By Dick Jordan
Defending two-time USAC Southwest Sprint Car Champion R.J. Johnson will try to set a series record May 16 when the series returns to Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz. He is on a streak of four consecutive victories and could become the first driver to win five in a row.
Johnson, of Phoenix, Ariz., won Saturday night’s 5th Annual “Canyon Clash” at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz. Wheeling the Michaels entry, he took the lead with four laps remaining and led to the flag to beat Josh Pelkey, Mike Colegrove, Brian Hosford and Dalten Gabbard.
The win was Johnson’s 22nd in USAC racing in the state of Arizona, another all-time record.
2015 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Standings: 1-R.J. Johnson-319. 2-Charles Davis Jr.-261, 3-Josh Pelkey-252, 3-Matt Rossi-233, 5-Stevie Sussex-227, 6-Shon Deskins-220, 7-Michael Colegrove-218, 8-Mike Martin-213, 9-Brian Hosford-194, 10-Bruce St. James-168.