usmts

Sanders dominates Doug Murphrey Memorial

Sanders dominates Doug Murphrey Memorial


GREENWOOD, La. (June 7, 2025) — Saturday night's 19th Annual Doug Murphrey Memorial at Boothill Speedway delivered a thrilling $10,000-to-win finale featuring a 50-lap battle on the 3/8-mile high-banked dirt oval saw Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, claim his 125th career USMTS victory in a race that honored the legacy of Doug Murphrey.

Co-sanctioned by the Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt and USRA American Racer Modified Series presented by Day Motor Sports, the event was presented by Joel's Auto Sales, Murphrey Oil Company, Neises Motorsports, RaceON, and RacinDirt.

The main event saw a father-son duo leading the field to green, with four-time USMTS national champion Jason Hughes of Watts, Okla., and his son, Trevor Hughes of Westville, Okla., starting on the front row.

A multi-car incident on lap 2 brought out the race's only G-Style Transport Caution Flag, allowing Kyle Strickler of Mooresville, N.C., to slip past Trevor Hughes for second.

By lap 10, Jason Hughes had built a three-car-length lead over Strickler, while Sanders—a five-time USMTS champion—began his charge from 12th on the grid. Pounding the high side, Sanders cracked the top 10 by lap 15, reached fifth by lap 23, and overtook multi-time Murphrey Memorial winner Chris Henigan of Marshall, Texas, for third on lap 24.

Sanders then dispatched Strickler for second and, on lap 34, slid underneath Hughes exiting turn 2 to take the lead. He held on for the final 16 laps to secure the victory, finishing 4.471 seconds ahead of Jason Hughes.

“I felt like I could carry good speed around the top when I could really charge a corner of somebody in front of me,” said Sanders, who won at Boothill in 2020 before three consecutive rain-outs. His first USMTS victory came in 2009 at the long gone LA Raceway in La Monte, Mo.

Strickler held on for second, followed by Jason Hughes in third. Henigan, a local favorite, finished fourth, while Gary Christian of Broken Bow, Okla., rounded out the top five. Reece Solander was sixth, Jim Chisholm followed up his win on Friday with a seventh-place paycheck Saturday, one spot better than his younger brother, Joe Chisholm. Trevor Hughes and Kyle Slader completed the top 10.

The Summit USMTS National Championship continues Wednesday, June 11, at Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa. If you can't be there in person, every lap in every class will be streamed live at www.racindirt.com.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt
19th Annual Doug Murphrey Memorial – Night 2 of 2
Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, La.
Saturday, June 7, 2025

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver and hometown. Heat race lineups are determined via group qualifying. The top 12 in heat race passing points advance to the Summit Racing Equipment “A” Main.

HODGES FARMS & DREDGING QUALIFYING GROUP #1:
1. (16) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., 15.862
2. (7) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C., 15.862
3. (15) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, 15.892
4. (17) 16JR Dustin Henigan, Marshall, Texas, 15.990
5. (13) 2G Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas, 16.015
6. (2) 24M Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark., 16.122
7. (5) 7 Sean Gaddis, Diana, Texas, 16.160
8. (14) 13S Chase Hatton, De Berry, Texas, 16.189
9. (9) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 16.199
10. (8) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan., 16.301
11. (12) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa, 16.321
12. (6) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla., 16.366
13. (1) 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, 16.418
14. (11) 5F Drake Findley, Bryant, Ark., 16.487
15. (18) 15G Geoff Lary, Minden, La., 16.534
16. (4) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas, 16.540
17. (3) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 16.613
18. (10) 6* Dillon Pike, Waxahachie, Texas, 16.694
19. (19) T11 Jacob Twomey, Carthage, Texas, 16.706

HODGES FARMS & DREDGING QUALIFYING GROUP #2:
1. (14) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, 15.855
2. (17) 19K Kyle Slader, Muskogee, Okla., 15.955
3. (12) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan., 15.969
4. (15) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla., 15.983
5. (19) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla., 16.038
6. (10) 56 Broc Bowen, Fannin, Texas, 16.046
7. (18) 15W Kale Westover, Altus, Okla., 16.173
8. (9) 91X Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La., 16.176
9. (16) 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark., 16.259
10. (5) 24W Mason Williams, Fouke, Ark., 16.262
11. (7) 54T Matthew Day, Farmersville, Texas, 16.273
12. (2) 12C Josh Cain, Rio Rancho, N.M., 16.319
13. (4) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., 16.418
14. (13) 80XX Jason Langford, Palestine, Texas, 16.430
15. (11) 2 Tim Eaves Jr., Mooringsport, La., 16.485
16. (6) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas, 16.575
17. (8) 87 Julie Whitney, Vivian, La., 17.126
18. (1) 26D Cody Duke, Montgomery, Texas, 17.126
DQ - (3) 10M Talan Willis, Elizabeth, La., 16.019

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (10 laps):
1. (1) 7 Sean Gaddis, Diana, Texas
2. (4) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
3. (3) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
4. (5) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
5. (9) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
6. (7) 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas
7. (2) 2G Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas
8. (8) 15G Geoff Lary, Minden, La.
9. (10) T11 Jacob Twomey, Carthage, Texas
10. (6) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (10 laps):
1. (2) 24M Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark.
2. (4) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.
3. (6) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
4. (5) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
5. (1) 13S Chase Hatton, De Berry, Texas
6. (3) 16JR Dustin Henigan, Marshall, Texas
7. (8) 6* Dillon Pike, Waxahachie, Texas
8. (7) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas
DNS - 5F Drake Findley, Bryant, Ark.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (10 laps):
1. (1) 15W Kale Westover, Altus, Okla.
2. (2) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
3. (4) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas
4. (3) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
5. (6) 54T Matthew Day, Farmersville, Texas
6. (5) 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark.
7. (7) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
8. (8) 2 Tim Eaves Jr., Mooringsport, La.
9. (9) 87 Julie Whitney, Vivian, La.
DNS - 10M Talan Willis, Elizabeth, La.

WIELAND HEAT RACE #4 (10 laps):
1. (2) 56 Broc Bowen, Fannin, Texas
2. (3) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
3. (4) 19K Kyle Slader, Muskogee, Okla.
4. (1) 91X Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La.
5. (8) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas
6. (6) 12C Josh Cain, Rio Rancho, N.M.
7. (9) 26D Cody Duke, Montgomery, Texas
8. (7) 80XX Jason Langford, Palestine, Texas
9. (5) 24W Mason Williams, Fouke, Ark.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
2. (1) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
3. (4) 54T Matthew Day, Farmersville, Texas
4. (3) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas
5. (8) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
6. (5) 13S Chase Hatton, De Berry, Texas
7. (6) 12C Josh Cain, Rio Rancho, N.M.
8. (9) 15G Geoff Lary, Minden, La.
9. (7) 6* Dillon Pike, Waxahachie, Texas
10. (11) 87 Julie Whitney, Vivian, La.
11. (10) 2 Tim Eaves Jr., Mooringsport, La.
DNS - 24W Mason Williams, Fouke, Ark.
DNS - 5F Drake Findley, Bryant, Ark.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
2. (2) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
3. (6) 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark.
4. (9) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas
5. (12) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
6. (11) 80XX Jason Langford, Palestine, Texas
7. (8) 2G Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas
8. (5) 16JR Dustin Henigan, Marshall, Texas
9. (7) 26D Cody Duke, Montgomery, Texas
10. (3) 91X Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La.
11. (13) 10M Talan Willis, Elizabeth, La.
12. (10) T11 Jacob Twomey, Carthage, Texas
13. (4) 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT “A” MAIN (50 laps):
1. (12) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
2. (5) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.
3. (1) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
4. (4) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas
5. (10) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
6. (15) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
7. (14) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
8. (13) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
9. (2) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
10. (9) 19K Kyle Slader, Muskogee, Okla.
11. (3) 56 Broc Bowen, Fannin, Texas
12. (18) 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark.
13. (21) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
14. (8) 7 Sean Gaddis, Diana, Texas
15. (6) 24M Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark.
16. (19) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas
17. (11) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
18. (24) 2G Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas
19. (23) 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas
20. (7) 15W Kale Westover, Altus, Okla.
21. (16) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
22. (22) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
23. (17) 54T Matthew Day, Farmersville, Texas
24. (20) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas

Lap Leaders: J. Hughes 1-34, Sanders 35-50.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 34, Sanders 16.
Margin of Victory: 4.471 seconds.
Time of Race: 19 minutes, 25.153 seconds (1 caution).
USMTS Provisionals: Phillips, Brown.
ARMS Provisionals: Hyde, K. Gaddis.
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Sanders (started 12th, finished 11th).
Entries: 38.
Next Race: June 11, Fayette County Speedway, West Union, Iowa.
Summit USMTS National Championship Points: TBA.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: TBA.
FK Rod Ends USMTS Hard Charger Points: TBA.
Miller Welders USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: TBA.
JE Pistons USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: TBA.

Contingency Awards:
Aero Race Wheels – Brown.
American Racer – Melton.
Bear Graphix – Brown.
Beyea Custom Headers – C. Henigan.
Bryke Racing – Williams II.
BSB Manufacturing – Westover.
Champ Pans – Christian.
Danny Crane Racing Engines – Solander.
Dynamic Drivelines – Mullens.
Edelbrock – Westover.
Fast Shafts – Williams II.
Featherlite Trailers – Sanders, Strickler, Hughes.
FK Rod Ends – Sanders.
Gorsuch Performance Solutions – Sanders.
Harris Auto Racing – Mullens.
Hodges Farms & Dredging – C. Henigan.
Hooker Harness – Hammett.
Hyperco – Ingalls.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – K. Gaddis.
Keyser Manufacturing – Slader.
KSE Racing Products – Sanders.
MD3 – J. Hughes.
MSD Performance – C. Henigan.
Penske Racing Shocks – Phillips.
PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain – Phillips.
QA1 – C. Henigan.
Quarter Master – T. Hughes.
RaceQuip – Day.
RacerWebsite – Duvall.
Real Racing Wheels – Slader.
Rush RaceGear by Austin Witt – Jim Chisholm.
Simpson Race Products – S. Gaddis.
Sweet Manufacturing – Melton.
Swift Springs – Solander, Bowen, Sanders.
Sybesma Graphics – J. Hughes.
Total Power – Bowen.
VP Racing – Sanders.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Twomey.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Jim Chisholm.

The USMTS is the ultimate proving ground where only the fiercest, most skilled dirt slingers in North America dare to tread. This is where legends are forged, battles are won and the roar of engines drowns out the weak.

Since 1999, this is where the elite meet, and every driver from the top guns to the local heroes get a shot at glory at some of America's most brutal dirt tracks. This is where the Best of the Best in dirt modified racing come to show their mettle.

When it comes to outlaw dirt modified racing, the USMTS has no equal. USMTS is the Real Deal. Don't be afraid of the fast.

Check out usmts.com to learn more, and follow our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube. Subscribe for free to get news delivered to your inbox plus members-only benefits.

With live and on-demand coverage of every USMTS event plus exclusive interviews, instant replays, multiple camera angles and more, subscribe to RacinDirt.TV. Plus, get exclusive content on your desktop, laptop, tablet or on your smartphone using apps from Amazon Fire, Apple iOS, Apple TV, Google Play and Roku.


USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Beyea Headers, 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, VP Racing - Heartland, Wieland.

USMTS PRESENTING SPONSORS: Boomtest Well Service, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Callies Performance Products, Collins Brothers Towing, Hochatown Saloon, Mel Hambelton Ford, Miller Welders, PBM Performance Products, 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, Driven Racing Oil, Dynamic Drivelines, Edelbrock, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Harris Auto Racing, Hooker Harness, Hyperco, Integra Racing Shocks and Springs, JE Pistons, JRi Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, MD3, Mel Hambelton Racing, MSD Performance, Penske Racing Shocks, QA1, Quarter Master, RaceQuip, 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.



Latest Headlines



Dillard’s 23rd USMTS triumph happens in Mason City

The Pritchard Family Auto Stores Mason City Motor Speedway roared to life Sunday for the Jerry Hejna Memorial presented by Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse and TAP’d Tap House & Cocktail Lounge.…



Videos



USMTS Memorial Day Weekend May 22-25


AFTERSHOCK: USMTS Spring Classic | Hamilton County Speedway 4/12/2025


Photos


11th Annual Amarillo Ambush Oct 4-5, 2024


25th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree 8/31/24