|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
- #21AZ Stevie Sussex – 2011 Hank Arnold Memorial Winner & 15th in USAC SouthWest Points. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed-In Photography.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS RETURN TO CANYON FOR HANK ARNOLD MEMORIAL
By Lance Jennings
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 15, 2014... This Saturday, October 18th, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will return to action at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria. Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the “Hank Arnold Memorial” will also feature Mini Sprints, Pure Stocks, and Dwarf Cars. The Spectator Gates will open at 5:00pm, with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
Saturday’s event marks the return of the “Hank Arnold Memorial” to the schedule. Once a mainstay on the Arizona sprint car scene, the race honors Hank Arnold, who is widely regarded as one of the most popular drivers, mechanics, and car builders in the state. Sadly, Arnold lost his life in a terrible crash at Manzanita Speedway on June 16, 1967 and one week later, Bob Huebner claimed the first of his two memorial victories. “The Shermanator” Jeremy Sherman leads all drivers with six victories and other multiple winners include Wayne Bennet (4), Billy Shuman (3), Eric Wilkins (3), Larry Clark (2), Bob Cleberg (2), Dennis Matousek (2), and Bob Ream Jr. (2). In 2011, Stevie Sussex joined the winner’s list that also has Lealand McSpadden, Buddy Taylor, Billy Boat, Marty Wilcox, Jerry Coons Jr., Josh Pelkey, Charles Davis Jr., and Rick Ziehl.
Heading to the “Hank Arnold Memorial,” R.J. Johnson of Phoenix sits atop the standings with a 123-point advantage. Piloting Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson ran sixth last Saturday at Prescott Valley after leading the first twenty-five laps. To date, the defending USAC SouthWest Champion has ten feature wins, thirteen heat race victories, one hard charger award, twenty-six top-10 finishes, and 202 feature laps led to his credit. This Saturday, R.J. will be looking to add the “Arnold Memorial” to his resume.
After winning last Saturday’s “Rick Stewart Memorial,” Peoria’s Josh Pelkey has climbed to second in the point chase. Driving Robbie and Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts Maxim, Pelkey has four main event wins, five heat race victories, two hard charger awards, twenty-seven top-10 finishes, and 71 feature laps led on the season. Josh won the event in 1997 on his way to the ASCA Championship and will have his sights on gaining valuable points with another triumph.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. of Buckeye ranks third in the point standings. Racing the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis claimed fifth at Prescott Valley after starting eighth. The five-time state champion heads to Canyon with four main event wins, twelve heat race victories, one semi-main win, two hard charger awards, twenty-three top-10 finishes, and 122 feature laps led in 2014. “Chargin” Charles scored the “Hank Arnold Memorial” win in 2003 and will be looking to add Saturday’s winning trophy to his collection.
On the strength of his second place run at the “Stewart Memorial,” Phoenix’s Matt Rossi has risen to fourth in the championship points. Piloting the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / Advanced Engine Components Spike, Rossi has four heat race victories, two hard charger awards, and fifteen top-10 finishes in the campaign. On Saturday, Matt will have his sights on earning his first win of the season at the “Hank Arnold Memorial.”
Shon Deskins of Phoenix sits fifth in the USAC SouthWest point standings. Driving his #20 MP Environmental / Performance Plus Spike, Deskins placed eighteenth in last Saturday’s 40-lap feature. As this writing goes to press, the veteran racer has one feature win, eight heat race victories, one hard charger award, twenty top-10 finishes, and 60 feature laps led on the year. Shon will be looking to rebound with the main event win at Canyon Speedway Park.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, “The Kid” Tye Mihocko, Andy Reinbold, Nick Aiuto, Michael Curtis, Brian Hosford, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Mike Colegrove, Josh Shipley, Stevie Sussex, Tom Ogle, Chris Bonneau, Mike Bonneau, 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. 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).
-----------------------------------------------
HANK ARNOLD MEMORIAL WINNERS:
1967-Bob Huebner, 1968-Bob Cleberg, 1969-Jerry McClung, 1970-Bob Cleberg, 1971-Bob Huebner, 1972-Billy Shuman, 1973-Lealand McSpadden, 1974-Buddy Taylor, 1975-Billy Shuman, 1976-Billy Shuman, 1977-Dennis Matousek, 1978-Dennis Matousek, 1979-Larry Clark, 1980-Wayne Bennett, 1981-Larry Clark, 1983-Wayne Bennet, 1984-Wayne Bennet, 1988-Billy Boat, 1989-Wayne Bennet, 1990-Marty Wilcox, 1991-Dick Kelm, 1992-Bob Ream Jr., 1993-Curt Brown, 1994-Mike Boat, 1996-Jerry Coons Jr., 1997-Josh Pelkey, 1998-Bob Ream Jr., 1999-Eric Wilkins, 2000-Eric Wilkins, 2001-Eric Wilkins, 2002-Jeremy Sherman, 2003-Charles Davis Jr., 2004-Jeremy Sherman, 2005-Jeremy Sherman, 2006-Jeremy Sherman, 2007-Jeremy Sherman, 2008-Andy Reinbold, 2009-Rick Ziehl, 2010-Jeremy Sherman, 2011-Stevie Sussex.
2014 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
10-R.J. Johnson, 4-Charles Davis Jr., 4-Josh Pelkey, 3-Dave Darland, 2-Brady Bacon, 1-Mike Bonneau, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Shon Deskins, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
CANYON USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
9-R.J. Johnson, 5-Bryan Clauson, 3-Dave Darland, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 2-Josh Pelkey, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-1144, 2. Josh Pelkey-1021, 3. Charles Davis Jr.-1013, 4. Matt Rossi-919, 5. Shon Deskins-893, 6. Mike Martin-867, 7. Tye Mihocko-808, 8. Andy Reinbold-641, 9. Nick Aiuto-613, 10. Michael Curtis-611, 11. Brian Hosford-567, 12. Bruce St. James-544, 13. Mike Colegrove-530, 14. Josh Shipley-416, 15. Stevie Sussex-376, 16. Tom Ogle-373, 17. Chris Bonneau-327, 18. Mike Bonneau-318, 19. Josh Hodges-279, 20. Mark Morin-271.
2014 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
October 18: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
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.
This schedule is subject to change.
|
