Tafoya Set for Return at Central Arizona Following Hand Surgery
2026-05-17 13:50
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Chino Hills, CA — May 14, 2026 — Three weeks after undergoing hand surgery, Eddie Tafoya Jr. is set to return to action this Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, when the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series invades Central Arizona Raceway. The pair of races on the fast 3/8-mile clay oval will mark the first of three races in a nine-day stretch for the Chino Hills, California standout.
Located approximately 50 miles south of Phoenix, Central Arizona Speedway has quickly become a favorite stop for racers and fans alike. The modern dirt track is known for its wide racing surface, multiple grooves, and intense wheel-to-wheel competition that often produces some of the most exciting racing on the USAC/CRA schedule.
Three days after competing at Central Arizona on April 21st, Tafoya underwent surgery to repair an injury he suffered at Perris Auto Speedway last August. The operation was successful, but it forced the popular driver to miss the May 2nd USAC/CRA race at Ventura Raceway. Now fully healed and eager to get back behind the wheel, Tafoya is ready to resume his strong 2026 campaign.
In his last appearance at the Arizona oval, Tafoya qualified seventh fastest in a competitive 19-car field. After finishing third in his heat race, he rolled off from the seventh starting spot in the 30-lap main event. Early in the race, the 28-year-old battled fiercely to maintain a spot in the top 10. As the laps wound down, however, he became one of the fastest cars on the track.
Charging through the field in the closing stages, Tafoya stormed all the way to fourth before ultimately finishing fifth at the checkered flag. Through his first five starts of the 2026 season, he has yet to finish worse than sixth and has already recorded three top-five finishes. His best result came in the USAC/CRA season opener at Mohave Valley Raceway on February 28th, where he scored an impressive third-place finish.
Following this weekend's action in the "Copper State," Tafoya will return home to Perris Auto Speedway for one of the longest-running sprint car races in the world, the historic Salute to Indy on May 23rd. The prestigious event, which dates back to 1948, has long been one of the crown jewels of sprint car racing in the world.
Gates for this weekend's races, which will close out the first half of the season at the Central Arizona Raceway, will open at 5:00 p.m. each night with racing at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $20.00. Seniors and active military get in for $18.00. Young adults 11-17 are $10.00, and children 10 and under are free.
The track is located at 512 S 11 Mile Corner Road in Casa Grande, Arizona. The track's website is https://www.centralazraceway.com/ and the office phone is 520-754-0407.
For fans who can not make it, both nights will be streamed live on Flo Racing.
Eddie Tafoya can be followed on Instagram at eddietafoya51.
Team Tafoya Racing would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, BR Motorsports, King Racing Products, Gasper Transportation, CMI Precision Machining, Owen's Insurance Services, Keen Concrete, DRC Chassis, and Rider Racing Engines for their continued support of the 2025 season. If you would like to join forces with the team for another fun and exciting year of racing in 2026, please contact Tafoya at Eddie Tafoya Jr. at (909) 393-3999 or mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com
Eddie Tafoya's 2026 Results
2/28/26 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 3rd A Main
3/12/26 The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Ultimate Sprint Cars 6th A Main
3/13/26 The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Ultimate Sprint Cars 6th A Main
3/21/26 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main
4/18/26 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main
This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com