The 4th Annual Wild West Shoot will feature the best of the best Super Late Model and Modified drivers at USA Raceway’s 3/8-mile clay oval for six days on January 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17, with more than $150,000 in prize money to be distributed over the course of the blockbuster event. A $10,000 top prize awaits the shootout event finale, The Bill Cheesebourg Memorial, on January 17.

Kevin Montgomery, co promoter at USA Raceway reports that Kenny Wallace humming words from the song “Desperado”, waited patiently for his U-Haul truck that he just rented from a local Charlotte location. Inspired by the song, a thought came to mind and “Herman” sprung into action. He picked up the phone and in a matter of minutes, Wallace confirmed plans to ride west and take part in USA Raceway’s Wild West Shootout.

Wallace, a 22 year NASCAR veteran, has not only made a name for himself in the racing world as a successful driver, but has also used his boisterous behavior to catapult himself into a successful television career. His energy and enthusiasm earned him the nickname “Herman” and also landed him as one of the most notable NASCAR TV Personalities.

His career started as a mechanic for brother Rusty Wallace but he soon landed a seat of his own winning his first race in 1982. September 1988 would mark the first NASCAR start for Wallace driving for the legendary Dale Earnhardt, in which he finished eleventh in the Busch Series race at Martinsville Speedway. After surpassing a career milestone of 400 Nationwide Series starts, Wallace will head west to Tucson’s USA Raceway to take part in the esteemed 4th Annual Wild West Shootout.

Wallace, driving for the potent Barnett Harley Davidson Modified team for the final weekend of the Wild West Shootout, will join a long list of the best Late Model and Modified drivers from across the country all looking for shootout fame.

“This is such a great event and I am really looking forward to coming to USA Raceway to be a part of it,” commented Wallace. “It will be a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to be teamed up with Barnett Harley Davidson.”

The Wild West Shootout which takes place on the second weekend of January and commences the following weekend enters it 4th year and is anticipated to be one of the largest racing events of 2010.

Ticket pricing and purchasing information can be found online at http://www.usaraceway.net/Uploads/WildWestShootoutTicketForm.pdf or by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515

Hotel Information can be found at www.usaraceway.net/lodging.php or by calling the Tucson Airport Courtyard by Marriott at 520-573-0000

Terry Phillips leads the Wild West Shootout win list capturing 8 out of 33 total events with Steve Francis in second with 4 total feature wins. John Anderson sits third for all time WWS victories with 3 wins.

Multiple winners have graced victory circle at the Wild West Shootout including Ken Schrader, Wendell Wallace, Billy Moyer, Jimmy Mars and Jack Sullivan.

More than 100 of the top cars and drivers will take to the track over the nine day event that begins on Saturday January 9th with the $3k to win Wild West Shootout opener and will conclude with the $10k to win Wild West Shootout “Bill Cheesebourg Memorial”.

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, 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

Darland, who participated in the Western World Championships piloting The

Parker Store car, experienced engine troubles on his qualifying night. Starting deep in the field for Saturday’s B-Main, Darland put on a driving clinic as he made his way to the A-Feature and ultimately into the top five behind ASCS Canyon Region Champion Charles Davis Jr.

The Roger McCluskey Classic which takes place the first weekend of the New Year enters its 6th year and has grown into a must see event. Top traditional sprint car drivers will tackle USA Raceway’s 3/8-mile clay oval for two days on January 2nd and 3rd as they look to capture the inaugural 2010 victory and add their name to past champions that include Josh Pelkey, Jesse Hockett, Jerry Coons Jr., and Johnny Herrera.

While top sprint car drivers will be competing for $2k on the preliminary night and a $3k on the championship night, both X-Mods and Modlites will join the field for an unprecedented $1k winners share of the event. All three divisions will compete in full shows for both days and the champions will be crowned on Sunday evening.

Tucson, Arizona (November 6th, 2009) – Tucson’s RC Whitwell wraps up the first night of the Carl Trimmer Classic. Whitwell took home the $1k by grabbing the 25-Lap preliminary night feature and setting himself up as the one to beat for the $2k finale tomorrow night.

32 late models were on hand for the opening night racing action that saw the USA Modified Ace, RC Whitwell win in the traveling SWDRA Late Model Division. Teams from Colorado, California, Canada and Arizona and I was told by Jill Anderson with SWDRA that 3-4 teams are expected tonight to join the 32 car field.

It will be a great night if you are a race fan to make your way to USA Raceway where you will pay for the whole seat, but you will only need the edge!

Tucson, Arizona (October 13th, 2009) – The battle of Modified supremacy goes full tilt this weekend as the Arizona boys gear up to defend their home track against the New Mexico bandits. The competition heats up this weekend as the UMP West Modifieds wage battle on the USA Raceway battle field.

RC Whitwell leads the charge with fellow Tucson resident Robert Adams close by and ready to take aim against New Mexico’s Stormy Scott and Jimmy Ray. Scott and Ray packed a one two punch with brother Johnny Scott making an all New Mexico podium at their last Tucson outing.

The New Mexico crew is expected to come loaded with a few other friends looking to repeat. However, Chad Ayres stepped up as a contender with a dominating performance to kick off October and will join forces with a large cast ready to take on anyone.

The Ump West Modifieds will be joined by Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, AMA Modlites Arizona Late Models and Hornets. General admission tickets will go on sale at 5pm for only $10, racing will begin promptly at 7pm.

Suite Access Passes which allow race fans the opportunity to enjoy the races from USA Raceway’s VIP Suite are also on sale for only $20.

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, 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

Tucson, Arizona (May 6th, 2009) – USA Raceway will celebrate Fathers Day as the UMP West Modifieds, Presented by Barnett Harley Davidson, fire up this Saturday night June 20th.  Taco Bell will honor fathers with free admission to the action packed event as the modified stars take to USA Raceway’s super fast 3/8 mile clay oval.

Chris O’Neil received his father’s day present early as his son Nick O’Neil pulled off his first victory edging out points contender Brian Clark last Saturday night.  O’Neil will be trying for two in a row as he pilots the Big’Uns Southwest/Heavy Duty Radiator machine in search of a Fathers Day Victory.

RC Whitwell will make sure to eat his Enchirito this week as the lack of nourishment proved fatal when Whitwell’s engine expired three quarters of the way home in his last outing.  Whitwell, who has dominated the modified division, will be hungry for some Taco Bell and a victory.

Brian Clark and Robert Adams will need to “Think Outside The Bun” as they try to figure out a way to stop Whitwell.  Clark, who had a great 2nd place run last week, will be joined by Adams, Dane Jorgenson and Brad Campbell as they all will be gunning for Whitwell.
The super fast Modifieds will headline the show along with Super Stocks, AZ Late Models and Hornets.  General admission tickets will go on sale at 5pm for only $10, racing will begin promptly at 7pm.
Suite Access Passes which allow race fans the opportunity to enjoy the races from USA Raceway’s VIP Suite are also on sale for only $20.

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, 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

I have been asked to manage the TucsonCitizen.com Racing Blog and it is my pleasure to welcome all readers to the TucsonCitizen.com site. I hope to introduce interesting and perhaps controversial topics for you to review and to respond to on a daily basis. I will post race results, press releases and hope to be able to focus upon personal interest stories within the local racing community.

In Tucson, there are a number of venues and types of auto racing. We have both dirt tracks and pavement tracks including: oval, road courses and drag strips.

There is a saying I use and it goes something like this: If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.

Although the focus will be upon local racing, I am not sure where this blog will take us. Having said that, you are invited to send me your ideas, topics and your racing preferences to me at: ames@dakotacom.net .

I want to set up a system for reporting race results, for receiving Press Releases and for receiving race track information. Contacting your track and giving the PR person this information and my email address will be very helpful with organizing this process.

Today we are waving the green flag for Zoom Zoom Tucson!

By Keith V Ames (Chip)

Check back soon for his introductory post.