1/12/2025
Rodney Sanders
Trio of top-10 finishes for Sanders on final weekend of Wild West Shootout
After opening his 2025 season with a best finish of sixth at Vado (New Mexico) Speedway Park on the first weekend in January, Rodney Sanders returned to the 3/8-mile speed plant to conclude the Rio Grande West Services Wild West Shootout from Friday through Sunday. He drove a pair of Modifieds to strong results over the final three days of the 19th annual event.
The slated third day of the miniseries was nixed by weather on both Wednesday and Thursday, meaning Sanders got back behind the wheel on Friday afternoon. As he had during the first two days at Vado, Sanders piloted the Mars Race Cars No. 420 house ride in the 47-car Modified field. He grabbed the win in his heat race, putting him third on the grid to start the 20-lap, $1,000-to-win feature. Sanders climbed one spot to finish as runner-up, taking the checkered flag 2.630 seconds behind winner Kyle Strickler. Gary Christian, Dustin Sorensen and Paden Phillips completed the top five.
On Saturday, Sanders returned to his familiar MB Customs No. 20 Modified for a $2,000-to-win program attracting 44 entrants. He raced to fourth in his heat and second in his B-Main, starting him 20th in the main event. He moved ahead a strong 10 positions to come home 10th in the 25-lapper.
The next night, Sanders returned to the No. 420 for the 38-car, $3,000-to-win Wild West Shootout finale. He was runner-up in his heat and picked up one spot in the 25-lap main event to finish fifth. He followed Strickler, Sorensen, Joseph Thomas and Cade Dillard across the start-finish line and landed fifth in the final point standings.
Full results from the Wild West Shootout are at www.wildwesthootout.net.
Article Credit: FK Rod Ends image