By Lance Jennings
PEORIA, AZ – APRIL 21, 2014… This Saturday, April 26th, the popular USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will return to Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria. Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the “4th Annual Canyon Clash” will also showcase Mini Sprints, Pure Stocks, and AMA Modlites. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. The facility 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 claimed back-to-back victories of the “Canyon Clash” in 2011 and 2012. Last season, R.J. Johnson added the special event to his resume on his way to the championship. Since January 2013, the fast 1/3-mile oval has hosted twenty-one USAC SouthWest races and Johnson leads with six triumphs. Bryan Clauson (5), “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland (3), and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (2) have earned multiple wins. Josh Pelkey won the CSP “season opener” on March 29th, joining Brady Bacon, Colby Copeland, Mike Spencer, and Richard Vander Weerd with one “home track” victory.
Entering the third point race, Peoria’s Josh Pelkey has a slim two point advantage over the competition. Piloting Robbie & Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts Maxim, the former ASCA Champion ran second on April 12th at Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway. To date, Josh has one feature win, one heat race victory, one hard charger award, eight top-10 finishes, and 45 feature laps led to his credit. Pelkey will be looking to extend his point lead with a feature win at the “Canyon Clash.”
After winning the “Spring Fling” at Queen Creek, R.J. Johnson of Phoenix has climbed to second in the point standings. Driving Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, the defending series champion has one hard charger award, seven top-10 finishes, and 25 feature laps led on the year. The recently married driver will be looking to claim his series leading 13th USAC SouthWest victory this Saturday night.
Phoenix’s Shon Deskins ranks third in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Racing his #20 MP Environmental / Spike Chassis entry, Deskins scored third in Queen Creek’s “Spring Fling.” As this writing goes to press, the veteran driver has one heat race victory and six top-10 finishes in the campaign. Shon will have his sights on his first series win and adding the “Canyon Clash” trophy to his collection.
“The Kid” Tye Mihocko of Peoria has climbed to fourth in the chase for the championship. Piloting the family owned #5 RSS Industries / Old World Brewery RSS, Mihocko raced to eighth in the “Spring Fling” after starting twelfth. To date, the young driver has two heat race victories, one semi-main win, and three top-10 finishes in 2014. Tye will be looking to surprise the field on Saturday and claim his first victory at Canyon Speedway Park.
Buckeye’s “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. sits fifth in the point standings. Driving the Massey Motorsports owned #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis placed fourth at Arizona Speedway. Entering Saturday’s event, the five-time Arizona champion has three heat race victories and six top-10 finishes on the year. “Chargin” Charles will be one of the favorites to score the “Canyon Clash” victory at his home track.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Nick Aiuto, Michael Curtis, Josh Shipley, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Matt Rossi, Brian Hosford, Tom Ogle, Mike Bonneau, Andy Reinbold, Michael Woodruff, Lonnie Oliver, Chris Bonneau, Tom Lee, 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 thanks 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/
——————————
CANYON CLASH WINNERS:
2011-Jeremy Sherman, 2012-Jeremy Sherman, 2013-R.J. Johnson.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT 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-74, 11. Matt Rossi-59, –. Brian Hosford-59, 13. Tom Ogle-57, 14. Mike Bonneau-55, 15. Andy Reinbold-54, 16. Michael Woodruff-53, 17. Lonnie Oliver-46, 18. Rick Ziehl-38, 19. Chris Bonneau-36, 20. Tom Lee-34.