“STEVE STROUD MEMORIAL” OPENS USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SEASON AT CSP
By Lance Jennings
FEBRUARY 10, 2020... The eighth season for the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will open this Friday, February 14th, at Peoria, Arizona’s Canyon Speedway Park. Promoted by Doug Gabbard, the two-night “4th Annual Steve Stroud Memorial” will pay $2,000-to-win and $250-to-start on both nights. The event will also feature the MickelsonRay.com Hobby Stocks, Micro Sprints (non-wing), Honest-1 Auto Care IMCA Sport Compacts, and Western Modlites. The Friday spectator gates will open at 5:00pm, time trials at 7:10pm, with racing scheduled to begin at 7:30pm. On Saturday, the front gates will open at 5:00pm, time trials at 6:40pm, and racing is set for 7:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
OPEN PRACTICE: The festivities will start on Thursday, February 13th at 6:30pm with an open practice for all divisions.
NOTICE TO RACERS:
- The Schoenfeld 14272735-78 Muffler is MANDATORY for Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest competition at Canyon Speedway Park, Arizona Speedway, and Central Arizona Speedway. Failure to comply will be disqualified from the events.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS ARE MANDATORY.
- Hoosier Tires are required on all four corners with the 105/16 Medium, 105/18 Hard, and 105/18 F85A as the only approved right rear tires. The “Medium” is also legal with the USAC National, USAC SouthWest, USAC West Coast, and VRA Sprint Cars.
- Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.
- USAC SouthWest charges a $25 entry fee to all competitors.
- The weight rule is 1,375 lbs. with driver and the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at usaclicense.com.
The first point races of 2020 will honor Steve Stroud, a respected sponsor and friend of the racing community. Known for owning Parker Store, Hose Advantage Store, and the Racers Advantage Store, the avid race fan backed several racers in Arizona and the Midwest. In addition, he supported the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series, Canyon Speedway Park, and other special events in Arizona. To share his love for racing, Stroud founded the Arizona Open Wheel Racing Museum in Phoenix, which was a popular destination for racers and fans alike until it’s closing last year. Steve’s passing was a great loss and Gabbard, Canyon Speedway Park, and the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series are proud to honor his memory with the annual event.
When the checkered flags flew at San Tan Valley on November 16th, Brody Roa (Garden Grove, CA) clinched his first Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest championship. Racing for three different teams, Roa posted two feature wins, one Beaver Stripes Fast Time award, four heat race victories, three hard charger awards, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 109 feature laps led on the season. Currently tied with “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland, C.J. Leary, and “The Real American” Matt Rossi with four SouthWest wins, Brody is looking for a ride to help defend his crown.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, AZ) finished second in the USAC SouthWest point standings. Primarily driving the Martin Racing #51 Martin Family Auto Museum / BG Chemicals Sherman, Johnson had two feature wins, five heat race victories, two hard charger awards, twelve top-10 finishes, and 35 feature laps led in the campaign. The five-time champion has fifty-seven wins and will be looking to claim his third consecutive “Steve Stroud Memorial.”
Stevie Sussex (Tempe, AZ) finished third in the championship point chase. On the strength of one feature win, two heat race victories, one hard charger award, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 32 feature laps led, Sussex earned the 2019 Car Owner’s championship for Robbie and Gaye Allen. With thirteen wins to his credit, Stevie will have his sights on piloting the #12 ABC Body Shop / PPG Automotive Finishes Maxim to victory at Canyon Speedway Park.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, AZ) ranked fourth in the chase for the championship. Racing his #50 and #47 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis posted one Beaver Stripes Fast Time Award, eight heat race victories, two hard charger awards, ten top-10 finishes, and 11 feature laps led in 2019. The 2018 champion has thirty series wins and will be looking to add the “Stroud Memorial” to his resume.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) placed fifth in the championship standings. Piloting the John Grau & Mike Burkhart’s #34AZ Stratis Construction / KSE Custom Drywall DRC, Swanson had one feature win, two Beaver Stripes Fast Time Awards, one dash win, three heat race victories, two semi-main wins, one hard charger award, eight top-10 finishes, and 38 feature laps led in the campaign. Jake has two career SouthWest wins and will have his sights on the “Stroud Memorial” victory.
Eddie Tafoya Jr. (Chino Hills, CA) earned the USAC SouthWest Rookie of the Year honors in 2019. Driving the family owned #51T Specialty Fasteners / System One 777, Tafoya tied for twenty-second in points and posted two heat race victories with one top-10 finish on the season. At press time, Tafoya might skip the “Stroud Memorial” to concentrate on the USAC/CRA season.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Chris Bonneau, Matt Lundy, Michael Curtis, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, Dennis Gile, Stephen Sanchez, and more.
Canyon Speedway Park 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 $20, Seniors (60 and over) and Military Tickets are $15, and Children (11 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks AAA Car Buying, AMSOIL, Beaver Stripes, Hoosier Racing Tire, Sway-A-Way Racing Technology, and Ultra Shield Race Products for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact PR Director Lance Jennings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information on the series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content at southwestsprintcars.com and the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Facebook and Twitter pages.
-----------------------------------------------
SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson, 2016-R.J. Johnson, 2017-R.J. Johnson, 2018-Charles Davis Jr., 2019-Brody Roa.
STEVE STROUD MEMORIAL WINNERS: 2017-Dave Darland, 2018-R.J. Johnson, 2019-R.J. Johnson.
2019 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 3-C.J. Leary, 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Tyler Courtney, 2-R.J. Johnson, 2-Brody Roa, 1-Damion Gardner, 1-Josh Hodges, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Hunter Schuerenberg, 1-Logan Seavey, 1-Stevie Sussex, 1-Jake Swanson.
PEORIA SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: (Includes non-point shows) 19-R.J. Johnson, 10-Charles Davis Jr., 8-Bryan Clauson, 4-Ryan Bernal, 4-Dave Darland, 4-Stevie Sussex, 3-Josh Hodges, 3-Mike Martin, 3-Matt Rossi, 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Josh Pelkey, 2-Brody Roa, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Tye Mihocko, 1-Hunter Schuerenberg, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
FINAL 2019 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Brody Roa-1083, 2. R.J. Johnson-1065, 3. Stevie Sussex-1018, 4. Charles Davis Jr.-976, 5. Jake Swanson-800, 6. Austin Williams-659, 7. Mike Martin-655, 8. Damion Gardner-616, 9. Chris Bonneau-517, 10. Matt Lundy-500, 11. C.J. Leary-482, 12. Michael Curtis-453, 13. Matt Rossi-423, 14. Tommy Malcolm-411, 15. Logan Seavey-399, 16. Josh Hodges-383, 17. Hunter Schuerenberg-358, 18. Tyler Courtney-353, 19. Dennis Gile-305, 20. Chris Gansen-303.
2020 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
February 14: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Steve Stroud Memorial)
February 15: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Steve Stroud Memorial)
March 6: #Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Spring Showcase)
March 7: #Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Spring Showcase)
April 4: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
April 11: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Hippoty Hoppity Easter)
May 16: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Duel at the Diamond)
May 30: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
June 20: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Fathers)
July 25: #Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA
August 22: #Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
September 19: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Fall Brawl)
October 3: #Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
October 17: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Southwest Championships)
October 31: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Howl-O-Ween Bash)
November 5: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 6: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 7: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 13: *#Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 14: *#Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars.
This schedule is subject to change.