“5TH ANNUAL WINTER CHALLENGE” BEGINS FRIDAY AT CANYON SPEEDWAY By Lance Jennings JANUARY 19, 2016… On Friday, January 22nd, the “5th Annual Winter Challenge” will kickoff the new season for the USAC SouthWest and West Coast Sprint Cars. Showcasing five-races in nine nights, Canyon Speedway in Peoria, Arizona will host the non-point “Arizona Speed Week.” Racing will start at 5:00pm on weekends and 7:00pm on weekdays. In addition, the track will have an open practice on Thursday, January 21st, from 6pm to 9pm. For more event, ticket, and practice information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call (602) 258-7223 (RACE). Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the mini-series will pay at least $2,000-to-win each night and drivers that claim the January 24th and January 30th events will take home $4,000. The action packed cards will also feature IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars vs Pure Stocks, Modlites, and Mini Sprints. USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series rules apply for the “Winter Challenge.” Last year, Ryan Bernal (Hollister, California) joined veteran drivers “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland (Lincoln, Indiana), Tracy Hines (Wilkinson, Indiana) and Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, Indiana) as champions of the popular mini-series. Racing Mike Phulps’ #56 ART, Bernal earned two victories, Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) won the opener, and rain washed out the last two nights at Tucson. Darland, Hines, and Clauson are tied for the most wins in “Winter Challenge” history with three victories. The Midwest drivers are followed by Bernal, five-time Arizona Champion “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona), and Bacon with two triumphs. Three-time USAC SouthWest Champion R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona), Colby Copeland (Roseville, California), Jon Stanbrough (Avon, Indiana), and Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) have one win to their credit. Visiting drivers will have to contend with a strong Arizona contingent featuring Johnson, Davis, 2014 Western World Champion Matt Rossi (Glendale), Stevie Sussex (Tempe), “The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma), 1997 ASCA Champion Josh Pelkey (Peoria), Brian Hosford (Gilbert), Andy Reinbold (Gilbert), Nick Aiuto (Camp Verde), Dennis Gile (Phoenix), “The Bull” Tye Mihocko (Peoria), “The Radio Flyer” Bruce St. James (Phoenix), Josh Shipley (Peoria), Chris Bonneau (Phoenix), Shon Deskins (Waddell), and more. Canyon Speedway 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. Discounted six day passes for VIP Suite, Reserved, and General Seats are available. Advance tickets are on sale now and more event information can be found at www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or calling (602) 258-7223 (RACE). The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, Racers Advantage Store, and the Hose Advantage Store for their support. For more information on the group, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SouthwestSprintCars). ----------------------------------------------- WINTER CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS: 2012-Tracy Hines, 2013-Bryan Clauson, 2014-Dave Darland, 2015-Ryan Bernal WINTER CHALLENGE MAIN EVENT WINS: 3-Bryan Clauson, 3- Dave Darland, 3-Tracy Hines, 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Ryan Bernal, 2-Charles Davis Jr., 1-Colby Copeland, 1-R.J. Johnson, 1-Jon Stanbrough, 1-Richard Vander Weerd. 2016 WINTER CHALLENGE SCHEDULE: DATE - TRACK - LOCATION January 21: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ (Open Practice, 6-9pm) January 22: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ ($2,000-to-Win) January 23: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ ($2,000-to-Win) January 24: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ ($4,000-to-Win) January 29: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ ($2,000-to-Win) January 30: Canyon Speedway - Peoria, AZ ($4,000-to-Win) ----------------------------------------------- This schedule is subject to change.