Clauson Back On Track At Canyon Speedway
Story and Photos By:Lonnie Wheatley/USAC Series Media
PEORIA, Ariz. — Bryan Clauson and Ricky Thornton Jr., maintained the hottest of Winter Challenge hands on Friday night as both drivers posted their third triumphs in the fourth round of competition at Canyon Speedway Park.
While Clauson captured another USAC Southwest vs. USAC West Coast non-wing sprint car victory and Thornton topped the IMCA Modifieds for a third time as well, other winners were Matt Martinez in IMCA Stock Car vs. Pure Stock action, Jason Crowe in IMCA Hobby Stocks vs. Renegades and John Isabella in dwarf cars.
Clauson continued his mastery of the third-mile clay oval by racing into the lead on the fourth round and checking out on the field in the 30-lapper to make it three-for-four in USAC Southwest vs. USAC West Coast Sprint Car action at Winter Challenge 2016.
Gridding the field fifth in Mike Martin’s Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing No. 16, Clauson was up to second within two laps and then slipped underneath Brian Hosford to take command in turns one and two on the fourth round.
With just one caution flag after 10 laps slowing the pace, Clauson cruised to a comfortable victory and his fourth overall win in the 10th race of his Circular Insanity pursuit of 200 races in 2016.
“We let the one Sunday get away, the guys worked hard all week to make sure that didn’t happen again,” Clauson said. “We threw some different things at it and what we tried tonight really brought this thing to life.”
In Clauson’s wake, Stevie Sussex rallied on the high side from 11th all the way to second by the midway point and then fought off R.J. Johnson over the closing circuits to secure runner-up honors. Johnson crossed the stripe third for his fourth top-four run in as many Winter Challenge events with Charles Davis Jr., and Josh Hodges rounding out the top five.
Racing from the front row, Thornton set the pace all the way for the second race in a row to make it three-for-four in Winter Challenge action aboard the No. 20rt.
Round Two winner Hunter Marriott tried to chase down Thornton to match up the score at two apiece but had to settle for second with Joey Moriarty, 16th-starter Tim Ward and 18th-starter Brian Schultz rounding out the top five.
The finish:
Bryan Clauson, Stevie Sussex, R.J. Johnson, Charles Davis, Jr., Josh Hodges, Mike Martin, Andrew Reinbold, Brian Hosford, Tye Mihocko, Dennis Gile, Matt Lundy, Brandon Cling, Bob Strait, Guy Weedman, Kenny Perkins, Will Perkins, Larry Gibson, Matt McCarthy, Thomas Ogle, Kyle Danielson.
