R.J. JOHNSON LEADS USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS TO CASA GRANDE

By Lance Jennings

APRIL 11, 2017... This Saturday, April 15th, the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will make their first to two appearances at Central Arizona Speedway. Located on the Pinal County Fairgrounds in Casa Grande, Arizona, the event will also feature Dwarf Cars, Pure Stocks, and Bomber Stocks. The pit gates will open at 4:00pm, the front gates will open at 5:00pm, and racing will start at 7:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.centralarizonaspeedway.com or call 480.266.1378.

Since March 23, 2013, Central Arizona Speedway has hosted seven USAC SouthWest Sprint Car events. “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. won the Casa Grande debut and R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with three victories at the 3/8-mile oval. Johnson holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 15.058, set on October 29, 2016 and the Casa Grande win list is at the end of this release.  

Entering the sixth point race, R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) leads the USAC SouthWest point standings. Racing Bobby Martin’s #51 Martin Family Auto Museum / Pecon Builders Sherman, Johnson scored fourth in the April 1st “Showdown at Canyon” after starting thirteenth. To date, the four-time champion has one heat race victory, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, and four top-10 finishes in the campaign. R.J. leads all series drivers with forty-four victories and will be looking for his first win of the season at Casa Grande.

After running third in the “Showdown at Canyon,” “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) has climbed to second in the chase for the championship. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis has three heat race victories, four top-10 finishes, and 24 feature laps led on the season. The five-time Arizona sprint car champion will have his sights on his first victory of the year this Saturday night.

Shon Deskins (Phoenix, Arizona) is tied for third in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Racing his #20 Spike Chassis / Mesilla Valley Transportation entry, Deskins ran eighth in the “Showdown at Canyon” after starting twelfth.  As this writing goes to press, the veteran driver has four top-10 finishes in the campaign and one career USAC SouthWest victory. This Saturday, Shon will have his sights on the 30-lap victory at Central Arizona Speedway.

Landon Cling (Tempe, Arizona) sits fifth in the championship point standings. Racing the family owned #54 Cling’s Aerospace Ellis, Cling scored twenty-third at Canyon Speedway Park. To date, the 2016 Rookie of the Year has two fast time awards and one top-10 finish in the campaign. Landon will be looking to earn his first main event win this Saturday night.

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Nick Aiuto, Chris Bonneau, Andy Reinbold, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Jeff Lowery, Matt Lundy, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, Brent Yarnal, Michael Curtis, and more.

Central Arizona Speedway is located on the Pinal County Fairgrounds at 512 N. 11 Mile Corner Road in Casa Grande. To get to the track, take Exit 194 from Interstate 10, then head east five miles to 11 Mile Corner Road, then head south. Adult Tickets are $15, Senior tickets are $12, and Kids (11 and under) are FREE. For more event and ticket information, visit www.centralarizonaspeedway.com or call 480.266.1378.

The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, and Beaver Stripes for their support. For more information on the 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-R.J. Johnson.

2017 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 2-Ryan Bernal, 1-Dave Darland, 1-Matt Rossi, 1-Stevie Sussex.

CASA GRANDE USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 3-R.J. Johnson, 2-Charles Davis Jr., 1-Josh Pelkey, 1-Matt Rossi.

SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. R.J. Johnson-314, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-307, 3. Stevie Sussex-278, .. Shon Deskins-278, 5. Landon Cling-219, 6. Mike Martin-216, 7. Nick Aiuto-197, 8. Chris Bonneau-174, 9. Dave Darland-169, 10. Andy Reinbold-162, 11. Ryan Bernal-160, 12. Tye Mihocko-159, 13. Jeff Lowery-157, 14. Matt Lundy-155, 15. Brady Bacon-148, 16. Matt Rossi-130, 17. Brody Roa-123, 18. Brent Yarnal-120, 19. Jake Swanson-118, 20. Michael Curtis-116.

2017 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE

DATE – TRACK – LOCATION

April 15: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ

April 29: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ

May 20: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ

May 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)

May 28: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)

June 10: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ

August 16: Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)

August 17: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)

August 18: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)

August 19: Caney Valley Speedway – Caney, KS (Freedom Tour / Non-Points)

September 2: #Southern New Mexico Speedway – Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)

September 3: #Southern New Mexico Speedway – Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)

September 9: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ

September 29: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Sands Chevrolet Hall of Fame Classic)

September 30: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Sands Chevrolet Hall of Fame Classic)

October 21: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Race For The Cure)

October 28: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ

November 3: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)

November 4: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)

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# = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.

This schedule is subject to change.