Larry Phillips Memorial Goes to Wolff
With a big crowd on hand a pit full of race cars, the Keyser Manufacturing Larry Phillips Memorial Presented by Schoenfeld Headers and Wehrs Machine & Racing Products roared into the Monett Motor Speedway. When the dust settled Tyler Wolff was standing in Victory Lane with a $7,575 victory.
The feature was led to green by Rodney Sanders and he paced the majority of the feature. Late in the race Sanders slipped up in turn four, leaving just enough room for Wolff to squeak by and lead the final three laps.
“I was just hanging in there, thinking he (Sanders) was going to get him another good w (win),” said Wolff in Victory Lane. “The next thing I know, a door opens up and I'm like “holy cow” so I just filled the hole. Then I saw the white flag. I thought this might turn out for good. This is a good one to win. Anywhere you go you hear about Larry Phillips, it's an accomplishment for us!”
Behind Wolff, Sanders finished second. Terry Phillips ran second and third most of the race. He briefly lead, but ended in the final podium position. Jason Hughes ran fourth and Gary Christian finished fifth.
The night started out a little different, with a special race format in place for the marquee event. Pettyjohn Plastering Time Trials set the field for the heat races. Tanner Mullens was the fastest car in Group B and overall with a16.922. That quick lap netted him an additional $750.
The six heat race winners; Rodney Sanders, Terry Phillips, Jason Hughes, Tanner Mullens Tyler Wolff and Trevor Hughes all went to the Deatherage Racing Opticians Pole Dash. Sanders walked away in the six lap run to the VP Checkers. He collected $750 and the number one starting position. The Dash was contested in honor of Larry Phillips buddy Terry Deatherage.
Opening ceremonies had it's own bit of flare too. 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Mark Martin was on hand to serve as the evening's Grand Marshal. Martin addressed the drivers during their pre race meeting and then drove the Larry Phillips tribute car carrying the flag for the National Anthem.
Following the anthem, Martin stopped on the front stretch and addressed the crowd with Phillips, thanking them for their attendance and sharing a little about the legendary Larry Phillips.
This event marked the first time the Larry Phillips Memorial was held at the Monett Motor Speedway and a first for the Heartland Modified Tour as well. Chad Wehrs brought his Wehrs Machine factory support trailer along all weekend and built an unbelievable custom trophy, outfitted with custom painted Larry Phillips diecast. A huge THANK YOU is in store for all of the great sponsors and partners who stepped to the plate and offered all kind of support for this event!
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products A Feature (40 Laps): 1. Tyler Wolff 2. Rodney Sanders 3. Terry Phillips 4. Jason Hughes 5. Gary Christian 6. Chad Wheeler 7. Tanner Mullens 8. Tony Jackson Jr. 9. Tyler Davis 10. Chris Spalding 11. Nic Bidinger 12. Lance Mari 13. Brandon Givens 14. Sam Osman 15. Henry Chambers 16. Tad Davis 17. Matthew Day 18. Mike Hansen 19. Trevor Hughes 20. Weston Holman 21. Eddie Martin 22. Mickey Burrell 23. Troy Gudmonson 24. Dakota Dale
ARMI Contractors Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Rodney Sanders 2. Gary Christian 3. Lance Mari 4. Troy Gudmonson 5. Tracy Cottrell 6. Chris Spalding 7. Chevy Coleman
Kenny's Tile Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Terry Phillips 2. Tyler Davis 3. Nic Bidinger 4. Kenton Allen 5. Tad Davis 6. Kylan Garner 7. Jarret Dotson
S&S Fishing and Rental Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. Jason Hughes 2. Chad Wheeler 3. Mickey Burrell 4. Tyler Barker 5. Dakota Dale 6. Jason Pursley
Fast Shafts Heat 4 (8 Laps): 1. Tanner Mullens 2. Matthew Day 3. Weston Holman 4. Terry Beckham Jr. 5. Sam Osman 6. Daniel Franklin 7. Nathan Hagar
Duvall Electric Heat 5 (8 Laps): 1. Tyler Wolff 2. Tony Jackson Jr. 3. Eddie Martin 4. Chris Kratzer 5. Mike Hansen 6. Dayton Pursley 7.Danny Miller
RacinDirt.com Heat 6 (8 Laps): 1. Trevor Hughes 2. Brandon Givens 3. Henry Chambers 4. Josh Harney 5. Dean Wille 6. Dennis Schoenfeld 7. Jason Davis
USRA Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels photos are available for viewing and purchase from our Official Series Photographer, Todd Boyd. You can view his work by clicking here. You can also follow his racing adventures on social media by clicking here.
The Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels would like to thank their 2024 season long partners.
Gold Partners - ARMI Contractors, Day Motorsports, Hochatown Saloon, Kenny's Tile, Midwest Sheet Metal, RacinDirt.com, Real Racing Wheels, S&S Fishing and Rental, VP Racing Fuels Heartland, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products
Silver Partners - American Racer Tires, Central Spray Foam & Cement Lifting, Duvall Electric, Fast Shafts, Freight Logistics Inc., Integra Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Milburn Property LLC, One4 Motorsports, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning
Bronze Partners - Charlie Williams Painting, Fowler Locomotive Sales and Leasing, Lassiter Construction, Photos by Boyd, Transmissions Unlimited, Victory Vault
2024 HMT Point Fund
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*