The second half of the USRA Heartland Modified Tour presented by Real Racing Wheels season begins this weekend with a pair of familiar Kansas stops as the tour returns to Humboldt Speedway on Friday, July 24, before making its first appearance at Valley Speedway since 2024 on Saturday, July 25.

Following last week’s announcement outlining revisions to the 2026 schedule, the series now turns its full attention toward the championship chase with a renewed sense of momentum. The road ahead is now set, and every point earned over the final stretch will be critical.

Few places are more fitting to begin that journey than Humboldt Speedway.

The southeast Kansas oval hosted the opening weekend of the 2026 Heartland Modified Tour campaign back in March, producing a pair of outstanding races that immediately showcased the depth of talent assembled for this year’s championship battle.

Joe Duvall opened the season with a popular victory on Friday night before defending series champion Bobby Williams returned to victory lane on Saturday, collecting the first Heartland Modified Tour victory of his career after capturing the 2025 championship. At the time, few could have predicted just how competitive the championship race would become.

Four months later, the standings remain remarkably tight.

Tyler Davis enters the weekend atop the championship standings after another season built on consistency, but the margin remains far from comfortable. Trevor Hughes has kept constant pressure on the points leader throughout the summer, while rookie Cole Campbell continues to impress in his first full-time campaign. Chevy Coleman and Paden Phillips round out the top five entering a weekend that could significantly reshape the title picture.

Current USRA Heartland Modified Tour Point Standings

1. Tyler Davis — 623

2. Trevor Hughes (-56) — 567

3. Cole Campbell (R) (-76) — 547

4. Chevy Coleman (-93) — 530

5. Paden Phillips (-122) — 501

6. Shadren Turner (-124) — 499

7. Wyatt Gaggero (-124) — 499

8. Tanner Mullens (-128) — 495

9. Henry Chambers (-140) — 483

10. Dustin Hodges (-163) — 460

With only a handful of races separating much of the top ten, a strong weekend could quickly alter the championship outlook as the series begins its push toward championship weekend.

Saturday’s stop at Valley Speedway adds another intriguing storyline as the Heartland Modified Tour has not visited Valley Speedway since October 18, 2024. That evening, Gunner Martin raced from the sixth starting position to earn the 30-lap feature victory over Tyler Hibner and Keith Foss. Ryan Middaugh and Tad Davis completed the top five.

Several drivers expected to contend this weekend also produced solid performances during that event. Current points leader Tyler Davis charged from 11th to finish sixth, while Shadren Turner crossed the stripe seventh. Paden Phillips recorded a top-ten finish in tenth, Tanner Mullens finished 11th, Dean Wille 13th, Brandon Givens 14th, and Henry Chambers advanced through the B-Feature before making the night’s main event.

As has been the case throughout the 2026 season, experience alone has offered little guarantee of success.

Veterans, former champions, rising stars, and rookies have all found themselves battling for victories this season, producing one of the deepest and most competitive fields in recent Heartland Modified Tour history. With every race becoming increasingly valuable in the championship chase, expect that intensity to continue throughout the weekend.

The contrasting characteristics of the two facilities should provide an entertaining challenge as well. Humboldt Speedway has already proven capable of producing outstanding side-by-side racing this season, while Valley Speedway’s high-speed, high-banked layout has traditionally rewarded drivers willing to race aggressively around the cushion while still preserving their equipment over feature distance.

By the time the checkered flag falls Saturday night, the championship standings may look much different than they do today.

What is certain is that the second half of the 2026 season is officially underway.

Fans are encouraged to join the Heartland Modified Tour this weekend for two nights of premier Modified racing beginning Friday night at Humboldt Speedway before the series heads north to Valley Speedway on Saturday to conclude the Kansas doubleheader.

For updated schedules, championship standings, event details, and breaking series news, visit HeartlandModifiedTour.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 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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