Phoenix, AZ — (August 25, 2014) — Fresh off the “Freedom Tour” in Oklahoma and Kansas, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars are gearing up for the three-race “Border Tour.” Co-sanctioned with the New Mexico Motor Racing Association (NMMRA), the mini-series will open this Friday, August 29th, at El Paso Speedway Park. Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, New Mexico will host the following night’s action as the tour will end on Sunday at Tularosa Speedway.
With six wins in the campaign, defending champion R.J. Johnson leads the SouthWest point chase over a talented roster of drivers. “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Josh Pelkey, Shon Deskins, Matt Rossi, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Tye Mihocko, Andy Reinbold, Mike Colegrove, and “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James round out the top-10 drivers. Davis, Pelkey, and Dave Darland are tied with three victories while Brady Bacon has two wins. Mike Bonneau, Colby Copeland, Deskins, Austin Liggett, Martin, and Richard Vander Weerd have earned one main event win.
For the third year in a row, El Paso Speedway Park in El Paso, Texas will host the opening round of the Arizona-New Mexico “Border Tour.” Promoted by Royal Jones, the August 29th event will also feature Topless Modifieds, USRA Street Stocks, Hornets, and the CASA Nissan Legend Cars. Last season, R.J. Johnson took Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products Sherman to victory on his way to the inaugural USAC SouthWest title. On June 8, 2012, veteran Rickey Hood claimed the ASCS Canyon Region event at the 3/8-mile facility. For more event information, visit www.epspeedwaypark.com or call 915.791.8749.
The following night, Saturday, August 30th, the USAC SouthWest and NMMRA Sprints will return to Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Also promoted by Royal Jones, the second round of the “Border Tour” will also showcase Topless Modifieds, USRA Street Stocks, Hornets, and the CASA Nissan Legend Cars. Last year, “The Real Deal” Rick Ziehl raced John Ziehl’s #20Z Lucas Oil machine to a popular hometown victory. On June 9, 2012, Rickey Hood backed up his El Paso triumph with a win at the 5/16-mile oval. For more event information, visit www.snmspeedway.com or call 505.524.7913.
On Sunday, August 31st, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will make their debut at Tularosa Speedway in Tularosa, New Mexico. The “Border Tour” finale at the formerly called White Sands Speedway will also showcase Trucks, Factory Stocks, and Legend Cars. For more event information at the fast 3/8-mile facility, visit www.whitesandsspeedway.com or call 575.439.6421.
Heading to the “Border Tour,” Farmington, New Mexico’s Jason Grady leads the NMMRA point standings. Bill Mitchell, Stephen Nix, Cody Mansfield, Austin Mansfield, Randy Smith, James Hatch, Robert Marfia, Jesse Baker, and Josh Grady round out the top-10 drivers.
The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, Hose Advantage Store, and the Racers 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/SouthwestSprintCars).