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.

TUCSON, Ariz. (Kevin)  Rick Ziehl continues to be as hot as the Arizona summer as he reeled in his fourth consecutive Sunoco Fuel ASCS Southwest feature win in Saturday night’s 25-lap feature at USA Raceway. Following victory lane interviews, track officials announced a bounty on Mr. Zeihl at the next scheduled ASCS Southwest event at USA Raceway. The lucky individual that puts the brakes on a possible five-peat will be rewarded with an additional $1000! The streak breaker will take home a whopping $2,250 when combined with the regular purse! That’s not too shabby for a night of gettin’ down and dirty on Arizona’s premier 3/8 clay oval!

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.