The Full Story
Team Arizona 101
It was simple, “I want people to know where we are from” in 2001 owner Michael Burkhart, having been a part of the sport his entire life racing with friends and older brothers Dave and Frank Burkhart, wanted to form a team that was capable of winning races, Big races, not just in the home state of Arizona but to travel and race against the best, to ultimately win against the best competition open wheel racing had to offer.
In 2001 Driver Michael Burkhart, had big plans, finally obtaining the necessary equipment needed to compete at the highest level. unfortunately, in the first race of that season in Peoria AZ, Michael was involved in a serious accident, that would put him in the hospital and force him to have those serious conversations with his doctors and family.
Driver Owner
Some might call him crazy, but driver turned owner in late 2001.
For the next two decades Team Arizona racing would compete not only in the home state of Arizona but would travel to neighboring states of California, New Mexico, Kansas and others, every chance we got, we wanted to compete at the highest level of open wheel, midgets, non-wing 360 and 410 sprint cars. With the best available drivers, Arizona Motorsports Hall of Fame member Eric Wilkins, AMRA champion Nathan High, California standouts Danny Stratton, Johnny Rodriguez, and Matt Mitchell, Stevie Sussex owner of 25 main event wins for team Arizona himself, and nephew Dustin Burkhart.
It is estimated that Team Arizona is approaching over 100 main event wins. From of Arizona, and coast to coast, Team Arizona has found themselves in Victory Lane.
“Hey let's move to Indiana.”
Catching the eye of Michael in Late 2018, a driver by the name of Jake Swanson from Anaheim CA, would join forces, and almost find immediate success winning races early and often from Perris auto speedway to the Louie Vermeil classic in Calistoga CA with USAC/CRA 410 sprint car series.
To make a very long story shorter, Mid 2020 Team Arizona alongside Jake Swanson made the decision to relocate team, driver and equipment to Indiana and currently competes with the National USAC Amsoil Sprint car series in the DRC/1-way powered 21AZ. Obtaining our first USAC national Sprint car win on a prelim night of the Oval nationals in 2021. Then having continued success in 2022 winning 5 times including the team's biggest victory in winning the Western World Championships, November of that year in the home state of Arizona.
With the latest victory coming in the first race of the 2023 campaign in Florida at Volusia. Winning the non-wing dirt car nationals! Well now you're caught up……
to be continued…..
