The USRA American Racer Modified Series presented by Day Motor Sports ventures into Arkansas this weekend for some more big money and another celebration during the third annual Brandon Mitchell Memorial “Heavy Duty 35” at Old No. 1 Speedway in Harrisburg.

The two-night event begins Friday, Sept. 11, with a $2,000-to-win preliminary feature before concluding Saturday, Sept. 12, with the 35-lap Brandon Mitchell Memorial paying a fitting $5,003 to the winner. This weekend marks the first time the memorial event has been sanctioned by the American Racer Modified Series.

More than $32,000 in feature purse money is scheduled across the weekend. Friday’s program offers a $12,000 purse, including $250 to start for the 24-car field. Saturday’s $20,053 purse pays $400 to start, with non-qualifiers receiving $100 each night.

While the purse and expected field will make the “Heavy Duty 35” one of the season’s biggest Modified events, the weekend’s true purpose remains honoring the life and memory of Brandon “Heavy” Mitchell.

Mitchell, the son of Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder and Laura Molder, tragically passed away in 2021. Racing was a central part of his life. Whether competing himself or lending a hand to someone else, Mitchell was a familiar presence around Old No. 1 Speedway and the area’s racing community.

Those closest to him remember a racer with an ever-present smile and a full-throttle personality. During the inaugural memorial in 2024, his mother recalled how Brandon would pass the place where she sat in the grandstands and tell her he loved her on every lap. The tremendous response from competitors and spectators has allowed the event created in his honor to quickly become one of the track’s signature weekends.

The first two editions have each attracted more than 40 competitors. Forty-seven Modifieds participated in the inaugural event in 2024, when Arkansas standout Kyle Beard led Terry Phillips and current ARMS championship contender Drake Findley across the finish line.

The field remained strong in 2025 with 44 entries. Phillips started from the pole and claimed the victory over Beard, Wendall Wallace, Peyton Taylor and Grayson Moore. Phillips also earned overall quick-time honors with a lap of 15.816 seconds.

With Beard and Phillips splitting the first two victories, Saturday’s winner will either join that distinguished list or become the memorial’s first repeat champion.

The event also arrives at an important stage of the American Racer Modified Series championship chase.

Rookie contender Talan Willis leads the standings with 451 points following three top-five finishes in four appearances. Defending series champion Kale Westover sits second, 38 points behind Willis, while former USMTS national champion Stormy Scott remains firmly in contention, 46 points out of the lead.

Only five points separate Scott from fourth-place Bo Day, while Bryant, Arkansas, driver Drake Findley rounds out the top five. Findley enters his home-state weekend 84 points behind Willis and already owns a third-place finish in the inaugural Brandon Mitchell Memorial.

Jason Hughes, Sam Osman, Rusty Trevathan Jr. and Cody Duke occupy positions six through nine. Two-time 2026 ARMS winner Cade Dillard sits 10th despite participating in only three series events. Dillard has finished inside the top five in each of his appearances and remains the only driver among the current championship top 10 with an ARMS victory this season.

The combination of traveling series contenders, regional standouts and Old No. 1 Speedway regulars is expected to once again produce a deep field for two nights of racing in memory of Brandon Mitchell.

Current ARMS Point Standings

1. 10M Talan Willis (R) — Elizabeth, La. — 451 points

2. 15W Kale Westover — Altus, Okla. — 413 points (-38)

3. 2S Stormy Scott — Las Cruces, N.M. — 405 points (-46)

4. 451 Bo Day — Greenville, Texas — 403 points (-48)

5. 5F Drake Findley — Bryant, Ark. — 367 points (-84)

6. 12 Jason Hughes — Salina, Okla. — 350 points (-101)

7. 88 Sam Osman — Spiro, Okla. — 340 points (-111)

8. 51 Rusty Trevathan Jr. — Nevada, Texas — 330 points (-121)

9. 26D Cody Duke — Montgomery, Texas — 306 points (-145)

10. 97 Cade Dillard — Robeline, La. — 291 points (-160)

For updated schedules, championship standings, event details, and breaking series news, visit AmericanRacerModifiedSeries.com. Fans unable to attend in person can catch every remaining race of the 2026 season live and on demand exclusively on RacinDirt.tv

The USRA American Racer Modified Series presented by Day Motorsports  would like to recognize and thank our 2026 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 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

NEXT: Northern Lights Modified Series Visits Mississippi Thunder For Championship Finale