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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.
USAC-NMMRA "BORDER TOUR" STARTS AUGUST 29TH AT EL PASO
By Lance Jennings
PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 25, 2014... Fresh off the “Freedom Tour” in Oklahoma and Kansas, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars are gearing up for the three-race “Border Tour.” Co-sanctioned with the New Mexico Motor Racing Association (NMMRA), the mini-series will open this Friday, August 29th, at El Paso Speedway Park. Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, New Mexico will host the following night’s action as the tour will end on Sunday at Tularosa Speedway.
With six wins in the campaign, defending champion R.J. Johnson leads the SouthWest point chase over a talented roster of drivers. “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Josh Pelkey, Shon Deskins, Matt Rossi, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Tye Mihocko, Andy Reinbold, Mike Colegrove, and “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James round out the top-10 drivers. Davis, Pelkey, and Dave Darland are tied with three victories while Brady Bacon has two wins. Mike Bonneau, Colby Copeland, Deskins, Austin Liggett, Martin, and Richard Vander Weerd have earned one main event win.
For the third year in a row, El Paso Speedway Park in El Paso, Texas will host the opening round of the Arizona-New Mexico “Border Tour.” Promoted by Royal Jones, the August 29th event will also feature Topless Modifieds, USRA Street Stocks, Hornets, and the CASA Nissan Legend Cars. Last season, R.J. Johnson took Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products Sherman to victory on his way to the inaugural USAC SouthWest title. On June 8, 2012, veteran Rickey Hood claimed the ASCS Canyon Region event at the 3/8-mile facility. For more event information, visit www.epspeedwaypark.com or call 915.791.8749.
The following night, Saturday, August 30th, the USAC SouthWest and NMMRA Sprints will return to Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Also promoted by Royal Jones, the second round of the “Border Tour” will also showcase Topless Modifieds, USRA Street Stocks, Hornets, and the CASA Nissan Legend Cars. Last year, “The Real Deal” Rick Ziehl raced John Ziehl’s #20Z Lucas Oil machine to a popular hometown victory. On June 9, 2012, Rickey Hood backed up his El Paso triumph with a win at the 5/16-mile oval. For more event information, visit www.snmspeedway.com or call 505.524.7913.
On Sunday, August 31st, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will make their debut at Tularosa Speedway in Tularosa, New Mexico. The “Border Tour” finale at the formerly called White Sands Speedway will also showcase Trucks, Factory Stocks, and Legend Cars. For more event information at the fast 3/8-mile facility, visit www.whitesandsspeedway.com or call 575.439.6421.
Heading to the “Border Tour,” Farmington, New Mexico’s Jason Grady leads the NMMRA point standings. Bill Mitchell, Stephen Nix, Cody Mansfield, Austin Mansfield, Randy Smith, James Hatch, Robert Marfia, Jesse Baker, and Josh Grady round out the top-10 drivers.
The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, Hose Advantage Store, and the Racers Advantage Store for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SouthwestSprintCars).
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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-739, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-695, 3. Josh Pelkey-680, 4. Shon Deskins-607, 5. Matt Rossi-575, 6. Mike Martin-564, 7. Tye Mihocko-517, 8. Andy Reinbold-459, 9. Mike Colegrove-442, 10. Bruce St. James-434, 11. Nick Aiuto-418, 12. Michael Curtis-403, 13. Josh Shipley-385, 14. Brian Hosford-337, --. Tom Ogle-337, 16. Stevie Sussex-271, 17. Mark Morin-245, 18. Mike Bonneau-242, 19. Chris Bonneau-225, 20. Dennis Gile-187.
NMMRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Jason Grady-337, 2. Bill Mitchell-300, 3. Stephen Nix-297, 4. Cody Mansfield-290, 5. Austin Mansfield-288, 6. Randy Smith-282, 7. James Hatch-248, 8. Robert Marfia-237, 9. Jesse Baker-236, --. Josh Grady-236, 11. Dillon Tanner-232, 12. Matthew Cardenas-231, 13. Michael Fanelli-225, 14. Kristy Smith-216, --. David Dykes-216, 16. Bo Baker-210, 17. Ronnie Smith-208, 18. Stephen Spiak-192, 19. Don Grable-142, 20. Josh Hodges-127.
2014 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
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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