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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Honda USAC Western Midget Series
#51 R.J. Johnson – Canyon Main Event Winner. Photo by Rob Hargraves.
R.J. JOHNSON GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE AT CANYON SPEEDWAY PARK
By Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – MARCH 2, 2014... Leading all 20 laps, R.J. Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona claimed the Friday night Honda USAC Western Midget feature at Canyon Speedway Park. The defending USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion held off the challenges from Alex Schutte to score his second series triumph in front of his “home track” fans. Schutte, Trey Marcham, Terry Goodwin, and Jake Swanson rounded out the top-five as rain would cancel Saturday’s “Copper On Dirt” program.
Driving Bobby Martin’s #51 Weiler Farms / Pecon Builders Spike, R.J. Johnson grabbed the early lead from the pole position. Preferring to run the low line as track conditions were changing, Johnson soon had to contend with Alex Schutte on the outside line. While the race was shortened after Chad Nichols flipped his mount through the turn three billboards, Schutte would continue his pursuit off the cushion. Using a veteran move, Johnson changed to Schutte’s high line and streaked away to the checkered flags. In time trials, R.J. qualified fourth out of the nine cars in attendance and won the night’s only heat race. It was a memorable night for Johnson as he took second in the companion USAC/CRA Sprint feature.
Redding, California’s Alex Schutte gave a valiant effort and had to settle for second on this night. Piloting the Schutte/McElwee #28 Aircraft Electrical Components / Ontario West Spike, the 2010 series champion timed in second quick and placed fourth in his heat race. Alex left Canyon second in points as the dirt series will return to action at Bakersfield on May 3rd.
Making his first series start in Keith Ford’s #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine TCR, Trey Marcham of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ran third in the main event. Last season’s Rookie of the Year set the standard in time trials and placed third in the 8-lap heat race. Marcham will be looking for his first series victory at Bakersfield Speedway.
Laveen, Arizona’s Terry Goodwin earned the night’s “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a fourth place run after starting seventh. Racing Misty Goodwin’s #2G Combs Construction / Goodwin Racing Spike, Goodwin was seventh fast in time trials, took seventh in his heat race, and is currently fifth in the standings.
Jake Swanson of Anaheim, California scored fifth in the Friday night feature. Driving the Van Dyne/Swanson #5 Van Dyne Engineering / Ram Bull Spike, Swanson qualified third overall and claimed second in his heat race. After bicycling in turn three during the main event, Swanson saved his machine, but his night ended early. Jake also ran in the USAC/CRA main event, taking eighth in his new ride with Moose Racing.
On Saturday, March 15th, the Honda USAC Western Midgets will tackle the pavement at Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu, Arizona. The “JW Mitchell Memorial” will also feature the USAC HPD Midgets, AZ Vintage Racing Association, and Factory Stocks. For more event and ticket information, visit www.havasu95speedway.com or call 928-716-6300.
The Honda USAC Western Midget Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Rugged Radios, and Western Performance Parts for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usacwsmidgets), or Twitter (www.twitter.com/USAC_WSMIDGET).
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HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET DIRT RACE RESULTS:
February 28, 2014 – Peoria, Arizona – Canyon Speedway Park – “Copper On Dirt”
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Trey Marcham, 73, Ford-14.250; 2. Alex Schutte, 28, Schutte/McElwee-14.256; 3. Jake Swanson, 5, Van Dyne/Swanson-14.367; 4. R.J. Johnson, 51, Martin-14.425; 5. Jarid Blondel, 98, Blondel-14.534; 6. Chad Nichols, 17, Nichols-14.988; 7. Terry Goodwin, 2G, Goodwin-15.173; 8. Ronnie Gardner, 68, Six8-NT; 9. Jeff Perry, 28X, Perry-NT.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps)
1. R.J. Johnson, 2. Jake Swanson, 3. Trey Marcham, 4. Alex Schutte, 5. Jarid Blondel, 6. Chad Nichols, 7. Terry Goodwin, 8. Ronnie Gardner. NT
FEATURE: (20 laps – With Starting Positions)
1. R.J. Johnson (1st), 2. Alex Schutte (3rd), 3. Trey Marcham (4th), 4. Terry Goodwin (7th), 5. Jake Swanson (2nd), 6. Jarid Blondel (5th), 7. Chad Nichols (6th), 8. Ronnie Gardner (8th). NT
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**Chad Nichols flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-20 R.J. Johnson.
HARD CHARGER: Terry Goodwin (7th to 4th)
HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-71, 2. Alex Schutte-67, 3. Trey Marcham-66, 4. Jake Swanson-59, 5. Terry Goodwin-53, 6. Jarid Blondel-51, 7. Chad Nichols-46, 8. Ronnie Gardner-39, 9. Jeff Perry-1.
2014 HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
May 3: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
May 31: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
July 5: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway (Party At The Coast)
July 19: *Hanford, CA - Kings Speedway (Jim Evett Memorial)
August 9: *Petaluma, CA - Petaluma Speedway (John Soares Classic)
August 30: Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway (Louie Vermeil Classic)
August 31: Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 4: *Chico, CA - Silver Dollar Speedway (Gold Cup Race Of Champions)
September 20: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
September 27: Visalia, CA - Plaza Park Raceway
November 20: #Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway (Western World Championships)
November 21: #Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway (Western World Championships)
November 22: #Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway (Western World Championships)
November 27: #Perris, CA Perris Auto Speedway (Turkey Night Grand Prix)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with BCRA Midgets.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC National Midgets.
This schedule is subject to change.
2014 HONDA USAC WESTERN PAVEMENT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
March 15: Havasu 95 Speedway - Lake Havasu, AZ (JW Mitchell Memorial)
March 29: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Smokey Hanoian Classic)
June 7: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Pombo/Sargent Classic)
July 12: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Gerhardt Classic 100-laps)
September 13: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Harvest Classic)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with BCRA Midgets.
This schedule is subject to change.
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