5th "Winter Challenge" Concludes at Canyon Friday-Saturday

1/25/2016

Sprint Source

5th "Winter Challenge" Concludes at Canyon Friday-Saturday

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).

Live coverage of both Friday and Saturday night's "Winter Challenge" events are available "pay-per-view" on www.speedshifttv.com.

USAC SOUTHWEST/WEST COAST "Special Event" SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: January 22, 2016 - Peoria, Arizona - Canyon Speedway - "5th Winter Challenge" - "Arizona Speed Week"

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 2. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 3. R.J. Johnson (#51 Martin), 4. Josh Hodges (#74X Hodges), 5. Tye Mihocko (#5 Mihocko), 6. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau), 7. Connor Strait (#58 Strait). NT

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#16B Martin), 2. Mike Martin (#16 Martin), 3. Andy Reinbold (#19 Underwood), 4. Mason Keefer (#12K Keefer), 5. David Dykes (#4 Dykes), 6. Will Perkins (#50X Perkins), 7. Bob Strait (#45 Strait). NT

THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Michael Curtis (#11W Turner/Wheeler), 2. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 3. Kenny Perkins (#0K Perkins), 4. Guy Weedman (#27 Weedman), 5. Matt McCarthy (#5X McCarthy), 6. Tom Ogle (#48 Ogle). NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Josh Hodges, 3. Charles Davis Jr., 4. R.J. Johnson, 5. Dennis Gile, 6. Andy Reinbold, 7. Brian Hosford, 8. Tom Ogle, 9. Michael Curtis, 10. Kenny Perkins, 11. Tanner Grau, 12. Guy Weedman, 13. Bob Strait, 14. Will Perkins, 15. Mike Martin, 16. Mason Keefer, 17. David Dykes, 18. Matt McCarthy, 19. Tye Mihocko, 20. Connor Strait. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-12 Davis, Laps 13-30 Clauson.

USAC SOUTHWEST/WEST COAST "Special Event" SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: January 23, 2016 - Peoria, Arizona - Canyon Speedway - 5th "Winter Challenge" - "Arizona Speed Week"

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Josh Hodges (#74X Hodges), 2. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 3. Guy Weedman (#27W Weedman), 4. Bob Strait (#45 Strait), 5. David Dykes (#4 Dykes), 6. Mike Martin (#16 Martin). NT

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#16B Martin), 2. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 3. Kenny Perkins (#0K Perkins), 4. Tom Ogle (#48 Ogle), 5. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau), 6. Will Perkins (#50X Perkins). NT

THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. R.J. Johnson (#51 Martin), 2. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 3. Michael Curtis (#11W Turner/Wheeler), 4. Mason Keefer (#12K Keefer), 5. Connor Strait (#58 Strait), 6. Matt McCarthy (#5X McCarthy). NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. R.J. Johnson, 3. Charles Davis Jr., 4. Josh Hodges, 5. Brian Hosford, 6. Dennis Gile, 7. Tom Ogle, 8. Kenny Perkins, 9. Mike Martin, 10. Michael Curtis, 11. Tanner Grau, 12. David Dykes, 13. Bob Strait, 14. Connor Strait, 15. Will Perkins, 16. Mason Keefer, 17. Guy Weedman, 18. Matt McCarthy. NT

**Weedman flipped during the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-8 Hosford, Laps 9-17 Davis, Laps 18-30 Clauson.

USAC SOUTHWEST/WEST COAST "Special Event" SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: January 24, 2016 - Peoria, Arizona - Canyon Speedway - "5th Winter Challenge" - "Arizona Speed Week"

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Charles Davis Jr. (#50 Massey), 2. Matt Lundy (#98 Lundy), 3. R.J. Johnson (#51 Martin), 4. Brian Hosford (#22B Weber), 5. Mike Martin (#16 Martin), 6. Dennis Gile (#13 Gile), 7. Josh Hodges (#74X Hodges), 8. Guy Weedman (#27W Weedman), 9. Tanner Grau (#34 Grau). NT

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#16B Martin), 2. Shon Deskins (#20 Deskins), 3. Kenny Perkins (#0K Perkins), 4. Will Perkins (#50X Perkins), 5. David Dykes (#4 Dykes), 6. Bob Strait (#45 Strait), 7. Connor Strait (#58 Strait), 8. Matt McCarthy (#5X McCarthy). NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Josh Hodges, 2. R.J. Johnson, 2. Bryan Clauson, 4. Charles Davis Jr., 5. Shon Deskins, 6. Matt Lundy, 7. Dennis Gile, 8. Mike Martin, 9. Brian Hosford, 10. Kenny Perkins, 11. Bob Strait, 12. Tanner Grau, 13. David Dykes, 14. Guy Weedman, 15. Matt McCarthy, 16. Will Perkins, 17. Connor Strait. NT

**W.Perkins went over the wall during the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 K.Perkins, Laps 3-20 Johnson, Lap 21 Clauson, Laps 22-30 Hodges.

NEXT USAC WEST COAST & SOUTHWEST EVENTS:

DATE: Friday, January 29 & Saturday, January 30, 2016

SERIES: USAC West Coast & Southwest Sprint Car Series

TRACK: Canyon Speedway (Peoria, Arizona) - 3/8 mile, semi-banked clay oval

EVENT: 5th "Winter Challenge"

STARTING TIMES: (Friday) Gates open at 5pm, Racing starts at 7pm. (Saturday) Gates open at 3pm. Racing starts at 5pm.

TRACK ADDRESS: 9777 W Carefree Hwy, Peoria, AZ 85345

TRACK PHONE: (602) 258-7223

TRACK WEBSITE: www.canyonspeedwaypark.com

MEDIA COVERAGE: (Friday & Saturday) www.speedshifttv.com

2016 "WINTER CHALLENGE" POINT STANDINGS

(212) Bryan Clauson
(194) R.J. Johnson
(192) Charles Davis, Jr.
(188) Josh Hodges
(155) Dennis Gile
(146) Brian Hosford
(127) Kenny Perkins
(117) Mike Martin
(98) Tanner Grau
(95) Bob Strait

"WINTER CHALLENGE" FORMER WINNERS

2012 - Tracy Hines

2013 - Bryan Clauson

2014 - Dave Darland

2015 - Ryan Bernal

2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Jan. 22: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson

Jan. 23: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson

Jan. 24: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Josh Hodges

Jan. 29: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway

Jan. 30: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway

Mar. 4: Las Vegas, NV -*** The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Mar. 11: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

Mar. 12: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

Mar. 19: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway

Apr. 2: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds

Apr. 9: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

Apr. 23: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

May 14: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

Jun. 18: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Raceway

Jun. 25: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds

Jul. 22: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

Jul. 23:Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway

Aug. 6: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Raceway

Aug. 12: Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway

Aug. 13: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds

Nov. 24: Ventura, CA - (SE) Ventura Raceway

**Races noted with (SE) represent a non-points "special event."

**Races noted with *** represent a race with the USAC Southwest Sprints.

2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Jan 22: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson

Jan 23: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Bryan Clauson

Jan 24: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway - Josh Hodges

Jan 29: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway

Jan 30: Peoria, AZ - *** (SE) Canyon Speedway

Mar 4 -Las Vegas, NV - *** The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Mar 26: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway

Apr 9: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

Apr 23: Yuma, AZ - Cocopah Speedway

Apr 30: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway

May 7: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

May 28: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway

May 29: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway

Jun 11: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

Jul 2: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

Jul 30: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway

Aug 17: Lawton, OK - (SE) Lawton Speedway

Aug 18: Sapulpa, OK - (SE) Creek County Speedway

Aug 19: Wichita, KS - (SE) 81 Speedway

Aug 20: Dodge City, KS - (SE) Dodge City Raceway Park

Sep 2: El Paso, TX - ### El Paso Speedway Park

Sep 3: Las Cruces, NM - ### Southern New Mexico Speedway

Sep 17: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

**Oct 15: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

Oct 22: Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway

Oct 29: Casa Grande, AZ - Central Arizona Speedway

Nov 4: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

Nov 5: Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway

**Races noted with (SE) represent a non-points "special event."

**Races noted with *** represent a race with the USAC West Coast Sprints.

**Races noted with ### represent a "Border Tour" event co-sanctioned with the New Mexico Motor Racing Association Sprints.

2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR FEATURE WINS

NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:

(2) Bryan Clauson (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 22 & Canyon Speedway on Jan. 23)
(1) Josh Hodges (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 24)

2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR STATISTICS

NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:

(2) Bryan Clauson
(1) Josh Hodges

2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR FEATURE WINS

NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:

(2) Bryan Clauson (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 22 & Canyon Speedway on Jan. 23)
(1) Josh Hodges (Canyon Speedway on Jan. 24)

2016 USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR STATISTICS

NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS:

(2) Bryan Clauson
(1) Josh Hodges

ALL-TIME USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR DRIVER FEATURE VICTORIES

[23 wins] Ryan Bernal
[11 wins] Richard Vander Weerd
[10 wins] Bud Kaeding
[8 wins] Danny Faria, Jr.
[5 wins] Jace Vander Weerd
[4 wins] T.J. Smith & Craig Stidham
[2 wins] Wes Gutierrez, Cory Kruseman, Kyle Larson, Matt Mitchell, Davey Pombo, Troy Rutherford & Danny Sheridan
[1 win] Dean Alexander, Nic Faas, Justin Grant, Tristan Guardino, Justyne Hamblin, Josh Hodges, Dennis Howell, Ricky Kirkbride, C.J. Leary, Austin Liggett, Peter Murphy, Brody Roa, Stevie Sussex & Jake Swanson

ALL-TIME USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR DRIVER NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS

[8 Special Event Wins] Bryan Clauson
[5 Special Event Wins] Ryan Bernal
[2 Special Event Wins] Brady Bacon, Dave Darland, R.J. Johnson, Mike

Spencer & Richard Vander Weerd

[1 Special Event Win] Colby Copeland, Charles Davis, Jr., Josh Hodges, Bud Kaeding, Mike Martin, Peter Murphy, Matt Rossi & Terry Schank, Jr.

ALL-TIME USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR DRIVER FEATURE VICTORIES

[29 wins] R.J. Johnson
[12 wins] Charles Davis, Jr.
[6 wins] Bryan Clauson
[5 wins] Josh Pelkey
[4 wins] Stevie Sussex
[3 wins] Mike Martin, Matt Rossi & Rick Ziehl
[2 wins] Ryan Bernal & Mike Spencer
[1 win] Shon Deskins, Justin Grant, Josh Hodges, Brody Roa & Danny Smith

ALL-TIME NON-POINT / SPECIAL EVENT FEATURE WINS

[3 Special Event Wins] Brady Bacon, Dave Darland & R.J. Johnson
[2 Special Event Wins] Ryan Bernal, Bryan Clauson & Mike Martin
[1 Special Event Win] Mike Bonneau, Colby Copeland, Charles Davis, Jr., Blake Hahn, Josh Hodges, C.J. Leary, Austin Liggett, Richard Vander Weerd

USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS

2010: Craig Stidham

2011: Richard Vander Weerd

2012: Bud Kaeding

2013: Danny Faria, Jr.

2014: Matt Mitchell

2015: Danny Faria, Jr.

USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS

2013: R.J. Johnson

2014: R.J. Johnson

2015: R.J. Johnson

FIND USAC ONLINE