Pryor on SR 20. For more information, visit the website atwww.salinahighbanksspeedway.com or call 918-434-7223.

Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup Points Standings:
1. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 727 (1 win)
2. 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla. … 691 (2 wins)
3. 99 Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa … 649
4. 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. … 639 (1 win)
5. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa … 636 (1 win)
6. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 596
7. 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. … 514 (1 win)
8. 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La. … 512
9. IOU1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn. … 510
10. 2 Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D. … 475
11. 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla. … 462
12. 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa … 455
13. 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas … 434
14. 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis. … 431
15. 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan. … 351
16. 23k Ben Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan. … 348
17. J17 Jake Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M. … 324
18. 40 Brian Green, Pierce City, Mo. … 242
19. 60 Dan Ebert, Lake Shore, Minn. … 227
20. 38 Ronnie Gould III, Seminole, Okla. … 211
Other winners:
186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo. (1 win)

For more information about Casey’s General Stores or to find the location nearest you, visit www.caseys.comonline. You can also like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaseysGenStore and follow them on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/caseysgenstore.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.

Cade Dillard has been a busy man this year. Opportunity keeps knocking and he keeps answering.

In his second full season of competition with the United States Modified Touring Series, Dillard announced today that he will join forces with Shane Sprinkle of S&S Fishing & Rental to compete for the 2016 USMTS National Championship with a full-time schedule.

“I could never thank Shane and Shelly Sprinkle enough for having the faith in me to give me the opportunity to go out and race with the best and be able to do so with resources I need to win races,” Dillard said. “Shane is a great guy and I look forward to forming a long-term relationship with him and his team. He has become a big influence on my program and I’m very optimistic that Shane and myself will have great success together.”

Last season, the S&S Fishing and Rental name appeared over the USMTS Southern Region, but in 2015 the company expanded its partnership with the USMTS as the presenting sponsor of the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental.

In 2014, Dillard captured the USMTS Rookie of the Year title and notched his career-first USMTS win in November during the USMTS Winter Nationals at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. He won his first USMTS Casey’s Cup points race earlier this season at the Crawford County Speedway in Denison, Iowa, while driving the LG21 house car for Texan Chris Brown-a ten-time USMTS main event winner himself.

“First and foremost, I have to thank Chris Brown and his entire family and crew-including his crew chief, Donnie Pederson, Chris’s dad, Mark, and his brother, Matt-for everything they have done for my racing career,” said Dillard. “They took me in and treated me like family. I couldn’t have been more blessed to have the opportunity to have a mentor like Chris. Words can’t not describe the appreciation I have for him to take the time and teach me the things he’s taught me. He’s a class act guy on and off the track.

“This was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Chris is a very close friend of mine, and I know that will not change.”

Brown, who has been enjoying success this season as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rookie points leader, echoed Dillard’s sentiments.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Cade Dillard for all his help and the hard work he has put into LG21 Race Cars,” Brown said. “He has done an excellent job carrying the flag for LG21, and I couldn’t be prouder to have someone like Cade associated with my business. He’s a first-class individual and will most definitely be missed.

“With that being said,” Brown added. “I am extremely excited for the opportunity that he has been presented. It couldn’t have happened to a better person and racecar driver.”

Dillard is one of three USMTS competitors that comprise the Casey’s Crew during this year’s Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental, chasing the USMTS National Championship with sponsorship from Snickers-the Official Candy Bar of the USMTS.

The 24-year-old from of Robeline, La., started his racing career in 2005 at the Sabine (La.) Motor Speedway where he won the rookie title and track championship that year. In less than 10 years since, he has more than 100 career feature wins, including eight in 2009 driving an asphalt late model.

Some of his highlight-reel wins include the $5,000-to-win Deuces Wild, Spooky 50, Fall Southern Showdown, Doris Dowden Memorial and last year’s Dirt Track World Championship at the Texas Motor Speedway.

In more “Thriller” news, Dillard will be driving a Hughes Racing Chassis for the remainder of the season while he is in between teams and cars.

“I’ve never driven a Hughes car, so I am really excited to try it,” Dillard exclaimed. “Again, I have to give special thanks to Jason Hughes for providing me a car to finish out the rest of the USMTS Hunt. Jason is another class act guy, as well as his crew, and he builds top-notch racecars. I have enjoyed the week I’ve got to spend at his shop and look forward to finishing out the year in a Hughes Racing Chassis.

“About four years ago I didn’t think it would be possible for me to travel outside the State of Louisiana to race. To have the opportunities to go out and do what I do and the people I’ve had the chance to work with that have taken the time to mentor me has all been a huge blessing that I’m extremely thankful for.”

Opportunity doesn’t always knock, but Dillard is a walking, talking, breathing example that nice guys don’t always finish last.

ABOUT CADE DILLARD RACING
Cade Dillard drives the No. 97 LG21 Race Cars chassis powered by Geddes Racing Engines. Crew members include Dakota Wyatt, Tyler Roark, Will Gunter and Greg Dillard. The team’s sponsors include Lonestar Hydro & Maintenance, Fox’s Pizza, Zymbom Energy Drink, Nichols Home Decor, Chris Brown Racing and LG21 Racecars, NAPA Auto Parts, Performance Graphix, Scotty Carnline Electric, W.A.R. Shocks, Geddes Racing Engines, Hypercoil Springs, Moran Trucking and Nitroquest Media, with special thanks to his mom and dad, the Gunter family and the Comeaux family. To learn more check out www.cadedillard.com.

ABOUT S&S FISHING & RENTAL
Established in 2011, S&S Fishing and Rental, Inc., employees have over 100 combined years experience in the downhole fishing and rental market for the oil and gas industry. Their primary goals are to provide exceptional service, quality equipment and to maintain a safe work environment. Their field supervisors and operations support staff helps reduce down time and cost to customers. S&S Fishing & Rental, Inc., is headquartered in Andrews, Texas. For more information visit www.ssfishingrental.com online or call 432-524-2122.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.