4/10/2019
Sanders tops Summit USMTS Southern Series action at Jackson
BYRAM Miss.--Rodney Sanders saw the green flag and then proceeded to pounce on the competition Friday night at the Jackson Motor Speedway, scoring a $3,000 victory.
The two-time USMTS National Champion held a comfortable lead for most of the 30-lap main event, but a caution with two laps remaining gave hard-charging Zack VanderBeek a shot at the leader. Nevertheless, Sanders held on for the win while VanderBeek finished second at the 1/4-mile dirt oval for the second year in a row.
Last year VanderBeek inherited the win after apparent winner Lucas Lee was disqualified during post-race technical inspections. This time around 'The Z-Man' wasn't as lucky and had to settle for a runner-up paycheck behind 'The Sandman.'
Terry Phillips and Logan Robertson each took turns chasing Sanders with Phillips eventually claiming the third-place finish while Robertson followed Timothy Culp across the finish line in the fifth spot.
Joe Duvall came from the 14th starting position to finish sixth, Lance Walker passed ten cars in his USMTS debut to claim seventh, Zane Ferrell earned eighth place, Jeremy Idom nabbed ninth and new Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year points leader Mike Striegel rounded out the top ten.
With his 87th career USMTS triumph, Sanders took command in the USMTS National Championship points standings as well as the Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by MSD.
The series heads to the Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Minn., tomorrow as the USMTS brings the boom for a third straight year with a three-wide start for Saturday night's main event at the 'House of Hook.'
Pits open at 1 p.m., grandstands open at 3, the drivers meeting starts at 6, hot laps begin at 6:30 and racing gets underway at 7 p.m.
Adult grandstand tickets are $20 and kids (6-12) get in for $10. Pit passes are $35 for adults or $15 for kids (6-12). Children 5 and under are free on both sides of the fence.
Joining the USMTS Modifieds on the racing card will be Durrence Layne Crate Late Models, Street Stocks and 602 Sportsmans plus Factory Stocks and Hot Shots.
The Whynot Motorsports Park is a semi-banked 3/10-mile dirt oval located at the intersection of JW Reynolds Rd. and Old Hwy. 19 Southeast (4773 JW Reynolds Rd., Meridian, MS 39301).
For questions please call Phillip Hathcock at (205) 965-3070 or Rodney Wing at (601) 527-0084. The track's website can be found at whynotmotorsportspark.com. You can also like them on Facebook, follow on Twitter and see them on Instagram.
The action reaches a boiling point on Sunday as the meanest machines in America make their maiden voyage to the legendary Magnolia Motor Speedway for a wheel-to-wheel showdown with 604 Crate Late Models, 602 Crate Late Models and Factory Stocks also in action.
The pits open at 1 p.m. and grandstands open at 3. The drivers meeting is slated for 4:30 with hot laps set for 4:45 followed by the first green flag at 5:15 p.m.
Grandstand tickets are $20 for adults (17-64) or just $15 for seniors (65+) and members of the military. Youth (11-16) are $10 and kids 10 and under are free. Pit passes are $35 for adults (11+) or $20 for youth (5-10). Kids 4 and under are admitted to the pit area at no charge.
The Magnolia Motor Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval located near the intersection of US 82 and US 45 (take the Macon/Meridian exit off US 82). For more information, call (662) 240-3478 or (662) 574-2572. The track's website is magnoliadirt.com and you can get social with 'The Mag' on Facebook and Twitter.
For fans unable to attend the action in person at the Magnolia Motor Speedway, every lap in every division will be broadcast live on RacinDirt.com.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit USMTS.com or call (515) 832-7944. You can also like the USMTS on Facebook, visit us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn and watch us on YouTube. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS and subscribe to the USMTS e-Newsletter.
Article Credit: Jeff Nunn