Tucson International Raceway is off to another exciting season and living up to its reputation as the Best Dirt Track in the West.   The combination with both the difficulty of finding a source for clay and with the extremely dry weather Southern Arizona has experienced in recent months, the racing surface has been dusty.   

This past week T I R has added much needed clay to the racing surface and fans and drivers will have racing conditions they have grown accustomed too.  The owner and General Manager, Pat Robley, said: ” With construction slow in our area, the clay pit normally used for clay is closed and it has been difficult to find clay.” 

Shane Madson to the Rescue!  Shane an avid race fan and owner of Sierra Mining and Crushing located clay.  According to Robley: ” We are adding 500 tons of clay and the racing surface will be as nice as can be for the Saturday night races.   Dave Bowen has layed down the new surface and is preping the track for an exciting and entertaining night of racing.”

Like the Phoenix rising from the Ashes,  TIR is Rising from the Dust!

This weekends races feature Wing Sprints, ASCS2 Mini Sprints, X-Mods, Factory Stocks, Hornets and  Dwarfs with a special Trophy dash presented by The Award Store. Don’t miss 6 exciting divisions roaring around the fastest track in the West! Gates open @ 5:30 Races start @ 6:45

Ronnie Clark with the Win

 If you are looking for a night of excitement then Tucson International Raceway is where you will find it tonight.  The Wing Sprint Cars are expected to have a full field of cars and Ronnie Clark will be trying for his second consecutive Win in the “Smokin’” Joe Morales  94T entry. 

Daniel Stricker 2012 Top Super Stock Contender

The Super Stocks featuring 2011 Champion Brian Brown, the X-Mods with Champion Rick Butler, Factory Stocks and two classes of Hornets will round out the opening night at Tucson International Raceway. 

Fan Gates open at 5:30 and racing begins a 6:45.  General admission $ 15, Seniors (55+) & Military $ 13, Children 11 and under FREE  Suite Upgrade $ 7  Season Tickets available.  Additional information available on the website:  http://tucsoninternationalraceway.com/

The 3/8-mile USA Raceway clay oval is located east of Tucson off I-10 Exit 268, then 1.6 mile south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales. For more information, contact the track at 520-664-2074

(TIR Story) Last weekend was our Grand Opening event at TIR.  Fans expected a fantastic night of racing and that is just what they got!  Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt)  took first in the A-mod division followed up by Chad Ayers and Nick O’Neil.  Other first place finishers include Dusty Gauthier (30) for X-mods, Brian Brown (4)  on Super Stocks and Dustin Jones (16) for Factory Stocks.

This Easter weekend we are showcasing Wing Sprints, X-Mods, Mini-Sprints, Factory Stocks and Hornets!  Racing starts at 6:45pm and the front gate at 5:00pm. Somewhere around the concourse it has been rumored the Easter Bunny will be looking to take part in the festivities. As soon as the Bunny heard that DOUBLE POINTS were going to be awarded to the Wing Sprints he HAD to make his way there. When the bunny called the track he said to save a seat for him, and that he is gonna have all the impostor Bunnies visit the other raceways this weekend.

Let’s remind you, Wing Sprints are BACK at TIR.  After a long absence TIR will welcome back sprint cars this week by awarding DOUBLE POINTS for the Wing Sprint race.   That is correct!  For the first time in who knows when Tucson’s Premiere Dirt Raceway will be adding a special bonus to the Wing Sprint event by dishing out double the points!  We know our Wing Sprint drivers will do the math and know what is at stake on this race, it is sure to be a wild finish!

Tucson International Raceway is located on 4300 E. Los Reales Rd. , just south of I-10.

Tickets for this exciting DOUBLE POINTS for Wing Sprints event are:

General – $15.00
Seniors(55+), Military – $13.00

Suite upgrade – $7.00
Children under 11 – Free!

Details listed below.

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (August 20, 2011) – The winged Sprint Cars of the Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Region shift back to Tucson’s USA Raceway with this Saturday night’s outing atop the 3/8-mile clay oval.

While Johnny Herrera took advantage of an idle Lucas Oil ASCS National weekend to best the Southwest forces at Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park this past weekend, current Southwest points leader Rick Ziehl has been virtually unstoppable in recent winged action at USA Raceway.

Since Herrera posted a USA win on May 7, Ziehl has topped the last four ASCS Southwest events at the Tucson oval. 

With the lasting run of success over the summer, the Las Cruces New Mexico based team of Ziehl’s has amassed a 194-point advantage in his quest for a fourth consecutive ASCSSouthwest championship.

Ziehl holds the current series lead over Calvin Landis, with Dalten Gabbard, Joshua Williams and Kyle McCutcheon rounding out the current top five.  The rest of the top ten includes Lance Norick, Steve Stone, John Carney II, Joey Chester and Jordan Stetson.

While Ziehl has his sights set on what would be a career high fifth straight USA winged wins, Herrera has every intention of spoiling that party before rejoining the National Tour just 6 days later for the Jesse Hocket/ Daniel McMillin Memorial at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

Johnny and the rest of the Lucas Oil ASCS National crew will return to Tucson in just two months for their season finale at the 44th Annual Western World Championships presented by Kronik Energy Drink on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November.

Saturday’s Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Region action will include Factory Stocks, X Mods and Hornets at USA Raceway and is slated to go green at 6:45 p.m.

The 3/8-mile USA Raceway clay oval is located east of Tucson off I-10 Exit 268, then 1.6 mile south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales.  For more information, contact the track at 520-574-8515.

Ziehl took the win after starting outside the front row in the Wesmar-powered Lucas Oil No. 20z Maxim. Ziehl beat fellow front row starter John Carney II to the checkered flag, with Kyle McCutcheon filling the podium. Carney hasn’t wasted any time in capturing the attention of the Tucson race fans as well as fellow Southern New Mexico Speedway gas man Kyle McCutcheon, who made several convincing charges at Ziehl threw out the main event in his ASI powered machine. With a combined age of just a few days over 30, Joshua Hodges finished up the New Mexico sweep in 4^th, and top Arizona pilot Dalten Gabbard shook the bad luck streak for a solid 5^th place finish.

J.T. Imperial was sixth, with Kyle Sager, Joshua Williams, Lance Norick and Steve Stone completing the top ten. Norick, Carney II and Ziehl topped heat race action.

Marty Hussack didn’t take long to put his new Tucson built hotrod in victory lane after coming up short in its debut just a week prior, which resulted in a heated confrontation in the tech area with rival Super Stock driver Daniel Stricker. The 3^rd year driver of the 17 machine trailed Hussack at the checker flag to take home the 2^nd position. Brian Brown ended the night in 3^rd, pole position starter Lonnie Foss crossed the line in 4^th, and Dana Boatright would round out the top 5.

The Western States Stock Car Series was topped by the Young Gun driver Michael Huffman of Chandler, Az. Stock Car Vet Reed Veralud would come home in the runner up spot as former SCRA Champion Jody Henderson filled the podium in 3^rd. 4^th place would go to longtime CAR supporter Jason Harvil, and second generation driver JC Parmeley would finish out the Tucson top 5. Manzanita Speedway Track Champion Bob Taylor would end his winning streak with a 6^th place finish. Napa- know-how pilot Zack Tate of Coolidge would beat former TRP ace Ron Bishop to the checker flag for the 7^th spot.

USA Raceway’s X-Modified division would see its first three time winner of 2011 as AJ Huebner would add another page to the already history rich Huebner legacy that includes top honors of the prestigious Western World Championships. Huebner would lead the talented group of drivers across the checker flag with his always fast friend Brandon Farrington in 2^nd and the talented teenager Hornet transplant Jason Pugliese in 3^rd. Jesse Patterson would come home 4^th ahead of the always entertaining 5^th place finisher of Bill Wall.

Racing resumes this Saturday night, July 23rd^th with the return of the USRA Modifieds along with the Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, and Hornets. General admission tickets will go on sale at 4pm for just $12 for Adults. $10 for Seniors, Students and Military, and all kids 11 & under are absolutely FREE! VIP Suite Access Passes will also be available on sale a first come, first serve basis for just an additional five bucks! That makes the best view in the Southwest more affordable than ever. But don’t wont too long! Enjoy the races in luxury while not missing a minute of the action. Gates will open at 4pm and the racing action kicks off at 645pm sharp!

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 visit us at www.usaraceway.net.

Ziehl Does It . . . 4 Consecutive Wins!

Rick Ziehl had the crowd on the edge of their seats as he gracefully mastered his 4th Consecutive Win in the Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Wing Sprint Car Division.  Ziehl appeared to be in a “zone” as he made his way through lapped cars never losing his momentum.  Although on one occasion as he dashed off turn two, he appeared to go a bit high and slid through the marbles and allowed Kyle McCutcheon from Almagordo, NM to gain a little ground.  John Carney II from Las Cruses finised in the second slot with McCutcheon in third, young Josh Hodges from Tijeras,NM  sealed a fourth place finish and Dalten Gabbard grabbed a top five finish.

The Super Stock division provided their usual competitive action that saw points leader, Terry Hill lose an engine during his heat race.  Dwayne Hogan offered his ride to Hill who finished 7th in the main.  Marty Hussak and Daniel Stricker drove the wheels off each of their hot rods as Brian Brown was making his way to the front of the field.  Hussak led the way to the win followed by Stricker and Brown finishing 3rd.  Rounding out the top five were Linnie Foss and Dana Boatright in the 5th position.

The X-Mods, following a first lap wreck that included points leader Rick Butler, was a race between two of the up and coming drivers who are learning how to win races.   Auldon ”AJ” Wright-Huebner and young Brandon Farrington raced together the last 15 laps of the feature with Huebner taking the win and Farrington right with him for a respectable second place finish.  Jason Pugliese made his way through the field and finished in 3rd.  Jesse Patterson and William Wall finished 4th and 5th.

Also on the race card this past Saturday were the Western States Stock Car Series.  Michael Huffman came home with the win and he was followed to the checkers by Reed Veralud, Jody Henderson, Jason Harvil and Joe Parmely in 5th.

Fans travel from miles around to see  the Wing Sprint Cars especially this week as Las Cruses, New Mexico Star Rick Ziehl attempts to make it four wins in a row as he has an 83 point lead in the Sunoco Fuels ASCS Southwest Region over John Carney II! 

El Paso’s John Carney II has a 50 point lead over Phoenix driver Calvin Landis.  The rest of the top ten include: Kyle McCutcheon from Almogordo, NM, Joshua Williams from Glendale Arizona, Lance Norick from Scottsdale, Peoria Arizona driver Dalten Gabbard, young Joshua Hodges from Tijeras, NM with Steve Stone from Mesa and Joey Chester from Phoenix rounding out the top ten in ASCS Southwest points.

The Unifirst Super Stocks never fail to bring great racing action everywhere on the fast 3/8′s mile track.  Only 49 points separate the top four drivers as Terry Hill leads the pack followed closely by Daniel Stricker just a mere 17 points behind and only 16 points ahead of the talented Sahuarita driver Brian Brown.  Rounding out the top four is Dana Boatright who is only 17 points behind Brown.   Watch the tight battle unfold in this always exciting division. 

The X-Mods is a class that seems to always hve a talented field of up and coming drivers.  This class is pretty much a throwback to the modifieds of 15 years ago when modified racing was an affordable class.  Rick Butler has a 62 point lead ahead of AJ Huebner and 77 points ahead of Ricky McGuire.  Al Peters and DJ Werkmeister round out the top five.

The Western States Stock Car Series, a developing series, has a number of drivers from the greater Phoenix Metropolitan area who travel to USA Raceway and join up with many of the Factory Stock drivers in Tucson.  Always exciting racing action in the Western States Stock Car Series. 

Rick Ziehl Flying on the Wings of Rick Sipes

(Keith Ames)  Rick Ziehl completed a personal first by winning the third of three consecutive ASCS races this past Saturday at USA Raceway in Tucson.   It was a special evening as the Ziehl team paid a tribute to Rick Sipes who unexpectantly passed away early Friday morning.  Ziehl chose to remove his top wing and replaced it with the wing from Sipes # 1 “Green Machine” in honor of the accomplished Tucson Racer who would run the wheels off any race car he drove.  He rode to victory on the Wing of his good friend Rick Sipes in the Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Region this Saturday at the 3/8-mile USA Raceway clay oval.   The Ziehls’ are a class act.

Ziehl was followed to the checkers by Calvin Landis who has moved within 50 points of John Carney II who finished in the 6th slot.  Joshua Hodges, Dalten Gabbard and Perry McMillan rounding out the top five.  Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Region Feature Results from USA Raceway:

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 20z-Rick Ziehl, 2. 79-Calvin Landis, 3. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 4. 77-Dalten Gabbard, 5. 27-Perry McMillan, 6. 8-John Carney II, 7. 22-Mike Rux, Jr., 8. 78-Jody Williams, 9. 57x-Steve Stone, 10. 44k-Koty McGullam, 11. 8az-Jordan Stetson, 12. 76-Jesse Stone, 13. 55T-Brent McKee, 14. 5-Kyle McCutcheon, 15. 1x-J.T. Imperial, 16. 43-Rick Eckert, 17. 41w-Joshua Williams, 18. 90-Lance Norick, 19. 15c-Joey Chester.

Chad Ayers recorded back to back wins with the victory in the USRA Modified this past Saturday.  Ayers was followed to the checkers by Cody Alvarez, Brian Clark, Mike Brandon and Dane Jorgenson.

Dustin Jones was a convincing winner as he posted his 1st win in the exciting and competitive Factory Stock Division.  Terry Churchwell has extended his points lead with a very strong 2nd place finish.  Dylan Newberry, Jason Pugliese and Kevin Souligne finished 3rd, 4th and 5th.

This week Dwarf Cars as always, put on a very competitive and exciting race and came to USA Raceway with a full field of cars.  This week Brian Stehr grabbed the 1st place trophy.  He was followed to the stripe by Ryan Irish in second, Ryan Henesey, Eddie O’Neill and Daniel Lamm were all in the hunt for the win and finished third, fourth and fifth.

July 2nd and July 3rd will Feature the Sunoco Fuel ASCS Canyon Region Non Wing Sprint Cars billed as the Firecracker 40.  Both Saturday and Sunday the traveling Western States Stock Car Series, the X-Mods and the Southwest Mod Lites will join the sprint cars for two exciting nights of competitive racing.

General admission tickets will go on sale for only $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors, Students and Military and racing will begin promptly at 6:45pm. Race fans for an additional $5 you my upgrade your ticket to the great indoors and enjoy the races from USA Raceway’s VIP Suite. First come, first serve basis to the first 80 customers)

To keep up on all the latest news and happenings please sign up for USA Raceway E-News.  The track update registration can be found at the top of the home page www.usaraceway.net

The 2011 USA Raceway Schedule can be previewed online at http://www.usaraceway.net/schedule

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

(Terry Shaw photo)

(Keith Ames) Tucson’s USA Raceway shifts back to the winged Sprint Car ranks this weekend as the Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Region takes to the 3/8-mile clay oval this Saturday night. The Las Cruces, NM, hot shoe Rick Ziehl will be gunning for a third consecutive series win which would mark the first time in his 20 plus year career, to win three ASCS Southwest events in a row.

With his back to back wins as of late, Ziehl has extended his advantage in the Southwest championship points chase to 55 points over El Paso’s John Carney II. Knoxville transplant Calvin Landis currently sits in 3^rd but only by a slim 5 point advantage over Alamogordo’s Kyle McCutcheon. The lone Arizonian, Joshua Williams of Glendale rounds out the top five going into Saturday night’s battle just 23 points behind 3^rd place currently held by teammate Calvin Landis.

The remaining top ten includes Lance Norick of Scottsdale, Dalten Gabbard of Phoenix, Joshua Hodges of Tijeras, NMN, Steve Stone of Mesa, and Joey Chester of Phoenix.

In addition to the ASCS Wing Sprints, the wheelie kings of the USRA Modifieds Series will be onhand to battle it out at Arizona’s premier dirt track joined by the Factory Stocks and Dwarf Car divisions.  

The always exciting USRA Modifieds will also feature many of the top drivers including point leader Tucson’s own Chad Ayers who with the win on June 11^th has extended his points lead to 28 points over hard charging Cody Alvarez.  Rounding out the top five slots is the Tucson Racing Legend and icon, Carl Trimmer, young hot shoe Rick Spencer and seasoned vet Dana Fite.  Former UMP and IMCA Modified Champion Mark Harrison is in sixth and looking to climb the points ladder.  Brian Clark had a very strong second place finish in the last outing as did Corey Hosler Jr and Jake O’Neil who finished third and fourth at the last Modified event at USA.

Terry Churchwell remains the point leader even though last week the “Buckle em up and Drive the Wheels off em” former Champion, Art Lacy found his way back to victory lane the.   Mechanical problems dropped Ron Bishop to third while “Hillbiilly” Bob Burchett charged into the second points position.  George Lein is in fourth and with a second place finish last week, Dylan Newberg has moved into the top five in the action packed Factory Stock Division.

Saturday’s Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest Region action at USA Raceway is slated to go green at 6:45 p.m.

General admission tickets will go on sale for only $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors, Students and Military and racing will begin promptly at 6:45pm. Race fans for an additional $5 you my upgrade your ticket to the great indoors and enjoy the races from USA Raceway’s VIP Suite. First come, first serve basis to the first 80 customers)

To keep up on all the latest news and happenings please sign up for USA Raceway E-News.  The track update registration can be found at the top of the home page www.usaraceway.net

The 2011 USA Raceway Schedule can be previewed online at http://www.usaraceway.net/schedule

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