2021 Salute to Indy Champion Brody Roa Returns to Action in Perris on Saturday
2026-05-23 04:23
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Cypress, CA - May 22, 2026 — The long wait is finally over! Brody Roa, the 2021 Salute to Indy champion, will make his 2026 sprint car debut this Saturday when Heimark Distributors presents the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars in the 73rd running of the race at Perris Auto Speedway. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and the night's first race will get the green flag at 7:00.
Roa, who, in addition to winning the 2021 Salute to Indy also proudly has the 2016 USAC Western States Sprint Car Championship, the 2019 USAC Southwest Sprint Car title, and the 2023 USAC/CRA Championship on his resume, last raced a sprint car the first week of last November in 2025. His only race since then was the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in January. Needless to say, he is excited to get behind the wheel of his 410 sprinter on Saturday.
"Is that all ?" Roa laughed when it was pointed out that he had not been in a sprint car for six months. "It feels like it has been three years at this point. I think it is kind of like riding a bike. Being out of a car for six months, I did it in 2024 and 2025, and I did it again this year. I hope we run up front and have a good run. Obviously, with this engine, that is new to us, we have to try and get things tuned how I like it. Make sure it runs good and find out what it likes. Hopefully, we can get that sorted out by the feature."
The engine the Garden Grove, California racer referred to is an All Pro 410 he purchased out of Indiana. In fact, he picked the engine up at the Chili Bowl and Dan Chiaramonte brought it back to California for Roa. The initial plan was hoping to be on the track sooner than now.
However, there were problems.
"It had issues when we put it on the dyno," Roa glumly stated. "It has been six months in the making since we bought it. Getting parts together and getting money back together for something I just bought. At least it gave me some time to save up to pay Shaver. Those guys always do good work. I am glad it went through them. They took care of us pretty good on this thing. I am confident in what we have now."
This week started with Roa vacationing at the River with his wife, Tailor, and their two daughters. His father Brent, picked up the engine at Shavers. Roa returned home Thursday night with plans for installing the engine on Friday.
"Felt like it was not going to happen for a while there," Roa laughed about how excited he was to be getting back on the track. "I am super excited to get back out there. The Salute to Indy is very cool. I would put it up there as one of the most important races on my schedule. It has been going on for a long time, and there is a lot of history to it. It was pretty cool to get that win a couple of years ago."
"Really, my expectations are to show up to win," he continued. "I have always said if I do not think I can win I am done doing this. If that was not my goal, I would not even be showing up."
Overall, the likable veteran made 10 starts on the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval in 2025. He finished eighth or better nine times and recorded four top-five finishes, including a victory on October 18th.
An addition to this release: As reported in the news in Los Angeles on Friday, a chemical leak caused the evacuation of 40,000 people in Garden Grove, the city where Roa lives. He lives about 1,000 feet outside the evacuation area. Tailor and their daughters immediately headed back to the river. Meanwhile, Roa, his father, and his Uncle B were busy in the garage getting the car ready for Saturday night.
The following marketing partners have backed Roa for the 2026 campaign. ALR Virtual Services, Biker Bruce, Caltrol, Innovative Sewer Scope and Plumbing, Big Chino Ranch, Molecule, Shaver Racing Engines, Barnes Pumps, and Specialized Coatings. If you would like to get involved and be a partner, contact Roa at the following mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com - 714-932-7994.
@roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @simpsonracegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @drivenracingoil
This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com