From Lance Jennings
Phoenix, AZ — (March 25, 2015) — After a break in the schedule, the popular USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will return to Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park for the Hose Advantage Store “Hank Arnold Memorial.” Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the second point race will also feature the Arizona Differential Pure Stocks, Mini Sprints, AMA Modlites, and Dwarf Cars. The front gates will open at 5:00pm, with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
Since 1967, the “Hank Arnold Memorial” has been a mainstay on the Arizona sprint car scene. Widely regarded as one of the most popular drivers, mechanics, and car builders in the state, Arnold lost his life in a terrible crash at Manzanita Speedway on June 16, 1967. One week later, Bob Huebner claimed the first of his two memorial victories. “The Shermanator” Jeremy Sherman leads all drivers with six victories and other winners include Wayne Bennet (4), Billy Shuman (3), Eric Wilkins (3), Larry Clark (2), Bob Cleberg (2), Dennis Matousek (2), Bob Ream Jr. (2), Lealand McSpadden (1), Buddy Taylor (1), Billy Boat (1), Marty Wilcox (1), Jerry Coons Jr. (1), Josh Pelkey (1), Charles Davis Jr.(1), and Rick Ziehl (1). Last year, Stevie Sussex earned his second win of the “Hank Arnold Memorial” at Canyon Speedway Park.
Heading to Saturday, thirty-three USAC SouthWest Sprint Car events have been held at Canyon Speedway Park since January 2013. Two-time and defending champion R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with nine SouthWest feature wins at the fast 1/3-mile clay oval. Other winners include Bryan Clauson (5), Ryan Bernal (4), Dave Darland (3), Charles Davis Jr (3), Brady Bacon (2), Josh Pelkey (2), Colby Copeland (1), Matt Rossi (1), Mike Spencer (1), Stevie Sussex (1), and Richard Vander Weerd (1).
After winning the “FVP Sin City Showdown” at Las Vegas on March 5th, Stevie Sussex of Tempe sits atop the point standings. Driving Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / KSE Custom Drywall RSS, Sussex took the lead from Hunter Schuerenberg on lap twenty-two and held off Ryan Bernal to claim the victory. The young driver will be looking for his third straight victory of the Arnold Memorial and his third career USAC SouthWest triumph.
Currently one point behind Sussex is Hollister, California’s Ryan Bernal. Racing the Mike Phulps owned #56 Tri-L Mandarin Ranch / Core Power ART, Bernal had two passes for the lead erased by caution flags before finishing a close second at Las Vegas. On Saturday, Bernal and the Phulps team are expected to compete in a USAC West Coast Sprint Car show in Hanford, California.
Buckeye’s “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. sits third in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Piloting the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis won the fourth 8-lap heat race in Las Vegas before scoring fourth in the main event. The five-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion has ten career USAC SouthWest wins and will have his sights on adding a second “Hank Arnold Memorial” trophy to his collection.
Matt Mitchell of Yorba Linda, California is fourth in the SouthWest point standings. Driving his #37 Campbell Bros. Storage / Pit Boss Jacks Maxim, Mitchell placed third in the Las Vegas “Sin City Showdown.” Like Bernal, the 2014 USAC West Coast Champion will also miss the “Hank Arnold Memorial” at Canyon Speedway Park.
Sitting fifth in the championship points is Hunter Schuerenberg of Sikeston, Missouri. Racing Keith Ford’s #73X Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, Schuerenberg won the first Las Vegas heat race and led the first twenty-one laps before scoring fifth at the checkered flags. The USAC National Sprint Car veteran has returned to the Midwest and will skip the “Hank Arnold Memorial.”
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are R.J. Johnson, Matt Rossi, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Josh Pelkey, Shon Deskins, Dennis Gile, “The Kid” Tye Mihocko, Andy Reinbold, Brian Hosford, Michael Curtis, Josh Shipley, 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 $16 with $3 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.RACE (7223).
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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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson.
HANK ARNOLD MEMORIAL WINNERS:
1967-Bob Huebner, 1968-Bob Cleberg, 1969-Jerry McClung, 1970-Bob Cleberg, 1971-Bob Huebner, 1972-Billy Shuman, 1973-Lealand McSpadden, 1974-Buddy Taylor, 1975-Billy Shuman, 1976-Billy Shuman, 1977-Dennis Matousek, 1978-Dennis Matousek, 1979-Larry Clark, 1980-Wayne Bennett, 1981-Larry Clark, 1983-Wayne Bennet, 1984-Wayne Bennet, 1988-Billy Boat, 1989-Wayne Bennet, 1990-Marty Wilcox, 1991-Dick Kelm, 1992-Bob Ream Jr., 1993-Curt Brown, 1994-Mike Boat, 1996-Jerry Coons Jr., 1997-Josh Pelkey, 1998-Bob Ream Jr., 1999-Eric Wilkins, 2000-Eric Wilkins, 2001-Eric Wilkins, 2002-Jeremy Sherman, 2003-Charles Davis Jr., 2004-Jeremy Sherman, 2005-Jeremy Sherman, 2006-Jeremy Sherman, 2007-Jeremy Sherman, 2008-Andy Reinbold, 2009-Rick Ziehl, 2010-Jeremy Sherman, 2011-Stevie Sussex, 2013-Stevie Sussex.
CANYON USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
9-R.J. Johnson, 5-Bryan Clauson, 4-Ryan Bernal, 3-Dave Darland, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Josh Pelkey, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Matt Rossi, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Stevie Sussex, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
2015 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
2-Ryan Bernal, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Stevie Sussex.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Stevie Sussex-72, 2. Ryan Bernal-71, 3. Charles Davis Jr.-63, 4. Matt Mitchell-62, 5. Hunter Schuerenberg-57, 6. Colby Copeland-48, 7. Chris Windom-48, 8. Richard Vander Weerd-45, 9. Max Adams-40, 10. R.J. Johnson-39, 11. Jace Vander Weerd-38, 12. Danny Faria Jr.-36, 13. Austin Liggett-30, 14. Troy Rutherford-29, 15. Trey Marcham-28, 16. Matt Rossi-27, 17. Mike Martin-26, 18. Bruce St. James-19, 19. Brody Roa-18, –. Landon Hurst-18, –. Josh Pelkey -18, 22. Shon Deskins-16, 23. Dennis Gile-1, –. Shannon McQueen-1, –. Tye Mihocko-1, –. Tristan Guardino-1, –. Jeff Sibley-1, –. Andy Reinbold-1, –. Dustin Cormany-1, –. Brian Hosford-1, –. A.J. Bender-1.
2015 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 28: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
April 11: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ
April 18: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
May 2: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Canyon Clash)
May 16: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
May 23: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
May 24: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute To Indy)
June 13: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
June 20: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Father’s Day Classic)
June 27: USA Raceway – Tucson, AZ (Hot Summer Nights)
July 10: #El Paso Speedway Park – El Paso, TX (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
July 11: #Southern New Mexico Speedway – Las Cruces, NM (Border Tour / $2,000-to-Win)
July 18: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
August 1: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Allscapes Back To School Special)
August 19: Lawton Speedway – Lawton, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 20: Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 21: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 22: Dodge City Raceway Park – Dodge City, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 28: Prescott Valley Raceway – Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
August 29: Prescott Valley Raceway – Prescott Valley, AZ (Rick Stewart Memorial)
September 19: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
September 26: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
October 3: Arizona Speedway – Queen Creek, AZ
October 17: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ
November 19: *USA Raceway – Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
November 20: *USA Raceway – Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
November 21: *USA Raceway – Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with NMMRA Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.