Two nights of competition, a strong field of Modified talent and one of the most respected names in short-track racing came together this weekend as the USRA Heartland Modified Tour presented by Real Racing Wheels and USRA American Racer Modified Series presented by Day Motor Sports joined forces for the Larry Phillips Memorial at Tri-State Speedway.

The weekend presented its share of challenges. Hot August temperatures, an extended stretch with little rainfall and the demands placed on the surface by a large car count provided a narrow racing grove both nights, ultimately leaving drivers with passing opportunities that came at a premium.

The number and quality of competitors who supported the event remained a point of pride. The crossover weekend brought together championship contenders from both tours, accomplished regional racers and several drivers with national-level résumés to honor one of the greatest short-track competitors the sport has ever known.

Friday night belonged to Cade Dillard. The Robeline, Louisiana, standout is best known today for his success in Super Late Model competition, but his Modified credentials remain firmly established. A former full-time USMTS competitor, Dillard continues to be a threat whenever his Late Model schedule allows him to return to Modified racing. He is also the owner and builder behind CDR Race Cars, one of the sport’s recognized Modified chassis brands.

Dillard converted that experience into a victory during Friday’s preliminary program, adding another Modified triumph to an already diverse résumé.

The spotlight shifted Saturday to reigning USMTS National Champion Jim Chisholm.

Chisholm moved to the front on lap four and controlled the remaining 37 circuits of the 40-lap finale. With passing opportunities at a premium, maintaining track position and avoiding mistakes became critical. Chisholm handled both assignments and remained at the head of the field through the checkered flag.

The victory earned Chisholm the advertised $7,575 winner’s share, but the event’s unique lap-leader program made his performance even more valuable. By leading laps four through 39, Chisholm collected $6,300 at $175 per lap before adding the special $750 bonus for leading the 40th and final circuit.

That brought Chisholm’s lap-leader bonus to $7,050 and his total Saturday-night winnings to an impressive $14,625. He also received the custom Wehrs Machine Larry Phillips Memorial trophy, giving the 2024 USMTS champion a distinctive keepsake commemorating his victory.

More important than the money or trophy, however, was the opportunity to win a race bearing Larry Phillips’ name.

A five-time NASCAR Weekly Series national champion and one of the most dominant short-track racers of his generation, Phillips amassed 220 victories in 289 NASCAR-sanctioned starts during an extraordinary 11-year stretch. His accomplishments included 13 track championships across three states, but his influence extended far beyond statistics.

Phillips became the standard against which countless Midwestern racers measured themselves. His preparation, determination and ability behind the wheel helped shape generations of competitors, including drivers who went on to reach NASCAR’s highest levels. His legacy was recently recognized with his selection for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027.

Tri-State Speedway was a fitting setting for the tribute. Phillips was both a track champion and regular competitor at the historic Pocola oval, adding another meaningful connection between the man, the event and the facility.

The dual-series weekend also produced significant movement in both championship battles.

Tyler Davis left Pocola still atop the Heartland Modified Tour standings with 1,006 points, but his advantage was reduced to 51 over Trevor Hughes. Despite competing in two fewer events, Tanner Mullens advanced to third and sits 69 points behind Davis. Chevy Coleman slipped to fourth but remains within 90 points of the lead, while Wyatt Gaggero completes a top five separated by 116 markers.

In the American Racer Modified Series, rookie Talan Willis emerged from the weekend as the new championship leader. Willis now holds a 38-point advantage over defending champion Kale Westover. Stormy Scott sits third, only eight points behind Westover, while former leader Bo Day is fourth and remains just 48 points out of the top spot. Drake Findley completes the ARMS top five.

The weekend may have tested competitors and officials alike, but the tremendous support shown by the teams underscored what the Larry Phillips name continues to mean throughout short-track racing. Dillard and Chisholm ultimately left Tri-State Speedway with the victories, while every driver in attendance helped celebrate a racer whose impact on the sport remains unmistakable.

Officials with Heartland Promotions and the Tri-State Speedway would also like to thank the following participants for sponsoring each lap of the 40 lap championship event on Saturday night.  

Larry Phillips Memorial Lap-Leader Bonus Sponsors: Lap 1 – CowCo. Guide Services; Lap 2 – Victory Vault; Lap 3 – Hoover Conveyor; Lap 4 – Bryke Racing; Lap 5 – Premier Paint & Body; Lap 6 – Hoover Conveyor; Lap 7 – Dennis Schoenfeld/Davis Racing; Lap 8 – Rocky Cox; Lap 9 – Hoover Conveyor; Lap 10 – Premier Paint & Body; Lap 11 – Pinkerton Garage; Lap 12 – SG Performance Carburetors; Lap 13 – ARMI; Lap 14 – ARMI; Lap 15 – Joker-Apparel; Lap 16 – Elusive Competition Engines; Lap 17 – Fast Lane Trailer Sales & Rentals LLC; Lap 18 – Danny’s Equipment Repair LLC; Lap 19 – JLS Spray Foam & Cement Lifting LLC; Lap 20 – Brooke Dunn; Lap 21 – Central Spray Foam and Cement Lifting; Lap 22 – Raymond Merrill; Lap 23 – Hot Rod Chicken Inc.; Lap 24 – BeefDesigns; Lap 25 – Philpot’s Complete Car Care Center; Lap 26 – D&D Construction; Lap 27 – Jacob Campbell Racing; Lap 28 – Turn Left Tees; Lap 29 – Central Spray Foam and Cement Lifting; Lap 30 – ARMI; Lap 31 – ARMI; Lap 32 – Elusive Competition Engines; Lap 33 – JRT Trucking Inc.; Lap 34 – Hobo Equipment & Repair; Lap 35 – Kinley Cox Photography; Lap 36 – Jones Landscape; Lap 37 – Ken Faulkner; Lap 38 – Raymond Merrill; Lap 39 – Kemper Motorsports; Lap 40 – Noel Industries.

USRA Heartland Modified Tour Point Standings

1. Tyler Davis — Haysville, KS — 1,006 points
2. Trevor Hughes — Westville, OK — 955 points
3. Tanner Mullens — Wichita, KS — 937 points
4. Chevy Coleman — Wichita, KS — 916 points
5. Wyatt Gaggero — Wichita, KS — 890 points
6. Henry Chambers — Wellsville, KS — 828 points
7. Shadren Turner — Kansas City, KS — 784 points
8. Dean Wille — Warrensburg, MO — 768 points
9. Cole Campbell (R) — Mexico, MO — 742 points
10. Rick Beebe — Shawnee, KS — 637 points

USRA American Racer Modified Series Point Standings

1. Talan Willis (R) — Elizabeth, LA — 451 points
2. Kale Westover — Altus, OK — 413 points
3. Stormy Scott — Las Cruces, NM — 405 points
4. Bo Day — Greenville, TX — 403 points
5. Drake Findley — Bryant, AR — 367 points
6. Jason Hughes — Salina, OK — 350 points
7. Sam Osman — Spiro, OK — 340 points
8. Rusty Trevathan Jr. — Nevada, TX — 330 points
9. Cody Duke — Montgomery, TX — 306 points
10. Cade Dillard — Robeline, LA — 291 points

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

Media Results for August 28, 2026, at Tri-State Speedway — Pocola, Oklahoma

USRA Heartland Modified Tour vs. USRA American Racer Modified Series — 52 Entries

A Feature — 30 Laps — 00:14:31.420 — Pannell Chipping: 1. Cade Dillard; 2. Jim Chisholm; 3. Talan Willis; 4. Tanner Mullens; 5. Trevor Hughes; 6. Jacob Campbell; 7. Terry Phillips; 8. Reece Solander; 9. Kale Westover; 10. Devin Barker; 11. Stormy Scott; 12. Henry Chambers; 13. Drake Findley; 14. Jason Hughes; 15. Johnny Bone Jr.; 16. Dean Wille; 17. Tyler Davis; 18. Chevy Coleman; 19. Wyatt Gaggero; 20. Bo Day; 21. Tyler Wolff; 22. Cody King; 23. Brent Holman; 24. Keith Hammett; 25. Sam Osman; 26. Jake Davis; 27. Kyle Slader; 28. Chris Henigan.

B Feature 1 — 12 Laps — 00:11:18.907 — Real Racing Wheels: 1. Tyler Wolff; 2. Dean Wille; 3. Wyatt Gaggero; 4. Tyler Davis; 5. Brandon Givens; 6. Bo Day; 7. Chevy Coleman; 8. Josh Harney; 9. Rusty Trevathan Jr.; 10. Troy Gudmonson; 11. Jake Huckaby; 12. Chris Morris; 13. Rick Beebe; 14. Rodney Sanders; 15. Justin Allen Jr.; 16. Jeff Taylor; 17. Mike Hines.

B Feature 2 — 12 Laps — 00:05:57.652 — Day Motor Sports: 1. Johnny Bone Jr.; 2. Chris Henigan; 3. Keith Hammett; 4. Josh Magnuson; 5. Danny Southerland; 6. Sam Osman; 7. Davis Givens; 8. Cody Duke; 9. Gene Nicholas; 10. Bronson Hawkins; 11. Dennis Schoenfeld; 12. Nathan Stewart; 13. Jay Rierson; 14. Freddy Hogrefe; 15. Gabe Hodges; 16. Vernon Flournoy; 17. Shadren Turner.

Heat 1 — 8 Laps — 00:02:31.737 — Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning: 1. Cade Dillard; 2. Reece Solander; 3. Jason Hughes; 4. Tyler Wolff; 5. Wyatt Gaggero; 6. Troy Gudmonson; 7. Jeff Taylor; 8. Rusty Trevathan Jr.; 9. Mike Hines.

Heat 2 — 8 Laps — 00:02:33.892 — Smith Equipment Company: 1. Jim Chisholm; 2. Tanner Mullens; 3. Stormy Scott; 4. Dean Wille; 5. Chevy Coleman; 6. Brandon Givens; 7. Josh Harney; 8. Chris Morris; 9. Rodney Sanders.

Heat 3 — 8 Laps — 00:02:37.134 — Kevko Racing: 1. Jacob Campbell; 2. Henry Chambers; 3. Cody King; 4. Tyler Davis; 5. Bo Day; 6. Jake Huckaby; 7. Rick Beebe; 8. Justin Allen Jr.

Heat 4 — 8 Laps — 00:02:36.605 — Swift Springs: 1. Kyle Slader; 2. Terry Phillips; 3. Jake Davis; 4. Gabe Hodges; 5. Josh Magnuson; 6. Davis Givens; 7. Dennis Schoenfeld; 8. Bronson Hawkins; 9. Vernon Flournoy.

Heat 5 — 8 Laps — 00:02:36.136 — Mel Hambelton Ford Racing: 1. Talan Willis; 2. Devin Barker; 3. Drake Findley; 4. Keith Hammett; 5. Danny Southerland; 6. Cody Duke; 7. Gene Nicholas; 8. Nathan Stewart; 9. Shadren Turner.

Heat 6 — 8 Laps — 00:02:37.352 — Integra Shocks: 1. Trevor Hughes; 2. Kale Westover; 3. Brent Holman; 4. Johnny Bone Jr.; 5. Chris Henigan; 6. Sam Osman; 7. Freddy Hogrefe; 8. Jay Rierson.

Qualifying 1 — Deatherage Opticians: 1. Cade Dillard, 18.293; 2. Rodney Sanders, 18.327; 3. Jacob Campbell, 18.500; 4. Jason Hughes, 18.532; 5. Tanner Mullens, 18.551; 6. Cody King, 18.588; 7. Reece Solander, 18.621; 8. Jim Chisholm, 18.665; 9. Henry Chambers, 18.710; 10. Tyler Wolff, 18.760; 11. Stormy Scott, 18.777; 12. Tyler Davis, 18.804; 13. Wyatt Gaggero, 19.075; 14. Dean Wille, 19.142; 15. Jake Huckaby, 19.199; 16. Jeff Taylor, 19.223; 17. Josh Harney, 19.255; 18. Bo Day, 19.268; 19. Troy Gudmonson, 19.335; 20. Chevy Coleman, 19.431; 21. Rick Beebe, 19.461; 22. Rusty Trevathan Jr., 19.581; 23. Chris Morris, 19.639; 24. Justin Allen Jr., 19.652; 25. Mike Hines, 19.740; 26. Brandon Givens, no time.

Qualifying 2 — Deatherage Opticians: 1. Kyle Slader, 18.694; 2. Talan Willis, 18.708; 3. Kale Westover, 18.762; 4. Terry Phillips, 18.875; 5. Devin Barker, 18.917; 6. Trevor Hughes, 18.921; 7. Gabe Hodges, 19.133; 8. Drake Findley, 19.137; 9. Brent Holman, 19.166; 10. Jake Davis, 19.230; 11. Cody Duke, 19.263; 12. Chris Henigan, 19.296; 13. Bronson Hawkins, 19.406; 14. Keith Hammett, 19.578; 15. Johnny Bone Jr., 19.670; 16. Davis Givens, 19.729; 17. Danny Southerland, 19.789; 18. Sam Osman, 19.832; 19. Josh Magnuson, 19.911; 20. Nathan Stewart, 19.960; 21. Freddy Hogrefe, 20.055; 22. Dennis Schoenfeld, 20.071; 23. Gene Nicholas, 20.242; 24. Jay Rierson, 20.464; 25. Vernon Flournoy, no time; 26. Shadren Turner, no time.

Media Results for August 29, 2026, at Tri-State Speedway — Pocola, Oklahoma

USRA Heartland Modified Tour vs. USRA American Racer Modified Series — 46 Entries

A Feature — 40 Laps — 00:30:21.260 — Pannell Chipping: 1. Jim Chisholm; 2. Talan Willis; 3. Cade Dillard; 4. Rodney Sanders; 5. Reece Solander; 6. Gabe Hodges; 7. Bo Day; 8. Tanner Mullens; 9. Stormy Scott; 10. Kale Westover; 11. Wyatt Gaggero; 12. Kyle Slader; 13. Trevor Hughes; 14. Chevy Coleman; 15. Rusty Trevathan Jr.; 16. Tyler Davis; 17. Sam Osman; 18. Terry Phillips; 19. Dean Wille; 20. Henry Chambers; 21. Johnny Bone Jr.; 22. Devin Barker; 23. Jason Hughes; 24. Brandon Givens; 25. Tyler Wolff; 26. Drake Findley; 27. Keith Hammett; 28. Cody Duke.

B Feature 1 — 12 Laps — 00:07:37.805 — Day Motor Sports: 1. Trevor Hughes; 2. Wyatt Gaggero; 3. Devin Barker; 4. Johnny Bone Jr.; 5. Jeff Taylor; 6. Dean Wille; 7. Henry Chambers; 8. Brent Holman; 9. Davis Givens; 10. Justin Allen Jr.; 11. Josh Magnuson; 12. Cody King; 13. Jacob Campbell; 14. Jake Davis; 15. Chris Morris.

B Feature 2 — 12 Laps — 00:06:26.741 — Real Racing Wheels: 1. Kyle Slader; 2. Chevy Coleman; 3. Tyler Davis; 4. Rusty Trevathan Jr.; 5. Troy Gudmonson; 6. Chris Lewis; 7. Josh Harney; 8. Cody Duke; 9. Gene Nicholas; 10. Bronson Hawkins; 11. Sam Osman; 12. Jay Rierson; 13. Rick Beebe; 14. Chris Henigan; 15. Jake Huckaby.

Heat 1 — 8 Laps — 00:02:24.000 — Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning: 1. Tyler Wolff; 2. Cade Dillard; 3. Reece Solander; 4. Stormy Scott; 5. Henry Chambers; 6. Wyatt Gaggero; 7. Dean Wille; 8. Jeff Taylor; 9. Jacob Campbell; 10. Josh Magnuson; 11. Justin Allen Jr.; 12. Chris Morris.

Heat 2 — 8 Laps — Smith Equipment Company: 1. Talan Willis; 2. Drake Findley; 3. Tanner Mullens; 4. Bo Day; 5. Trevor Hughes; 6. Cody King; 7. Devin Barker; 8. Davis Givens; 9. Brent Holman; 10. Johnny Bone Jr.; 11. Jake Davis.

Heat 3 — 8 Laps — 00:05:41.000 — Kevko Racing: 1. Keith Hammett; 2. Jim Chisholm; 3. Gabe Hodges; 4. Brandon Givens; 5. Chris Henigan; 6. Chevy Coleman; 7. Josh Harney; 8. Rusty Trevathan Jr.; 9. Rick Beebe; 10. Chris Lewis; 11. Jay Rierson; 12. Jake Huckaby.

Heat 4 — 8 Laps — 00:02:31.000 — Swift Springs: 1. Rodney Sanders; 2. Jason Hughes; 3. Terry Phillips; 4. Kale Westover; 5. Kyle Slader; 6. Tyler Davis; 7. Troy Gudmonson; 8. Sam Osman; 9. Cody Duke; 10. Gene Nicholas; 11. Bronson Hawkins.

Qualifying 1 — 00:00:35.000 — Deatherage Opticians: 1. Tyler Wolff, 17.492; 2. Talan Willis, 17.566; 3. Cade Dillard, 17.643; 4. Drake Findley, 17.659; 5. Reece Solander, 17.672; 6. Tanner Mullens, 17.817; 7. Chris Morris, 17.872; 8. Bo Day, 17.884; 9. Jacob Campbell, 17.886; 10. Trevor Hughes, 17.890; 11. Dean Wille, 17.893; 12. Cody King, 17.894; 13. Henry Chambers, 17.904; 14. Davis Givens, 17.962; 15. Wyatt Gaggero, 18.001; 16. Devin Barker, 18.070; 17. Stormy Scott, 18.138; 18. Brent Holman, 18.156; 19. Jeff Taylor, 18.184; 20. Johnny Bone Jr., 18.250; 21. Josh Magnuson, 18.477; 22. Jake Davis, 18.796; 23. Justin Allen Jr., 18.934.

Qualifying 2 — 00:00:35.000 — Deatherage Opticians: 1. Keith Hammett, 17.581; 2. Rodney Sanders, 17.639; 3. Gabe Hodges, 17.672; 4. Jason Hughes, 17.764; 5. Jim Chisholm, 17.888; 6. Kale Westover, 17.910; 7. Chris Henigan, 17.987; 8. Tyler Davis, 17.996; 9. Brandon Givens, 18.016; 10. Terry Phillips, 18.032; 11. Rusty Trevathan Jr., 18.045; 12. Kyle Slader, 18.199; 13. Chevy Coleman, 18.219; 14. Troy Gudmonson, 18.247; 15. Jake Huckaby, 18.278; 16. Sam Osman, 18.293; 17. Josh Harney, 18.353; 18. Gene Nicholas, 18.504; 19. Chris Lewis, 18.574; 20. Bronson Hawkins, 18.664; 21. Rick Beebe, 18.695; 22. Cody Duke, 18.699; 23. Jay Rierson, no time.

The USRA Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels and 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 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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