By Dick Jordan
USAC Southwest Sprint Car series runner-up Josh Pelkey of Peoria, Ariz. stormed to victory in Saturday night’s 40-lap “Rick Stewart Memorial” at Prescott Valley (Ariz.) Raceway. This coming Saturday he and the Southwest series regulars will tackle Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz. in the “Hank Arnold Memorial.”
Pelkey and the Robbie and Gaye Allen ABC Body Shop/NAPA Auto Parts Maxim/Advanced entry passed series point leader R.J. Johnson on lap 26 and led the final 15 laps for Saturday’s win. Matt Rossi took second at the checkered flag ahead of Stevie Sussex, Mike Martin and Charles Davis Jr. as Johnson finished sixth after leading the first 25 laps
Pelkey stands 123 points behind Johnson in the new standings entering this Saturday’s race at Peoria. Charles Davis Jr. is third in the points, just eight behind Pelkey.
In six starts this year at Peoria, Pelkey has a pair of feature victories.
2014 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Standings: 1-R.J. Johnson-1,144; 2-Josh Pelkey-1,021, 3-Charles Davis Jr.-1,013, 4-Matt Rossi-919, 5-Shon Deskins-893, 6-Mike Martin-867, 7-Tye Mihocko-808, 8-Andy Reinbold-640, 9-Nick Aiuto-613, 10-Michael Curtis-611.