5th “WINTER CHALLENGE” CONCLUDES AT CANYON FRI.-SAT.; HODGES WINS SUNDAY FEATURE, CLAUSON TAKES 2 PRELIMS
The 5th “Winter Challenge” concludes this weekend at Canyon Speedway and Bryan Clauson takes an 18-point lead over R.J. Johnson into the final two events in the special five-race USAC Southwest/West Coast Sprint Car series. Races are planned this Friday and Saturday night at the 3/8-mile dirt oval in Peoria, Ariz., just north of Phoenix.
Josh Hodges of Tijeras, N.M. sped to victory in Sunday night’s 30-lap feature after taking the lead from Clauson on lap 22. Hodges emerged from a torrid three-way battle for the lead with Johnson and Clauson to post the victory. Trailing Hodges and his Parts Plus/Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim/Ostrich were Johnson, Clauson, Charles Davis Jr. and Shon Deskins.
Clauson piloted Mike Martin-owned machines to victory in Friday and Saturday night 30-lap prelims. He snatched the lead from Davis Friday and led the final 18 laps in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing entry to beat Hodges, Davis, Johnson and Dennis Gile.
On Saturday, Clauson encountered mechanical problems in his original entry, then hopped into Martin’s backup Sherwin Williams/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing machine and proceeded to win his heat race and the 30-lap feature! He passed Davis on lap 18 and was followed at the checkered flag by Johnson, Davis, Hodges and Brian Hosford.
Clauson previously won the “Winter Challenge” title in 2013 and is trying to become the first two-time champion. Other champions have been Tracy Hines (2012), Dave Darland (2014) and Ryan Bernal (2015).
Live coverage of both Friday and Saturday night's "Winter Challenge" events are available "pay-per-view" on www.speedshifttv.com.
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USAC SOUTHWEST/WEST COAST "Special Event" SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: January 22, 2016 - Peoria, Arizona - Canyon Speedway - "5th Winter Challenge" - "Arizona Speed Week"
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 2. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 3. R.J. Johnson (#51 Martin), 4. Josh Hodges (#74X Hodges), 5. Tye Mihocko (#5 Mihocko), 6. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau), 7. Connor Strait (#58 Strait). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#16B Martin), 2. Mike Martin (#16 Martin), 3. Andy Reinbold (#19 Underwood), 4. Mason Keefer (#12K Keefer), 5. David Dykes (#4 Dykes), 6. Will Perkins (#50X Perkins), 7. Bob Strait (#45 Strait). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Michael Curtis (#11W Turner/Wheeler), 2. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 3. Kenny Perkins (#0K Perkins), 4. Guy Weedman (#27 Weedman), 5. Matt McCarthy (#5X McCarthy), 6. Tom Ogle (#48 Ogle). NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Josh Hodges, 3. Charles Davis Jr., 4. R.J. Johnson, 5. Dennis Gile, 6. Andy Reinbold, 7. Brian Hosford, 8. Tom Ogle, 9. Michael Curtis, 10. Kenny Perkins, 11. Tanner Grau, 12. Guy Weedman, 13. Bob Strait, 14. Will Perkins, 15. Mike Martin, 16. Mason Keefer, 17. David Dykes, 18. Matt McCarthy, 19. Tye Mihocko, 20. Connor Strait. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-12 Davis, Laps 13-30 Clauson.
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USAC SOUTHWEST/WEST COAST "Special Event" SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: January 23, 2016 - Peoria, Arizona - Canyon Speedway - 5th "Winter Challenge" - "Arizona Speed Week"
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Josh Hodges (#74X Hodges), 2. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 3. Guy Weedman (#27W Weedman), 4. Bob Strait (#45 Strait), 5. David Dykes (#4 Dykes), 6. Mike Martin (#16 Martin). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#16B Martin), 2. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 3. Kenny Perkins (#0K Perkins), 4. Tom Ogle (#48 Ogle), 5. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau), 6. Will Perkins (#50X Perkins). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. R.J. Johnson (#51 Martin), 2. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 3. Michael Curtis (#11W Turner/Wheeler), 4. Mason Keefer (#12K Keefer), 5. Connor Strait (#58 Strait), 6. Matt McCarthy (#5X McCarthy). NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. R.J. Johnson, 3. Charles Davis Jr., 4. Josh Hodges, 5. Brian Hosford, 6. Dennis Gile, 7. Tom Ogle, 8. Kenny Perkins, 9. Mike Martin, 10. Michael Curtis, 11. Tanner Grau, 12. David Dykes, 13. Bob Strait, 14. Connor Strait, 15. Will Perkins, 16. Mason Keefer, 17. Guy Weedman, 18. Matt McCarthy. NT
**Weedman flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-8 Hosford, Laps 9-17 Davis, Laps 18-30 Clauson.
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USAC SOUTHWEST/WEST COAST "Special Event" SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: January 24, 2016 - Peoria, Arizona - Canyon Speedway - "5th Winter Challenge" - "Arizona Speed Week"
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 2. Matt Lundy (#98 Lundy), 3. R.J. Johnson (#51 Martin), 4. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 5. Mike Martin (#16 Martin), 6. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 7. Josh Hodges (#74X Hodges), 8. Guy Weedman (#27W Weedman), 9. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#16B Martin), 2. Shon Deskins (#20 Deskins), 3. Kenny Perkins (#0K Perkins), 4. Will Perkins (#50X Perkins), 5. David Dykes (#4 Dykes), 6. Bob Strait (#45 Strait), 7. Connor Strait (#58 Strait), 8. Matt McCarthy (#5X McCarthy). NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Josh Hodges, 2. R.J. Johnson, 2. Bryan Clauson, 4. Charles Davis Jr., 5. Shon Deskins, 6. Matt Lundy, 7. Dennis Gile, 8. Mike Martin, 9. Brian Hosford, 10. Kenny Perkins, 11. Bob Strait, 12. Tanner Grau, 13. David Dykes, 14. Guy Weedman, 15. Matt McCarthy, 16. Will Perkins, 17. Connor Strait. NT
**W.Perkins went over the wall during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 K.Perkins, Laps 3-20 Johnson, Lap 21 Clauson, Laps 22-30 Hodges.
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NEXT USAC WEST COAST & SOUTHWEST EVENTS:
DATE: Friday, January 29 & Saturday, January 30, 2016
SERIES: USAC West Coast & Southwest Sprint Car Series
TRACK: Canyon Speedway (Peoria, Arizona) - 3/8 mile, semi-banked clay oval
EVENT: 5th "Winter Challenge"
STARTING TIMES: (Friday) Gates open at 5pm, Racing starts at 7pm. (Saturday) Gates open at 3pm. Racing starts at 5pm.
TRACK ADDRESS: 9777 W Carefree Hwy, Peoria, AZ 85345
TRACK PHONE: (602) 258-7223
TRACK WEBSITE: www.canyonspeedwaypark.com
MEDIA COVERAGE: (Friday & Saturday) www.speedshifttv.com
2016 "WINTER CHALLENGE" POINT STANDINGS
1. (212) Bryan Clauson
2. (194) R.J. Johnson
3. (192) Charles Davis, Jr.
4. (188) Josh Hodges
5. (155) Dennis Gile
6. (146) Brian Hosford
7. (127) Kenny Perkins
8. (117) Mike Martin
9. (98) Tanner Grau
10. (95) Bob Strait
"WINTER CHALLENGE" FORMER WINNERS
2012 - Tracy Hines
2013 - Bryan Clauson
2014 - Dave Darland
2015 - Ryan Bernal
2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Jan. 22: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson
Jan. 23: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson
Jan. 24: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Josh Hodges
Jan. 29: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway
Jan. 30: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway
Mar. 4: Las Vegas, NV -*** The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Mar. 11: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
Mar. 12: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
Mar. 19: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
Apr. 2: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds
Apr. 9: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
Apr. 23: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
May 14: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
Jun. 18: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Raceway
Jun. 25: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds
Jul. 22: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
Jul. 23:Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
Aug. 6: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Raceway
Aug. 12: Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway
Aug. 13: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds
Nov. 24: Ventura, CA - (SE) Ventura Raceway
**Races noted with (SE) represent a non-points "special event."
**Races noted with *** represent a race with the USAC Southwest Sprints.
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Jan 22: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson
Jan 23: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson
Jan 24: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Josh Hodges
Jan 29: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway
Jan 30: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway
Mar 4 -Las Vegas, NV - *** The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Mar 26: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway
Apr 9: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
Apr 23: Yuma, AZ - Cocopah Speedway
Apr 30: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway
May 7: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
May 28: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway
May 29: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway
Jun 11: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
Jul 2: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
Jul 30: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway
Aug 17: Lawton, OK - (SE) Lawton Speedway
Aug 18: Sapulpa, OK - (SE) Creek County Speedway
Aug 19: Wichita, KS - (SE) 81 Speedway
Aug 20: Dodge City, KS - (SE) Dodge City Raceway Park
Sep 2: El Paso, TX - ### El Paso Speedway Park
Sep 3: Las Cruces, NM - ### Southern New Mexico Speedway
Sep 17: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
**Oct 15: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
Oct 22: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway
Oct 29: Casa Grande, AZ - Central Arizona Speedway
Nov 4: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
Nov 5: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway
**Races noted with (SE) represent a non-points "special event."
**Races noted with *** represent a race with the USAC West Coast Sprints.
**Races noted with ### represent a "Border Tour" event co-sanctioned with the New Mexico Motor Racing Association Sprints.
2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR FEATURE WINS
NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:
1. (2) Bryan Clauson (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 22 & Canyon Speedway on Jan. 23)
2. (1) Josh Hodges (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 24)
2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR STATISTICS
NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:
1. (2) Bryan Clauson
2. (1) Josh Hodges
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR FEATURE WINS
NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:
1. (2) Bryan Clauson (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 22 & Canyon Speedway on Jan. 23)
2. (1) Josh Hodges (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 24)
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR STATISTICS
NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:
1. (2) Bryan Clauson
2. (1) Josh Hodges
ALL-TIME USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR DRIVER FEATURE VICTORIES
1. [23 wins] Ryan Bernal
2. [11 wins] Richard Vander Weerd
3. [10 wins] Bud Kaeding
4. [8 wins] Danny Faria, Jr.
5. [5 wins] Jace Vander Weerd
6. [4 wins] T.J. Smith & Craig Stidham
8. [2 wins] Wes Gutierrez, Cory Kruseman, Kyle Larson, Matt Mitchell, Davey Pombo, Troy Rutherford & Danny Sheridan
15. [1 win] Dean Alexander, Nic Faas, Justin Grant, Tristan Guardino, Justyne Hamblin, Josh Hodges, Dennis Howell, Ricky Kirkbride, C.J. Leary, Austin Liggett, Peter Murphy, Brody Roa, Stevie Sussex & Jake Swanson
ALL-TIME USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR DRIVER NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS
1. [8 Special Event Wins] Bryan Clauson
2. [5 Special Event Wins] Ryan Bernal
3. [2 Special Event Wins] Brady Bacon, Dave Darland, R.J. Johnson, Mike
Spencer & Richard Vander Weerd
8. [1 Special Event Win] Colby Copeland, Charles Davis, Jr., Josh Hodges, Bud Kaeding, Mike Martin, Peter Murphy, Matt Rossi & Terry Schank, Jr.
ALL-TIME USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR DRIVER FEATURE VICTORIES
1. [29 wins] R.J. Johnson
2. [12 wins] Charles Davis, Jr.
3. [6 wins] Bryan Clauson
4. [5 wins] Josh Pelkey
5. [4 wins] Stevie Sussex
6. [3 wins] Mike Martin, Matt Rossi & Rick Ziehl
9. [2 wins] Ryan Bernal & Mike Spencer
11. [1 win] Shon Deskins, Justin Grant, Josh Hodges, Brody Roa & Danny Smith
ALL-TIME NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS
1. [3 Special Event Wins] Brady Bacon, Dave Darland & R.J. Johnson
4. [2 Special Event Wins] Ryan Bernal, Bryan Clauson & Mike Martin
6. [1 Special Event Win] Mike Bonneau, Colby Copeland, Charles Davis, Jr., Blake Hahn, Josh Hodges, C.J. Leary, Austin Liggett, Richard Vander Weerd
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS
2010: Craig Stidham
2011: Richard Vander Weerd
2012: Bud Kaeding
2013: Danny Faria, Jr.
2014: Matt Mitchell
2015: Danny Faria, Jr.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS
2013: R.J. Johnson
2014: R.J. Johnson
2015: R.J. Johnson
FIND USAC ONLINE
Visit USAC's official website at www.USACracing.com
Follow USAC on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usacnation.
Like USAC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usacracing.
Be sure to follow USAC on Instagram at www.instagram.com/usacnation
Visit the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series official website: www.westcoastsprintcars.com
Visit the USAC South West Sprint Car Series official website: www.southwestsprintcars.com
Follow the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series on Twitter at www.twitter.com/USACwc360
Like the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/USAC-West-Coast-Sprint-Car-Series/369549755817
Subscribe to www.loudpedal.tv to view replays of this year's races as well as historical USAC action from the past.
CONTACTS
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United States Auto Club
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