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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS RETURN TO CSP FOR “5TH ANNUAL CANYON CLASH”
By Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – APRIL 28, 2015... This Saturday, May 2nd, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will invade Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park. Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the “5th Annual Canyon Clash” will also showcase the 9th World Vapor IMCA Modifieds, Mini Sprints, and the AZ Differential Pure Stocks. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. The facility will also host an open practice session on Friday night from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
Five-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion “The Shermanator” Jeremy Sherman won the inaugural “Canyon Clash” in 2011 and returned to victory circle the following year. On his way to the SouthWest crown in 2013, R.J. Johnson added the April classic to his resume. Last season, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. outdueled the defending champion to earn the “Canyon Clash” victory. Heading into Saturday’s race, R.J. leads all drivers with three consecutive feature wins and Ryan Bernal has two triumphs. Brady Bacon and Stevie Sussex have scored one victory during the campaign.
Looking to tie his series record of four straight wins for the second time, R.J. Johnson of Phoenix leads the USAC SouthWest point chase. Piloting Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson has opened a 37-point advantage with three heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 50 feature laps led to his credit. This Saturday, the defending champion will be looking to earn his series leading 26th career win at the “Canyon Clash.”
Buckeye’s “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. has climbed to second in the chase for the championship. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis raced from eleventh to claim fifth in the April 18th “Spring Fling” at Queen Creek. To date, the five-time Arizona champion has two high-point driver awards, three heat race victories, and six top-10 finishes on the year. “Chargin” Charles has ten career SouthWest triumphs and will have his sights on adding another “Canyon Clash” trophy to his collection.
Matt Rossi of South Central has slid into third in the point standings. Racing the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / IWR Spike, Rossi charged from seventh to score third at Arizona Speedway. At press time, the defending Western World Champion has one hard charger award and three top-10 finishes on the season. Tied with “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Mike Spencer, and Stevie Sussex for ninth on the series win list, Matt will be looking for his 3rd feature victory.
Tempe’s Stevie Sussex is fourth in the championship standings. Piloting Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / KSE Custom Drywall RSS, Sussex placed eighteenth in the Queen Creek feature after leading the first eleven laps. To date, the 2-time Hank Arnold Memorial champion has one feature win, two hard charger awards, five top-10 finishes, and 39 feature laps led. This Saturday, Stevie will have his sights on making the “Canyon Clash” his third career series triumph.
After finishing second to R.J. Johnson at Arizona Speedway, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin of Yuma has risen to fifth in SouthWest points. Driving his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Ultimate Offroad Maxim, Martin has one high point driver award, three heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 4 feature laps led on the season. At Canyon, the former Hall of Fame Classic winner will be looking to win his fourth career series main event.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Shon Deskins, Josh Pelkey, Mike Colegrove, Brian Hosford, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Andy Reinbold, Nick Aiuto, Dennis Gile, Josh Shipley, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Michael Curtis, Koty McGullam, 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 $16 with $3 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.RACE (7223).
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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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson.
CANYON CLASH WINNERS:
2011-Jeremy Sherman, 2012-Jeremy Sherman, 2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-Charles Davis Jr.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-252, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-215, 3. Matt Rossi-203, 4. Stevie Sussex-197, 5. Mike Martin-187, 6. Shon Deskins-187, 7. Josh Pelkey-181, 8. Mike Colegrove-159, 9. Brian Hosford-130, 10. Bruce St. James-129, 11. Andy Reinbold-114, 12. Nick Aiuto-96, --. Dennis Gile-96, 14. Josh Shipley-82, 15. Ryan Bernal-71, 16. Tye Mihocko-66, 17. Matt Mitchell-62, 18. Hunter Schuerenberg-57, 19. Michael Curtis-48, 20. Chris Windom-48, --. Colby Copeland-48.
2015 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
May 2: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Canyon Clash)
May 16: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
May 23: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
May 24: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
June 13: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
June 20: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Father’s Day Classic)
June 27: USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Hot Summer Nights)
July 10: #El Paso Speedway Park - El Paso, TX (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
July 11: #Southern New Mexico Speedway - Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
July 18: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
August 1: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Allscapes Back To School Special)
August 19: Lawton Speedway - Lawton, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 20: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 21: 81 Speedway - Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 22: Dodge City Raceway Park - Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 28: Prescott Valley Raceway - Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
August 29: Prescott Valley Raceway - Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
September 19: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
September 26: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
October 3: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
October 17: Central Arizona Speedway - Casa Grande, AZ
November 19: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
November 20: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
November 21: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
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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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