[Kevin Montgomery]

The Battle is Set for Armed Forces Appreciation Night

Tucson, Arizona (May11th, 2009) – USA Raceway will honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces this Saturday night May 16th as The Tucson Airport Courtyard by Marriott presents Armed Forces Appreciation Night. America’s military and Tucson race fans will be treated to a spectacular race night filled with excitement brought to you by the duo of ASCS Wing Sprint Cars and The Barnett Harley Davidson UMP West Modifieds.

John Gaston carries the American Sprint Car Series Southwest Region championship points lead into Saturday night's action.

But, it isn't by much.

Saturday's card atop the 3/8-mile USA Raceway clay oval marks the Fourth Round of ASCS Southwest competition in 2009. And, with three nights already in the books, only two markers separate the top four drivers in points with 20 points separating the top eight.

Peoria, Arizona's Gaston, who captured his first career Sprint Car feature win with a Southwest triumph at USA on May 2, holds a two-point advantage over a trio of drivers with Charles Davis, Jr. (Buckeye), defending series champion Rick Ziehl (Las Cruces, NM) and 2008 ASCS Rocky Mountain Region champion Derrik Ortega (Albuquerque, NM) all tied for second.

Another four drivers are within easy striking distance as well including Peoria's Ben Gregg, who topped eight ASCS Southwest features last year, Tucson's Ronnie Clark, Yuma's Mike Martin and teen shoe Joshua Hodges of Tijeras, NM.

The balance of the current top ten in ASCS Southwest points also includes Phoenix shoe Steve Martin and Mesa's Steve Stone.

Cody Cambensy, whose streak of 15 consecutive ASCS Southwest top-ten feature finishes was interrupted with May 2 issues, is just outside the top ten in eleventh.

The Gaston and Gregg teams stayed sharp by taking in this past weekend's ASCS Red River Shootout featuring the ASCS Lone Star and Sooner Regions in Oklahoma and Texas. Gregg finished out the weekend with a top-ten run at Devil's Bowl Speedway.

Tucson’s RC Whitwell, will be ready for battle as the UMP West Modified war heats up. Whitwell, who demonstrated a driving workshop last Saturday in SWDRA action, will be on his toes trying to gain ground in the Barnett Harley Davidson point’s championship.

RC Whitwell will be joined by Anthony Madrid, Jason Knoll, Brad Campbell, Robert Adams and Ricky Thornton Jr., all looking for a triumph at USA Raceway.

Military personal will be on site with several displays and events including an Armed Forces Hornet Challenge. Several other events include an EOD Bomb Robot, Color Guard, Tucson Community Cares “Build a Bear” and much more. A Special thanks to Major Jason Jensen and Nancy Blyth from the Tucson Airport Courtyard for orchestrating the highly anticipated night.

The dynamic duo of Modifieds and Wing Sprint Cars will headline the show along with AZ Modified Midgets. General admission tickets will go on sale at 5pm for only $12, racing will begin promptly at 7pm.
Season Passes are on sale for only $199 and $149 for Seniors, Students and Military. Suite Access Passes which allow race fans the opportunity to enjoy the races from USA Raceway’s VIP Suite are also on sale for only $349.

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, 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