R.J. JOHNSON TO COMPETE FOR 2018 USAC/CRA TITLE WITH CHENEY RACING

Five-time and defending USAC Sands Chevrolet Southwest Sprint Car champion R.J. Johnson will make a run at the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Championship in 2018 as he looks to challenge six-time and defending champion Damion Gardner for the west coast's top non-wing 410 honors.

“A couple of months ago, Dwight Cheney called me and asked if I would be interested in running for him in 2018 and chasing points,” Johnson explained. “I ran for CRA points years ago but have been wanting to try it again.”

Johnson will run the full 25-race USAC CRA schedule in the Cheney Racing, Racing Optics 42.

“I’m excited to get the opportunity to drive for Cheney Racing,” said Johnson. “It will be a change for me for sure, and I’m sure switching to a new team will have a bit of a learning curve but, I’m also confident that we can make it work pretty fast.”

Johnson does have some experience in the 410 division at a handful of the tracks the series will see this season, including Perris Auto Speedway where Johnson earned three-straight victories last summer, but he is looking forward to making his first appearance at some of the different tracks the series has to offer.

“There are several tracks I haven’t raced at before, but I have to say I’m looking forward to running Calistoga,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to run there but the schedule never allowed.”

Johnson is excited to see what he and the Cheney Racing team can accomplish together this season as the USAC/CRA Series fires off this weekend with a doubleheader at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz. On Friday and Saturday, March 9-10.