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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
- #77M R.J. Johnson - 4th in USAC SouthWest points. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed-In Photography.
USAC SOUTHWEST “SALUTE TO INDY” DOUBLE ON TAP AT CANYON SPEEDWAY PARK
By Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – MAY 21, 2014... This Saturday and Sunday, the popular USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will return to Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park for the “3rd Annual Salute To Indy.” Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the action packed card will also feature Mini Sprints, Challenge Cup Sprint Cars, AMA Mod Lites, and the North vs. South Shootout Dwarf Cars. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm on both nights.
While fairly new to the Canyon Speedway Park, the "Salute To Indy" race has been an Arizona tradition going back to the legendary Manzanita Speedway. In 1991, Ricky Johnson won the first of his record three Memorial Day Classics that was later tied by “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., and “The Shermanator” Jeremy Sherman. Last season, R.J. Johnson joined “Bullet” Bob Ream Jr. as a two-time winner of the event as Mike Boat, Marty Miller, Josh Pelkey, Eric Wilkins, Casey Shuman, and Colby Copeland have added the “Salute To Indy” to their resume.
Since January 2013, the fast 1/3-mile oval has hosted twenty-two USAC SouthWest races and R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with six victories. Bryan Clauson (5), “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland (3), and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (3) have earned multiple wins. Brady Bacon, Colby Copeland, Mike Spencer, Richard Vander Weerd, and Josh Pelkey have also stood atop the podium at CSP. Pelkey claimed the season opener on March 29th and Davis won the “Canyon Clash” on April 26th.
After winning the non-stop “Mother’s Day Race” at Queen Creek on May 10th, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. of Buckeye has taken over the point lead. Piloting the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis holds a five-point advantage with two feature wins, six heat race victories, nine top-10 finishes, and 16 feature laps led to his credit. “Chargin” Charles will be looking to extend his point lead and sweep the “Salute To Indy” weekend.
Peoria’s Josh Pelkey is second in the SouthWest point standings. Driving Robbie and Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts Maxim, Pelkey raced to third at Arizona Speedway after starting eighth. Entering the sixth point race, the former ASCA Champion has one feature win, one heat race victory, two hard charger awards, eleven top-10 finishes, and 45 feature laps led in 2014. Josh will have his sights on regaining the point lead with a “Salute To Indy” victory.
Shon Deskins of Phoenix ranks third in the championship points. Racing his #20 Performance Plus / Spike Chassis machine, Deskins placed sixth in the Queen Creek main event. Heading to Canyon, the Prescott Valley winner has two heat race victories and eight top-10 finishes on the season. This weekend, Shon will be looking to add the “Salute To Indy” trophy to his collection.
Phoenix’s R.J. Johnson sits fourth in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Piloting Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson scored fourth at Arizona Speedway after starting sixth. To date, the defending series champion has one feature win, two heat race victories, one hard charger award, nine top-10 finishes, and 44 feature laps led on the year. At Canyon, R.J. will have his sights on tying his father’s record of three “Salute To Indy” triumphs.
Matt Rossi of Phoenix is currently fifth in the point standings. Driving the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / Advanced Engine Components Spike, Rossi charged to fifth from eleventh in the non-stop “Mother’s Day Race.” With one heat race victory, one hard charger award, and four top-10 finishes in the campaign, Matt will be looking for his second career USAC SouthWest feature win.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Andy Reinbold, “The Kid” Tye Mihocko, Josh Shipley, Nick Aiuto, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Mike Colegrove, Brian Hosford, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Mike Bonneau, Michael Curtis, Chris Bonneau, Stevie Sussex, Tom Ogle, Mark Morin, Tom Lee, Colby Copeland, and more.
Canyon Speedway Park 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. For both days, Adult Tickets are $15 with $2 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 602.258.7223 (RACE).
The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks 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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CANYON SALUTE TO INDY WINNERS:
2012-Colby Copeland, 2013-R.J. Johnson.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Charles Davis Jr.-310, 2. Josh Pelkey-305, 3. Shon Deskins-292, 4. R.J. Johnson-277, 5. Matt Rossi-241, 6. Andy Reinbold-210, 7. Tye Mihocko-207, 8. Josh Shipley-192, 9. Nick Aiuto-188, --. Mike Martin-188, 11. Mike Colegrove-187, 12. Brian Hosford-180, 13. Bruce St. James-175, 14. Mike Bonneau-165, 15. Michael Curtis-153, 16. Chris Bonneau-123, 17. Stevie Sussex-116, 18. Tom Ogle-108, 19. Mark Morin-94, 20. Tom Lee-79.
2014 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
May 24: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
May 25: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
June 7: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
June 14: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Father’s Day Classic)
June 28: Prescott Valley Speedway - Prescott Valley, AZ
July 12: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
July 26: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Summer Slam)
August 1: Prescott Valley Speedway - Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
August 2: Prescott Valley Speedway - Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
August 13: Lawton Speedway - Lawton, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 14: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 15: 81 Speedway - Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 16: Dodge City Raceway Park - Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 29: **El Paso Speedway Park - El Paso, TX (Border Tour)
August 30: **Southern New Mexico Speedway - Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour)
August 31: **Tularosa Speedway - Tularosa, NM (Border Tour)
September 6: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
September 20: Central Arizona Raceway - Casa Grande, AZ
September 27: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
October 11: Prescott Valley Speedway - Prescott Valley, AZ
October 18: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Southwest Championships)
November 1: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
November 6: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Oval Nationals / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
November 20: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 21: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 22: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / $7,500-to-Win)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
** = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
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