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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
STEVIE SUSSEX TRIUMPHS AT CANYON’S “EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA”
By Lance Jennings
MARCH 28, 2016... Charging from fifth, Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) raced past “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. and held off all challengers to win Saturday’s “Easter Eggstravaganza.” For Sussex, the $2,000 USAC SouthWest Sprint Car victory at Canyon Speedway was noted as one of the most exciting races in track history. Hard charger Josh Pelkey, top qualifier R.J. Johnson, Matt Rossi, and Tom Ogle chased Sussex to the checkered flags.
Making his first start of the year, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James led the first two circuits from the pole position. Looking for his first win, Davis took command from St. James and held the top spot for the next thirteen laps. The five-time state champion’s hopes were dashed as Sussex took the lead for good and recorded the fifth series win of his career.
Racing Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / Westin Diversified RSS, Steve Sussex ran third in his heat race and placed second in the night’s passing points. With the feature victory, Sussex is now tied with Josh Pelkey and Mike Martin for fourth on the SouthWest win list and has taken over the point lead.
Josh Pelkey (Peoria, Arizona) earned the night’s “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a second place run from eighth. Piloting Ronnie & Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts entry, Pelkey scored third in his heat race and seated eighth in the night’s passing points. The 1997 ASCA Champion left his hometown track ranked fifth in the point chase.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) stormed from sixth to finish third in the “Easter Eggstravaganza.” Driving Bill Michael’s #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body machine, Johnson won the night’s first eight lap heat race and was the program’s top qualifier. For his efforts, the three-time champion has climbed to second in the point standings.
Matt Rossi (Glendale, Arizona) placed fourth in the Canyon Speedway main event. Racing the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / IWR Spike, Rossi ran second to Davis in his heat race and ranked fifth in passing points. Heading to Queen Creek on April 9th, the former Western World Champion is sixth in the championship chase.
Tom Ogle (Surprise, Arizona) had a solid night and claimed fifth at the checkered flags after starting seventh. Piloting the family owned #48 RSS Industries / JT Engineering RSS, Ogle was second to Mike Martin in his heat race and placed seventh in passing points. After his first start of the campaign, the veteran driver sits fourteenth in the standings.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) raced to victory in the night’s second eight lap heat race. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis took third in passing points and led thirteen laps before Sussex took command. “Chargin” Charles rebounded to finish seventh after a late race caution and climbed to third in points.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) took the checkered flags in the program’s third eight lap heat race. Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Boulevard Truck Maxim, Martin was fourth in passing points and placed ninth in the 30-lap main event. The former Hall of Fame Classic winner has risen to seventh in the point standings.
On Saturday, April 9th, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will travel to Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Arizona. Located at the ET Motopark, the “Spring Fling” will also showcase Sport Mods, Pure Stocks, and more. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or calling 480.926.6688.
For more information on the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook.
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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS:
March 26, 2016 – Peoria, Arizona – Canyon Speedway - “Easter Eggstravaganza”
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps)
1. R.J. Johnson (#77M Michael), 2. Bruce St. James (#7K St. James), 3. Josh Pelkey (#12 Allen), 4. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 5. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau), 6. Kyle Shipley (#99 Shipley), 7. Asa Kesterson (#18 Kesterson). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps)
1. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 2. Matt Rossi (#02 Rossi), 3. Nick Aiuto (#27 Aiuto), 4. Andy Reinbold (#19 Underwood), 5. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 6. Michael Curtis (#11C Turner/Wheeler), 7. Landon Cling (#54 Strait). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps)
1. Mike Martin (#16 Martin), 2. Tom Ogle (#48 Ogle), 3. Stevie Sussex (#21AZ Burkhart), 4. Matt Lundy (#98 Lundy), 5. Chris Bonneau (#78 Bonneau), 6. Tye Mihocko (#5 Mihocko), 7. Dustin Burkhart (#14AZ Burkhart/White). NT
FEATURE: (30 laps – With Starting Positions)
1. Stevie Sussex (5th), 2. Josh Pelkey (8th), 3. R.J. Johnson (6th), 4. Matt Rossi (2nd), 5. Tom Ogle (7th), 6. Nick Aiuto (9th), 7. Charles Davis Jr. (4th), 8. Bruce St. James (1st), 9. Mike Martin (3rd), 10. Chris Bonneau (15th), 11. Andy Reinbold (11th), 12. Tye Mihocko (18th), 13. Dennis Gile (10th), 14. Brian Hosford (16th), 15. Michael Curtis (14th), 16. Matt Lundy (12th), 17. Tanner Grau (17th), 18. Dustin Burkhart (20th), 19. Kyle Shipley (13th), 20. Landon Cling (21st). NT
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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 St. James, Laps 3-15 Davis, Laps 16-30 Sussex.
HARD CHARGER: Josh Pelkey (8th to 2nd)
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Stevie Sussex-159, 2. R.J. Johnson-134, 3. Charles Davis Jr.-121, 4. Nick Aiuto-104, 5. Josh Pelkey-102, 6. Matt Rossi-95, 7. Mike Martin-86, 8. Bryan Clauson-79, 9. Tye Mihocko-74, 10. Dennis Gile-74, 11. Brody Roa-72, 12. Brady Bacon-69, 13. Josh Hodges-68, 14. Tom Ogle-65, 15. Dave Darland-63, 16. Bruce St. James-57, 17. Trey Marcham-54, 18. Brian Hosford-49, 19. D.J. Johnson-48, 20. Chris Bonneau-47.
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
April 9: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ (Spring Fling)
April 23: Cocopah Speedway - Yuma, AZ
April 30: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ (Canyon Clash)
May 7: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
May 28: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
May 29: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
June 3: #Western Tech Speedway Park - El Paso, TX (Border Tour)
June 4: #Southern New Mexico Speedway - Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour)
June 11: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
July 2: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
July 30: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ (Allscapes Back to School Special)
August 17: Lawton Speedway - Lawton, OK (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
August 18: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
August 19: 81 Speedway - Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
August 20: Dodge City Raceway Park - Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)
September 2: #Western Tech Speedway Park - El Paso, TX (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
September 3: #Southern New Mexico Speedway - Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
September 17: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
October 15: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ
October 22: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
October 29: Central Arizona Speedway - Casa Grande, AZ
November 4: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ (Western World Championships / $2,000-to-Win)
November 5: Arizona Speedway - Queen Creek, AZ (Western World Championships / $5,000-to-Win)
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# = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
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