CHARLES DAVIS JR. LEADS USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS TO LAS VEGAS SHOWDOWN
MARCH 7, 2017... This Thursday and Friday (March 9th and 10th), the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will clash at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The prestigious "6th Annual FVP Sin City Showdown" is co-sanctioned with the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars and will pay an impressive $3,000-to-win and $300-to-start the feature on BOTH NIGHTS. A talented roster of drivers from Arizona, California, and the Midwest are expected to battle for bragging rights on the large half-mile clay oval. In addition, the famed World of Outlaw Craftsman Sprint Cars and IMCA Modifieds will join the action packed card. The pit gates will open at 2:00pm, the spectator gates open at 5:00pm, with racing set for 7:30pm on Thursday and 8:00pm on Friday. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.lvms.com/dirt or call 702.644.4444. A schedule for both nights is at the end of this release.
Held during NASCAR weekend, the "FVP Outlaw Showdown" has become one of the most popular dates on the USAC SouthWest and West Coast schedules. Last year, Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, Indiana) outdueled Brody Roa, Stevie Sussex, and Brady Bacon to earn his second Las Vegas jackpot. When the checkered flags waved, Sussex, Bacon, Roa, and Josh Hodges rounded out the top-five drivers.
Also known as the “Sin City Showdown,” Bud Kaeding (Campbell, California) won the inaugural race on his way to the USAC West Coast crown in 2012. Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, Indiana), Austin Liggett (Tracy, California), and Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) celebrated Las Vegas wins before Clauson returned to victory circle last year.
Entering the Las Vegas doubleheader, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) sits atop the point standings. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis ran second to Dave Darland at Canyon’s “Steve Stroud Memorial” on February 11th. In addition, the five-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion won the night’s first heat race and earned valuable qualifying points. “Chargin” Charles has fourteen SouthWest wins to his credit and will be one of the favorites to watch at Las Vegas.
“The People’s Champion” Dave Darland (Lincoln, Indiana) is second in the chase for the championship. Racing Charlotte Aragon’s #99 Yelp / Beaver Stripes J&J, Darland took the lead from Stevie Sussex on the twenty-first lap and claimed the “Steve Stroud Memorial.” At press time, the former USAC National Champion has four series wins and it is unknown if he will be in action at Las Vegas.
Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) ranks third in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Piloting Bob Price’s #4 Team AZ Racing / RSS Industries entry, Sussex ran fourth in the Canyon Speedway Park feature after leading the first twenty laps. The 2015 Las Vegas Showdown winner has ten SouthWest victories and will be a threat to repeat if he can secure a ride.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) is currently fourth in the championship standings. Driving Bobby Martin’s #51 Martin Family Auto Museum / Pecon Builders Sherman, Johnson was the hard charger at Canyon with a seventeenth to third place run. The four-time champion leads the series with 44 triumphs and will be looking to add Las Vegas to his resume.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) sits fifth in the point standings. Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Ultimate Offroad Maxim, Martin ran sixth in the February 11th main event. The former Hall of Fame Classic winner has five career SouthWest victories and will have his sights on the $3,000 Las Vegas jackpot.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Shon Deskins, Nick Aiuto, Andy Reinbold, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Brian Hosford, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, Landon Cling, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, and more.
Brody Roa will lead a strong USAC West Coast roster including Jace Vander Weerd, D.J. Johnson, Richard Vander Weerd, Max Adams, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Austin Liggett, Tristan Guardino, Ryan Timmons, and Cody Majors.
Two-day Pit Passes are $100 and single-day Pit Passes are $50.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located twelve miles north of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada off Interstate 15 at Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd). The pit gate will open at 2:00pm and more event information can be found at www.lvms.com/dirt or calling (702) 644-4444. Two-day Reserved and General Admission tickets are on sale for $80 (with fan pit pass). Single-day Reserved tickets are $40, General Admission tickets are $39, and Children (12 and Under) are FREE. For more ticket information, visit www.dirtcar.ticketforce.com or call 844-DIRT-TIX (844-347-8849).
The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks Amsoil and Hoosier Tire 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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SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson, 2016-R.J. Johnson.
LAS VEGAS OUTLAW / SIN CITY SHOWDOWN WINNERS:
2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Bryan Clauson, 2014-Austin Liggett, 2015-Stevie Sussex, 2016-Bryan Clauson.
USAC LAS VEGAS FVP OUTLAW SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, MARCH 9TH:
Tickets & Will Call: 12:00pm
Pit Gate: 2:00pm
USAC Drivers Meeting: 4:00pm
Grandstands: 5:00pm
Wheel Pack: 5:45pm
USAC Hot Laps: 7:00pm
Opening Ceremonies: 7:30pm
Racing to Follow
FRIDAY, MARCH 10TH:
Tickets & Will Call: 12:00pm
Pit Gate: 2:00pm
USAC Drivers Meeting: 4:00pm
Grandstands: 5:00pm
Wheel Pack: 5:45pm
USAC Hot Laps: 7:30pm
Opening Ceremonies: 8:00pm
Racing to Follow
2017 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 9: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (FVP Outlaw Showdown / $3,000-to-win)
March 10: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (FVP Outlaw Showdown / $3,000-to-win)
March 18: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
April 1: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Showdown at Canyon)
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 USAC West Coast Sprints.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.