Rodney Sanders rolled to his 11th main event victory of the season Friday as the United States Modified Touring Series kicked off the final weekend of the season with the 3rd Annual Chisholm Trail Showdown at the 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas.
Coming into the night as the newly-crowned and now three-time USMTS National Champion, Sanders emerged from a spirited battle with Tanner Mullens to pull away in the closing laps and secure the $3,000 winner’s share of the prize money.
Making just his second career USMTS start, Cody Jolly jumped out to lead the first lap and proceeded to pull away to a huge ten-car-length advantage over Tyler Wolff who had nearly the same cushion over a three-var battle for third when the race’s first caution flag waved with five laps into the 40-lapper.
With Wolff glued to his rear bumper on the restart, Jolly tip-toed a little too high entering turn one and opened the door for Tanner Mullens to take charge of the race while Sanders followed into second place.
After completing one more lap, a major melee took place in turn one when Dan Powers and polesitter Keith Hammett made contact as they passed the flagstand.
The result was Powers spinning in front of the oncoming pack, and when the dust settled at least seven others including Ryan Gustin, Cory Crapser, Paden Phillips, Cody Schniepp, Jon Herring Jr., Kale Westover and Josh Lanterman were headed to the pits, most with unrepairable damage.
