C.J. Leary is set to take on one of the most grueling schedules in dirt racing for 2025, competing full-time in both the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship and the USAC Silver Crown Series with Team AZ Racing. Leary, a seasoned USAC champion and one of the sport’s top drivers, is embracing this massive challenge with high expectations for success.
Double the Series, Double the Challenge
Leary, the 2019 USAC National Sprint Car champion, will pilot the No. 21AZ Sprint Car across a 50-race schedule in the Sprint Car National Championship while also tackling the 13-race Silver Crown calendar. This ambitious endeavor is made possible through Team AZ’s collaboration with Curb-Agajanian for the sprint car program and Jerry Petty of Avanti Windows & Doors for the Silver Crown effort.
“It just makes sense having everything under one roof,” said Leary. “When Mike [Burkhart, team owner] first called, it was just about Silver Crown, but I was pushing for the sprint car too. We found a way to make both work, but it’s a lot to manage. Having one team and a strong crew will help us gel and deliver results.”
Strong Foundations for a Promising Partnership
Leary got a taste of working with Team AZ at the 2024 Western World Championships, where he notched fourth and third-place finishes in his first two outings with the team. That initial run was crucial for building chemistry and understanding preferences between driver and team.
“Those trial runs in Arizona were invaluable,” Leary said. “It gave us time to figure each other out in a low-pressure setting before hitting the national stage in Florida.”
A Winning Legacy Meets Championship Aspirations
Team AZ has already proven its pedigree with six USAC National Sprint Car wins and a breakthrough Silver Crown victory in 2024. With Leary bringing 23 USAC Sprint Car wins and three Silver Crown triumphs to the table, the partnership looks poised to contend for championships in both series.
The team will field top-tier equipment for Leary, including the Curb Records/Apache Transport OakCraft Elegant Cabinetry No. 21AZ Sprint Car with 1 Way Technologies power under a DRC chassis. In the Silver Crown division, Leary will drive the Avanti Windows & Doors No. 21, equipped with Stanton Racing Engines.
“We’re building something special,” Leary said. “From a full crew to cutting-edge equipment, this is a powerhouse setup. I can focus entirely on driving, which will be a game-changer.”
Looking Ahead: Key Dates in 2025
Leary’s 2025 campaign kicks off in February at the Winter Dirt Games in Florida, a stretch where both driver and team have found past success. The Silver Crown season begins with the prestigious Sumar Classic at Terre Haute, a venue where Leary claimed his first USAC national victory in 2016.
High Hopes for a High-Octane Season
With a team boasting proven results and a driver eager to reclaim championship form, the stakes are high for C.J. Leary and Team AZ Racing in 2025. As Leary steps into the most demanding schedule of his career, he’s ready to make history on both dirt and pavement.
“When we hit the track, it’s going to be full throttle from the start,” Leary declared. “We’re here to win races, and I believe this team has what it takes to deliver championships.”
Stay tuned as Leary and Team AZ Racing aim to dominate the USAC landscape and set a new standard in both the Sprint Car and Silver Crown series.
