A USA Raceway Weekend Preview!
The Sunoco Fuel Autograph Challenge
Kevin Montgomery Tucson, Arizona (April 12th, 2010) – One can only imagine what it would be like to see Elvis in concert with the Beatles as It’s not often that the stars align long enough for two great things to come together for one spectacular viewing. This Saturday night will be one of those rare occasions as the stars of the ASCS Non Wing Sprint Cars share the fast 3/8 mile clay oval with the stars of the Barnett Harley Davidson UMP West Modifieds.
In fact, this weekend may be the only time in 2010 the two get together for a single night of racing so the staff of USA Raceway decided to throw a party in celebration of this event. As if that is not enough they decided to give away a free trip to Legoland California as the grand prize of the Sunoco Fuel Autograph Challenge and have added, for your viewing pleasure, the super competitive SCRA Factory Stocks and the small but powerful Southwest Modlites.
Below you will find the dissection of the varying aspects of this super show.
The 2nd Annual “Party in the Pits”
This part is simple! After the races are over and your excitement level is peaked, dig deep and find a little more as you make your way into the pit area to meet and mingle with the more than 100 drivers and teams expected to take part in this event. Feel free to grab a friend or just anyone that you may meet along the way and drag them over to the free USA raceway BBQ.
The Sunoco Fuel Autograph Challenge
Inaugural Champion, Austin Banghart will not see action this year but perhaps may make a good teammate to someone that wants to see the world of building blocks. A free trip to Legoland California can easily be obtained through the power of a Sharpie and anyone willing to seek out drivers in the pit area.
The first hundred people through the front gate on April 17th will receive a free Sunoco Fuel shirt. This shirt and the most autographs will take them to the promise land or for that matter Legoland.
Southwest Modlites
Under the watchful eye of Tony Martin, the car counts for the Southwest Modlites have hit record highs with 25 cars in action on April 3rd. All 25 cars started the feature at USA Raceway as they all had one common goal, beat Eatwell. Andy Eatwell has been on a terror winning 4 in a row in Modlite action and has a great jump start on an early season point battle. It would be argued that Eatwell may have a few tricks up his sleeve but many may not know that Andy is an open wheeler from the state of Colorado. Although Midgets are part of his past, he obviously has a vast knowledge of dirt track racing. Eatwell allegedly gave up midgets when he found fellow racer Katherine Aragon who is rumored to be the reason for the winning streak. You can always find a girl to blame it on!
Look for another large field of competitors this Saturday night!
SCRA Factory Stocks
Jody Henderson brought an extremely competitive bunch of race cars to USA Raceway on April 3rd and left with race fans saying Wow! An overwhelming cast of 30 SCRA Factory Stocks made there way to USA Raceway for what may have been one of the most spectacular finishes of the year.
With lead swaps and side by side racing action for the entire 20-Lap feature it all came down to the last corner and the last lap as Matt Martinez moved from third to first in the last few seconds of the race. Martinez sat back as the first and second place cars began to duke it out for the lead and figured he probably should just pass the two front runners while they are trading paint. As Martinez drove around the outside, it seemed that the rest of the field decided they would stake their claim to position as the last lap battle turned to a similar last lap of the Daytona 500.
With cars flying everywhere and drivers just trying to get to the finish line, a moment of serenity would overcome the chaos of the last lap as a lone yellow 11 car of Jason Harvil crossed the finish line in reverse. As Tow Mater would say “Rear View Mirrors, We’ll get you some.”
The SCRA Factory Stocks return this Saturday night with a full field of cars and a much anticipated battle to the end.
ASCS Canyon Region Non Wing Sprint Cars
RJ Johnson, needing only the slightest of an excuse to make the short trek to Tucson, will return to wingless action after Dave Darland denied him of his first win of 2010. Darland went top shelf on the final lap of the 30-Lap feature to steel the season opener on March 13th.
Since that night Johnson decided to get a little comforting and the only way he would get that would be coming to USA raceway. So he bolted on a wing for the second time in his racing career and had an “amazing” weekend as he posted a podium finish in ASCS Southwest Action on March 20th.
Johnson took his Bill Michaels owned Sherman Tank to Canyon Speedway March 27th as he showed signs of dominance only to come up short with a flat left front tire. This gave way for “Chargin” Charles Davis to take the Canyon victory which was a milestone for the Massey Team.
Johnson shook of his Canyon troubles and again returned to USA Raceway for yet another “amazing” weekend driving from 17th to 7th in Southwest Region Wing action.
Johnson will be looking for his first victory of 2010 but will have to hold off a deep field of ferocious competitors. Davis, always a threat, will be in the field with a 4-time champion lurking in the shadows aboard the black 3 car.
Josh Pelkey is quickly getting comfortable in his new Robbie Allen owned ABC Body Shop ride and sits 2nd in points with two top five finishes.
The list could go on and on as the Canyon Region may be one of the most capable groups of wingless sprint car drivers in the southwest. Look for a field of close to 30 cars to wage battle and its anyone’s guess as to who may end up in victory lane.
The Barnett Harley Davidson UMP West Modifieds
Speaking of a tough division! The UMP Modifieds came in masses to the March 27th opener with the best of the best in the southwest. Las Cruces’, Jimmy Ray rode into town like an outlaw cowboy and stole the show aboard his noble stead. Ray, a seemingly quiet drifter of sorts, rides alone but rides hard as he showed the younger cow hustlers a few tricks.
Adam Crippen looked to be the man to beat but caught a case of the spins as he rode alone out front of the herd. This left RC Whitwell to chase the red 9 car, but to no avail as Whitwell would settle for second, an unfamiliar place at his home track of USA Raceway.
Fito Gallardo brought his son Jacob for back up as they were prepared for the fight. The father son duo showed up with one thing on their mind and that was the $1000 top prize waiting for the winner. Fito and son fought hard as they both crossed the finish line in the top 5 with Fito crossing in 3rd and Jacob rounding out the top 5.
One may encounter some fear if they were to look at the driver list at the first USA raceway outing. It is compiled of a long list of former and past champions and a deep roster of future champions. It is likely we will encounter one of these future champions on the podium this Saturday night!
A Few Side Notes
The versatile Daniel Hutto will make his 2010 debut at USA Raceway in two divisions. Hutto will be doing double duty, doubling his chance for victory, driving in both ASCS Canyon Region action and Barnett Harley Davidson UMP West Modified action.
Bob Ream Jr. and BRAT racing will field a car for Rick Ziehl as the “Real Deal” returns to non wing action. If one Parker Store entry is not enough, add another as Bob Ream Jr. returns to the cockpit after nearly a year off from non wing action. Ream finished third in his last outing at the Buddy Taylor Memorial at Hollywood Hills Speedway.
One thing for sure, the racing in all divisions will be of epic proportions and fans and racers will mingle throughout the night as they re-race the race and the 2nd addition of the “Party in the Pits” will go down in history.
For those of you that either don’t want to miss a good party, good racing, a chance to win a trip to Legoland or just need an excuse to get out of the house, general admission tickets will go on sale at 4pm for only $15 and racing will begin promptly at 6:45pm. If you really need an excuse to get out, join us for practice on Friday night at 6pm, grandstand admission is free.
The 2010 USA Raceway Schedule can be previewed online at
www.usaraceway.net/schedule.php
Discounted season passes are available by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515. 2010 Season Ticket Packages can be viewed on line at
www.usaraceway.net/tickets.php
USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 265, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales. For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at
www.usaraceway.net