|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
- #77M R.J. Johnson – Canyon Speedway Park Winner. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed-In Photography.
R.J. JOHNSON STREAKS TO CANYON’S “FATHER’S DAY CLASSIC” WIN
By Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – JUNE 15, 2014... Taking command from Stevie Sussex on lap 10, Phoenix’s R.J. Johnson led the rest of the way to claim the “Father’s Day Classic” Canyon Speedway Park. The $1,500 USAC SouthWest victory was Johnson’s third consecutive win and fourth triumph of the campaign. “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Josh Pelkey, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., and Matt Rossi followed the point leader to the checkered flags.
Driving Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, R.J. Johnson won the 30-lap main event from the sixth starting spot. The defending champion also won the second 8-lap heat race and ranked as the night’s high point driver in passing points. With his series leading fourteenth win, R.J. has a 27 point advantage heading to Prescott Valley with five heat race victories, one hard charger award, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 89 feature laps led to his credit.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin of Yuma took second in the “Father’s Day Classic’ after starting fourth. Piloting his #16 PPG Professional Paints / Desert Building Materials Maxim, Martin won the night’s first heat race and placed third in passing points. The former “Hall of Fame Classic Winner” has climbed to fifth in the point chase with four heat race victories, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, eight top-10 finishes, and one feature lap led.
Peoria’s Josh Pelkey charged to third at Canyon Speedway Park after starting eighth. Racing Robbie and Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts Maxim, Pelkey took third in his heat race and was seated eighth in passing points. To date, the former ASCA Champion is second in the standings with two feature wins, three heat race victories, two hard charger awards, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 53 feature laps led in 2014.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. of Buckeye scored fourth in the 30-lap main event after starting seventh. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis placed second in his heat race and ranked seventh in passing points. The five-time state champion is currently third in the championship points with two feature wins, eight heat race victories, twelve top-10 finishes, and 57 feature laps led on the year.
Matt Rossi of Phoenix earned the night’s “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a fifth place run from eleventh. Piloting the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / Advanced Engine Components Spike, Rossi claimed fourth in his heat race and was eleventh in passing points. The veteran driver is sixth in the point standings with one heat race victory, two hard charger awards, and seven top-10 finishes in the campaign.
Phoenix’s Shon Deskins raced to victory in the night’s third 8-lap heat race. Racing his #20 MP Environmental / Performance Plus Spike, Deskins was second in passing points and scored tenth in the “Father’s Day Classic.” Shon is fourth in the point chase with one feature win, four heat race victories, ten top-10 finishes, and 30 feature laps led to his credit.
On Saturday, June 28th, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will travel to Prescott Valley Speedway in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Located at the Yavapai County Fairgrounds, the action packed “premier show” will also feature Super Stocks, Prescott Valley Dwarf Cars, Vintage Cars, SCRA Factory Stocks, and Copper State Mod Lites. Advance tickets are on sale and for more information, visit www.pvraceway.com or call 928.925.9858.
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).
--------------------------------------------------------------
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS:
June 14, 2014 – Peoria, Arizona – Canyon Speedway Park – “Father’s Day Classic”
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps)
1. Mike Martin (#16 Martin), 2. Stevie Sussex (#1DM Sussex), 3. Tye Mihocko (#5 Mihocko), 4. Dennis Giles (#13 Giles), 5. Nick Parker (#94 Parker), 6. Mark Morin (#28 Morin). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps)
1. R.J. Johnson (#77M Michaels), 2. Tom Ogle (#48 Ogle), 3. Josh Pelkey (#12 Allen), 4. Bruce St. James (#7K St. James), 5. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 6. Brandon Hacker (#21 Hacker). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps)
1. Shon Deskins (#20 Deskins), 2. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 3. Mike Colegrove (#17M Colegrove), 4. Matt Rossi (#02 Rossi), 5. Nick Aiuto (#27 Aiuto), 6. Michael Curtis (#11C Turner/Wheeler). NT
FEATURE: (30 laps – With Starting Positions)
1. R.J. Johnson (6th), 2. Mike Martin (4th), 3. Josh Pelkey (8th), 4. Charles Davis Jr. (7th), 5. Matt Rossi (11th), 6. Mike Colegrove (3rd), 7. Tye Mihocko (9th), 8. Tom Ogle (1st), 9. Brian Hosford (14th), 10. Shon Deskins (5th), 11. Dennis Giles (10th), 12. Bruce St. James (13th), 13. Michael Curtis (15th), 14. Nick Parker (16th), 15. Stevie Sussex (2nd), 16. Brandon Hacker (18th), 17. Nick Aiuto (12th), 18. Mark Morin (17th). NT
----------------------------
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-9 Stevie Sussex, Laps 10-30 R.J. Johnson.
HARD CHARGER: Matt Rossi (11th to 5th)
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-557, 2. Josh Pelkey-530, 3. Charles Davis Jr.-519, 4. Shon Deskins-462, 5. Mike Martin-408, 6. Matt Rossi-402, 7. Tye Mihocko-387, 8. Mike Colegrove-355, 9. Andy Reinbold-339, 10. Nick Aiuto-319, 11. Bruce St. James-315, 12. Michael Curtis-301, 13. Stevie Sussex-271, 14. Brian Hosford-260, 15. Tom Ogle-247, 16. Mike Bonneau-242, 17. Chris Bonneau-225, 18. Josh Shipley-207, 19. Mark Morin-170, 20. Dennis Giles-152.
2014 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
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)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
** = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
|
