By Lance Jennings
JUNE 28, 2016… After a break in the schedule, the USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars will return to Queen Creek’s Arizona Speedway this Saturday, July 2nd. Promoted by Jonah Trussel and located within ET Motopark, the “Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Display” will also showcase Pure Stocks, Dwarf Cars, and Bombers. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm and Racing at the fast 3/8-mile oval will start at 8:00pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.
Since April 13, 2013, twenty USAC SouthWest Sprint Car races have been held at the Queen Creek facility. Three-time and defending series champion R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with twelve wins followed by “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (5), “The Magic Man” Mike Martin (1), Josh Pelkey (1), and Stevie Sussex (1). This season, Johnson has two wins at Arizona Speedway and Sussex claimed the May 7th victory.
Entering the eleventh point race, R.J. Johnson (Tempe, Arizona) has a 104-point lead over the competition. Piloting Bill Michael’s #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson raced to his fourth win of the year at Queen Creek on June 11th. At press time, the second generation driver has also posted five heat race victories, five top-qualifier awards, fifteen top-10 finishes, and 109 feature laps led. R.J. leads all SouthWest drivers with thirty-six feature wins and will be looking to continue his championship bid was a Saturday night triumph.
After running second to Johnson on June 11th, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) has climbed to second in the point chase. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis has eight heat race victories, two top-qualifier awards, one hard charger award, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 34 feature laps led to his credit. The five-time Arizona champion ranks second on the series win list and will have his sights on his fourteenth victory on Saturday.
Stevie Sussex (Tempe, Arizona) sits third in the chase for the championship. The pilot of Mike Burkhart’s #21AZ Stratis Construction / Westin Diversified RSS skipped the last Queen Creek show to run with USAC/CRA at Perris, California. To date, the two-time Hank Arnold Memorial winner has five feature wins, five heat race victories, two top-qualifier awards, one hard charger award, nine top-10 finishes, and 112 feature laps led on the year. Stevie ranks fourth in series wins with nine triumphs and might miss Saturday’s show to compete with USAC/CRA.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) is fourth in the SouthWest point standings. Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Boulevard Truck Maxim, Martin scored fourth in the Queen Creek main event. At press time, the former Hall of Fame Classic winner has five heat race victories, two hard charger awards, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 27 feature laps led in the campaign. “The Magic Man” is tied with Josh Pelkey for fifth on the series win list and will be looking to add another Queen Creek trophy to his collection.
Matt Rossi (Glendale, Arizona) ranks fifth in the championship points. Driving the family owned #02 Apache Scapes / IWR Spike, Rossi claimed third in the June 11th main event. To date, the former Western World 360 Champion has one heat race victory, one semi-main win, seven top-10 finishes, and thirteen feature laps led in the campaign. This Saturday, Matt will be looking to score his fourth USAC SouthWest feature victory.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Nick Aiuto, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, Dennis Gile, Andy Reinbold, Brian Hosford, Chris Bonneau, Landon Cling, Shon Deskins, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Dustin Burkhart, Tom Ogle, Michael Curtis, Spencer Hill, Jonas Reynolds, and more.
Arizona Speedway is located at 47346 N. Ironwood Road in Queen Creek, just five miles south of Mesa. 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 & under) are FREE. For more event and ticket information, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.
For more information on the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook.
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USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson.
2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
5- Stevie Sussex, 4-Bryan Clauson, 4-R.J. Johnson, 2-Josh Hodges.
QUEEN CREEK USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS:
12-R.J. Johnson, 5-Charles Davis Jr., 1-Mike Martin, 1-Josh Pelkey, 1-Stevie Sussex.
USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
- R.J. Johnson-749, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-645, 3. Stevie Sussex-640, 4. Mike Martin-611, 5. Matt Rossi-592, 6. Nick Aiuto-517, 7. Tye Mihocko-492, 8. Josh Pelkey-444, 9. Dennis Gile-420, 10. Andy Reinbold-417, 11. Brian Hosford-377, 12. Chris Bonneau-358, 13. Landon Cling-324, 14. Shon Deskins-320, 15. Bruce St. James-304, 16. Dustin Burkhart-250, 17. Tom Ogle-241, 18. Michael Curtis-240, 19. Spencer Hill-138, 20. Jonas Reynolds-119.