1/25/16 12:30 PM 5th “WINTER CHALLENGE” CONCLUDES AT CANYON FRI.-SAT.

http://usacracing.com/news/sprint-ca...canyon-fri-sat



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5th “WINTER CHALLENGE” CONCLUDES AT CANYON FRI.-SAT.;

HODGES WINS SUNDAY FEATURE, CLAUSON TAKES 2 PRELIMS

The 5th “Winter Challenge” concludes this weekend at Canyon Speedway and Bryan Clauson takes an 18-point lead over R.J. Johnson into the final two events in the special five-race USAC Southwest/West Coast Sprint Car series. Races are planned this Friday and Saturday night at the 3/8-mile dirt oval in Peoria, Ariz., just north of Phoenix.

Josh Hodges of Tijeras, N.M. sped to victory in Sunday night’s 30-lap feature after taking the lead from Clauson on lap 22. Hodges emerged from a torrid three-way battle for the lead with Johnson and Clauson to post the victory. Trailing Hodges and his Parts Plus/Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim/Ostrich were Johnson, Clauson, Charles Davis Jr. and Shon Deskins.*

Clauson piloted Mike Martin-owned machines to victory in Friday and Saturday night 30-lap prelims. He snatched the lead from Davis Friday and led the final 18 laps in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing entry to beat Hodges, Davis, Johnson and Dennis Gile.

On Saturday, Clauson encountered mechanical problems in his original entry, then hopped into Martin’s backup Sherwin Williams/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing machine and proceeded to win his heat race and the 30-lap feature! He passed Davis on lap 18 and was followed at the checkered flag by Johnson, Davis, Hodges and Brian Hosford.

Clauson previously won the “Winter Challenge” title in 2013 and is trying to become the first two-time champion. Other champions have been Tracy Hines (2012), Dave Darland (2014) and Ryan Bernal (2015).

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