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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CARS INVADE QUEEN CREEK FOR “SPRING FLING”
By Lance Jennings
APRIL 6, 2016... This Saturday, April 9th, the cars and stars of the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will make their first of eight appearances at Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway. Located within ET Motopark, the “5th Annual Spring Fling” will also showcase Sport Mods, Pure Stocks, Bomber Stocks, and more. The Front Gates will open at 5:15pm and Racing at the popular 3/8-mile oval will start at 7:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.
Since April 13, 2013, seventeen USAC SouthWest Sprint Car races have been held at the Queen Creek facility. Three-time and defending series champion R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with ten wins followed by “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (5), “The Magic Man” Mike Martin (1), and Josh Pelkey (1). Last season, Johnson won his second straight “Spring Fling” and Martin scored the popular victory in 2013. Davis won the inaugural event sanctioned by the ASCS Canyon Region in 2012.
After winning the March 26th “Easter Eggstravaganza” at Canyon Speedway Park, Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) has taken over the point lead. Racing Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / Westin Diversified RSS, Sussex has also posted one heat race victory, one hard charger award, three top-10 finishes, and 16 feature laps led to his credit. The young driver will be looking for his sixth victory and add a Queen Creek trophy to his collection.
3-Time Champion R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) has climbed to second in the championship points. Piloting Bill Michael’s #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson charged from sixth to finish third at Canyon Speedway Park. Heading to Queen Creek, R.J. has earned three top-qualifier awards, seven top-10 finishes, and 20 feature laps led on the year. Johnson will have his sights on his third “Spring Fling” triumph and his thirty-third SouthWest win.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) sits third in the point standings. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis rebounded to finish seventh on March 26th after a late race caution. To date, the five-time Arizona champion has one top-qualifier award, five heat race victories, seven top-10 finishes, and 34 feature laps led on the season. “Chargin” Charles will be looking to earn his fourteenth SouthWest victory and continue his championship bid.
Nick Aiuto (Camp Verde, Arizona) is currently ranked fourth in the SouthWest point chase. Racing his #27 David Dick Attorney at Law / Ellis Race Cars entry, Aiuto raced to sixth at Canyon Speedway Park after starting ninth. Heading to Arizona Speedway, the veteran driver has one heat race victory and one top-10 finish on the year. This Saturday, Nick will have his sights on his first career series win at Queen Creek.
After earning Canyon’s “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a second place run from eighth, Josh Pelkey (Peoria, Arizona) has risen to fifth in the point standings. Piloting Robbie & Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts machine, Pelkey has one top-10 finish in the campaign. The 1997 ASCA Champion will be looking to claim the checkered flags at Arizona Speedway.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Matt Rossi, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Dennis Gile, Tom Ogle, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Brian Hosford, Chris Bonneau, Andy Reinbold, and more.
Arizona Speedway is located at 47346 N. Ironwood Road in Queen Creek, just five miles south of Mesa. To get to the track, exit Ironwood Drive on US 60, then head four miles south. Adult Tickets are $15, Senior Tickets are $12, Kids Tickets (11-7) are $5, and Children (6 and under) are FREE. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 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 CHAMPIONS:
2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson.
SPRING FLING WINNERS:
2012-Charles Davis Jr., 2013-Mike Martin, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson.
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
4-Bryan Clauson, 2-Josh Hodges, 1-Stevie Sussex.
QUEEN CREEK USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
10-R.J. Johnson, 5-Charles Davis Jr., 1-Mike Martin, 1-Josh Pelkey
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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