ROA-JOHNSON CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE TO BE SETTLED AT WESTERN WORLD
By Lance Jennings
NOVEMBER 12, 2019... The championships for the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest, AMSOIL USAC/CRA, and USAC National Sprint Cars will be settled at Arizona Speedway’s “52nd Annual Western World Championships presented by San Tan Ford.” Promoted by Jonah Trussel, the prestigious event opens with a practice session on Thursday, November 14th (6:00pm), followed by two nights (November 15 & 16) of intense racing that also features the NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midgets and USAC Western States Midgets. Located at 47800 N. Ironwood Road in San Tan Valley, Arizona, the spectator gates on Friday and Saturday will open at 3:00pm with racing scheduled for 6:00pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.
NOTICE TO RACERS:
- 2019 USAC/CRA APPROVED MUFFLERS ARE LEGAL AT THE WESTERN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535, BILLY BOAT: FRAC-0375S, COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S, FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78, SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK. *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- 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/CRA, USAC West Coast, and VRA Sprint Cars.
- COCKPIT ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS ARE ALLOWED.
- USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at usaclicense.com.
- WEIGHT RULE: 1,325 lbs. with driver and the USAC National, USAC/CRA, and 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.
- USAC BONUS / Any racer who enters every event for both the AMSOIL USAC/CRA and Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car schedules will have their entry fees reimbursed at the end of the year.
PRACTICE SESSION: The festivities will begin on Thursday, November 14th with a special practice session. Admission to the grandstands is FREE and cars will be on the track around 6:00pm. Adult pit passes are $30 and Kids (7-12) pit passes are $10.
Noted as an Arizona tradition since 1968 when Bob Cleberg took the checkered flags at the Manzanita Speedway, the “Western World Championships” has been a premier event for sprint car racing. While the headlining divisions and host tracks may have changed, 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. Last year, “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney added his name to the winner’s list and Justin Grant won the opening night. The winner’s list of the Western World Championships is posted at the end of this release.
Entering the seventeenth point race, there have been eleven different winners. Indiana’s C.J. Leary leads all drivers with three victories, while “The Macho Man” Brady Bacon, point leader Brody Roa and R.J. Johnson have two wins. “The Demon” Damion Gardner, Josh Hodges, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Hunter Schuerenberg, Logan Seavey, Jake Swanson, and Stevie Sussex have one triumph in the campaign.
Heading to the “Western World,” Brody Roa (Garden Grove, CA) holds a 26-point lead over the competition. Racing Dwight Cheney’s #42 Racing Optics / Sander Engineering Maxim, Roa scored a twenty-sixth place finish in last Saturday’s Perris Oval Nationals finale. To date, the 2016 USAC West Coast champion has two feature wins, one Beaver Stripes Fast Time Award, four heat race victories, two Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, twelve top-10 finishes, and 109 feature laps led to his credit. Currently tied with “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland and “The Real American” Matt Rossi with four SouthWest wins, Roa will be looking to win the SouthWest crown in victory circle.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, AZ) ranks second in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Piloting the Bobby Martin Racing #51 Martin Auto Museum / AME Electrical Contracting Sherman, Johnson charged to a fourteenth place run at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds. At press time, the five-time champion has two feature wins, four heat race victories, two Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, twelve top-10 finishes, and 35 feature laps led on the season. R.J. has fifty-seven USAC SouthWest victories and will have his sights on adding the “Western World” 410 trophy to his collection.
Stevie Sussex (Tempe, AZ) is third in championship point standings. Driving Robbie and Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / PPG Automotive Finishes Maxim, Sussex placed twentieth in the Oval Nationals finale. To date, the 2017 USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year has one feature win, two heat race victories, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, twelve top-10 finishes and 32 feature laps led on the year. Stevie has 13 SouthWest victories and will be looking to win the Western World Championships at Arizona Speedway.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, AZ) sits fourth in the chase for the championship. Racing his #47 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis ran sixteenth in last Saturday’s main event. At press time, the multi-time Arizona champion has one Beaver Stripes Fast Time Award, seven heat race victories, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, nine top-10 finishes, and 11 feature laps led in the campaign. “Chargin” Charles has 30 USAC SouthWest wins and will have his sights on the Western World triumph.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) has climbed to fifth in the championship points. Piloting the John Grau & Mike Burkhart’s #34AZ Stratis Construction / KSE Custom Drywall DRC, Swanson scored a seventh place finish at Perris Auto Speedway. To date, the 2017 USAC West Coast Champion has one feature win, two Beaver Stripes Fast Time Awards, one dash win, three heat race victories, one Pyrotect Racing Cells Semi-Main win, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, seven top-10 finish, and 38 feature laps led in the campaign. Jake has two career SouthWest wins and will be looking to score the Western World victory.
Currently ranked twenty-first in points, Eddie Tafoya Jr. (Chino Hills, CA) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Stephen Sanchez (Flagstaff, AZ), Ryan Cully (Alger, WA), and Jeff Dyer (Bermuda Dunes, CA) are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, “The Demon” Damion Gardner, Matt Lundy, Chris Bonneau, Michael Curtis, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm, C.J. Leary, Dennis Gile, Sterling Cling, and more.
“The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) leads a strong contingent with the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Brody Roa, Jake Swanson, Chris Gansen, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Richard Vander Weerd, Eddie Tafoya Jr., and R.J. Johnson round out the top-10 drivers.
C.J. Leary (Greenfield, IN) leads the AMSOIL USAC National point chase. “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney, “The Macho Man” Brady Bacon, “KTJ” Kevin Thomas Jr., “The Bear” Chris Windom, Justin Grant, Chase Stockon, Jason McDougal, Carson Short, and Isaac Chapple round out the top-10 in points.
Arizona Speedway is located at 47800 N. Ironwood Road in San Tan Valley, just five minutes from Mesa, Arizona. To get to the track, exit Ironwood Drive on US 60, then head four miles south. Advance Tickets are available and for more event and ticket information, visit arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.
The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks AAA Car Buying, AMSOIL, Beaver Stripes, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Hoosier Racing Tire, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Saldana Racing Products, 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.
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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, 2017-R.J. Johnson, 2018-Charles Davis Jr.
WESTERN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SPRINT CAR WINNERS: 1968-Bob Cleberg; 1969-Bob Huebner; 1970-Jerry McClung; 1971-Jan Opperman; 1972-Jan Opperman; 1973-Earl Wagner; 1974-Rick Ferkel; 1975-Ron Shuman; 1976-Bubby Jones; 1977-Ron Shuman; 1978-Lealand McSpadden; 1979-Tim Green; 1980-Sammy Swindell; 1981-Ron Shuman; 1982-Steve Kinser; 1983-Steve Kinser; 1984-Ron Shuman; 1985-Steve Kinser; 1986-Bobby Davis Jr.; 1987-Steve Kinser; 1988-Mark Kinser; 1989-Sammy Swindell; 1990-Steve Kinser; 1991-Danny Lasoski; 1992-Steve Kinser; 1993-Lealand McSpadden; 1994-Ron Shuman; 1995-Lealand McSpadden; 1996-Steve Kinser; 1997-Mark Kinser; 1998-Tyler Walker; 1999-Donny Schatz; 2000-Jay Drake; 2001-Jeremy Sherman; 2002- Bud Kaeding; 2003-Tony Elliott; 2004-Bud Kaeding; 2005-Dave Darland; 2006-Josh Wise; 2007-Jerry Coons Jr.; 2008-Kevin Swindell; 2009-Sammy Swindell; 2010-Donny Schatz; 2011-Donny Schatz; 2012-Wayne Johnson; 2013-Bryan Clauson; 2014-Matt Rossi, 2015-Bryan Clauson, 2016-Chris Windom, 2017-Chase Stockon, 2018-Tyler Courtney.
2019 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 3-C.J. Leary, 3-Brady Bacon, 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.
SAN TAN VALLEY SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 19-R.J. Johnson, 8-Charles Davis Jr., 4-Stevie Sussex, 3-Brady Bacon, 2-Chris Windom, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Tye Mihocko, 1-Josh Pelkey, 1-Logan Seavey, 1-Jake Swanson.
SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1 Brody Roa-1008, 2. R.J. Johnson-982, 3. Stevie Sussex-919, 4. Charles Davis Jr.-884, 5. Jake Swanson-699, 6. Mike Martin-655, 7. Austin Williams-564, 8. Damion Gardner-509, 9. Matt Lundy-500, 10. Chris Bonneau-477, 11. Michael Curtis-433, 12. Matt Rossi-413, 13. Tommy Malcolm-353, 14. C.J. Leary-347, 15. Logan Seavey-309, 16. Hunter Schuerenberg-299, 17. Dennis Gile-285, 18. Josh Hodges-271, 19. Richard Vander Weerd-256, 20. Matt McCarthy-243.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Damion Gardner-1382, 2. Austin Williams-1323, 3. Brody Roa-1227, 4. Jake Swanson-1133, 5. Chris Gansen-846, 6. Tommy Malcolm-829, 7. Charles Davis Jr.-745, 8. Richard Vander Weerd-683, 9. Eddie Tafoya Jr. ®-672, 10. R.J. Johnson-670, 11. Matt McCarthy-655, 12. Steve Hix ®-589, 13. Danny Faria Jr.-583, 14. Cody Williams-562, 15. Austin Liggett-545, 16. Mike Martin-519, 17. Stevie Sussex-517, 18. Jace Vander Weerd-483, 19. Verne Sweeney-421, 20. Chase Johnson-326.
AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. C.J. Leary-2192, 2. Tyler Courtney-2148, 3. Brady Bacon-2029, 4-Kevin Thomas Jr.-2027, 5. Chris Windom-2020, 6. Justin Grant-2012, 7. Chase Stockon-1935, 8. Jason McDougal-1493, 9. Carson Short-1361, 10. Isaac Chapple-1193, 11. Kyle Cummins-899, 12. Dave Darland-866, 13. Josh Hodges-795, 14. Dustin Clark ®-678, 15. Chad Boespflug-669, 16. Max Adams-665, 17. Robert Ballou-568, 18. Brian VanMeveren ®-549, 19. Thomas Meseraull-535, 20. Matt Westfall-512.
2019 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 2: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Winner: C.J. Leary)
March 8: #Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Josh Hodges)
March 9: #Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Hunter Schuerenberg)
April 20: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Winner: Logan Seavey)
April 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
May 18: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Winner: Stevie Sussex)
June 1: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Winner: R.J. Johnson)
June 8: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Mike Martin)
July 13: #Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Damion Gardner)
August 17: #Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Jake Swanson)
September 14: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
September 28: #Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Winner: R.J. Johnson)
October 26: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Winner: C.J. Leary)
November 7: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Brady Bacon)
November 8: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Brady Bacon)
November 9: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: C.J. Leary)
November 15: *#Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 16: *#Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars.
This schedule is subject to change.
