by Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – MARCH 11, 2013… This Saturday, March 16th, the USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series will open their 2013 point season at Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park. Joining the action packed “Championship Opener” will be the Challenge Cup Sprint Cars, Micro Sprints, and Southwest Modlites. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. The track will also host an open practice session on Wednesday night from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Buckeye’s “Chargin'” Charles Davis Jr. will lead a talented roster of drivers to Kevin Montgomery’s fast 1/3-mile facility. Piloting the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis raced to sixth from eleventh in the March 7th “Sin City Showdown” at Las Vegas. To date, the five-time Arizona Champion has one heat race victory, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, and three top-5 finishes on the year. Charles will be looking to start the point season with a 30-lap feature win on Saturday.
R.J. Johnson of Phoenix was second in last year’s ASCS Canyon points. Driving the Michaels Racing #77M Dan Goodman Enterprises / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson claimed second in the Las Vegas “Sin City Showdown.” The second generation driver won a “Winter Challenge” feature and scored the USAC/CRA “Copper On Dirt” on March 2nd. In addition, R.J. has two heat race victories, two top-5 finishes, and 30 feature laps led. Johnson will have his sights on taking the checkered flags at Canyon Speedway Park.
Las Cruces, New Mexico’s “The Real Deal” Rick Ziehl scored third in the ASCS Canyon championship points. Splitting time between Gary Williams’ #41W Diamond Mechanical Maxim and John Ziehl’s #20 Lucas Oil Maxim, the veteran driver did not compete at Las Vegas. The multi-time ASCS Southwest Champion is a threat to win on any given night and scored a Canyon Speedway Park feature on October 20th.
Bruce St. James of Phoenix placed fourth in last season’s ASCS Canyon point standings. Piloting his #7K Woodland Auto Display / Weld Racing Maxim, St. James raced to eighth after starting thirteenth in the “Sin City Showdown.” Currently, the local radio talk show host has one top-5 finish and 10 feature laps led on the season. Bruce is continuing to improve and could take Saturday’s “Championship Opener.”
Glendale’s Dalten Gabbard placed fifth in the ASCS Canyon standings. Driving the family owned #77 BG Chemicals / AZ Heat Trucking Maxim, Gabbard did not compete in the Las Vegas “Sin City Showdown.” The young hard charger scored a victory at Canyon Speedway Park on May 26th and has shown the ability to compete with the front runners.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Brian Hosford, Josh Pelkey, Andy Reinbold, Justin Quinn, “Bullet” Bob Ream Jr., Shon Deskins, Tom Ogle, and many more.
Canyon Speedway Park is located at 9777 West Carefree Highway in Peoria, Arizona. To get to the track, take Lake Pleasant Parkway, then 1.3 miles west on Carefree Highway. Adult Tickets are $15 with $2 discounts available for Seniors, Military, and Students. Kids Tickets (7-12) are $6 and Children (6 and under) are FREE. VIP passes are available and Advance tickets are on sale now. For more event information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call (602) 258-7223 (RACE).
The USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, and the Hose Advantage Store for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/
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2013 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 16: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Championship Opener)
March 23: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ
April 13: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ (Spring Fling)
April 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Canyon Clash)
May 11: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
May 25: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
May 26: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
June 8: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
June 22: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ
June 29: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Summer Sizzle)
July 13: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
July 19: **El Paso Speedway Park – El Paso, TX
July 20: **Southern New Mexico Speedway – Las Cruces, NM
July 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Summer Slam)
August 21: Mid America Speedway – South Coffeyville, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 22: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 23: Dodge City Raceway Park – Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 24: Dodge City Raceway Park – Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
September 7: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
September 14: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ
September 28: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
October 12: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ
October 19: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
October 31: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
November 14: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 15: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 16: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / $7,500-to-Win)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC West Coast Sprints.
** = Co-Sanctioned Event With NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.