Jim Chisholm tops USMTS season opener at HOT
ELM MOTT, Texas — Chisholm claims USMTS opener
Jim Chisholm picked up right where he left off in 2024 with a victory in the 2025 season-opening event for the Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt.
Fresh off a spectacular season where he took home the USMTS National Championship and more than $83,000 in points fund money, Chisholm returned to the Heart O’ Texas Speedway on Friday and kept his HOT streak going.
Although it was his first USMTS win at the long-running high-banked clay oval just outside of Waco (he was just 14 the last time the series was here), Chisholm won a record $50,000 for winning the Mod War 100 last fall.
Starting seventh in Friday’s 40-lap main event for the kickoff of the 10th Annual Winter Nationals, it took the 22-year-old from Osage, Iowa, just four laps to chase down leader Keith Hammett of Brookland, Ark., and take the lead he would never relinquish.
“We’ve been here I think five times now, maybe six. We struggled the first night at that invitation race, but this place is bright with a lot of really good racers and has been really good to me,” Chisholm said in Victory Lane. “I love all the people that can come down here and support this place and I hope they keep on going like this.”
Hammett had a spirited battle with Altus, Oklahoma’s Kale Westover for first place until the two touched wheels while racing out of turn four on lap 3. The contact resulted in Westover—the Sybesma Graphics Pole Award winner—stopping with a flat tire to bring out the caution.
The last 36 laps were all Chisholm in his No. 24C Skyrocket Chassis powered by KSE Engineering, but multi-time USMTS national champ Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, kept Chisholm in his crosshairs, waiting for a bobble from the leader which never happened.
“I could hear him (Sanders) every once in a while, sneak up and I knew that if I missed the bottom ever so slightly… but I really kind of struggled over there in (turns) three and four it seemed like, to keep it right enough,” Chisholm added. “There's a few times that I know I messed up so I know he had to close a little, but this thing seems to feel really good in a lot of different conditions so really excited to see what this car can do.”
For his efforts, Chisholm kicked off his title defense with a $5,000 paycheck while Sanders routinely rolled to a runner-up finish in his familiar blue and orange No. 20.
MB Customs Race Car powered by Hatfield Racing Engines.
“We kind of got hung out there at the start and I think we fall back to ninth, but had a good car there around the bottom,” Sanders said. “Congrats to Jim. I think the only way to pass him was to rough him up a little, bit I wasn't going to do that. I was close a couple times but it's still a good run.”
Tanner Mullens of Wichita, Kansas, who held off Chisholm to win Thursday’s USRA American Racer Modified Series race, was a consistent top-five competitor after clawing his way from 13th on the starting grid, eventually settled for the third and final step atop the Featherlite Trailer Top-3 podium after the checkered flag waved.
“We kind of got run over there in the heat race, and I don’t know,” Mullens lamented after climbing from his pink No. 02 Mullens Chassis with an Elusive Competition Engine under the hood. “It’s part of it or something. But it was a lot better in the feature. We came out with a top three and I can't really beat that.”
While Chisholm and Sanders were somewhat checked out, the action behind them was non-stop. The younger Joe Chisholm held off veteran Kyle Strickler as they completed the race in fourth and fifth.
Alex Williamson, Trevor Hughes, Carlos Ahumada Jr., Kyle Brown and Gary Christian completed the top 10 at the finish line.
From left to right: runner-up Rodney Sanders, winner Jim Chisholm and third-place finisher Tanner Mullens. (Tyler Rinken Photo)
For USMTS Grant Junghans Rookie of the Year contender Hughes, he looked a lot like his dad in earning the FK Rod Ends Hard charger Award after racing from 22nd to seventh.
The win was the 14th of Chisholm’s short career, placing him on the all-time wins list tied with some good company: Johnny Bone Jr., Tim Donlinger and Mark Noble.
Racing resumes at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway on Saturday for another $5,000-to-win feature race on the second and final night of the 10th Annual Texas Winter Nationals, and the second of the season for the Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt.
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Summit USMTS National Championship presented by RacinDirt
10th Annual Texas Winter Nationals – Day 1 of 2
Heart O' Texas Speedway, Elm Mott, Texas
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver and hometown. Heat race lineups are determined via group qualifying. The top 12 in heat race passing points advance to the Summit Racing Equipment “A” Main.
QUALIFYING GROUP 1:
1. 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan., 16.987
2. 24M Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark., 17.035
3. 88 Nathan Smith, Anthony, N.M., 17.153
4. 2SS Mark Smith, Anthony, N.M., 17.277
5. 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla., 17.505
6. 18J Jake Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas, 17.561
7. 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas, 17.630
8. 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark., 17.695
9. 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan., 18.009
10. 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., 18.069
11. 766 Shane Priddy, Merkel, Texas, 18.122
12. 99L Steve Lavasseur, River Falls , Wis., 18.155
13. 65X Carlos Ahumada Jr., El Paso, Texas, 18.240
14. 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla., 18.286
15. 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 18.472
16. 7 Sean Gaddis, Diana, Texas, 18.864
17. 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C., 18.960
18. 15WX Alex Williamson, Rushford, Minn., 19.055
19. 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla., 19.171
20. 13S John Smelley, Longview, Texas, 19.333
21. 97 Cole Anderson, Le Center, Minn., 19.540
22. 12S Chase Hatton, De Berry, Texas, 20.652
23. 7S Troy Schaberg, Amity, Ark., NT
24. 62 J.D. Davis, Merkel, Texas, NT
QUALIFYING GROUP 2:
1. 15W Kale Westover, Altus, Okla., 15.581
2. 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, 15.970
3. 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas, 16.021
4. 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, 16.045
5. 91X Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La., 16.051
6. 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa, 16.158
7. 71X Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas, 16.237
8. 56 Broc Bowen, Fannin, Texas, 16.270
9. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, 16.292
10. 17S Jason Sartain, Royce City, Texas, 16.295
11. 47 Jack Sartain, Royse City, Texas, 16.417
12. 26D Cody Duke, Montgomery, Texas, 16.425
13. 715 Chase Doughty, Ennis, Texas, 16.487
14. P1 Paul White, Waco, Texas, 16.564
15. 2GG Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas, 16.629
16. 17 Henry Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan., 16.687
17. 24W Mason Williams, Fouke, Ark., 16.835
18. 7G David Goode Jr, Copperas Cove, Texas, 16.986
19. 64 Casey Fowler, Grand Saline, Texas, 17.012
20. 12H Mike Hansen, Dickinson, N.D., 17.121
21. 80XX Jason Langford, Palestine, Texas, 17.124
22. 714 Charles Melveney, Elm Mott, Texas, 20.001
23. 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston. N.D., 20.129
24. 55H A.J. Hoff, Mantorville, Minn., 22.182
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (10 laps):
1. (1) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. (2) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas
3. (3) 2SS Mark Smith, Anthony, N.M.
4. (4) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
5. (6) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
6. (7) 12S Chase Hatton, De Berry, Texas
7. (5) 7 Sean Gaddis, Diana, Texas
8. (8) 65X Carlos Ahumada Jr., El Paso, Texas
FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (10 laps):
1. (2) 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark.
2. (6) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.
3. (4) 24M Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark.
4. (5) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
5. (3) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
6. (7) 13S John Smelley, Longview, Texas
7. (1) 766 Shane Priddy, Merkel, Texas
8. (8) 7S Troy Schaberg, Amity, Ark.
EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (10 laps):
1. (2) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
2. (4) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
3. (1) 99L Steve Lavasseur, River Falls , Wis.
4. (3) 18J Jake Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas
5. (5) 15WX Alex Williamson, Rushford, Minn.
6. (6) 97 Cole Anderson, Le Center, Minn.
7. (7) 62 J.D. Davis, Merkel, Texas
DNS - 88 Nathan Smith, Anthony, N.M.
WIELAND METAL SERVICES HEAT RACE #4 (10 laps):
1. (2) 71X Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas
2. (4) 15W Kale Westover, Altus, Okla.
3. (1) 17S Jason Sartain, Royce City, Texas
4. (6) 17 Henry Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan.
5. (3) 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas
6. (7) 64 Casey Fowler, Grand Saline, Texas
7. (5) 715 Chase Doughty, Ennis, Texas
8. (8) 714 Charles Melveney, Elm Mott, Texas
VP RACING HEAT RACE #5 (10 laps):
1. (4) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
2. (1) 47 Jack Sartain, Royse City, Texas
3. (5) P1 Paul White, Waco, Texas
4. (3) 91X Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La.
5. (7) 12H Mike Hansen, Dickinson, N.D.
6. (6) 24W Mason Williams, Fouke, Ark.
7. (8) 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston. N.D.
8. (2) 56 Broc Bowen, Fannin, Texas
HEAT RACE #6 (10 laps):
1. (2) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
2. (3) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
3. (4) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas
4. (5) 2GG Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas
5. (6) 7G David Goode Jr, Copperas Cove, Texas
6. (1) 26D Cody Duke, Montgomery, Texas
7. (7) 80XX Jason Langford, Palestine, Texas
8. (8) 55H A.J. Hoff, Mantorville, Minn.
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (3) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
2. (6) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
3. (1) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas
4. (9) 15WX Alex Williamson, Rushford, Minn.
5. (15) 65X Carlos Ahumada Jr., El Paso, Texas
6. (10) 12S Chase Hatton, De Berry, Texas
7. (7) 12H Mike Hansen, Dickinson, N.D.
8. (2) P1 Paul White, Waco, Texas
9. (12) 24W Mason Williams, Fouke, Ark.
10. (5) 18J Jake Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas
11. (13) 2G Troy Girolamo, Williston. N.D.
12. (8) 8T Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas
13. (4) 17S Jason Sartain, Royce City, Texas
14. (14) 715 Chase Doughty, Ennis, Texas
15. (16) 714 Charles Melveney, Elm Mott, Texas
16. (17) 99L Steve Lavasseur, River Falls , Wis.
17. (11) 97 Cole Anderson, Le Center, Minn.
DNS - 80XX Jason Langford, Palestine, Texas
DNS - 56 Broc Bowen, Fannin, Texas
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (2) 2SS Mark Smith, Anthony, N.M.
2. (1) 47 Jack Sartain, Royse City, Texas
3. (4) 17 Henry Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan.
4. (3) 99L Steve Lavasseur, River Falls , Wis.
5. (7) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
6. (6) 2GG Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas
7. (13) 7 Sean Gaddis, Diana, Texas
8. (5) 91X Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La.
9. (8) 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
10. (9) 7G David Goode Jr, Copperas Cove, Texas
11. (17) 88 Nathan Smith, Anthony, N.M.
12. (11) 64 Casey Fowler, Grand Saline, Texas
13. (16) 55H A.J. Hoff, Mantorville, Minn.
14. (15) 7S Troy Schaberg, Amity, Ark.
15. (10) 13S John Smelley, Longview, Texas
16. (12) 62 J.D. Davis, Merkel, Texas
17. (14) 766 Shane Priddy, Merkel, Texas
DNS - 26D Cody Duke, Montgomery, Texas
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (7) 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
2. (4) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
3. (13) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
4. (6) 25 Joe Chisholm, Osage, Iowa
5. (5) 8 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.
6. (19) 15WX Alex Williamson, Rushford, Minn.
7. (22) 712 Trevor Hughes, Westville, Okla.
8. (21) 65X Carlos Ahumada Jr., El Paso, Texas
9. (9) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
10. (15) 58X Gary Christian, Broken Bow, Okla.
11. (10) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
12. (1) 15W Kale Westover, Altus, Okla.
13. (23) 55H A.J. Hoff, Mantorville, Minn.
14. (18) 17 Henry Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan.
15. (24) 12H Mike Hansen, Dickinson, N.D.
16. (11) 24M Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark.
17. (8) 5 Reece Solander, Emporia, Kan.
18. (14) 2SS Mark Smith, Anthony, N.M.
19. (3) 29 Keith Hammett, Brookland, Ark.
20. (2) 71X Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas
21. (16) 47 Jack Sartain, Royse City, Texas
22. (17) 12J Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas
23. (12) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas
24. (20) 99L Steve Lavasseur, River Falls , Wis.
Lap Leaders: Hammett 1, Westover 2, Hammett 3-4. Jim Chisholm 5-40.
Total Laps Led: Jim Chisholm 36, Hammett 3, Westover 1.
Margin of Victory: 0.51 second.
Time of Race: 25 minutes, 56.180 seconds (5 cautions).
Provisional Starters: Hoff, Hansen.
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Hughes (started 22nd, finished 7th).
Entries: 48.
Next Race: Saturday, March 1, Heart O’ Texas Speedway.
Summit USMTS National Championship Points: TBD.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: TBD.
FK Rod Ends USMTS Hard Charger Points: TBD.
Miller Welders USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: Skyrocket 10, MBCustoms 9, Mullens 8, CDR 7, SSR 6.
Callies/JE Pistons USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: KSE 10, Hatfield 9, ECE 8, Mullins 7, Cornett 6.
Contingency Awards:
Aero Race Wheels – Priddy.
American Racer – Phillips.
Bear Graphix – Ingalls.
Beyea Custom Headers – Joe Chisholm.
Bryke Racing – Hansen.
BSB Manufacturing – Houston.
Champ Pans – Strickler.
Danny Crane Racing Engines – Williamson.
Edelbrock – Solander.
Dynamic Drivelines – Hatton.
Fast Shafts – Hammett.
Featherlite Trailers – Jim Chisholm, Sanders, Mullens.
FK Rod Ends – Hughes.
Gorsuch Performance Solutions – Jim Chisholm.
Harris Auto Racing – Jack Sartain.
Hodges Farms & Dredging – Westover.
Hooker Harness – Westover.
Hyperco – Smelley.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – M. Smith.
Keyser Manufacturing – Christian.
KSE Racing Products – Brown.
MD3 – Jim Chisholm.
MSD Performance – Joe Chisholm.
Penske Racing Shocks – Hoff.
PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain – Doughty.
QA1 – Duvall.
Quarter Master – Brown.
RacerWebsite.com – Joe Chisholm.
Real Racing Wheels – Houston.
Rush RaceGear by Austin Witt – Jim Chisholm.
Simpson Race Products – Phillips.
Sweet Manufacturing – Manuel Williams.
Swift Springs – Ahumada, Jack Sartain, Jim Chisholm.
Sybesma Graphics – Westover.
Total Power – Phillips.
VP Racing – Jim Chisholm.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Priddy.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Hughes.
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