Lewis scores first USAC Southwest Sprint win at Central Arizona
Column By: Richie Murray – USAC MEDIA – CASA GRANDE, AZ – Ricky Lewis has won his share of USAC races out west in his career. On Saturday night, he added a first to his ever-growing list at Casa Grande’s Central Arizona Raceway.
Starting sixth in the field, the Oxnard, California racer charged up through the field, and with five laps remaining, made the winning move to earn his first career USAC Avanti Windows & Doors Southwest Sprint Car feature victory.
Meanwhile, Lewis became the second different driver to wheel the Bonneau Motorsports No. 78 into USAC Southwest Sprint Car victory lane in 2026 at Central Arizona’s 3/8-mile dirt oval. Kevin Thomas Jr. also won in the car back on March 1.
Dayton Shelton led early from the pole position, pacing the initial four laps. However, Shelton soon gave way to the series’ all-time winningest driver, R.J. Johnson, on lap five, and from there, Johnson assumed control for the bulk of the race.
Although, on lap 21, Lewis beat Johnson into turn three to take the spot at the front the field as the leaders worked through lapped traffic.
A yellow flag a lap later for a turn four spin by B.J. Hernandez halted the race on lap 22, thus setting up a four-lap trophy dash between Lewis and Johnson.
On the final lap, Johnson was able to edge ahead of Lewis on the bottom of turn two. As they nearly touched wheels midway down the back straightaway, Lewis closed the door on Johnson entering turn three. Lewis then led Johnson to the stripe to grab the win by roughly two car lengths.
Behind Lewis, Johnson finished as the runner-up, while point leader Bruce St. James slotted into third. Charles Davis Jr. took fourth as Daylin Perreira rounded out the top-five.
The three heat races were won by Johnson, Lewis, and St. James.
USAC AVANTI WINDOWS & DOORS SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS:
April 18, 2026 – Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, Arizona
FEATURE: (25 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Ricky Lewis (6), 2. R.J. Johnson (3), 3. Bruce St James (5), 4. Charles Davis Jr (11), 5. Daylin Perreira (2), 6. Stevie Sussex (4), 7. Koen Crawford (10), 8. Mickey Gile (7), 9. A.J. Hernandez (14), 10. Jordan Stetson (17), 11. Troy DeGaton (13), 12. Leland Fuller (15), 13. James Webster (8), 14. Eugene Thomas (12), 15. Dan Klinder (18), 16. Kyle Huttenhow (22), 17. Mike Waddle (19), 18. B.J. Fernandez III (9), 19. Jake Austin (16), 20. Dayton Shelton (1)
