The USRA Heartland Modified Tour presented by Real Racing Wheels returns to Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri, this Saturday and Sunday, September 5-6, for Labor Day at the Lake: The People’s Race.

The two-night holiday weekend pairs the Heartland Modified Tour with the POWRi 410 Outlaw Sprint Series, with Saturday’s program highlighted by the Jason Russell Memorial.

Russell, a highly accomplished Missouri racer from Eugene, earned more than 200 feature victories during a career that began while he was still in high school. Known for his familiar No. 2J, Russell was remembered by those around him as both a natural talent behind the wheel and an influential member of the area racing community. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 39.

Saturday’s Memorial continues to honor Russell’s legacy while also helping the next generation through the Jason Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday night’s race honoring Jason,” said Susan Russell, Jason’s mother. “He meant the absolute world to us, and we miss him every day. Last year’s race was a big success, and we’ve made this year’s even bigger.

“This year’s race will pay $4,222 to win, and we will once again have a raffle and silent auction like last year. All proceeds from the auction and raffle benefit the Jason Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund. To date, we have awarded $8,000 in scholarships to area seniors. Along with the auction and raffle, we will have memorial T-shirts, 2J hats, 2J koozies and fan giveaways throughout the night.”

The Russell family has contributed $7,082 to Saturday’s program, increasing the feature purse to $19,882. In addition to the $4,222 winner’s share, the event will pay $2,000 for second, $1,500 for third, $1,300 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth, with each feature starter guaranteed at least $450. Additional awards include heat-race bonuses, a Hard Charger Award of at least $100 and a $200 Hard Luck Award.

Trevor Hughes returns as the defending Jason Russell Memorial winner after delivering a commanding performance during the Heartland Modified Tour’s inaugural appearance at Lake Ozark Speedway last Labor Day weekend. Hughes set quick time, won his heat race and led all 32 laps of the main event to earn his first career HMT victory and a $3,002 payday.

One year later, Hughes returns to Eldon in the middle of a championship fight.

Tyler Davis leads the standings with 1,006 points after 12 events, but four challengers remain within 116 points entering the weekend. Hughes sits second, just 51 points behind Davis, while Tanner Mullens is only another 18 points back in third.

Chevy Coleman enters Lake Ozark fourth, 90 points behind the leader, while Wyatt Gaggero completes the top five at minus-116. With two complete programs scheduled and valuable points available each night, the championship picture could look considerably different when the tour leaves Lake Ozark on Sunday.

Following Saturday’s $4,222-to-win Jason Russell Memorial, the Heartland Modified Tour returns Sunday for a second complete program paying $1,500 to win and featuring a $10,000 total purse.

Saturday’s schedule has the pit gates opening at 2 p.m., driver registration at 3 p.m., general admission gates at 5 p.m., the drivers meeting at 6 p.m., engine heat at 6:15 p.m. and hot laps at 6:45 p.m. Sunday’s pit gates open at 1 p.m., with the remainder of the evening following the same schedule. Additional weekend and ticket information is available through Lake Ozark Speedway.

USRA Heartland Modified Tour Points Standings

1. Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan. — 1,006

2. Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla. — 955 (-51)

3. Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan. — 937 (-69)

4. Chevy Coleman, Wichita, Kan. — 916 (-90)

5. Wyatt Gaggero, Wichita, Kan. — 890 (-116)

6. Henry Chambers, Wellsville, Kan. — 828 (-178)

7. Shadren Turner, Kansas City, Kan. — 784 (-222)

8. Dean Wille, Warrensburg, Mo. — 768 (-238)

9. Cole Campbell (R), Mexico, Mo. — 742 (-264)

10. Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan. — 637 (-369)

For updated schedules, championship standings, event details and breaking series news, visit HeartlandModifiedTour.com. Fans unable to attend can watch both nights live and on demand exclusively on RacinDirt.tv.

The USRA Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels is in year three in 2026, and we would like to recognize and thank our season long partners. Please thank them, with your patronage for their support.

Gold Partners – Central Spray Foam & Cement Lifting, Day Motor Sports, Deatherage Opticians, Dirt Track Specialist, Dylan Scott Entertainment, Hochatown Saloon, Kevko Racing, Midwest Sheet Metal, Mel Hambelton Ford Racing, Pannell Chipping, RacinDirt.com, Real et Metal, Mel Hambelton Ford Racing, Pannell Chipping, RacinDirt.com, Real Racing Wheels, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning, Smith Equipment Company, Swift Springs, VP Racing Fuels Heartland, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products

Silver Partners – American Racer Tires, Buck Monson Photos, Bulletproof Tees and Racewear, Duvall Electric, Integra Shocks, JRT Trucking, Keyser Manufacturing, Midwest Automation, Photos By Boyd, Scotty Dogg’s Hideout

Bronze Partners – Bryke Racing, Fast Shafts, Freight Logistics Inc., KS Engineering, Maxima Racing Oil, Milburn Acreages by Tillison Enterprises, PEM Racing, Premier Lubricants, Schoenfeld Headers, Service Plumbing of Wichita, Transmissions Unlimited, Wagdog Spices, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Yeoman Race Engines

2026 Point Funds (ARMS, HMT, NLMS)
1. $7,500
2. $4,500
3. $3,500
4. $3,000
5. $2,500
6. $2,400
7. $2,300
8. $2,200
9. $2,100
10. $2,000
*80 Percent attendance required to remain point fund eligible

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