Those with a keen eye for talent already knew what we all know now when a 19-year-old Rodney Sanders captured his first USMTS victory at the LA Raceway in La Monte, Mo., on June 26, 2009.

He's not just good, but one of the best to ever grip a steering wheel and churn the clay of America's dirt ovals.

Now married with children, the 34-year-old from Happy, Texas, possesses 20 percent of the championship trophies handed out by the United States Modified Touring Series in the first 25 years of the most popular series on dirt.

Heck, the first series title for Sanders didn't happen until 2013 and he's won four more since then, giving him five of the last 11 including last year's Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt which earned him $100,000.

Sanders is third on the USMTS all-time wins list with 118 victories. Kelly Shryock leads ‘em all with 182 career triumphs and Jason Hughes, who finished second to Sanders in that race at the LA Raceway, is second with 40 more wins than ‘The Rocket.'

Between the three, they own 18 of the 25 USMTS national championships, and have recorded wins in every race considered a “crown jewel” of the series.

Rodney Sanders stands in victory lane after winning his first USMTS main event on June 26, 2009.

One of those is The Masters, and no driver has had more success inside the golden guardrails of the Cedar Lake Speedway than Sanders with seven of his career triumphs happening here.

Sanders looks to add another triumph this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 13-15, when the legendary clay oval in New Richmond, Wis., hosts the 25th Annual Masters which features both USMTS Modifieds and Super Late Models racing for the same money each night. USRA Late Models are also on the card all three days.

The legendary event features both USMTS Modifieds and Super Late Models racing for the same money each night. USRA Late Models are also on the card all three days.

The show kicks off Thursday with $3,000-to-win main events for the USMTS Modifieds and Super Late Models, followed by $5,000-to-win contests on Friday. The finales on Saturday pay a whopping top prize of $12,000 to the triumphant driver in each class.

USRA Late Models will also run a complete program each night with $600 to win Thursday and Friday before climbing to a $1,000 top prize on Saturday, and all three nights will award Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points.

Camping for the weekend is just $50 for all days and is available at the racetrack starting Thursday morning. Fans can purchase tickets in advance and/or reserve camping spots at ticketpeak.co/cedarlake/subscriptions_and_flex_passes.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER THE RACES

Apple River Tubing: If you haven't tried what has made the Apple River famous you are missing out! Tubing down the river is an experience in itself but add nearly another thousand people and you have a party! For a small fee we provide to and from River's Edge Apple River Tubing & Camping and an inner tube to enjoy the day under the sun! We will have you back to the track way before hot laps start!

Driver Meet & Greet: Before the races come to souvenir alley and purchase an event t-shirt, your favorite driver's shirt or die-cast and get him to sign it as the top drivers will be there to answer your questions, snap a couple pictures and sign your souvenirs.

Post-Race Pit Party: Rub elbows with your favorite drivers, buy them a beer enjoy the music in the arena Friday night after the races.

For times and pricing, check out the FAST FACTS on the USMTS website.

The track is located 1.0 mile east of SR 35 on SR 64, then 4.2 miles north on CR C to CR CC, then left 1.8 miles to 2275 County Rd CC, New Richmond, WI 54017. For more information, call (612) 363-0479 or visit cedarlakespeedway.com.

POINTS STANDINGS

Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt
(Top 20 as of June 10, 2024)
1. 49 Jake Timm, Winona, Minn., 1,016 (1 win)
2. 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 992 (4 wins)
3. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, 942 (1 win)
4. 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., 915
5. 60 Dan Ebert, Lake Shore, Minn., 914 (1 win)
6. 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., 900 (1 win)
7. 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan., 871
8. 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla., 844
9. 65 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan., 810
10. 15W Alex Williamson, Rushford, Minn., 798
11. 4R Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., 783
12. 01 Jacob Hobscheidt, Plattsmouth, Neb., 777
13. 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa, 766
14. 12H Mike Hansen, Dickinson, N.D., 734
15. 7G Gabe Hodges, Lebo, Kan., 723
16. 55H A.J. Hoff, Mantorville, Minn., 669
17. 65X Carlos Ahumada Jr., El Paso, Texas, 543
18. 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., 527 (1 win)
19. 26S Steven Glenn, Hamilton, Mo., 524
20. 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 437
Other winners:
29. 87 Darron Fuqua, Mayetta, Kan., 302 (1 win)
34. 47 Jack Sartain, Royse City, Texas, 258 (1 win)
45. 50III Brandon Davis, Hayfield, Minn., 192 (1 win)

Collins Brothers Towing USMTS North Region presented by Featherlite
(Top 10 as of June 10, 2024)
1. 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 279 (1 win)
2. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, 266
3. 49 Jake Timm, Winona, Minn., 259
4. 10C Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa, Iowa, 230
5. 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., 227
6. 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan., 224
7. 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla., 216
8. 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., 208
9. 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 204
10. 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa, 195
Other winners:
12. 50III Brandon Davis, Hayfield, Minn., 192 (1 win)
​15. 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., 177 (1 win)

Check out USMTS.com for schedules, points, photos, souvenirs, videos and more. Follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. Don't forget to subscribe for free to get USMTS news delivered to your inbox plus Members Only benefits.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS:  American Racer Racing Tires, Beyea Headers, Callies Performance Products, Chevrolet Performance, Fast Shafts, Featherlite Trailers, FK Rod Ends, KSE Racing Products, Malvern Bank, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt, Summit Racing Equipment, TicketSmarter, VP Racing - Heartland, Wieland.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ARMI Contractors, Boomtest Well Service, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Collins Brothers Towing, Gene Nicholas, LLC, Hacienda Mechanical, Hochatown Saloon, Mel Hambelton Ford, Miller Welders, PBM Performance Products, Rancho Milagro Racing, Salty's BBQ & Catering, Shop Quik Stores, STAKT Products, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bear Graphix, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Danny Crane Racing Engines, Deatherage Racing Opticians, Edelbrock, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Gunshepherd.com, Hooker Harness, Hyperco, Integra Racing Shocks and Springs, JE Pistons, Keyser Manufacturing, MD3, Mel Hambelton Racing, MSD Performance, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Bodies & Parts, QA1, Quarter Master, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Rush RaceGear by Austin Witt, Simpson Performance Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Total Power, Victory Fuel, Victory Vault, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Racing.