By Dick Jordan
Josh Pelkey of Peoria, Ariz., currently the leader in the USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series standings, will compete basically in his “back yard” this Saturday as the series returns with the “4th Annual Canyon Clash” at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria.
Pelkey started the campaign with a victory at Peoria, then added a runner-up finish behind R.J. Johnson at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz. He finds himself two points ahead of Johnson in the latest tally.
Johnson, who took second in the March 29 opener, needs a victory Saturday to become USAC’s winningest Arizona driver ever. He is currently tied with Bryan Clauson for that distinction, both with a dozen career Arizona wins. R.J.’s lone Arizona win this year so far, however, came in the USAC Western Midgets at Peoria in February.
2014 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Standings: 1-Josh Pelkey-136, 2-R.J. Johnson-134, 3-Shon Deskins-131, 4-Tye Mihocko-93, 5-Charles Davis Jr.-92, 6-Bruce St. James-86, 7-Nick Aiuto-84, 8-Michael Curtis-81, 9-Josh Shipley-76, 10-Mike Martin-76.