By Lance Jennings
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015… In one of the most contested races in Canyon Speedway Park history, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin emerged victorious. With eight official lead changes, the Yuma, Arizona driver took the lead from Andy Reinbold on lap 27 and claimed Saturday’s “Brawl For It All.” Co-sanctioned with the USAC West Coast Sprints, the $2,500 win marked the third USAC SouthWest triumph of the year for the veteran racer. Reinbold, Nick Aiuto, Chris Bonneau, and Stevie Sussex chased Martin to the checkered flags.
Starting on the outside of the front row, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. led the opening four laps until Sussex slipped by on the next circuit. Davis was back on top for the next two laps, but Sussex had other plans and led laps eight through nineteen. Davis rallied back to take command for the next three laps and Sussex regained the lead on lap twenty-three. Thirteenth starting Andy Reinbold surprised the field and grabbed the lead on the next circuit. Reinbold’s hopes for his first win of the year were dashed as Martin took the lead for good on lap twenty-seven to win the second round of the “Grudge Series.”
Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Ultimate Offroad Maxim, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin had a night to remember. Martin outqualified the twenty-two car field and ran second in his heat race. Now in a tie with Josh Pelkey for fourth on the SouthWest win list, Mike is sixth in the standings with two top qualifier awards, nine heat race victories, fifteen top-10 finishes, and 87 feature laps led. In addition, “The Magic Man” has climbed to second in the Grudge Series.
Andy Reinbold of Gilbert, Arizona earned the night’s “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a second place run from thirteenth. Piloting Todd Underwood’s #19 AME Electrical / Ross Equipment Rentals Spike, Reinbold took the lead from Sussex late in the race, but had to settle for second. The tallest driver was thirteenth quick in time trials and won the night’s first 8-lap heat race. Leaving Canyon ranked eighth in SouthWest points and tied for sixth in the Grudge Series, Andy has two heat race victories and nine top-10 finishes on the year.
Camp Verde, Arizona’s Nick Aiuto had one of his best nights of the season with a third place finish. Driving his #27 David Dick Attorney at Law / Ellis Race Cars machine, Aiuto qualified seventh overall and scored fourth in his heat race. Nick is currently tenth in both the SouthWest and Grudge points with two heat race victories, one hard charger award, seven top-10 finishes, and four feature laps led.
Chris Bonneau of Phoenix, Arizona scored fourth in Canyon’s “Brawl For It All” after starting eighth. Piloting his #78 Priced Right Auto Sales XXX, Bonneau was sixth fast in time trials and was fifth in his heat race. Sitting twelfth in the Grudge Series, Chris is fifteenth in SouthWest points on the strength of one top qualifier award, two heat race victories, and eight top-10 finishes.
Tempe, Arizona’s Stevie Sussex ran fifth in the 30-lap main event. Racing Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / Westin Diversified RSS, the Grudge Series point leader qualified third overall, placed third in his heat race, and took the lead one three separate occasions. To date, Sussex is third in the SouthWest point chase with three feature wins, two top-qualifier awards, three heat race victories, three hard charger awards, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 112 feature laps led.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. of Buckeye, Arizona raced to victory in the night’s second heat race. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis was eighth quick in time trials, held the lead three times, and scored thirteenth in the feature. The five-time Arizona champion ranks third in the Grudge Series and second in SouthWest points with three feature wins, seven heat race victories, two top qualifier awards, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, nineteen top-10 finishes, and 104 feature laps led.
South Central, Arizona’s Matt Rossi won the program’s third 8-lap heat race. Piloting the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / IWR Spike, Rossi qualified ninth overall and ran eleventh in the main event. The Western World Champion is currently sixth in the Grudge Series and fourth in the SouthWest standings with one feature win, two heat race victories, three top-qualifier awards, three hard charger awards, eleven top-10 finishes, and 27 feature laps led to his credit.
This Saturday, October 3rd, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will return to Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Arizona. Located at the ET Motopark, the event will also showcase Pure Stocks, Dwarf Cars, and Bomber Stocks. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or calling 480.926.6688.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will invade the Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. The Saturday, October 3rd race will also feature the Honda USAC Western Midgets and the winged Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars. More event information can be found at www.racekingsspeedway.com or calling 559.651.1990.
The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, the 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).
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Chris Kearns Presents, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, and www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook and Twitter pages.
USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series
Canyon Speedway Park
Peoria, AZ
Saturday September 26, 2015
1. 16 – Mike Martin
2. 19 – Andy Reinbold
3. 27 – Nick Aiuto
4. 78 – Chris Bonneau
5. 21AZ – Steve Sussex
6. 32B – Brian Hosford
7. 12 – Josh Pelkey
8. 48T – Thomas Ogle
9. 2 – Joshua Shipley
10. 5 – Tye Mihocko
11. 2 – Matt Rossi
12. 74 – Tyler Seavey
13. 50 – Charles Davis Jr
14. 77M – Rj Johnson
15. 20 – Shon Deskins
16. 11C – Michael Curtis
17. 29 – Mike Boneau
18. 13 – Dennis Giles
19. 1 – Matt Lundy
20. 2X – Larry Gibson
21. 69 – Chris Fiore