GARDNER OPENS CRA DEFENSE AT PEORIA’S “COPPER ON DIRT”

Damion Gardner begins defense of his 2013 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car title this weekend at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz. The 7th “Copper on Dirt” features both the USAC/CRA Sprints and Honda Western Midgets in USAC “doubleheaders” both Friday and Saturday at the 3/8-mile dirt oval near Phoenix. IMCA Modified and West Coast and CDM Late Model competition also is on tap during the two nights.

Charles Davis Jr. and R.J. Johnson are seeking to return to the top of the all-time USAC Arizona winners’ list. Each have 11 as opposed to Bryan Clauson’s 12 and both are expected to be top challengers for Gardner this weekend.

Gardner leads the all-time list of USAC/CRA winners with 46 victories. Five came last year on his way to his second series title. He has eight career USAC wins in the Grand Canyon State, but none at Canyon. He won five times at Manzanita Park in Phoenix, twice at Yuma and once at Tucson.

Johnson, the Phoenix driver who won 11 USAC races in Arizona last year and claimed USAC’s Southwest Sprint Car Championship, won five races at Peoria in 2013.

Mike Spencer, the 5-time AMSOIL USAC/CRA Champ from Temecula, Calif., plans to be among top contenders this weekend. He won last year’s “Brawl for it All” grudge series race at Canyon. He’s expected to team up with Cory Kruseman this weekend.

Two day discounted tickets may be purchased in advance and ticket pricing/purchasing information can be found online at: http://www.canyonspeedwaypark.com/?page_id=879 or by calling the Canyon Speedway office at 602-258-7223.