The inaugural Battle of the States weekend for the USRA American Racer Modified Series presented by Day Motor Sports got underway Friday night at Boothill Speedway before weather ultimately shortened the weekend to a single completed event.

When the dust settled on Friday night, it was Louisiana’s own Cade Dillard standing in victory lane after a dominant performance in the 30-lap Pannell Chipping A-Main.

Thirty-eight competitors from across the Ark-La-Tex region and beyond converged on Boothill Speedway for the first night of competition. Multi-time USMTS champion Jason Hughes paced the field to the green flag after claiming the Kevko Racing Heat Race #3 victory earlier in the evening.

The opening stages of the feature were plagued by caution flags as several of the sport’s biggest names jockeyed for position at the front of the field. Hughes, Gary Christian, defending ARMS champion Kale Westover, Stormy Scott and Dillard all took turns applying pressure in an intense battle among the top five.

Starting fourth, Dillard methodically worked his way forward and assumed control of the race on lap 10. Despite multiple cautions and restart opportunities for the challengers behind him, the Robeline, Louisiana driver never relinquished command.

A final restart with 14 laps remaining proved to be the turning point of the race. Dillard executed a flawless restart and quickly built a comfortable advantage while Christian and Westover continued their battle for second place.

Over the closing laps, Dillard pulled away from the field and crossed under the checkered flag for his first ARMS victory of the season. Christian held on for the runner-up position while Westover completed the podium. Scott finished fourth and Hughes rounded out the top five.

Kale Murphrey delivered another impressive performance with a sixth-place finish, while Talan Willis earned PEM Racing Gears Hard Charger honors after advancing from 21st to seventh in the final rundown.

The event marked another strong points night for defending series champion Westover, who continues to build momentum in his title defense against a deep field of challengers.

Late Rain shower wipes out night two

Unfortunately, hopes of a two-night showdown were dashed Saturday evening. A late pop-up shower moved across Boothill Speedway just prior to the scheduled start of racing activities, soaking the racing surface and pit area. Despite efforts by track officials, the facility could not be dried and prepared within a reasonable timeframe, forcing cancellation of the second night of Battle of the States competition.

Championship battle tight after two events

With only one completed event during the weekend, the championship battle remains extremely tight as teams now turn their attention toward the next stop on the 2026 schedule.

Defending series champion Kale Westover holds the top spot in the championship standings following the Battle of the States opener. The Altus, Oklahoma driver has yet to visit victory lane in 2026 but has consistently kept himself near the front of the field, a strategy that has helped him maintain a narrow advantage atop the standings.

Just four points behind Westover sits former USMTS national champion Stormy Scott, while another multi-time USMTS champion, Jason Hughes, trails by only seven markers. Rookie contender Kale Murphrey continues to impress in his first full ARMS campaign and currently occupies fourth in points, while fellow rookie Talan Willis remains firmly in championship contention after earning PEM Racing Gears Hard Charger honors Friday night.

Current ARMS Championship Standings

1. Kale Westover — 191

2. Stormy Scott — 187 (-4)

3. Jason Hughes — 184 (-7)

4. Kale Murphrey — 181 (-10)

5. Talan Willis — 178 (-13)

6. Bo Day — 176 (-15)

7. Sam Osman — 172 (-19)

8. Jared Maupin — 170 (-21)

9. Chris Morris — 168 (-23)

10. Drake Findley — 160 (-31)

Results – Boothill Speedway — Greenwood, Louisiana – June 5, 2026

USRA American Racer Modified Series Presented by Day Motor Sports — 38 Entries

Pannell Chipping A-Feature (30 Laps): Cade Dillard, Gary Christian, Kale Westover, Stormy Scott, Jason Hughes, Kale Murphrey, Talan Willis, Bo Day, Hunter Sandy, Sam Osman, Jared Maupin, Chris Morris, Jake Huckaby, Chase Hatton, Brenda Kirby Morris, Drake Findley, Geoff Lary, Jason Langford, Tanner Barnhart, Dustin Henigan, Casey Roderick, Chris Henigan, Wesley Wise, Casey Fowler.

Day Motor Sports B-Feature (15 Laps): Talan Willis, Tanner Barnhart, Jason Langford, Casey Fowler, Jonathan Cribb, Rusty Trevathan Jr., Lance Plant, James McCreery, Shannon Swilley, Doug Byrns, Braden Elliott, Chad Tanquary, Landon Rogers, Chris Elliott, Cody Duke, Coty Tanquary, Jason Ingalls, Randall Settle.

Rick Beebe Heating & Air Conditioning Heat Race #1 (10 Laps): Cade Dillard, Casey Roderick, Sam Osman, Jake Huckaby, Brenda Kirby Morris, Shannon Swilley, Jonathan Cribb, Coty Tanquary, Jason Ingalls, Talan Willis.

Smith Equipment Company Heat Race #2 (10 Laps): Gary Christian, Hunter Sandy, Dustin Henigan, Chris Henigan, Geoff Lary, Cody Duke, Casey Fowler, James McCreery, Braden Elliott.

Kevko Racing Heat Race #3 (10 Laps): Jason Hughes, Stormy Scott, Chris Morris, Chase Hatton, Drake Findley, Tanner Barnhart, Rusty Trevathan Jr., Doug Byrns, Randall Settle.

Swift Springs Heat Race #4 (10 Laps): Kale Westover, Kale Murphrey, Bo Day, Jared Maupin, Wesley Wise, Lance Plant, Chris Elliott, Chad Tanquary, Jason Langford.

Deatherage Opticians Qualifying Group 1: Cade Dillard, Gary Christian, Talan Willis, Hunter Sandy, Casey Roderick, Chris Henigan, Jake Huckaby, Dustin Henigan, Sam Osman, Geoff Lary, Brenda Kirby Morris, Cody Duke, Coty Tanquary, Casey Fowler, Shannon Swilley, Braden Elliott, Jonathan Cribb, James McCreery, Jason Ingalls.

Deatherage Opticians Qualifying Group 2: Jason Hughes, Kale Westover, Chris Morris, Jason Langford, Stormy Scott, Wesley Wise, Tanner Barnhart, Kale Murphrey, Chase Hatton, Jared Maupin, Drake Findley, Bo Day, Rusty Trevathan Jr., Lance Plant, Randall Settle, Chad Tanquary, Doug Byrns, Chris Elliott, Landon Rogers.

PEM Racing Gears Hard Charger: Talan Willis (+14 positions).

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