USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS HEADLINE CANYON’S “ALLSCAPES BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL”

This Saturday, July 30th, the popular USAC Southwest Sprint Cars will return to Peoria’s Canyon Speedway for the “Allscapes Back to School Special.” Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the twelfth point race will also showcase the Arizona Differential IMCA Modifieds, Allscapes IMCA Stock Cars vs SCRA Stock Cars, and Scottsdale Muffler & Automotive Hobby Stocks vs. Renegades. The Front 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).

Since January 26, 2013, Canyon Speedway has hosted 48 USAC SouthWest Sprint Car events. Three-time champion R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with 14 “home track” victories followed by Bryan Clauson (8), Ryan Bernal (4), and Stevie Sussex (4). This year, Clauson (3), Josh Hodges (2), Johnson (2), and Stevie Sussex (1) have earned wins at Canyon, while rain washed out the April 30th show. A complete series win list at Canyon is at the end of this release.

Heading to Canyon, R.J. Johnson (Tempe, Arizona) sits atop the standings with a 107-point advantage. Driving Bill Michael’s #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson earned his fifth win of the year on July 2nd at Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway. To date, the second generation driver has five heat race victories, five top-qualifier awards, sixteen top-10 finishes, and 110 feature laps led to his credit. Johnson leads all drivers with 37 career Southwest wins and will be looking for Saturday’s $1,500 payday.

“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) is second in the chase for the championship. Piloting the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis finished third in the July 2nd main event. At press time, the five-time Arizona champion has eight heat race victories, two top-qualifier awards, one hard charger award, fifteen top-10 finishes, and 39 feature laps led on the season. “Chargin” Charles ranks second on the series win list and will have his sights on his first victory of the campaign.

After running ninth at Queen Creek, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) has climbed to third in the point standings. Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Boulevard Truck Maxim, Martin has five heat race victories, one top-qualifier award, two hard charger awards, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 27 feature laps led on the year. The former Hall of Fame Classic winner is tied with Josh Pelkey for fifth on the series win list and will be looking for his first triumph of 2016.

Matt Rossi (Glendale, Arizona) ranks fourth in the championship point chase. Driving the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / IWR Spike, Rossi scored third at Arizona Speedway. To date, the former 360 Western World Champion two heat race victories, one semi-main win, eight top-10 finishes and 13 feature laps led to his credit. Matt is currently tied with Brady Bacon, Dave Darland, Josh Hodges, and Rick Ziehl for eighth on the series win list and will have his sights on his first feature win of the year.

Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) sits fifth in the Southwest point standings. The pilot of Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / Westin Diversified RSS skipped the Queen Creek show to compete with USAC/CRA at Perris Auto Speedway. To date, the two-time Hank Arnold Memorial winner has five feature wins, five heat race victories, two top-qualifier awards, one hard charger award, nine top-10 finishes, and 112 feature laps led on the year. Stevie was shaken last Friday after a crash in Tulare, California while competing with the USAC West Coast Sprints. At press time, the hard charger may have to miss the “Allscapes Back to School Special.”

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Nick Aiuto, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Dennis Gile, Andy Reinbold, Josh Pelkey, Brian Hosford, Chris Bonneau, Landon Cling, Shon Deskins, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Michael Curtis, Tom Ogle, Matt Lundy, and more.

Canyon Speedway 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).

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.

2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:

5-R.J. Johnson, 5-Stevie Sussex, 4-Bryan Clauson, 2-Josh Hodges.

CANYON USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:

14-R.J. Johnson, 8-Bryan Clauson, 4-Ryan Bernal, 4-Stevie Sussex, 3-Dave Darland, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Josh Hodges, 2-Josh Pelkey, 2-Matt Rossi, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.

USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:

1. R.J. Johnson-825, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-718, 3. Mike Martin-670, 4. Matt Rossi-664, 5. Stevie Sussex-640, 6. Nick Aiuto-584, 7. Tye Mihocko-554, 8. Dennis Gile-496, 9. Andy Reinbold-464, 10. Josh Pelkey-444, 11. Brian Hosford-441, 12. Chris Bonneau-400, 13. Landon Cling-364, 14. Shon Deskins-320, 15. Bruce St. James-304, 16. Dustin Burkhart-295, 17. Michael Curtis-294, 18. Tom Ogle-241, 19. Jonas Reynolds-155, 20. Matt Lundy-152.

2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE

DATE - TRACK - LOCATION

July 30: Canyon Speedway Park - 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 Park - 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.

Lance Jennings – USAC Media