Back as a crown jewel of sprint car racing, the industry flocked back to Arizona for the 59th running of the legendary Western World Championship at Central Arizona Raceway. And this year, the honors of victory will stay in Arizona.

A tradition that began at the prestigious Manzanita Speedway in 1968 added to the record book with 19-year-old rookie, Gavin Miller from Allentown, PA, putting together a stellar weekend in the No. 21AZ car to bring the Western World Championship to Arizona-owned team Team Arizona Racing. With just 18 career starts in a non-wing 410 sprint car, Miller earned his second USAC sprint car victory against the best in the world. Miller also claimed his first 360 sprint car victory on Friday night at Central Arizona Raceway with Team AZ Racing.

The team took home $42,450 in prize money for the victory, part of the record $150,000 weekend purse. This marks the third Western World Championship victory for Team AZ Racing after wins with Jake Swanson in 2022 and Daison Pursley in 2023.

Fellow Arizona-owned team BBi Motorsports finished second with Kevin Thomas Jr. behind the wheel. Tempe native, Stevie Sussex, was the highest finishing Arizona driver after a career-best weekend with a fifth-place finish. Arizona-owned team Petty Performance Racing earned the USAC National, CRA, and Southwest Series championships during the weekend.

The weekend served as the 2026 finale USAC National Sprint Car Series. The first race of 2027 scheduled at Ocala Speedway on Tuesday, February 16. The date for the 60th Western World Championship at Central Arizona Raceway will be announced at a later date.

The post Gavin Miller Brings Team AZ Racing Their Third Western World Championship first appeared on Sports360AZ.



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