USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS BATTLE AT QUEEN CREEK’S “WESTERN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS”

This Friday and Saturday, November 4-5, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars are set for two nights of action at Arizona Speedway for the “49th Annual Western World Championships.” Located within ET Motopark in Queen Creek, the season finale will also feature the AMSOIL USAC National and USAC/CRA Sprint Cars.

On both days, the Pit gates will open at 3:00pm, spectator gates will open at 4:30pm, and racing is scheduled to start at 7:00pm. In addition, the track will host an open practice on Thursday from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.

Since April 13, 2013, twenty-three USAC SouthWest Sprint Car races have been held at Arizona Speedway. Three-time and defending series champion R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with fourteen wins followed by “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (5), Stevie Sussex (2), “The Magic Man” Mike Martin (1), and Josh Pelkey (1). This season, Johnson has won four of the six previous Queen Creek events and Stevie Sussex claimed victory at the May 7th and September 17th shows.

Noted as an Arizona tradition since 1968 when Bob Cleberg took the checkered flags at the Manzanita Speedway, the “Western World” has been a premier event for race fans to enjoy. While the headlining divisions and host tracks may have changed over the years, some of the most notable names in the sport have claimed victory at the Western World. Hall of Fame racers like Jan Opperman, Rick Ferkel, Ron Shuman, Bubby Jones, Lealand McSpadden, Sammy Swindell, and Steve Kinser have stood atop the podium. The non-winged 360 sprints have been a part of the Western World Championship history dating back to 1991 when Wayne Bennet claimed the Manzanita victory. Last year, second generation driver Brody Roa from California won the 360 feature at Tucson’s USA Raceway. Boasting a purse of $2,000-to-win on Friday and $5,000-to-win on Saturday, a talented roster of drivers are expected at the Queen Creek facility.

Entering the nineteenth point race, R.J. Johnson (Tempe, Arizona) has a 121-point lead over the competition. Driving Bill Michael’s #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson earned his twelfth victory of the year last Saturday at Casa Grande. At press time, the three-time champion has two fast time awards, ten heat race victories, six top-qualifier awards, twenty-six top-10 finishes, and 281 feature laps led to his credit. Johnson won the 360 Western World in 2010 and will be looking to close out his championship season with a $5,000 payday.

“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) is second in the championship point standings. Piloting the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis scored ninth last Saturday at Central Arizona Speedway. To date, the five-time Arizona champion has one feature win, thirteen heat race victories, four top-qualifier awards, one hard charger award, twenty-six top-10 finishes, and 47 feature laps led on the year. With fourteen victories, “Chargin” Charles is second on the series win list and will have his sights on winning the “360 Western World Championships.”

“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) ranks third in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Boulevard Truck Maxim, Martin scored fourteenth at the Pinal County Fairgrounds. At press time, the former Hall of Fame Classic winner has posted six heat race victories, one top-qualifier award, three hard charger awards, seventeen top-10 finishes, and 39 feature laps led to his credit. “The Magic Man” is tied with Josh Pelkey for fifth on the series win list and will be looking to close out the year with a Western World triumph.

“The Real American” Matt Rossi (Glendale, Arizona) sits fourth in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / IWR Spike, Rossi scored nineteenth at the Casa Grande main event. To date, the 2014 Western World 360 Champion has three heat race victories, one semi-main win, twelve top-10 finishes, and 13 feature laps led on the season. Currently tied with Brady Bacon, Dave Darland, and Rick Ziehl for ninth on the series win list, Matt will have his sights on another Western World victory.

“The Bull” Tye Mihocko (Peoria, Arizona) is fifth in the SouthWest point standings. Piloting the family owned #5 Property Solutions / Beaver Stripes Spike, Mihocko charged from sixteenth to score fourth at Casa Grande. At press time, the young driver has one top-qualifier award, one hard charger award, and sixteen top-10 finishes in the campaign. Tye will be looking to breakthrough and earn his first USAC win at the “Western World Championships.”

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

Arizona Speedway is located at 47800 N. Ironwood Road in Queen Creek, just five miles south of Mesa. To get to the track, exit Ironwood Drive on US 60, then head four miles south. On Friday, General Admission tickets are $10 Kids, $20 Adults, $35 All Access with pit pass, Kids (6 and under) are FREE. Premium Seating (top 8 rows) are $5 Kids (6 and under), $15 Kids (7-12), $25 Adults, $40 All Access with pit pass. On Saturday, General Admission tickets are $10 Kids, $25 Adults, $35 All Access with pit pass, Kids (6 and under) are FREE. Premium Seating (top 8 rows) are $5 (kids 6 and under), $15 Kids (7-12), $30 Adults, $40 All Access with pit pass. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.

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:

12-R.J. Johnson, 6- Stevie Sussex, 4-Bryan Clauson, 3-Josh Hodges, 1-Charles Davis Jr.

QUEEN CREEK USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:

14-R.J. Johnson, 5-Charles Davis Jr., 2-Stevie Sussex, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Josh Pelkey.

USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:

1. R.J. Johnson-1355, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-1234, 3. Mike Martin-1055, 4. Matt Rossi-1029, 5. Tye Mihocko-933, 6. Dennis Gile-902, 7. Stevie Sussex-822, 8. Brian Hosford-734, 9. Chris Bonneau-728, 10. Landon Cling-701, 11. Andy Reinbold-689, 12. Nick Aiuto-639, 13. Josh Pelkey-611, 14. Bruce St. James-543, 15. Michael Curtis-497, 16. Shon Deskins-459, 17. Matt Lundy-455, 18. Tom Ogle-353, 19. Dustin Burkhart-330, 20. Tanner Grau-224.

2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE

DATE - TRACK - LOCATION

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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This schedule is subject to change.

**LANCE JENNINGS – USAC MEDIA