SATURDAY’S “STEVE STROUD MEMORIAL” AT CANYON OPENS USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SEASON
By Lance Jennings
JANUARY 30, 2018... This Saturday, February 3rd, the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series will open their sixth season at Peoria, Arizona’s Canyon Speedway Park. Promoted by Doug Gabbard, the second annual “Steve Stroud Memorial” will also feature IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Modlites, and Dwarf Cars. The spectator 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).
Saturday’s event honors Steve Stroud, a respected sponsor and friend of the racing community. Known for owning Parker Store, Hose Advantage Store, and the Racers Advantage Store, the avid race fan backed several racers in Arizona and the Midwest. In addition, he supported the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series, Canyon Speedway Park, and special events in Arizona. To share his love for racing, Stroud founded the Arizona Open Wheel Racing Museum in Phoenix and it has become a popular destination for racers and fans alike. Steve’s passing was a great loss and Gabbard, Canyon Speedway Park, and the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series are proud to honor his memory with the annual event.
Starting eleventh, “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland (Lincoln, Indiana) raced Charlotte Aragon’s #99 Yelp / Beaver Stripes J&J to victory at the inaugural “Steve Stroud Memorial.” Taking the lead from polesitter Stevie Sussex on the twenty-first lap, the veteran driver took the checkered flags in honor of his friend and sponsor, Steve Stroud.
Since January 26, 2013, Canyon Speedway Park has hosted fifty-eight USAC SouthWest Sprint Car events. R.J. Johnson leads all drivers with seventeen victories followed by Bryan Clauson (8), “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (4), Ryan Bernal (4), Dave Darland (4), and Stevie Sussex (4). A complete series win list at Canyon is at the end of this release.
Coming off his fifth consecutive Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest championship, R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) leads all drivers with 51 series wins. Primarily racing Bobby Martin’s #51 Martin Family Auto Museum / Pecon Builders Sherman, Johnson posted seven feature wins, twelve heat race victories, five passing master awards, one semi-main win, three hard charger awards, twenty-two top-10 finishes, and 220 feature laps led in 2017. The second generation driver will be looking to add the “Steve Stroud Memorial” to his resume and earn another title.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) ran second in last year’s point standings. Driving the Massey Motorsports’ #50 RSS Industries / Rod End Supply RSS, Davis had seven feature wins, ten heat race victories, six passing master awards, two hard charger awards, twenty-one top-10 finishes, and 165 feature laps led on the year. The five-time Arizona sprint car champion has 21 career SouthWest wins and will have his sights on another victory at Canyon Speedway Park.
Shon Deskins (Waddell, Arizona) finished third in the championship point chase. Mainly piloting his #20 Spike Chassis / Simpson Racing entry, the veteran racer had two heat race victories, one passing master award, two hard charger awards, nineteen top-10 finishes, and 26 feature laps led to his credit. The newly crowned NMMRA Sprint Car Champion has 1 career SouthWest win and may miss Saturday’s event as he prepares for the upcoming season.
“The Bull” Tye Mihocko (Peoria, Arizona) ranked fourth in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #5 Property Solutions by Dave Wilson / Futuristic Designs Spike, Mihocko claimed six heat race victories, two passing master awards, one semi-main win, two hard charger awards, fifteen top-10 finishes, and 19 feature laps led in 2017. The young driver will be looking to earn his first USAC SouthWest win at the “Steve Stroud Memorial.”
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, Arizona) placed fifth in the USAC SouthWest point chase. Racing his #16 Sherwin-Williams / Boulevard Truck Maxim, Martin posted four heat race victories, seventeen top-10 finishes, and 3 feature laps led on the season. “The Magic Man” is tied with Josh Pelkey and Brady Bacon for sixth on the series win list and will have his sights on making the “Steve Stroud Memorial” his sixth victory.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Chris Bonneau, Nick Aiuto, Michael Curtis, Landon Cling, Stevie Sussex, Matt Lundy, Jeff Lowery, Andy Reinbold, “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James, Brent Yarnal, Cody Sickles, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, Dennis Gile, 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 $20, Seniors (60 and over) and Military Tickets are $15, and Children (11 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, and Beaver Stripes for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook.
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SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson, 2016-R.J. Johnson, 2017-R.J. Johnson.
STEVE STROUD MEMORIAL WINNER: 2017-Dave Darland.
PEORIA SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 17-R.J. Johnson, 8-Bryan Clauson, 7-Charles Davis Jr., 4-Ryan Bernal, 4-Dave Darland, 4-Stevie Sussex, 3-Matt Rossi, 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Josh Hodges, 2-Josh Pelkey, 1-Colby Copeland, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
2018 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
February 3: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Steve Stroud Memorial)
February 28: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (FVP Outlaw Showdown / $3,000-to-win / Non-Points)
March 1: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (FVP Outlaw Showdown / $3,000-to-win / Non-Points)
March 17: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
March 24: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ
March 31: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Easter Eggstravaganza)
April 14: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Cotton Classic)
April 28: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
May 19: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
May 26: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
May 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
June 9: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
August 15: I-30 Speedway – Little Rock, AR (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 16: Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 17: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 18: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
September 1: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
September 2: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
September 8: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Lealand McSpadden Tribute)
September 21: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Sands Chevrolet Southwest Championships)
September 22: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Sands Chevrolet Southwest Championships)
October 20: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Race For The Cure)
October 27: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Howl-O-Ween Bash)
November 2: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 3: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
JERRY SNEVA. 1977 "500" ROY, DIES AT 69
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jerry Sneva, the 1977 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, passed away at age 69 on Saturday in Indianapolis. The younger brother of 1983 Indianapolis 500 winner Tom Sneva -- made five career Indy 500 starts, and his highest finish was 10th in his rookie year. His best start was fifth in 1980. He also competed in selected USAC Sprint races during his career.
2018 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE HAS 25 DATES AT 7 TRACKS
By Lance Jennings
JANUARY 29, 2018... Entering their sixth season, the cars and stars of the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series are set for twenty-five events at seven racetracks. Opening with the February 3rd “Steve Stroud Memorial” at Canyon Speedway Park, the traditional 360s will close out their schedule with Arizona Speedway’s 2-day “51st Western World Championships” on November 3rd. The popular non-point 4-race “Freedom Tour” remains a highlight on the calendar with shows in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Promoted by Doug Gabbard, Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona will host seven dates on the calendar. Starting with February 3rd’s “Steve Stroud Memorial,” the 1/3-mile oval will also host the March 31st “Easter Eggstravaganza,” May 26th & 27th “Salute to Indy,” September 21st & 22nd “Sands Chevrolet SouthWest Championships,” and the October 20th “Race For The Cure.” Last season, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (3), R.J. Johnson (2), Dave Darland (1), and Matt Rossi (1), took the checkered flags at CSP. Canyon Speedway Park is located at 9777 West Carefree Highway in Peoria, Arizona and for more details, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada will host the “Outlaw Showdown” on February 28th and March 1st. Held during NASCAR weekend, the non-point events with the USAC West Coast Sprints will pay $3,000-to-win each night and will also feature the famed World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. Last March, Ryan Bernal claimed both main events at the fast 1/2-mile oval in front of a packed grandstand. The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located twelve miles north of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada off Interstate 15 at Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd). For more information, visit www.lvms.com/dirt or call 800.644-4444.
Arizona Speedway in San Tan Valley, Arizona will host seven nights on the 2018 schedule. Promoted by Jonah Trussel, the fast 1/3-mile oval will feature the USAC SouthWest Sprints on March 17th, April 28th, May 19th, June 9th, September 8th’s “Lealand McSpadden Tribute,” and the 2-day “Western World Championships” with the USAC National and USAC/CRA Sprints starting November 2nd. Last year, R.J. Johnson (2), Stevie Sussex (2), Brady Bacon (1), “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (1), and Chris Windom (1), won at the ET Motopark. Arizona Speedway is located at 47800 N. Ironwood Road in San Tan Valley, Arizona and for more details, visit www.arizonaspeedway.net or call 480.926.6688.
Located on the Pinal County Fairgrounds, Central Arizona Speedway in Casa Grande, Arizona has five dates on the calendar. The traditional 360 sprints will invade the 3/8-mile clay oval on March 24th, April 14th’s “Cotton Classic,” September 1st and 2nd “Hank Arnold Memorial,” and the October 27th “Howl-O-Ween Bash.” Last season, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. and USAC National standout Kevin Thomas Jr. earned wins at Casa Grande. Central Arizona Speedway is located at 512 N 11 Mile Corner Road in Casa Grande, Arizona and for more details, visit www.centralarizonaspeedway.com or call 520.709.07148.
For the second year in a row, the non-point “Freedom Tour” will open at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas. The August 15th event at the high banked 1/4-mile oval will pay $2,500-to-win and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. scored last year’s victory. I-30 Speedway is located at 12297 Interstate 30 in Little Rock, Arkansas and for more information, visit www.i-30speedway.com or call 501.455.4567.
Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma will host the second round of the “Freedom Tour” on August 16th. The non-point show at the semi-banked 1/4-mile oval will pay $2,500-to-win and Blake Hahn claimed top honors last year. Creek County Speedway is located on the historic Route 66 at 18450 West Highway 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. For more details, visit www.creekcountyspeedway.co or call 918.693.7223 (RACE).
81 Speedway in Wichita, Kansas will host the third and fourth rounds of the “Freedom Tour.” The August 17th and 18th non-point races at the 3/8-mile clay oval will pay $2,500-to-win. Last season, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. added the Wichita facility to his win list. 81 Speedway is located at 7700 North Broadway Street in Park City, Kansas. For more information, visit www.race81speedway.com or call 316.755.1781.
The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, and Beaver Stripes for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook.
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SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson, 2016-R.J. Johnson, 2017-R.J. Johnson.
2017 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 7-Charles Davis Jr., 7- R.J. Johnson, 2-Ryan Bernal, 2-Stevie Sussex, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Dave Darland, 1-Blake Hahn, 1-Matt Rossi, 1-Kevin Thomas Jr., 1-Chris Windom.
2018 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
February 3: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Steve Stroud Memorial)
February 28: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (FVP Outlaw Showdown / $3,000-to-win / Non-Points)
March 1: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (FVP Outlaw Showdown / $3,000-to-win / Non-Points)
March 17: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
March 24: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ
March 31: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Easter Eggstravaganza)
April 14: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Cotton Classic)
April 28: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
May 19: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
May 26: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
May 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Salute to Indy)
June 9: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ
August 15: I-30 Speedway – Little Rock, AR (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 16: Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 17: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
August 18: 81 Speedway – Wichita, KS (Freedom Tour / $2,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
September 1: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
September 2: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Hank Arnold Memorial)
September 8: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Lealand McSpadden Tribute)
September 21: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Sands Chevrolet Southwest Championships)
September 22: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Sands Chevrolet Southwest Championships)
October 20: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Race For The Cure)
October 27: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Howl-O-Ween Bash)
November 2: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 3: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
USAC WESTERN RACERS CELEBRATED AT LAS VEGAS AWARDS BANQUET
By Lance Jennings
JANUARY 28, 2018... The United States Auto Club’s western racers, champions, and special award winners were honored last Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by Chris Kearns at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, the 2017 Western Awards Banquet celebrated the accomplishments from thirteen divisions.
The event was headlined by returning champions. “The Demon” Damion Gardner of Concord, California scored his fifth consecutive AMSOIL CRA Sprint Car crown for Mark Alexander. Laveen, Arizona’s R.J. Johnson claimed his fifth straight Sands Chevrolet Southwest Sprint Car title and Ronnie Gardner of Riverside, California earned his fifth consecutive Light Up The World Beverages Western States Midget crown for Six8 Motorsports. Anaheim, California’s Jake Swanson claimed his first West Coast Sprint Car championship.
Jesse Love IV of Menlo Park, California swept top honors in the three Speed 2 Western Midget divisions by winning the Overall, Dirt, and Pavement championships.
After another successful season, the USAC National Micro Sprint champions were Jimmy Leal (Coastal Clash), Dex Morris (Coastal Clash Restricted), Josh Ames (Non Wing 600), Trevor Years (Wing 600), Daison Pursley (Restricted 600), and Jade Avedisian (Junior Sprint).
The champions were also honored at the USAC “Night of Champions” in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 8th.
Drivers that earned Rookie of the Year honors were Matt McCarthy (AMSOIL CRA Sprint Car), Brandon Wiley (West Coast Sprint Car), Matt Lundy (Sands Chevrolet SouthWest Sprint Car), Mason Daniel (Light Up The World Beverages Western States Midget), and Blake Brannon (Speed 2 Western Midget).
Western USAC special awards were presented to Steve Alexander (Bruce Bromme Jr. Mechanic of the Year), Brett Roa (Billy Wilkerson Memorial Award), and Steve Lafond (Evelyn Pratt Award).
Dick Woodland honored Damion Gardner (AMSOIL CRA Sprint Car), Jake Swanson (West Coast Sprint Car), and Ronnie Gardner (Light Up The World Beverages Western States Midget), for earning the most Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards in their division. It was announced that the Woodland program and series sponsorship will return in 2018.
Darren Hagen of Light Up The World Beverages presented Randi Pankratz with a sportsmanship award. In addition, Hagen announced increased sponsorship for the Western States Midgets in the upcoming season.
The USAC Western staff thanks Mike and Tim Truex of Loudpedal Productions for supplying their great videos and Mike Grosswendt for photographing the event. Special thanks also goes to Woodland Auto Display, Light Up The World Beverages, All Coast Construction, surfnsprint.com, and ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems for their support.
The Western campaign opens on February 3rd at Canyon Speedway Park (Peoria, Arizona) with the “2nd Annual Steve Stroud Memorial” for the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars.
The USAC West Coast and SouthWest Sprint Cars will clash at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, Nevada) on February 28th and March 1st. The non-point “Outlaw Showdown” will pay $3,000-to-win each night.
The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars will battle at Perris Auto Speedway (Perris, California) on March 3rd at the annual “So Cal Showdown.”
On March 17th, Bakersfield Speedway (Bakersfield, California) will host the season opener for the Light Up The World Beverages USAC Western States Midgets. The race will be the first of two co-sanctioned events with the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA).
For more information on any of the USAC racing divisions, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content for several of the groups on their respective Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
