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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
#77M R.J. Johnson. USAC SouthWest Point Leader. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed In Photography.
R.J. JOHNSON LEADS USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS TO QUEEN CREEK
by Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – SEPTEMBER 5, 2013... After racing in Oklahoma and Kansas for the “Freedom Tour,” the cars and stars of the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series have returned to the “Copper State.” This Saturday, September 7th, the traditional sprints will invade Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway. Located within ET Motopark, the action packed card will also showcase Pure Stocks, AMA Mod Lites, and the Robert Horne Ford Bombers. The Front Gates will open at 5:15pm and Racing at the popular 3/8-mile oval is scheduled to begin at 7:15pm.
Saturday’s event will mark the fifth appearance at Arizona Speedway for the USAC SouthWest Sprints. “The Magic Man” Mike Martin claimed inaugural race on April 13th, R.J. Johnson has two wins, and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. claimed victory on June 8th. With valuable points up for grabs, Saturday’s race could play a key role in the championship chase.
With eight wins on the season, R.J. Johnson of Phoenix has an 82-point advantage over the competition. Driving Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson did not race in the “Freedom Tour.” To date, the former Arizona Midget Champion has seven heat race victories, four Sunoco Fuels Passing Masters Dash wins, one hard charger award, sixteen top-10 finishes, and 239 feature laps led to his credit. On Saturday, R.J. will be looking to return to victory circle at Arizona Speedway.
Buckeye’s “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. is second in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Racing the Massey Motorsports' #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis won the August 23rd “Freedom Tour” show at Dodge City Raceway Park. The five-time Arizona Champion has five main event wins, eight heat race victories, three Sunoco Fuels Passing Masters Dash wins, two semi-main wins, three hard charger awards, twenty top-10 finishes, and 99 feature laps led. “Chargin” Charles will have his sights on the feature win and gaining points on Johnson.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin of Yuma is third in the point standings. Piloting his #16 Ultimate Offroad / Naquin Precision Earth Moving Maxim, Martin’s best “Freedom Tour” finish was at Wichita, Kansas where he scored fifth. The USAC National “Hall of Fame Classic” winner has one feature win, one fast time award, six heat race victories, fifteen top-10 finishes, and 24 feature laps led. “The Magic Man” will be looking to add Saturday’s trophy to his collection.
Tucson’s Ronnie Clark sits fourth in the championship points. Driving the family owned #6 RCM / Ellis Race Cars machine, Clark did not compete in the inaugural “Freedom Tour.” The veteran driver has yet to claim a main event, but has two heat race victories and eleven top-10 finishes in the campaign. On Saturday, Ronnie will be looking for a breakthrough win at Queen Creek.
Shon Deskins of Phoenix is fifth in the point chase. Racing his #20 Performance Plus / Ellis Race Cars entry, Deskins best “Freedom Tour” run was seventh at Dodge City on August 24th. Like Clark, the veteran driver has yet to win a USAC SouthWest feature, but has eight heat race victories, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, eleven top-10 finishes, and eight feature laps led. At Queen Creek, Shon will have his sights on claiming the main event victory.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Andy Reinbold, Chris Bonneau, Josh Pelkey, Brian Hosford, Mike Bonneau, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Bryan Swinehart, Stevie Sussex, James Aragon, Tom Ogle, Jody Wirth, “The Bullet” Bob Ream Jr., and more.
Arizona Speedway is located at 47346 N. Ironwood Road in Queen Creek, just five miles south of Mesa. To get to the track, exit Ironwood Drive on US 60, then head four miles south. Adult Tickets are $15, Senior Tickets are $12, Kids Tickets (11-7) are $5, and Children 6 and under are FREE. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call (480) 926-6688.
The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, Racers Advantage Store, and the Hose Advantage Store for their support. For more information on the group, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SouthwestSprintCars).
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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT POINT STANDINGS:
1-R.J. Johnson-878; 2-Charles Davis Jr.-796; 3-Mike Martin-720; 4-Ronnie Clark-632; 5-Shon Deskins-625; 6-Andy Reinbold-560; 7-Chris Bonneau-555; 8-Josh Pelkey-539; 9-Brian Hosford-466; 10-Mike Bonneau-403; 11-Bruce St. James-399; 12-Bryan Swinehart-347; 13-Stevie Sussex-331; 14-James Aragon-329; 15-Tom Ogle-325; 16-Justin Quinn-320; 17-Steven Harms-317; 18-Jody Wirth-267; 19-Bob Ream Jr.-240; 20-Michael Curtis-212.
2013 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
September 7: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
September 14: Central Arizona Raceway - Casa Grande, AZ
September 28: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
October 12: Central Arizona Raceway - Casa Grande, AZ
October 19: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
October 31: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Oval Nationals / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
November 14: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 15: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 16: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / $7,500-to-Win)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
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