By Dick Jordan
Arizona Speedway hosts the USAC Southwest Sprint Cars this Saturday night in Queen Creek. If past performances are any indication it could be another great night for series point leader R.J. Johnson of Phoenix.
Johnson has been sensational in recent weeks, winning six of the last eight Southwest features, including a “clean sweep” of last week’s “Border Tour” in Texas and New Mexico.
The victories began last week on Friday night at El Paso (Texas) Speedway Park where Johnson passed Shon Deskins on the final lap for the 30-lap win in his Michaels entry to beat Deskins, Matt Rossi, Josh Hodges and Tye Michocko.
On Saturday Johnson led all 30 laps at Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, beating Mihocko, Mike Martin, Josh Pelkey and Charles Davis Jr. to the checkered flag.
Sunday saw another wire-to-wire victory for Johnson at Tularosa (N.M.) Speedway where he beat Davis, Pelkey, Matt Rossi and Mihocko.
Johnson now enjoys a 119-point lead over Pelkey in the latest standings going into the race at Queen Creek. Davis stands just two points back of Pelkey.
2014 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Standings: 1-R.J. Johnson-955, 2-Josh Pelkey-836, 3-Charles Davis Jr.-834, 4-Shon Deskins-788, 5-Matt Rossi-731, 6-Mike Martin-697, 7-Tye Mihocko-696, 8-Nick Aiuto-533, 9-Andy Reinbold-513, 10-Michael Curtis-498.