5/19/2026
USMTS - United States Modified Touring Series
Solander to Compete USMTS Memorial Weekend after Scary Accident May 4th
Solander Set to Return After Fiery Tractor Accident.
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa —Reece Solander knows he is lucky to be alive.
On Monday night, May 4, 2026, the 24-year-old from Emporia, Kansas, was traveling on Highway 50 on his way back to the farm when the driveline in the tractor he was driving came apart. The driveline came through the cab, striking fuel and hydraulic lines and causing the tractor to burst into flames.
The explosion was so violent it blew the windows out of the cab and forced the doors open. In that moment, Solander had one choice—stay inside and burn, or bail out.
He jumped from the burning tractor onto Highway 50.
Solander suffered multiple burns, including second-degree burns to his arms, neck and face. He was rushed to the hospital by teammate Gabe and crew chief Tanner before being transported by ambulance to a burn unit in Wichita.
By 5:30 a.m., Solander was released from the hospital after doctors treated his injuries. Since the accident, he has made several return visits to the doctor, and the news has been encouraging. His burns are healing well, there are no open wounds, he is off pain medication, and he continues to make strong progress.
Todd Staley has spoken with Solander several times since the accident, and Reece admitted he saw his life flash before his eyes and wondered how he was going to escape the burning tractor.
At the time of the accident, Solander was leading the USMTS National Championship points standings after a tremendous start to the 2026 season. He scored his first USMTS win at the King of America at Lucas Oil Speedway and had recorded one win, three runner-up finishes, two third-place finishes and just one finish outside the top 10.
Following the accident, USMTS officials allowed the Solander team to use a substitute driver while Reece recovered. After receiving calls from several interested drivers, the Hodges Racing team chose USRA B-Mod driver and Skyrocket builder Hunter Kennedy.
Kennedy did exactly what the team needed at the Red, White & Blue Nationals at Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Oklahoma. He kept the car clean, finished the weekend, and loaded it in the trailer each night—a job well done under difficult circumstances.
Anyone who knows Reece can imagine what he was thinking. According to Jeff, Reece said, “I’m leading the USMTS National Points and I have to find a way to be behind the wheel at Tri-State.”
Doctors—and Jeff—had a different opinion.
After the Tri-State weekend, Solander slipped to second in the standings behind King of America winner Tanner Mullens, but remains just 31 points out of the lead. Brandon Davis, Rodney Sanders and Jim Chisholm are also within striking distance, all less than 52 points behind Mullens.
Now, Solander is expected to return to the seat of the No. 5 Skyrocket by Balanced Speed as the Summit Racing Equipment USMTS presented by RacinDirt.com heads into a four-race Memorial Day Weekend swing. The action begins Thursday at Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa, continues Friday at Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa, moves to Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota, on Saturday, and wraps up Sunday at Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City, Iowa.
The USMTS family and racing world are thankful to see Reece Solander healing and back where he belongs—behind the wheel of a Modified.
There is no doubt the power of prayer helped Reece and his wife Hayven through this frightening accident, and everyone with USMTS wishes him continued healing, strength and success as he gets back on the gas this weekend.
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