Mullens Edges Solander In Thrilling USMTS Finish at Summersota Nationals



WATERTOWN, S.D. (June 17, 2025)—Tanner Mullens of Wichita, Kan., jumped out to a big lead early in Tuesday night’s 14th Annual Summersota Nationals presented by Evolution Powersports at Casino Speedway, leaving his pursuers in his rear view mirror through the first 21 laps.

The yellow flag waved just after the halfway point of the 40-lapper, and on the restart, Reece Solander of Emporia, Kan., darted to the top side and then crossed underneath Mullens as the lead duo raced down the back-stretch.

Solander steered his machine harder than Mullens when they rolled into turn , and took the lead as they completed lap 22.

Six G-Style Transport Caution Flag pauses littered the action over the next 10 laps, but nobody had anything for Solander until the final yellow flag waved with four laps to go.

That allowed Mullens to discover a fast line around the high side of the high-banked 1/4-mile dirt oval. He used his new-found groove to work around the outside of Solander.

With the Hochatown Saloon White Flag in the air, Mullens churned the high-side dirt while Solander kept it smooth around the bottom.

The pair raced side-by-side down the back-stretch on the final circuit, with Mullens edging ahead by a whisker as they crossed the finish line.

With a margin of victory of 0.363 second, Mullens bagged $3,000 and his first USMTS win of 2025 while Solander was forced to continue his quest for win number one.

Points leader Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, made an early charge to the front before settling for third and the final step on the Featherlite Trailers top-3 podium.

Travis Saurer of Elizabeth, Minn., finished fourth while also garnering the FK Rod End Hard Charger Award, and defending USMTS national champ Jim Chisholm of Osage, Iowa, rounded out the top five.

Sixth through 10h were Kyle Strickler, Gary Christian, Tyler Davis, Mike Stearns and Wyatt Gaggero.

Mullens climbed into a tie with Dustin Sorensen for 22nd on the all-time USMTS wins list with his 12th triumph leaving Chris Brown and Jake Timm tied for 24th with 11 apiece.

The series heads next to the Inaugural Nebraska Nationals at Off Road Speedway in Norfolk, Neb., on Wednesday, where the Summit USMTS Modified will again race for a $3,000 top prize alongside SportMods and Vintage Cars.

It’s the first USMTS event in the Cornhusker State since last year’s barn-burner at the Beatrice Speedway, and the first ever at the Off Road Speedway.

If you can’t be there in person to proclaim “I was there” for all of eternity, then do the next best thing and watch every lap live on www.racindirt.com, and learn more about the seris at www.usmts.com.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt
14th Annual Summersota Nationals presented by Evolution Powersports
Casino Speedway, Watertown, S.D.
Tuesday, June 17, 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. (12) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan., 14.322
2. (18) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 14.384
3. (3) 65 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan., 14.494
4. (19) 21X Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn., 14.501
5. (14) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 14.528
6. (20) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla., 14.584
7. (22) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, 14.586
8. (15) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C., 14.610
9. (16) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla., 14.614
10. (6) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan., 14.627
11. (11) 24S Mike Stearns, Aberdeen, S.D., 14.668
12. (9) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla., 14.669
13. (17) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa, 14.670
14. (2) 1TPO Tyler Peterson, Hickson, N.D., 14.718
15. (23) 15W Wyatt Gaggero, Wichita, Kan., 14.745
16. (21) 21W Scott Ward, Watertown, S.D., 14.795
17. (13) 10H Nate Heinrich, Bellingham, Minn., 14.837
18. (25) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., 14.864
19. (27) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., 14.882
20. (24) 6 Dale Ames, Huron, S.D., 14.891
21. (1) 32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D., 14.891
22. (8) 13 Cayden Schmeling, Watertown, S.D., 14.909
23. (10) 6T Joseph Thomas, Glyndon, Minn., 14.928
24. (5) 20T Trevor Anderson, Watertown, S.D., 14.957
25. (7) 85 Jayson Good, Watertown, S.D., 14.976
26. (29) 16B Kaylin Lopez, Chowchilla, Calif., 15.038
27. (28) 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D., 15.062
28. (4) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D., 15.106
29. (26) 5J James Hanley, Cresbard, S.D., 15.467

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
2. (3) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
3. (5) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
4. (1) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
5. (4) 21X Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
6. (7) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
7. (8) 13 Cayden Schmeling, Watertown, S.D.
8. (9) 85 Jayson Good, Watertown, S.D.
9. (10) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D.
10. (6) 21W Scott Ward, Watertown, S.D.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 1TPO Tyler Peterson, Hickson, N.D.
2. (3) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.
3. (2) 24S Mike Stearns, Aberdeen, S.D.
4. (5) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
5. (4) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
6. (7) 6 Dale Ames, Huron, S.D.
7. (9) 16B Kaylin Lopez, Chowchilla, Calif.
8. (8) 6T Joseph Thomas, Glyndon, Minn.
9. (10) 5J James Hanley, Cresbard, S.D.
10. (6) 10H Nate Heinrich, Bellingham, Minn.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (2) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
2. (3) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
3. (5) 65 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan.
4. (1) 15W Wyatt Gaggero, Wichita, Kan.
5. (8) 20T Trevor Anderson, Watertown, S.D.
6. (7) 32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D.
7. (6) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
8. (4) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
9. (9) 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN (12 laps, top 6 advance):
1. (8) 6T Joseph Thomas, Glyndon, Minn.
2. (1) 6 Dale Ames, Huron, S.D.
3. (4) 13 Cayden Schmeling, Watertown, S.D.
4. (3) 16B Kaylin Lopez, Chowchilla, Calif.
5. (7) 85 Jayson Good, Watertown, S.D.
6. (2) 32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D.
7. (6) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
8. (11) 21W Scott Ward, Watertown, S.D.
9. (5) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
10. (12) 10H Nate Heinrich, Bellingham, Minn.
11. (10) 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D.
12. (9) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D.
DNS - 5J James Hanley, Cresbard, S.D.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. (1) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
2. (7) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
3. (5) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
4. (11) 21X Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
5. (8) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
6. (3) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.
7. (6) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
8. (4) 65 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan.
9. (9) 24S Mike Stearns, Aberdeen, S.D.
10. (14) 15W Wyatt Gaggero, Wichita, Kan.
11. (2) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
12. (15) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
13. (20) 85 Jayson Good, Watertown, S.D.
14. (18) 13 Cayden Schmeling, Watertown, S.D.
15. (16) 6T Joseph Thomas, Glyndon, Minn.
16. (22) 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D.
17. (17) 6 Dale Ames, Huron, S.D.
18. (12) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
19. (13) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
20. (10) 20T Trevor Anderson, Watertown, S.D.
21. (23) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
22. (19) 16B Kaylin Lopez, Chowchilla, Calif.
23. (21) 32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D.
DNS - 1TPO Tyler Peterson, Hickson, N.D.

Lap Leaders: Mullens 1-21, Solander 22-34, Mullens 35.
Total Laps Led: Mullens 22, Solander 13.
Margin of Victory: 0.363 second.
Time of Race: 23 minutes, 33.713 seconds (8 cautions).
Provisional Starters: Girolamo, Duvall.
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Saurer (started 11th, finished 4th).
Entries: 29.
Next Race: June 18, Off Road Speedway, Norfolk, Neb.
Summit USMTS National Championship Points: TBD.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: TBD.
FK Rod Ends USMTS Hard Charger Points: TBD.
Miller Welders USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: TBD.
JE Pistons USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: TBD.

Contingency Awards:
Aero Race Wheels – Heinrich.
American Racer – Solander.
Bear Graphix – Lopez.
Beyea Custom Headers – Saurer.
Bryke Racing – Thomas.
BSB Manufacturing – Anderson.
Champ Pans – Jim Chisholm.
Danny Crane Racing Engines – Strickler.
Dynamic Drivelines – Hughes.
Edelbrock – Hughes.
Fast Shafts – Peterson.
Featherlite Trailers – Mullens, Solander, Sanders.
FK Rod Ends – Saurer.
Gorsuch Performance Solutions – Mullens.
Harris Auto Racing – Duvall.
Hodges Farms & Dredging – Solander.
Hooker Harness – Phillips.
Hyperco – Ward.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – Joe Chisholm.
Keyser Manufacturing – Gaggero.
KSE Racing Products – Saurer.
MD3 – Mullens.
MSD Performance – Saurer.
Penske Racing Shocks – Good.
PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain – Peterson.
QA1 – Solander.
Quarter Master – Stearns.
RaceQuip – Young.
RacerWebsite – Lopez.
Real Racing Wheels – Hughes.
Rush RaceGear by Austin Witt – Anderson.
Simpson Race Products – Mullens.
Sweet Manufacturing – Girolamo.
Swift Springs – Mullens, Saurer, Heinrich.
Sybesma Graphics – Mullens.
Total Power – Hughes.
VP Racing – Mullens.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Young.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Christian.

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.

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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.

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Contact Info:
Jeff Nun
Chief Communications Officer
United States Modified Touring Series, Inc. (USMTS)
1715 W 2nd St, PO Box 905
Webster City, IA 50595
United States Modified Touring Series, Inc. | 1715 W 2nd St, Webster City, IA 50595

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