USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINTS INVADE QUEEN CREEK SATURDAY

“The Magic Man” Mike Martin - 8th in USAC SouthWest points. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed-In Photography.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin - 8th in USAC SouthWest points. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed-In Photography.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin – 8th in USAC SouthWest points. Photo by Patrick Shaw / Backed-In Photography.

From Lance Jennings

Peoria, AZ — (June 4, 2014) — This Saturday, June 7th, the popular USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will invade Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway. Located within ET Motopark, the eighth point race will also feature IMCA Modifieds, X-Mods, and the Robert Horne Ford Bombers. The Front Gates will open at 5:15pm and Racing is scheduled for 7:30pm.

Saturday’s race will be the third of six dates at fast 1/3-mile facility. R.J. Johnson won the April 12th “Spring Fling” and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. scored the “Mother’s Day Race” victory on May 10th. While Johnson leads all drivers with four triumphs at Queen Creek, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin won the series debut on April 13, 2013.

After winning the May 25th “Salute To Indy” at Canyon Speedway Park, R.J. Johnson of Phoenix has taken over the points lead. Piloting Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson has a six point advantage with two feature wins, three heat race victories, one hard charger award, eleven top-10 finishes, and 57 feature laps led to his credit. R.J. will be looking to continue his championship bid with another victory at Arizona Speedway.

Peoria’s Josh Pelkey is second in the chase for the championship. Driving Robbie and Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / Napa Auto Parts Maxim, Pelkey scored nineteenth in the “Salute To Indy” after a flip ended his night. Heading to Queen Creek, the 1997 ASCA Champion has two feature wins, two heat race victories, two hard charger awards, twelve top-10 finishes, and 53 feature laps led. Josh will have his sights on regaining the point lead with a Saturday night victory.

“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. of Buckeye sits third in the SouthWest point chase. Racing the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis placed twenty-third at Canyon Speedway Park after an early flip. To date, the five-time state champion has two feature wins, eighth heat race victories, ten top-10 finishes, and 38 feature laps led. “Chargin” Charles will be looking to rebound with a victory at Arizona Speedway and tie Johnson’s record of four checkered flags.

Phoenix’s Shon Deskins ranks fourth in the point standings. Piloting his #20 MP Environmental / Performance Plus Spike, Deskins claimed twelfth in the “Salute To Indy.” Entering Saturday’s event, the veteran driver has one feature win, two heat race victories and eight top-10 finishes on the year. At Queen Creek, Shon will have his sights on moving up the standings with his second main event win.

“The Kid” Tye Mihocko of Peoria has climbed to fifth in the SouthWest standings. Driving the family owned #5 RSS Industries / Old Word Brewery RSS, Mihocko charged to third from twelfth at Canyon Speedway Park. To date, the young driver has two heat race victories, one semi-main win, and six top-10 finishes on the season. On Saturday, Tye will be looking to earn his first victory at Arizona Speedway.

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Matt Rossi, Andy Reinbold, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Mike Colegrove, Nick Aiuto, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Michael Curtis, Brian Hosford, Mike Bonneau, Josh Shipley, Stevie Sussex, Chris Bonneau, Tom Ogle, Mark Morin, Dennis Giles, Tom Lee, and more.

Arizona Speedway is located within ET Motopark at 47346 N. Ironwood Road in Queen Creek, Arizona. To get to the track, exit Ironwood Drive on US 60, then head four miles south. Adult Tickets are $15, Senior Tickets are $12, Kids Tickets (11-7) are $5, and Children 6 and under are FREE. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.

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/SouthwestSprintCars).
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QUEEN CREEK USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT WINS:
4-R.J. Johnson, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 1- Mike Martin.

USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-411, 2. Josh Pelkey-405, 3. Charles Davis Jr.-395, 4. Shon Deskins-351, 5. Tye Mihocko-315, 6. Matt Rossi-295, 7. Andy Reinbold-291, 8. Mike Martin-282, 9. Mike Colegrove-267, 10. Nick Aiuto-253, 11. Bruce St. James-244, 12. Michael Curtis-244, 13. Brian Hosford-220, 14. Mike Bonneau-215, 15. Josh Shipley-207, 16. Stevie Sussex-197, 17. Chris Bonneau-191, 18. Tom Ogle-164, 19. Mark Morin-132, 20. Josh Hodges-110.

2014 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
June 7: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
June 14: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Father’s Day Classic)
June 28: Prescott Valley Speedway – Prescott Valley, AZ
July 12: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
July 26: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Summer Slam)
August 1: Prescott Valley Speedway – Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
August 2: Prescott Valley Speedway – Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
August 13: Lawton Speedway – Lawton, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 14: Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 15: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 16: Dodge City Raceway Park – Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 29: **El Paso Speedway Park – El Paso, TX (Border Tour)
August 30: **Southern New Mexico Speedway – Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour)
August 31: **Tularosa Speedway – Tularosa, NM (Border Tour)
September 6: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
September 20: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ
September 27: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
October 11: Prescott Valley Speedway – Prescott Valley, AZ
October 18: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Southwest Championships)
November 1: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
November 6: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
November 20: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 21: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 22: *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.