Chargin’ Charles Takes Winter Challenge Opener at CSP

Charles Davis, Jr., took the $2,000 winner's share in Friday night's opening leg of Canyon Speedway Park's Winter Challenge in Peoria, AZ. (Terry Shaw photo)

Lonnie Wheatley, PEORIA, Ariz. (January 27, 2012) – Charles Davis, Jr., kicked off a full complement of six racing events over nine days by winning Friday night’s 30-lap Winter Challenge opener at Canyon Speedway Park.

A two-time ASCS Canyon Region champion, Davis, Jr., of Buckeye, AZ, took the lead away from California shoe Bud Kaeding in the early going and went on to claim the $2,000 winner’s share in the event pitting the ASCS Canyon Regional forces versus the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series.

After starting third in the familiar Massey Motorsports No. 50 entry, Davis took the lead away from pole starter Kaeding after several laps and then kept eighth-starter R.J. Johnson at bay much of the way.

Davis, Jr., took the checkered flag ahead of Kaeding, who slipped back around Johnson for runner-up honors in the final laps.  Johnson settled for the show position, with 14th-starter Jeremy Sherman in fourth and Dave Darland rounding out the top five in Parker Store-sponsored entry sporting the throwback Darland number of 36d.

Thomas Ogle was sixth and Casey Shuman climbed a half-dozen positions to seventh with Shon Deskins, Mike Martin and Johnny Herrera completing the top ten.

Davis, Jr., Martin and Johnson topped Friday night’s heat race action, with Tracy Hines winning the 10-lap “B” Main before finishing one spot outside the top ten in the main event.

Results