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Schedule changes at Manzanita due to sale...Sprints, Modlites and mini sprints run March 21
by Windy McDonald
The days are counting down to a precious few as the era of Manzanita Speedway comes to an end. The track has been sold and the existing Manzanita Speedway will cease to exist. The reasons behind the sale were outlined in a story printed by the Arizona Republic March 17th. Fans from throughout the nation have called expressing disbelief that one of the best reputations is closing its gates after April 11th.
The famed track will run Saturday night with the Discount Tire American Sprint Car Series, Canyon Region, will take to Manzy’s one third mile track for the last time. They will be sharing the short track with the Southwest Modlites and Arizona Mini Sprints.
On Friday night, March 27 the IMCA Dirt Modifieds will run for the first time in 2009 and will share the one third mile track with the Factory Stocks and Bombers.
The World of Outlaw sprint cars will me making their final appearance at the 35th Avenue and West Broadway track March 28 with the top Winged Sprint Car drivers in the nation on hand. Tickets are on sale at the Manzanita ticket office and phone orders are taken at (602) 276-7575. Mini Sprints will run on the short track.
The closing of the track has led to a few changes in the remaining schedule. On Friday night, April 3, the Dirt Modified race has been switched to the half mile track. Factory Stocks, Sport Modifieds, and Bombers will share the one third mile oval. The Saturday night, April 4th outing is unchanged as Manzy hosts the ASCS winged sprints, Southwest Modlites and Dwarf Cars.
The final weekend at Manzanita will be run over three nights giving all divisions a chance to say good-bye to the facility. The half mile track, which opened November 21, 1954 will be in use all three nights. The Thursday night, April 9th race has the Dirt Modifieds on the half mile with Sport Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Bombers and Dirt Dolls contesting their final races on the short track.
Late Model Stock and Super Stock cars headline the Friday night race as they take to the half mile track. Racing on the short track will be provided by Dwarf Cars and Southwest Modlites.
There may not be many dry eyes when the checkered flag falls on the final race for the track that opened its gates August 25, 1951. There may well be a standing room only crowd on hand to watch the Discount Tire ASCS run on the half mile track for the final time while Midgets, Mini Sprints and AMA Modlites say good-bye on the one third mile oval. It is expected that a party like wake will be going on until early morning as most fans want to reminisce and remember "The Training Track of Champions", which for over 20 years was known as the Track That Action Built" but someone who has never used the phrase registered the name and informed us that we could no longer use it.
The short season means that the non winged sprints will have only three races at their home track but they have landed other races at USA Speedway in Tucson.
Charles Davis, Jr. is hoping to drive the Jim Massey car to a win after Jesse Hockett drove the team car to victory lane in the opener. Jeremy Sherman dropped out early, the first time in his last 39 starts that the four time state champion had not been around for the checkered flag. Nathan High got a win at Canyon raceway last week, his first in the ASCA Sprints and hopes to carry the momentum into the Saturday race and score his first win in ASCS competition.
Josh Shipley will be trying for a second straight win in the mini sprints and Steve Moriarity is favored in the modites after a hard fought win last week.
The gates open Saturday night at 5:00 with competitive racing slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.
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