8/20/2019
Sanders sails to ARMI Salute to Veterans victory at Salina Highbanks Speedway
PRYOR CREEK, Okla. --Rodney Sanders had 93 United States Modified Touring Series victories under his belt coming into the 7th Annual ARMI Salute To Our Veterans presented by Bryke Racing, but none at the Salina Highbanks Speedway.
That all changed Saturday night as the 29-year-old from Happy, Texas, notched his first triumph at the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval in Pryor Creek, Okla., and 94th of his USMTS career with a dominating performance.
Sanders had the worst draw of the 34 entries but charged from ninth on the grid to second at the checkered flag in just eight laps during Fast Shafts Heat Race #2.
Another unfortunate selection saw 'The Sandman' draw the seventh starting spot for the 35-lap main event with multiple heavy-hitters taking the green flag in front of him.
He fell back to eighth by the end of the first lap while pole-sitter Hunter Marriott took off and set a furious pace up front, but Sanders disposed of Willie Gammill on lap 2 and screamed past both Jason Hughes and Jake O'Neil one lap later to move up to fifth.
Meanwhile, up front Marriott was working to hold back the challenges from Dereck Ramirez who was hoping to improve on his back-to-back runner-up finishes the previous two nights.
Sanders got around Chad Wheeler for the fourth position with six laps in the books, and then worked his way around Tyler Wolff for third on lap 10 and began to reel in the lead duo.
With Sanders closing the gap, Ramirez got by Marriott to grab the lead with 19 complete and Sanders followed into second the next time around.
By lap 22, Sanders was all over the rear bumper of Ramirez and powered ahead to lead the 23rd lap. With the yellow flag remaining holstered for the entire feature race, Sanders disappeared over the final 13 circuits and rolled to a $3,000 payday plus an additional $100 for earning the FK Rod Ends Hard Charger Award.
For most dirt modified racers, finishing second in a USMTS main event is the second-best feeling in the sport. But for Ramirez, it may feel like a cruel joke. Saturday's second-place effort was the sixth bridesmaid in his last eight starts.
Marriott held on for third with Wolff and Ryan Gustin completing the top five. Sixth through tenth at the finish line Hughes, O'Neil, Terry Phillips, Mitch Keeter and Chad Wheeler.
Four More: Another four-night fandango is on tap again next week for the tireless USMTS touring titans. It all starts this Thursday, Aug. 22, with the 13th Annual Casey's General Store Webster City Wrangle presented by AmericInn at the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa, and then on Friday, Aug. 23, the Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa, hosts the 11th Annual Rapid Rumble presented by Wrisco.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the series ventures to the Nobles County Speedway in Worthington, Minn., for the 9th Annual USMTS Summer Slam presented by Beyea Custom Headers, and the swing wraps up Sunday, Aug. 25, with the 10th Annual USMTS Summer Slam and Sandy Benson Memorial presented by Out-Pace Racing Products at the Casino Speedway in Watertown, S.D.
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Article Credit: Jeff Nunn