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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
“6TH ANNUAL CANYON CLASH” ON TAP SATURDAY FOR USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS
By Lance Jennings
APRIL 27, 2016... After last Saturday’s race at Yuma, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will return to Peoria, Arizona’s Canyon Speedway this Saturday, April 30th. Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the “6th Annual Canyon Clash” will also feature the Allscapes IMCA Stock Cars vs. SCRA Stock Cars, Scottsdale Muffler & Automotive IMCA Hobby Stocks vs. Renegades, Western ModLites, and Mini Sprints. The front gates will open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. In addition, the Canyon Speedway will host an Open Practice from 7pm to 10pm on Friday night. For more event and ticket information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
“The Shermanator” Jeremy Sherman won the inaugural “Canyon Clash” in 2011 and returned to victory circle the following year. On his way to the SouthWest crown in 2013, R.J. Johnson added the April classic to his resume. “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. earned top honors in 2014 and Johnson grabbed the lead from Stevie Sussex on lap 27 to claim last year’s “Canyon Clash.”
Since January 26, 2013, Canyon Speedway has hosted forty-six USAC SouthWest Coast Sprint Car races. 3-time champion R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) leads all drivers with twelve “home track” victories followed by Bryan Clauson (8), Ryan Bernal (4), and Stevie Sussex (4). At Canyon’s last USAC SouthWest race, Sussex passed Davis on the sixteenth circuit to win the March 26th “Easter Eggstravaganza.” A complete series win list at Canyon Speedway is at the bottom of this release.
After winning last Saturday at Cocopah Speedway, Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) has a 30-point lead over the competition. Piloting Gene Gile’s #13S Quarterback Academy Ellis, Sussex has two feature wins, two heat race victories, one top-qualifier award, one hard charger award, five top-10 finishes, and 35 feature laps led to his credit. Stevie ranks fourth in series wins and will be looking to claim his seventh triumph this Saturday.
R.J. Johnson (Tempe, Arizona) is currently second in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Driving Bill Michael’s #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson ran sixth in Yuma’s 30-lap feature. To date, the three-time champion has one feature win, two heat race victories, three top-qualifier awards, nine top-10 finishes, and 34 feature laps led in the campaign. R.J. will have his sights on claiming his series leading 34th victory at the “Canyon Clash.”
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) ranks third in the chase for the championship. Racing the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis scored fifth last Saturday from eleventh. Heading to Canyon, the five-time Arizona champion has five heat race victories, one top-qualifier award, one hard charger award, nine top-10 finishes, and 34 feature laps led on the year. “Chargin” Charles is second on the series win list with 13 main events and will be looking to earn Canyon’s $1,500 payday.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) sits fourth in the championship standings. Piloting his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Boulevard Truck Maxim, Martin led the first ten laps at Yuma before scoring third at the checkered flags. To date, the former Hall of Fame Classic winner has three heat race victories, one hard charger award, seven top-10 finishes, and 27 feature laps led on the year. “The Magic Man” is tied for fifth on the win list with five victories as he looks to add the “Canyon Clash” trophy to his collection.
Josh Pelkey (Peoria, Arizona) is fifth in the point standings. Driving Robbie & Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts machine, Pelkey placed fourth last Saturday at Cocopah Speedway. Heading to Canyon, the 1997 ASCA Champion has one heat race victory, two hard charger awards and three top-10 finishes on the season. This Saturday, Josh will be looking to earn his sixth USAC SouthWest main event win.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Matt Rossi, Nick Aiuto, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Dennis Gile, Chris Bonneau, Brian Hosford, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Andy Reinbold, Tom Ogle, Shon Deskins, Landon Cling, Dustin Burkhart, Michael Curtis, and more.
Canyon Speedway is located at 9777 West Carefree Highway in Peoria, Arizona. To get to the track, take Lake Pleasant Parkway, then 1.3 miles west on Carefree Highway. Adult Tickets are $16 with $3 discounts available for Seniors, Military, and Students. Kids Tickets (7-12) are $6 and Children (6 and under) are FREE. VIP passes are available for $20 and advance tickets are on sale now. For more event information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
For more information on the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook.
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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson.
CANYON CLASH WINNERS:
2011-Jeremy Sherman, 2012-Jeremy Sherman, 2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-Charles Davis Jr., 2015-R.J. Johnson.
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
4-Bryan Clauson, 2-Josh Hodges, 2-Stevie Sussex, 1-R.J. Johnson.
CANYON USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
12-R.J. Johnson, 8-Bryan Clauson, 4-Ryan Bernal, 4-Stevie Sussex, 3-Dave Darland, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Josh Hodges, 2-Josh Pelkey, 2-Matt Rossi, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Stevie Sussex-306, 2. R.J. Johnson-276, 3. Charles Davis Jr.-258, 4. Mike Martin-231, 5. Josh Pelkey-225, 6. Matt Rossi-212, 7. Nick Aiuto-185, 8. Tye Mihocko-183, 9. Dennis Gile-178, 10. Chris Bonneau-159, 11. Brian Hosford-139, 12. Bruce St. James-138, 13. Andy Reinbold-137, 14. Tom Ogle-115, Shon Deskins-115, 16. Landon Cling-110, 17. Dustin Burkhart-98, 18. Bryan Clauson-79, 19. Brody Roa-72,
20. Brady Bacon-69.
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
April 30: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Canyon Clash)
May 7: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
May 28: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
May 29: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
June 3: #El Paso Speedway Park - El Paso, TX (Border Tour)
June 4: #Southern New Mexico Speedway - Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour)
June 11: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
July 2: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
July 30: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Allscapes Back to School Special)
August 17: Lawton Speedway - Lawton, OK (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
August 18: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
August 19: 81 Speedway - Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
August 20: Dodge City Raceway Park - Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
September 2: #El Paso Speedway Park - El Paso, TX (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
September 3: #Southern New Mexico Speedway - Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
September 17: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
October 15: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
October 22: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
October 29: Central Arizona Speedway - Casa Grande, AZ
November 4: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ (Western World Championships / $2,000-to-Win)
November 5: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ (Western World Championships / $5,000-to-Win)
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# = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
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