by Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – APRIL 23, 2013… The cars and stars of the USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series will return to Canyon Speedway Park this Saturday, April 27th, for the “3rd Annual Canyon Clash.” Joining the action packed card will be the LoanMart Challenge Cup Sprint Cars, Mini Sprints, and AMA Modlites. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. In addition, the track will also host an open practice session on Wednesday night from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Five-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion “The Shermanator” Jeremy Sherman has dominated the “Canyon Clash” with back-to-back victories. This Saturday, a talented roster of drivers will battle for the $1,500 top prize and adding their name to racing history in the “Copper State.”
Buckeye’s “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. leads the championship standings with a thirty-two point advantage. Piloting the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply entry, Davis claimed third at Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway on April 13th. Currently, the five-time Arizona Champion has one feature win, two heat race victories, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, seven top-10 finishes, and 26 feature laps led on the season. Davis will have his sights on winning the “Canyon Clash” and extending his point lead.
After running fourth at Queen Creek, Ronnie Clark of Tucson is tied for second in the point chase. Racing the family owned #6 RCM / Ellis Race Cars machine, Clark has one heat race victory and three top-10 finishes on the season. On Saturday, Ronnie will be looking to surprise the field and claim the feature win at Canyon Speedway Park.
Phoenix’s R.J. Johnson is tied with Clark for second in the point standings. Driving the Bill Michaels owned #77M Beal’s Auto Body / Sherman Race Cars entry, Johnson earned the “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors on April 13th with sixth place finish after starting thirteenth. The former Arizona Midget Champion has two feature wins, two heat race victories, one Passing Masters Dash win, five top-10 finishes, and 26 main event laps led on the year. R.J. will be one of the favorites to watch at the “Canyon Clash.”
Josh Pelkey of Peoria sits fourth in the championship points. Piloting the Robbie and Gaye Allen owned #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts DRC, Pelkey was eighth at Arizona Speedway after starting fourteenth. As this writing goes to press, the 1997 ASCA Champion has five top-10 finishes to his credit. This Saturday, Josh will be looking to score the win in front of his hometown fans.
Phoenix’s Justin Quinn is fifth in the USAC Southwest standings. Racing the family owned #93 Four Peaks Hardwood Flooring / Lasting Impressions Ellis, Quinn charged to eleventh from seventeenth at Queen Creek. Currently, the young driver has one semi-main win and two top-10 finishes on the season. Justin will have his sights on claiming the checkered flags this Saturday night.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Tom Ogle, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Bryan Swinehart, Nick Aiuto, Shon Deskins, Stevie Sussex, Brian Hosford, “The Bullet” Bob Ream Jr., Chris Bonneau, Mike Bonneau, Andy Reinbold, Bruce St. James, and 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 for $20 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, Racers Advantage Store, and the Hose Advantage Store for their support. For more information on the group, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/
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CANYON CLASH WINNERS:
2011: Jeremy Sherman; 2012: Jeremy Sherman.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1-Charles Davis Jr.-190; 2-Ronnie Clark-158; –RJ Johnson-158; 4-Josh Pelkey-149; 5-Justin Quinn-131; 6-Thomas Ogle-130; –Mike Martin-130; 8-Bryan Swinehart-125; 9-Nick Auito-122; 10-Shon Deskins-114; 11-Stevie Sussex-111; 12-Brian Hosford-94; 13-Bob Ream Jr.-92; 14-Chris Bonneau-91; 15-Mike Bonneau-88; 16-Andy Reinbold-70; 17-Jody Wirth-67; 18-Tom Lee-65; —Bruce St. James-65; 20-Michael Curtis-58.