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MANZANITA SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY
By Windy McDonald
Phoenix, AZ (November 11) It really was "Motorized Mayhem" Saturday night a Manzanita Speedway as the largest field assembled in years took to the track for the running of the 150 lap Bomber Stock Car Enduro.
By the time Ernie Green took the checkered flag, Manzanita Speedway’s 1/3rd mile track resembled some of the nearby wrecking yards. Many of the 79 cars that started the "Motorized Mayhem" event were parked around the track having stalled due to blown engines, lost wheels and crashes. At least 25 cars were involved in fender benders in the first five laps but most were able to continue, at least for awhile. Roughly two thirds of the starting field were not around for the checkered flag.
Green was in the middle of the three abreast fifth row when the green flag signaled a start to the longest race of the year with, by far, the largest starting field in recent years. He passed a faltering Chris Odom with six laps to go to claim the $1000 first place paycheck. Odum, who took the lead from Rick Byler on the 42nd lap, had built a two lap advantage over the field before running low on fuel, allowing Green to make up the deficit in the closing laps. Odum who started 20th, hung on for second just ahead of Scott Buck, up from 32nd, Terry Mumaugh and Kaylene Verville. Rounding out the top ten were Bill King, Robert Grill, Josh Christensen, Bryan Watkins and Corky Warner.
From a standing start, Donald Gordon jumped out to a quick lead but Byler, a veteran of the sprint car wars, quickly put his ‘78 Dodge Station Wagon out front and managed to lead until he made a pit stop that allowed Odom’s ‘77 Pontiac Wagon to assume control.
With the increasing interest in the Enduro type events, Manzanita has scheduled the next one for the middle of February, 2001.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
1. Ernie Green 2. Chris Odum 3. Scott Buck 4. Terry Mumaugh 5. Kaylene Verville 6. Bill King 7. Robert Grill 8. Josh Christensen 9. Bryan Watkins 10. Corky Warner 11. Jeremy Kimbrell 12. Frank Outlaw 13. Jesse Welker 14 #22 15. Eddie Hernandez 16. Dave Cook 17. Mark Dryer 18. Kathy Parrish 19. Keith Grow 20. Tom Nickles 21. Donald Gordon 22. Riley Hatfield 23. Kenneth Roberts, Jr. 24. Sherry King 25. Casey Ekrech 26. Larry Price 27. Dave Kahrl 28. John Reynolds 29. John Rogers 30. Doug Hanchett 31. Chris Wyman 32. Rick Byler 33. Randy Allen 34. Tony Wall 35. Larry Orban 36. Clu Connors 37. #5D 38. Jermiah Stevens 39. Chris Del Duca 40. Joe Vlasity 41. Richard Vuekelich 42. Dominique Goodwin 43. Roger Smith 44. Randy Parrish 45. Jason Jordon 46. Jason George 47. Tom Cormier 48. Blue Boy Jackson 49. Mike Lilly 50. Pat Hurley 51. David Reed 52. Amber Staley 53. Mark Williams 54. Lyle Askren, Jr. 55. John Romero 56. Steven Pischel 57. Alan Worz 58. #X 59. James Fields 60. Frank Valenzia 61. John Glynn 62. Jason George 63. Justin Stevens
Others (Did not turn in score sheets)
Tom McReynolds, Keith Noyes, Mike Gibson, Marvel Martinez, George Gonzales, David Gonzales, Chuck Vallone, Anthony Madrid, Dan Shepherd, Michael Gibson, Jr., Larry Rider, Lynn Frizzell, Jimmy Huttleson, Ty Warner, Charles Kimbrell, Raphael Valenzuela
SUMMARY
BOMBER STOCK CAR 150 LAP ENDURO
1. Ernie Green 2. Chris Odom 3. Scott Buck 4. Terry Mumaugh 5. Kalene Verville 6. Bill King 7. Robert Grill 8. Josh Christensen 9. Bryan Watkins 10. Corky Warner
***
Phoenix, AZ (November 4) With a dream season this year Jay Drake is regarded by many as the top open wheel driver in the country. His 5.89 second win in Saturday night’s NAPA Auto Parts/Liberty Buick/Peoria Pontiac-GMC Non Winged Western World Championships at Manzanita Speedway did nothing to hinder that notion.
Drake, who won the United States Auto Club Indiana Sprint Week and finished second in points in the USAC Sprint Cars had also been dominant in the Non Winged World Championship Tour with four wins in the midwest portion of the series. He also found time to win in USAC Midgets and in the Silver Bullet Series.
He added his fifth win in the NWWC series in style as he outdueled perhaps the toughest field he has faced all year and made it look easy in pocketing the first place $10,000 check.
Drake, driving the Keith Kunz Stealth/Vital 911.com Gaerte, beat Friday night winner Rip Williams into the first turn and was never seriously threatened in the 40 lapper which was contested on Manzanita’s famed half mile track. Only several caution flags allowed his pursuers to stay close.
Williams faded in the early going and Steve Ostling raced the Bill Pratt/Feese Solid State sprinter into second as he battled first Tony Jones and then Tracy Hines. The duel between Ostling and Hines, the USAC Silver Bullet Champion, was a classic as they traded the runner up spot several times.
Williams, who at one time dropped as far as sixth, made a late race charge that carried him back to second at the checkered flag. Williams, a 53 time winner with the Sprint Car Racing Association explained that the car was too tight and he had to wait until the fuel load was reduced before he could race with the leaders.
Hines, who in addition to his prowess in the Silver Bullet cars found time to finish third in USAC sprint points, kept his BWB Racing/LLC-Hanning Construction J& J Chassis ahead of Ostling to get third place money. Three time SCRA champion Richard Griffin brought the Ron Chaffin owned Arizona Race Mart sponsored Jon Boy car home in fifth after starting ninth. Last year’s NWWC titlist Cory Kruseman came from 11th to sixth at the checkered flag while Mike Kirby put on a tremendous drive to get seventh after being forced to the end of the 24 car field by an early yellow flag pit stop.
Rounding out the top ten were Troy Cline, John Scott and Troy Rutherford.
Griffin, after turning in the night’s quickest qualifying run, used a last turn, outside pass to nip Brad Noffsinger in the 12 lap semi main. They, along with Jordon Hermansader and Scott, had to use the semi to earn their way into the feature. Scott also made a last turn pass to nip Mike English for the final transfer spot.
History was made in the second heat race when Kaylene Verville held off Cline to become the first woman to win a SCRA race. She went on to finish 16th in the feature. Rodney Argo bested Joe Devin in the first heat, Jarrett Chaney held off Jerry Coons, Jr. in the third heat and Troy Rutherford was ahead of Kruseman in the fourth heat.
The top eight finishers in the Friday night 20 lap feature lined up in the six lap J.E. Pistons trophy dash to determine the line up for the first four rows of the feature. Drake ran the race in near record time to earn the pole with Williams getting the other front row position by virtue of his second place finish. Behind them came Jones, Ostling, Charles Davis, Jr., Hines, Dave Darland and Kirby.
The two drivers injured in Friday night’s races, J.J. Yeley and Tim Vesley ramained hospitalized. Yeley, winner of the NAPA race last year, was in Barrows Medical Center being treated for a broken arm, sore neck and numerous bruises while awaiting results of a CAT Scan. He was alert and in good spirits Saturday. After a night at St. Joseph’s hospital Vesley was transferred to a Tucson hospital for further treatment. He was reported to be suffering from a neck injury.
SUMMARY
Main event: (40 laps) 1. Jay Drake 2. Rip Williams 3. Tracy Hines 4. Steve Ostling 5. Richard Griffin 6. Cory Kruseman 7. Mike Kirby 8. Troy Cline 9. John Scott 10, Troy Rutherford 11. Bob Ream, Jr. 12. Charles Davis, Jr. 13. Jarrett Chaney 14. Dave Darland 15. Tony Jones 16. Kaylene Verville 17. George Gervais 18. Josh Pelkey 19. Jordon Hermansader 20. Jerry Coons, Jr. 21. Brad Noffsinger 22. Rodney Argo 23. Jeremy Sherman 24. Joe Devin
Semi main: (12 laps) 1. Richard Griffin 2. Brad Noffsinger 3. Jordon Hermansader 4. John Scott 5. Mike English 6. Eric Wilkins 7. Terry Pletch 8. Ed Carpenter, Jr. 9. Rickey Hood 10. Ronnie Clark 11. Danny Sheridan 12. Casey Shuman 13. Travis Cooley 14. Rick Hinrichsen 15. Tony Lima 16. Lance Grimmet 17. Derek Davidson 18. Steve Venard 19. Kevin Doty 20. Bill Rose 21. Bobby Graham 22. Ricky Johnson
Passing Masters Trophy Dash: (6 laps) 1. Jay Drake 2. Rip Williams 3. Tony Jones 4. Steve Ostling 5. Charles Davis, Jr. 6. Tracy Hines 7. Dave Darland 8. Mike Kirby
lst heat: 1. Rodney Argo 2. Joe Devin 3. George Gervais 4. Terry Pletch 5. Bobby Graham 6. Jordon Hermansader 7. Ricky Johnson 8. Eric Wilkins 9. Richard Griffin
2nd heat: 1. Kaylene Verville 2. Troy Cline 3. Bob Ream, Jr. 4. John Scott 5. Brad Noffsinger 6. Bill Rose 7. Rick Hinrichsen 8. Steve Venard 9. Lance Grimmet
3rd heat: 1. Jarrett Chaney 2. Jerry Coons, Jr. 3. Jeremy Sherman 4. Kevin Doty 5. Casey Shuman 6. Ed Carpenter, Jr. 7. Rickey Hood 8. Tony Lima 9. Derek Davidson
4th heat: 1. Troy Rutherford 2. Cory Kruseman 3. Josh Pelkey 4. Danny Sheridan 5. J Hicks 6. Mike English 7. Travis Cooley 8. Tony Elliott 9. Ronnie Clark
***
Phoenix, AZ (November 3) Imagine a race with some of the nation’s top open wheel drivers–Silver Bullet champion Tracy Hines, Indiana Sprint Week champion Jay Drake, three time California champion Richard Griffin, USAC Sprint Car champion Tony Elliot as well as Sprint Car Racing Association standouts Rickie Gaunt, Tony Jones and Cory Kruseman. Now that’s impressive but that was only the semi main in the first night of the NAPA Auto parts/Liberty Buick/Peoria Pontiac-GMC Western World Non Winged Championships Friday night at Manzanita Speedway.
Many managed to transfer to the main event but only Hines was a factor in the 20 lapper which was dominated by Charles Davis, Jr. until he made his only mistake of the night with just a lap remaining allowing Rip Williams to take the checkered flag in front of Mike Kirby and Hines.
Davis jumped out front at the drop of the green and held off all challenges until the feature’s only yellow flag flew for a stalled car on lap #18. Davis, a two time Arizona champion, had built as much as a four second lead before the field closed in under the yellow,but had Williams resting on the rear bumper of his Joe Morales/Ron’s Racing Products sprinteron the ensuing restart. He again pulled away from Williams, a 52 time winner in SCRA competition; however, he took it in too deep in turn three, bicycled and almost caught the fence. By the time he recovered Williams, Kirby, Hines and Steve Ostling had motored by.
Williams broke a six year drought at Manzanita as he drove the Sharon Jory/Vista Paint Stinger into the winner’s circle for the first time since April of 1994.
Kirby drove out of the third row to finish second after dominating the field in the recent Western Autumn Classic on Manzy’s famed half mile track. Hines, making his first start on the tricky track, drove a masterful race. He had the BWB Racing/LLC-Hanning Construction J&J lined up on the inside of the fifth row after winning the 12 lap semi. He used both the top and bottom of the track to move his way through the pack and take third. Ostling was third on the starting grid in his Bill Pratt/Fees Solid Surfaces Okie Chassis.
Drake started 11th and finished sixth, Jones came from tenth to seventh, Dave Darland was eighth, Troy Rutherford ninth and Kevin Doty took tenth.
J.J. Yeley, winner of both nights of the NAPA Auto Parts Western last year, ended his night before it really began. Yeley vaulted over a wheel on Brandon Lane’s car in hot laps, flipped end over end then flew over the wall and signboards into the neighboring wrecking yard in turn three.
He was transported to Barrows Medical for treatment.
The night took its toll on other drivers as Ronnie Clark also flipped in hot laps, Tim Vesley did about six snap rolls down the front straightaway in the consolation race and Mike Boat caught the turn one wall and flipped later in the consy. Vesley was the only one to require hospitalization.
Eric Wilkins won the eight lap consy to earn a spot in the first heat. Others who transferred to a heat from the consy were Bill Rose, Lance Grimmet and Casey Shuman.
J Hicks won the SuperTrapp Mufflers heat race with Rodney Argo, Brad Noffsinger and Kaylene Verville earning main event berths. Jeremy Sherman led Bud Kaeding, Darland and Williams to the checkered flag in the Shaver Engines heat. In the KSE Racing Products heat it was Jordon Hermansader, Bob Ream, Jr, Ostling and Davis. Four more main event berths were filled in the Design 500 heat race by winner Bobby Marcum, George Gervais, Doty and Kirby.
Behind Hines in the semi were Jones, Drake, Gaunt, Rutherford and Griffin.
Davis earned the pole by winning the J.E. Pistons passing masters dash with Argo getting the other front row starting berth with a second place finish. Behind them were Ostling, Williams, Kirby, Noffsinger, Darland and Doty.
Hines outqualified the 51 car field with a fast lap of 19.318 (93.177 mph). Rickie Gaunt was second quickest followed by Troy Cline, Kirby, Jones, Griffin, Drake, Derek Davidson, John Scott and Darland.
NAPA AUTO PARTS/LIBERTY BUICK/PEORIA PONTIAC-GMC WESTERN WORLD
Main event: (20 laps) 1. Rip Williams 2. Mike Kirby 3. Tracy Hines 4. Steve Ostling 5. Charles Davis, Jr. 6. Jay Drake 7. Tony Jones 8. Dave Darland 9. Troy Rutherford 10. Kevin Doty
Semi main: (12 laps) 1. Tracy Hines 2. Tony Jones 3. Jay Drake 4. Rickie Gaunt 5. Troy Rutherford
1st heat: 1. J Hicks 2. Rodney Argo 3. Brad Noffsinger 4. Kaylene Verville 5. Tracy Hines
2nd heat: 1. Jeremy Sherman 2. Bud Kaeding 3. Dave Darland 4. Rip Williams 5. Cory Kruseman 3rd heat: 1. Jordon Hermansader 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Steve Ostling 4. Charles Davis, Jr. 5. Troy Cline
4th heat: 1. Bobby Marcum 2. George Gervais 3. Kevin Doty 4. Mike Kirby 5. Troy Rutherford.
Trophy dash; 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Rodney Argo 3. Steve Ostling 4. Rip Williams 5. Mike Kirby 6. Brad Noffsinger 7. Dave Darland 8. Kevin Doty
Consolation race: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Bill Rose 3. Lance Grimett 4. Casey Shuman 5. Joe Devin
***
Phoenix, AZ (October 28) The odds that Manzanita's maintenance crew could get the rain soaked facility ready for Saturday night's Sands Chevrolet-Geo Dirt Modified & Dwarf Car Nationals were not good. The odds that an out of state driver would win the Dirt Modified feature once the race was run was at least even money.
The crew, with help from numerous volunteers overcame the odds and the race went off as scheduled; however, Royal Jones of Las Cruces, NM kept the locals out of the winner's circle with a wire to wire win in the 25 lap feature which was contested on Manzy's half mile track.
After changing engines following his heat race Phoenix' Jeff Gibson managed to stay close to Jones but fell about three car lengths short in his bid to become the first Arizona driver to win the year's biggest dirt modified event. Minnesota's Shawn Nolan came out of the fifth row to finish third ahead of New Mexico's Lorne Wofford and Rhett Salopek.
John Cain showed the youngsters the quick way around Manzy's one third mile track in the 25 lap dwarf car feature. The 62 year old former driving champion used his experience to thread his way through heavy traffic and leave it to Paul Taylor and Matt Tipton to battle for runner up honors. Taylor managed to win that battle while Tony Hinsley and Cain's son Kevin finished fourth and fifth.
Arizona drivers won all but one of the preliminary races with only Jones managing a heat race win. Other heat winners were Anthony Madrid, Chuck Black, Jim Perkins and Brian Bullis. Darren Williams won the consolation race and Jason Soyko topped the field in the semi main.
Dwarf car heats went to Rick Kochanowski, John Cain, Larry Stewart, Tipton, Art Garcia and Kevin Cain. Bryan Childress took the consy and Hinsley earned his spot in the feature by winning the semi.
SUMMARY
DIRT MODIFIED NATIONALS
Main event: 1. Royal Jones 2. Jeff Gibson 3. Shawn Nolan 4. Lorne Wofford 5. Rhett Salopek
Rick Lewerke 7. Billy Roy Harris 8. Joe Warner 9. Darren Williams 10. Sherman Barnett 11. Jason Soyko 12. Randy Harrison 13. Mark Allison 14. Jim Perkins 15. Anthony Madrid 16. Christy Georges 17. Curt Barnett 18. Brian Bullis 19. Ron Jones 20. Rene Madrid 21. Kenny Hatfield 22. John Morris 23. Chuck Black 24. Darin Center
Semi main: 1. Jason Soyko 2. Rhett Salopek 3. Sherman Barnett 4. Darren Williams 5. Darin Center 6. Christy Georges 7. Randy Harrison 8. Mark Allison 9. Kenny Hatfield 10. Terry Belcher 11. Dave Van Bruggen 12. Joe Mullins 13. Ron Poe 14. Bill Kratchmer 15. Mike Strobl 16. Anton Salopek 17. Joe Kosiski 18. Mike Tipton 19. Ricky Thornton 20. Bob Mercier
Consolation race: 1.Darren Williams 2. Sherman Barnett 3. Randy Harrison 4. Bill Kratchmer 5. Bob Mercier 6. John Morris 7. Chris Cross 8. Hank Logue 9. Jason Kerekanich 10. Justin Haviland 11. Bub Bullis
lst heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Joe Warner 3. Billy Roy Harris 4. Anton Salopek 5. Joe Kosiski 6. Mark Allison 7. Chris Cross 8. Terry Belcher, Jr. 9. Robert King, Jr. 10. John Morris
2nd heat: 1. Chuck Black 2. Shawn Nolan 3. Ron Jones 4. Ricky Thornton 5. Darin Center 6. Christy Georges 7. Brian Bub Bullis 8. Sherman Barnett 9. Bumper Jones
3rd heat: 1. Jim Perkins 2. Curt Barnett 3. Rene Madrid 4. Jason Soyko 5. Mike Tipton 6. Mike Strobl 7. Bill Kratchmer 8. Hank Logue 9. Bob Sanders 10. Bob Mercier
4th heat: 1. Brian Bullis 2. Lorne Wofford 3. Rick Lewerke 4. Rhett Salopek 5. Dave Van Bruggen 6. Ron Poe 7. Randy Harrison 8. Justin Haviland 9. Jason Kerekanich
5th heat: 1. Royal Jones 2. Jeff Gibson 3. Rick Ward 4. Joe Mullins 5. Terry Belcher 6. Kenny Hatfield 7. Darren Williams 8. Steve Kosiski 9. Darrel Van Bruggen
DWARF CAR NATIONALS
Main event: 1. John Cain 2. Paul Taylor 3. Matt Tipton 4. Tony Hinsley 5. Kevin Cain 6. Rick Kochonski 7. Art Garcia 8. Craig Austin 9. Dennis Wutzke 10. Dino Soto 11. Paul Ross 12. Craig Click 13. Chester Villella 14. George Rosnick 15. Larry Stewart 16. Tom Peck 17. Storm Phillips 18. Peter Lang 19. Justin Randall 20. Danny Matthews 21. Marty Westor 22. Rick Setser 23. Benny Tufts
Semi main: 1. Tony Hinsley 2. Dennis Wutzke 3. Craig Austin 4. Rick Setser 5. Storm Phillips 6. Benny Tufts 7. Marty Westor 8. Frank Phillips 9. Chester Villella 10. Peter Lang 11. Dino Soto 12. Tom Peck 13. Tony Martin 14. Robert Burbach 15. Ken Seastedt 16. Brandy Phillips 17. Byran Childress 18. Paul Wightman 19. Sandy Matthews 20. Wes DeBeaux
Consolation race: 1. Bryan Childress 2. Bud Tolliver 3. Sandy Matthews 4. Chester Villella 5. Storm Phillips 6. Peter Lang 7. Tom Peck 8. Paul Wightman 9. Benny Tufts 10. Joe Swonger 11. Jimmie Davis 12. Roger Dvorak 13. Kit Mandu 14. Tom Graham 15. Jim Foster 16. Travis Zellener 17. Tom Major
lst heat: 1. Rick Kochanowski 2. Danny Matthews 3. Dino Soto 4. Craig Austin 5. Bud Tolliver 6. Byran Childress 7. Tom Peck 8. Tom Major
2nd heat: 1. John Cain 2. Paul Taylor 3. Tony Hinsley 4. Dennis Wutzke 5. Sandy Matthews 6. Peter Lang 7. Kit Mandu
3rd heat: 1. Larry Stewart 2. Paul Ross 3. Tony Martin 4. Brandy Phillips 5. Strom Phillips 6. Travis Zellener 7. Paul Wightman
4th heat: 1. Matt Tipton 2. George Rosnick 3. Frank Phillips 4. Robert Burbach 5. Spencer Rexall 6. Roger Dvorak 7. Benny Tufts
5th heat: 1. Art Garcia 2. Craig Click 3. Rick Setser 4. Marty Westor 5. Joe Swonger 6. Chester Villella
6th heat: 1. Kevin Cain 2. Justin Randall 3. Ken Seastedt 4. Wes DeBeaux 5. Jimmie Davis 6. Jim Foster 7. Rick Kochanowski
***
Phoenix, AZ (October 21) Saturday night's rain washed out the Coors Light Buddy Taylor Memorial Race at Manzanita Speedway and track officials have rescheduled the event for Saturday night, November 18th, the next open date at the Southwest Phoenix track. The rainout was the first complete rain out of the year. The sprint car main event was rained out in the March 4 season opener. Other than that the weatherman has been good to racing this year in direct contrast to last year when nine races were lost.
The Taylor Memorial was to be the season finale for the Arizona Sprint Car Association, the Arizona Midget Racing Association and the Arizona Mini Sprint Car Association. The entire program, including the Quality Bumper Company half mile track series finale for the Sprint Cars will now end their regular season a month later than scheduled.
It appeared that the race had attracted one of the largest and best fields of the year as several cars, both sprint cars and midgets were on hand from New Mexico and SCOA champion Ricky Hood was to make his first non winged start of the year in the Sprint car show. Most of the cars on hand are expected to return for the make up event.
***
Phoenix, AZ (October 20) George Fronsman ended the year 2000 Super Stock Car season the way he started it as he drove into the winner’s circle Friday night at Manzanita Speedway for the first time since winning the season opener March 11.
Fronsman, the Super Stock’s most consistent driver with 19 top five finishes in 26 starts, ends the season ranked second in points but managed to beat eight time winner Doug Shadd in the stock car season finale. Shadd’s second place finish gave him his second straight Super Stock Car driving championship.
Fronsman had the pole for the 20 lap feature and beat Shadd into the first turn on Manzanita’s 1/3rd mile track but Shadd stayed with him the entire distance but was unable to make the pass on the determined Fronsman. Don Costa, a three time winner, finished third in both the race and in the final points and Ron Funk nailed down fourth in the final standings with a fourth place finish in the feature. Kenny Gill turned in the night’s best passing job as he came from ninth to fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Tom Michaels, Mike Van Winkle, Dennis Glover, Joe Sarginger and Anthony Madrid.
Fronsman and Shadd won the heat races.
Ron Poe garnered his second Factory Stock Car win of the year as he went wire to wire in beating last week’s winner John Glynn who started seventh in the 23 car field. Danny Price drove out of the fifth row to finish third. Ken Seastedt crossed the line fourth just ahead of John Thomas. Behind them came Scott Buck, Glenn Stumm Harry Nevel, Jerry Lee and Clifton Maggard.
Poe beat Terry Mumaugh in the first heat, Maggard edged Thomas in heat #2 and Seastedt was ahead of Tim Worth in the third heat.
For the third straight week there was a first time winner in the Bomber Stocks as Chuck Kimbrell became the 14th different winner in the Bombers, the 77th different winner this season at Manzy. With the Bombers producing their largest field of the year (37) as drivers prepare for their November 11th 150 Enduro Race, Kimbrell drove his way from his 12th starting spot and edged nine time winner Tom Kozak who started last among the 20 main event starters. Ernie Green, another former winner, placed third. Three time winner Larry Sowacke came from 14th to finish fourth and Stacy Bennett, after sharing the back row with Kozak, drove through the field to finish fifth. The rest of the top ten were Roger Smith, Chico Hernandez, Ty Warner and Scott DeLong.
Frank Outlaw, Warner, Raphael Valenzuella and Dan Ricehouse took the top four spots in the semi main to earn positions in the feature. Heats were won by Daniel Romero, Kimbrell, Robert Fletcher and Sowacke.
The Friday night events wrapped up the regular stock car season at Manzanita with only next week’s Sands Chevrolet-Geo Dirt Modified & Dwarf Car Nationals, the NAPA/Liberty Buick & Peoria Pontiac-GMC Western World Non Winged Championships, the Enduro and a special World Non Winged Sprint Car Series race Thanksgiving weekend remaining on the schedule.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. George Fronsman 2. Doug Shadd 3. Don Costa 4. Ron Funk 5. Kenny Gill 6. Tom Michaels 7. Mike Van Winkle 8. Dennis Glover 9. Joe Sarginger 10. Anthony Madrid 11. John Romero 12. George Jozens 13. Jack Dubois
1st heat: 1. George Fronsman 2. Ron Funk 3. Joe Sarginger 4. Tom Michaels 5. Kenny Gill 6. Jack Dubois
2nd heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Don Costa 3. Mike Van Winkle 4. John Romero 5. George Jozens 6. Dennis Glover
lst Trophy dash: Don Costa
2nd Trophy dash: Doug Shadd
FACTORY STOCKS
Main Event: 1. Ron Poe 2. John Glynn 3. Danny Price 4. Ken Seastedt 5. John Thomas 6. Scott Buck 7. Glenn Stumm 8. Harry Nevel 9. Jerry Lee 10. Clifton Maggard 11. Cindy Meredith 12. Tony Wall 13. Raul Sainz 14. Bill Hill 15. Darrel Bednarek 16. Terry Mumaugh 17. Mike Lilly 18. Jim Schilt 19. Corky Warner 20. Ed Huttleson 21. Seth Simmons 22. Pat Horan 23. Tim Worth
1st heat: 1. Ron Poe 2. Terry Mumaugh 3. John Glynn 4. Danny Price 5. Jim Schilt 6. Cindy Meredith 7. Bill Hill 8. Mike Lilly
2nd heat: 1. Clifton Maggard 2. John Thomas 3. Jerry Lee 4. Scott Buck 5. Harry Nevel 6. Darrel Bednarek 7. Ed Huttleson 8. Raul Sainz
3rd heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Tim Worth 3. Seth Simmons 4. Glenn Stumm 5. Corky Warner 6. Pat Horan
lst Trophy dash: John Glynn
2nd Trophy dash: Terry Mumaugh
BOMBERS
Main event: 1.Chuck Kimbrell 2. Tom Kozak 3. Ernie Green 4. Larry Sowacke 5. Stacy Bennett 6. Wendell Fletcher 7. Roger Smith 8. Chico Hernandez 9. Ty warner 10. Scott DeLong 11. Dan Ricehouse 12. Tim Fletcher 13. James Fields 14. Robert Fletcher 15. Raphael Valenzuella 16. Jason Hull 17. Frank Outlaw 18. Daniel Romero 19. George Gonzales 20. Don Gordon
Semi main: 1. Frank Outlaw 2. Ty Warner 3. Raphael Valenzuella 4. Dan Ricehouse 5. Cristian Washburn 6. Scott Attwater 7. Gary Arms 8. Larry Orban 9. Cory French 10. Charlie Simpson 11. Butch Washburn 12. Gary Washburn 13. Jimmy Huttleson 14. Frank Valencia 15. Jeremy Maggard 16. Larry Washburn (Rick Denson DQ)
1st heat: 1. Daniel Romero 2. Tom Kozak 3. Scott DeLong 4. Don Gordon 5. Rick Denson 6. Cory French 7. Jeremy Maggard 8. Jimmy Huttleson 9. Scott Attwater 10. Raphael Valenzuella
2nd heat: 1. Chuck Kimrell 2. Jason Hull 3. Roger Smith 4. George Gonzales 5. Frank Outlaw 6. Riley Hatfield 7. Dan Ricehouse 8. Frank Valencia
3rd heat: 1. Robert Fletcher 2. Dave Morrall 3. Tim Fletcher 4. James Fields 5. Chico Hernandez 6. Ty Warner 7. Charlie Simpson 8. Larry Orban (Phillip Hales DQ)
4th heat: 1. Larry Sowacke 2. Ernie Green 3. Stacy Bennett 4. Wendell Fletcher 5. Gary Washburn 6. Gary Arms 7. Cristian Washburn 8. Butch Washburn
Trophy dash: Dave Morrall
****
Phoenix, AZ (October 14) Until Saturday night Manzanita Speedway had not been kind to California Sprint Car driver Mike Kirby this year but after a dominating performance in the Western Autumn Classic Saturday night he can again list the Phoenix track as one of his favorites.
Kirby was a dominant driver at Manzanita in 1998 and had five career wins there starting the 2000 season. However his luck on the Manzanita half mile track is one reason that Kirby was ranked only 7th in the Sprint Car Racing Association point standings coming into the Classic despite having won four races at California tracks.
In the previous six race Kirby had only one top ten finish at Manzy, broke in hot laps once and had two other races in which he failed to finish.
He got his revenge Saturday night as he turned in the night’s eighth fastest qualifying lap, came out of the fourth row to win the Design 500 heat heat race then finished second to Troy Rutherford in the J.E. Pistons Passing Masters trophy dash to earn a front row start in the main event.
He beat pole sitter Troy Rutherford into the first turn of the 30 lap feature and was clearly the best in the field. He steadily pulled away from the field and was running almost a full second a lap faster than his competition He built an eight second advantage over the field before a red flag for a three car pile up in which Rick Ziehl flipped allowed the field to close in on lap #13. Kirby had six lapped cars between himself and second running Cory Kruseman and while the contenders were stuck in traffic he again distanced himself from the field.
While Kirby left no drama for the front spot, the competition for runner up honors was fierce. Kruseman, Rutherford, Mike English and Rickie Gaunt were nose to tail the final half of the race. Rutherford blew a tire in turn #3 of the final lap and dropped from third to tenth at the finish.
At the checkered flag Kirby was 8.34 seconds ahead of Kruseman with English, up from his 11th starting position in third. John Scott followed up his win in California last week with a fourth place effort, just ahead of Steve Ostling. Gaunt, after running as high as second, was sixth ahead of Rip Willams who started 10th after winning the semi main.
Points leader Richard Griffin, winner of four of the six races contested at Manzy this year, could do not better than eighth after outqualifying the 41 car field. Phoenix’ Jeremy Sherman, winner of the other two races at Manzy was ninth at the checkered flag. Bob Ream, Jr. finished 11th and Michael Smith was 12th. Only the top 12 managed to stay with Kirby on the lead lap.
Eric Wilkins made his first SCRA start of the year and brought the Tony Smiley Extreme Chassis home with a win in the Supertrapp Muffler heat race as he beat Ream, Ostling and Griffin. Drivers who transferred to the feature through the Shaver Engines heat race were rookie driver Bobby Graham who got his first SCRA win, Scott, Ziehl and Kruseman. Kruseman edged Casey Shuman at the checkered flag to secure a spot in the main event and in the trophy dash.
Sherman came out of the second row to beat rookie points leader Jarrett Chaney, Rutherford and J Hicks in the KSE Racing Products heat race. Behind Kirby in his heat were Brian Venard, Gaunt and Arizona champion Marty Miller.
There were some big names in the 12 lap semi as two time Arizona champion Charles Davis, Jr. had the pole after setting third quick time, fith fastest qualifier Rip Williams share the front row with the Arizona driver and edged him for the win. Others who used the semi to earn a spot in the feature were Rodney Argo, English, Smith and Adam Mitchell
Tony Jones, a two time main event winner this year, had a forgettable night. He had motor problems in qualifying and had to run in the eight lap consy to make the show. He beat Hank Winter, Ricky Johnson and Matt Felio to secure heat race positions. He got upside down in the semi ending his frustrating night on yet another sour note. Fortunately he was not injured.
SUMMARY
Main event (30 laps) 1. Mike Kirby 2. Cory Kruseman 3. Mike English 4. John Scott 5. Steve Ostling 6. Rickie Gaunt 7. Rip Williams 8. Richard Griffin 9. Jeremy Sherman 10. Troy Rutherford 11. Bob Ream, Jr. 12. Michael Smith 13. Eric Wilkins 14. J Hicks 15. Jarrett Chaney 16. Brian Venard 17. Bobby Graham 18. Marty Miller 19. Charles Davis, Jr. 20. Adam Mitchell 21. Rick Ziehl 22. Rodney Argo
Semi main (12 laps) 1. Rip Williams 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Rodney Argo 4. Mike English 5. Michael Smith 6. Adam Mitchell 7. Brandon Lane 8. Derek Davidson 9. Jordon Hermansader 10. George Gervais 11. Lance Grimett 12. Casey Shuman 13. Ricky Johnson 14. Matt Felio 15. Keith Williamson 16. Tony Jones
Consolation race (8 laps-No time) 1. Tony Jones 2. Hank Winter 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Matt Felio 5. Steve Stone 6. Travis Cooley 7. Will Perkins 8. Michael Hinrichsen 9. Jack DeArmond, Jr.
1st heat (10 laps, time: 3:19.32) 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Steve Ostling 4. Richard Griffin 5. Rodney Argo 6. Tony Jones 7.George Gervais 8. Keith Williamson 9. Rip Williams
2nd heat (10 laps-No time) 1. Bobby Graham 2. John Scott 3. Rick Ziehl 4. Cory Kruseman 5. Casey Shuman 6. Jordon Hermansader 7. Mike English 8. Verne Sweeney 9. Hank Winter
3rd heat (10 laps–Time: 3:21.10) 1. Jeremy Sherman 2. Jarrett Chaney 3. Troy Rutherford 4. J Hicks 5. Charles Davis, Jr. 6. Adam Mitchell 7. Michael Smith 8. Lance Gremett 9. Ricky Johnson
4th heat (10 laps–No time) 1. Mike Kirby 2. Brian Venard 3. Rickie Gaunt 4. Marty Miller 5. Derek Davidson 6. Brandon Lane 7. Matt Felio 8. Tom Downing 9. Bobby Marcum
Trophy dash: 1. Troy Rutherford 2. Mike Kirby 3. Cory Kruseman 4. Rickie Gaunt 5. John Scott 6. Richard Griffin 7. Steve Ostling 8. Bob Ream, Jr.
***
Phoenix, AZ (October 13) A fourth place finish behind John Glynn, Ron Poe and Corky Warner in Friday night’s Factory Stock Car feature at Manzanita Speedway was all that Larry Price needed to wrap up the driving championship.
Price’s 24th top five finish in 33 starts, coupled with a DNF (did not finish) by second ranked Ken Seastedt pushed the former champion past the magic number with only one race, next Friday night, left on the schedule
Glynn beat Seastedt into the first turn and never looked back as he raced to his second win of the year. Seastedt maintained second until he was forced to the pits with mechanical problems at about the midpoint of the 15 lapper. It marked Seastedt’s first DNF since July 8. Poe, coming out of the third roe then took over the runner up spot but was no match for Glynn. Warner started alongside Poe and finished on his rear bumper. Behind Price came Tim Worth, Scott Buck, Jim Schilt, Darrel Bednarek, Terry Mumaugh and Raul Sainz.
Dale Wall, winner of the third heat race, flipped down the front stretch but managed to walk away uninjured. Other heat winers were Seastedt and Glynn. Mike Lilly won the semi and Price won his 12th trophy dash of the year.
Dale Wall, making his first start of the year, became the 76th different driver to win a feature this year at Manzy as he came out of the third row to beat Chuck Kimbrell and Wendell Fletcher in the Bomber Stocks. The Bombers fielded 30 cars as the drivers were out to prepared for the November 11th 150 lap Bomber Enduro and 28 cars took the main event green flag.
Wall started fifth and edged pole sitting Krimbrell with Fletcher coming all the way from 13th for the show position. Tom Kozak, due to his nine wins on the year, started last and drove his way to fourth just ahead of Frank Outlaw.
Ron Pickering picked up his second Mini Sprint Car win of the year as he too had to come out of the third row. Duane Adams had his new car working to perfection as he drove from ninth to second and Chris Hines looked good in Troy Johnson’s car as he took third. Johnson had already wrapped up the championship and elected to sit it out in favor of Hines. Former champion Dave Alexander crossed the line in fourth and Billy Paul Bolton had his best finish of the year at Manzy with a fifth place effort.
Mini Sprint heats were won by Jeff Greszler and Adams and Greszler also won the trophy dash. Lyle Askren repeated in the Circle Trucks as he beat his son to the checkered flag. Behind the Askrens came Lonnie Ranft and his father Harold. Rick Declaeminch crossed the line in fifth. The Askrens also won the heat races.
SUMMARY
FACTORY STOCK CARS
Main Event: 1. John Glynn 2. Ron Poe 3. Corky Warner 4. Larry Price 5. Tim Worth 6. Scott Buck 7. Jim Schilt 8. Darrel Bednarek 9. Terry Mumaugh 10. Raul Sainz 11. Ed Crabtree
12. Jerry Lee 13. Glenn Stumm 14. Cindy Meredith 15. Seth Simmons 16. Dan Shepherd 17. Mike Lilly 18. Harry Nevel 19. Ken Seastedt 20. Dale Wall
Semi main: 1. Mike Lilly 2. Jerry Lee 3. Dan Shepherd 4. Terry Mumaugh 5. Jim Schilt 6. Sandy McGolfin 7. Pat Horan 8. Jeff Stafford
lst heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Harry Nevel 3. Glenn Stumm 4. Cindy Meredith 5. Clifton Maggard 6. Mike Lilly 7. Dan Shepherd
2nd heat: 1. John Glynn 2. Corky Warner 3. Larry Price 4. Raul Sainz 5. Seth Simmons 6. Jerry Lee 7. Jeff Stafford 8. Pat Horan
3rd heat: 1. Tony Wall 2. Ron Poe 3. Darrel Bednarek 4. Scott Buck 5. Tim Worth 6. Jim Schilt 7. Ed Crabtree 8. Sandy McGolflin
Trophy dash: Larry Price
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Dale Wall 2. Chuck Kimbrell 3. Wendell Fletcher 4. Chad Cabeldue 5. Tom Kozak
6. Frank Outlaw 7. #90 8. Roger Smith 9. Ty Warner 10. Chico Hernandez 11. Cory French 12. Robert Fletcher 13. Gary Arms 14. Justin Stevens 15. Frank Valencia 16. Jerry Pritchett 17. Ken Roberts, Jr. 18. Butch Washburn 19. James Fields 20. Chris Weimer 21. Fidel Gonzales 22. Larry Sowacke 23. Danies Romero 24. John Rogers 25. #71 26. Gary Arms 27. Larry Orban 28. Wayne Noyes
lst heat: 1. Chuck Kimbrell 2. Robert Fletcher 3. Dave Morrall 4. Frank Outlaw 5. Jerry Pritchett 6. Gary Arms 7. Chico Hernandez 8. Larry Orban 9. Herb Carpenter 10. Frank Valencia 11. Chris Weimer
2nd heat: 1. Larry Sowacke 2. Justin Stevens 3. John Rogers 4. Tom Kozak 5. Donald Gordon 6. Wendell Fletcher 7. James Fields 8. Ty Warner 9. Roger Smith
3rd heat: 1. Fidel Gonzales 2. Dale Wall 3. Daniel Romero 4. Chad Cabeldue 5. Ken Roberts, Jr. 6. Wayne Noyes 7. Cory French 8. #90 9. Larry Washburn 10. Chuck Washburn
Trophy dash: Fidel Gonzalez
MINI SPRINTS
Main event: 1. Ron Pickering 2. Duane Adams 3. Chris Hines 4. Dave Alexander 5. Billy Paul Bolton 6. Dennis Parks 7. Brian Clark 8. Terry Palmer 9. Danny Mathus 10. Allen Beck 11. Richie McQuillan 12. David Rohrich 13. Jeff Greszler 14. Don Bradley 15. Bill Farrington 16. John Estrada 17. Rick Alexander 18. Brandon George
lst heat: 1. Jeff Greszler 2. Dave Alexander 3. Terry Palmer 4. Chris Hines 5. Billy Paul Bolton 6. Don Bradley 7. Brian Clark 8. Brandon George 9. David Rohrich 10. Billy Matson
2nd heat: 1. Duane Adams 2. Dennis Parks 3. Ron Pickering 4. Danny Mathus 5. Richie McQuillan 7. Bill Farrington 8. John Estrada 9. George Chapman
Trophy dash: Jeff Greszler
CIRCLE TRUCKS
Main event: 1. Lyle Askren 2. Lyle Askren, Jr. 3. Lonnie Ranft 4. Harold Ranft 5. Rick Declaeminch 6. Alan Worz 7. Nolan Green 8. K.J. Lloyd 9. Tommy Slesher 10. Richard Kempton 11. Aaron Aldeaman 12. Marcus Sipers
lst heat: 1. Lyle Askren, Jr. 2. Marcus Sipers 3. Rick Declaeminch 4. Nolan Green 5. Alan Worz 6. K.J. Lloyd
2nd heat: 1. Lyle Askren 2. Harold Ranft 3. Lonnie Ranft 4. Richard Kempton 5. Tommy Slesher 6. Aaron Aldeaman
***
Phoenix, AZ (October 7) For Empire Cup Sprint Car Owners of Arizona driving champion Ricky Hood the season ended much too soon because, after all, time sure goes by in a hurry when you are having fun and Hood had more than his share of fun during the 17 race season which ended Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway with Hood winning his ninth feature race of the season.
Hood’s storybook year which included two four race win streaks fittingly had him dominating the 22 car field in the 25 lap Interstate Wreck Rebuilders’ main event which was contested on Manzanita’s 1/3rd mile track. Hood turned in the night’s fourth quickest qualifying lap, won the trophy dash, finished second to Marty Wilcox in his heat race despite starting in the back row and then used up only nine laps in coming from the fourth row to the lead in the feature. Only a number of yellow flags allowed the field to stay reasonably close as Hood was at his best in the heavy traffic and fashioned leads of three seconds or better several times before the field was allowed to catch up due to caution flags.
Hood still managed to take the checkered flag 1.09 seconds ahead of two time defending champion Marty Wilcox. Bobby Marcum was third, just ahead of Kaylene Verville who turned in the quickest qualifying lap at 91.610 mph. Fifth went to J.R. Patton with Calvin Landis, an early leader, Jimmy Norman, Jeff Slinkard, Steve Stone and Jeff Wheeler rounding out the top ten. All were on the lead lap. Landis, who won the season opener at Manzy, brought out the yellow flag on the 21st lap with a spin while running third but managed to drive his way back to sixth at the finish.
Steve Cushman did a hard flip in the running of the third heat race and was forced to start his back-up car in the feature.
In additon to Wilcox, Marcum and John Harris won heat races. Marcum beat Jeff Branaman and Harris bested Chuck Buckman.
Terry Belcher, Jr. went wire to wire in winning the IMCA Dirt Modified feature as he easily beat Chuck Black and Joe Warner in the 15 lapper on Manzy’s half mile track. The best battle in the feature was between Warner and Black who banged wheels a few times before Black claimed the second spot about five laps from the checkered flag.
With the points season already over, many of the top guns sat out the race to save their cars for the October 27-28 Sands Chevrolet-Geo Dirt Modified and Dwarf Car Nationals.
Jeff Gibson came from ninth to fourth and Max Sadler, making his first start on Manzy’s half miler, was fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Jeff Shepherd, Chris Cross, Darrel Van Bruggen, Jason Soyko and Hank Logue.
Gibson fought off repeated challenges by Belcher to win the first heat race and Madrid was better than Soyko in the second heat.
Manzanita will host the California based Sprint Car Racing Association in the Western Autumn Classic on Saturday night, October 14.
SUMMARY
SCOA WINGED SPRINT CARS
Main event; 1. Ricky Hood 2.Marty Wilcox 3. Bobby Marcum 4. Kaylene Verville 5. J.R. Patton 6. Calvin Landis 7. Jimmy Norman 8. Jeff Slinkard 9. Steve Stone 10. Jeff Wheeler 11. Ty Brooks 12. Joe Bustillos 13. Buddy Ray Earle 14. Steve Dunn 15. Jeff Branaman 16. Chuck Buckman 17. Steve Cushman 18. John Harris 19. John Ziehl 20. Robert Hall 21. Paul Norbury 22. Bill Liebig
1st heat: 1. Marty Wilcox 2. Ricky Hood 3. Calvin Landis 4. Kaylene Verville 5. Jeff Slinkard 6. Steve Dunn 7. Jimmy Norman 8. Buddy Ray Earle
2nd heat: 1. Bobby Marcum 2. Jeff Branaman 3. Paul Norbury 4. J.R. Patton 5. Bill Liebig 6. Ty Brooks 7. Steve Martin 8. Bobby Davis
3rd heat: 1. John Harris 2. Chuck Buckman 3. Joe Bustillos 4. Jeff Wheeler 5. Robert Hall 6. John Ziehl 7. Steve Stone 8. Steve Cushman
Trophy dash: Ricky Hood
Fast time: Kaylene Verville (13.009–91.610 mph)
Lap leaders: Patton, 1-5—Landis, 6-8—Hood, 9-25
IMCA DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Terry Belcher, Jr. 2. Chuck Black 3. Joe Warner 4. Jeff Gibson 5. Max Sadler 6. Jeff Shepherd 7.Chris Cross 8. Darrel Van Bruggen 9. Jason Soyko 10. Hank Logue 11. Randy Harrison 12. Richard Fisher 13. Vance Honea 14. Anthony Madrid 15. John Morris 16. Rick George 17. Bub Bullis
Lap leaders: Belcher, 1-15
1st heat: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Terry Belcher, Jr. 3. Chuck Black 4. Jeff Shepherd 5. Dave Van Bruggen 6. Hank Logue 7. Darrel Van Bruggen 8. John Morris 9. Bob Mercien 10. Richard Fisher
2nd heat: 1. Antony Madrid 2. Jason Soyko 3. Joe Warner 4. Chris Cross 5. Max Sadler 6. Randy Harrison 7. Vance Honea 8. Danny Padilla 9. Bill Kretchmer 10. Bub Bullis 11. Rick George
***
Phoenix, AZ (October 6) While neither Doug Shadd or Larry Price are ready to pop champagne corks quite yet both drivers took giants steps to insure themselves of driving championships with wins Friday night at Manzanita Speedway.
Price picked up 12 points on Ken Seastedt by winning both his heat race and feature in the Factory Stocks while Shadd, with an assist from Lady Luck, scored his eighth Super Stock Car main event win of the year. With the wins both Shadd and Price hold 50 plus point leads with only two races remaining on the year 2000 schedule.
Price had a front row start in the 15 lap Factory Stock Car feature and easily won his tenth race of the year, the most by any driver this year at Manzy, as he bested Terry Mumaugh who had his best career effort. Meanwhile Seasted, a nine time winner, could do no better than fifth in both his heat race and the main. Dan Shepherd, the pole setter, finished third with John Glynn getting fourth just ahead of Seastedt who started tenth. Rounding out the top ten were Clifton Maggard, Jeremy Getchous, Anthony Madrid, Glenn Stumm and Kent Staley.
Shadd was running third with less than a half lap remaining in the 20 lap Super Stock feature when the leader, rookie driver Mike Van Winkle, spun entering the final turn and slowed second running George Fronsman allowing Shadd to cross the finish line in front of Kenny Gill. Fronsman recovered to finish third, his 18th top five finish of the year.
Van Winkle, trying for a second straight win, put on a great drive as he came out of the eighth row before losing it in the final turn. He wound up finishing eighth.
Jeffrey Price, the trophy dash winner, took fourth after starting ninth and Dennis Glover was fifth. Others in the top ten were Susie Rupple, Joe Sarginger, Van Winkle, Anthony Madrid and Mark Hafemeyer.
Fidel Gonzales took over Stacy Bennett’s Bomber Stock Car and bested the 29 car field to become the 12th different winner of the year. Three time winner Larry Sowacke finished second and John Rogers was third. Behind them were Justin Stevens, Bill Washburn , Dawn Klem, Tom Kozak, Gary Arms, Dave Morrall and Larry Gordon.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Kenny Gill 3. George Fronsman 4. Jeffrey Price 5. Dennis Glover 6. Susie Rupple 7. Joe Sarginger 8. Mike Van Winkle 9. Anthony Madrid 10. Mark Hafemeyer 11. Kevin Willer 12. Chris Hunneycutt 13. John Romero 14. George Jozens 15. Jeff Stafford 16. Tom Michaels 17. Don Costa 18. Ron Funk
1st heat: 1. Don Costa 2. Tom Michaels 3. Kenny Gill 4. George Jozens 5. Jeffrey Price 6. Jeff Stafford 7. Anthony Madrid 8. Mark Hafemeyer 9. Susie Rupple 10. Kevin Willer
2nd heat: 1. John Romero 2. George Fronsman 3. Dennis Glover 4. Chris Hunneycutt 5. Joe Sarginger 6. Doug Shadd 7. Ron Funk 8. Mike Van Winkle
Trophy dash: Jeffrey Price
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Larry Price 2. Terry Mumaugh 3. Dan Shepherd 4. John Glynn 5. Ken Seastedt 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Jeremy Gethchous 8. Anthony Madrid 9. Glenn Stumm 10. Kent Staley 11. John Thomas 12. Jerry Lee 13. Mike Lilly 14. Seth Simmons 15. Harry Nevel 16. Ron Poe 17. Cindy Meredith 18. Jason George 19. Ed Huttleson
1st heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. John Glynn 3. Anthony Madrid 4. Harry Nevel 5. Jason George 6. Kent Staley 7. Jeremy Getchous 8. Mike Lilly 9. John Thomas 10. Glenn Stumm
2nd heat: 1. Larry Price 2. Ed Huttleson 3. Terry Mumaugh 4. Cindy Meredith 5. Ken Seastedt 6. Seth Simmons 7. Jerry Lee 8. Ron Poe 9. Clifton Maggard
Trophy dash: Ken Seastedt
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Fidel Gonzales 2. Larry Sowacke 3. John Rogers 4. Justin Stevens 5. Bill Washburn 6. Dawn Klem 7. Tom Kozak 8. Gary Arms 9. Dave Morrall 10. Larry Gordon 11. Chico Hernandez 12. #55 13. Ed Crabtree 14. Bob Garland 15. Chuck Kimbrell 16. Scott Attwater 17. Larry Orban 18. Scott DeLong 19. Jason George 20. Wayne Noise 21. Daniel Romero 22. Paul Mackintire 23. Frank Valencia 24. #5$ 25. Robert Fletcher 26. Wendell Fletcher
1st heat: 1. Robert Fletcher 2. Sheri King 3. Bill Washburn 4. Jason George 5. Wayne Noise 6. Gary Arms 7. Chico Hernandez 8. Larry Orban 9. Paul Mackintire 10. Norm Johnson
2nd heat: Fidel Gonzales 2. Justin Stevens 3. John Rogers 4. Tom Kozak 5. Wendell Fletcher 6. Daniel Romero 7. Chuck Kimbrell 8. Larry Washburn 9. Frank Valencia 10. Dave Morrall
3rd heat: 1. Larry Sowacke 2. Scott DeLong 3. Dawn Klem 4. Larry Gordon 5. Scott Attwater 6. #5$ 7. Ed Crabtree 8. #55 9. #52
Trophy dash: Larry Gordon
***
Phoenix, AZ (September 23) It was a ho-hum win for Bob Ream, Jr. Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway but even a seventh place finish in the 25 lap Arizona Sprint Car Association feature race was enough to put a broad smile on the face of Marty Miller.
As Ream decimated the field on his way to his eighth win in ten starts Miller, who started on the pole, faded back in the pack. However Miller, the 1999 rookie of the year after a successful career in Go-Karts and Mini Sprint Cars, carried a 127 point lead over Eric Wilkins into the next to last points race of the year and took the checkered flag still 119 points out front of Wilkins who came out of the eighth row to finish third. With only the October 21st Buddy Taylor Memorial left on the schedule, and only a maximum of 80 points possible for a sweep, Wilkins saw his hopes go down the drain.
While Ream, who shared the front row with Miller at the green flag, raced on the low side of Manzy’s 1/3rd mile track and pulled away from the field, Wilkins had the fans’ attention. The former Midget Car champion banged wheels with another car in his heat race and was relegated to the semi main which he won going away. However that was only good for the 15th starting spot. He used both grooves on his way to the front and was challenging Josh Pelkey for second at the checkered flag. Ricky Johnson picked up his sixth top five finish of the year with a fourth place effort ahead of Mike Martin who started seventh.Nathan High maintained his sixth starting spot to the checkered flag. Behind Miller in eighth was Steve Cushman with Charles Davis, Jr. and Jason Sutphen rounding out the top ten.
High beat Ream and John Keuscher in the first heat, Davis, Jr was better than Johnson and Mickey Meyer in heat #2; Pelkey captured the third heat with a win over Fred Bryan and Rob Davis and Miller edged Martin and Cushman in the fourth heat. Behind Wilkins in the semi to earn transfer spots to the main were Terry Belcher, Jr., Kenny Webster and Jay Ervine.
Rick Ward endured his worst outing of the year in the IMCA Dirt Modified race but still had a broad smile on his face in post race activities as he celebrated the driving championship.
Ward, who had finished every race but one in the top five this year with only a 7th place finish on August 18th marring his record, suffered through a horrendous night that saw him blow a tire on the second lap of the feature. His crew got him back on the track on the lead lap but running in 23rd position. He made a masterful drive and moved into the top five on the 11th lap just as Kenny Hatfield, ranked second to Ward in the chase for the championship, took the lead. Ward crashed on the final lap and was credited with 18th but even then he managed to win the Manzanita Speedway driving championship by 11 points over Hatfield who went on to win his fifth feature race of the year in the final Dirt Modified points race of the year at Manzy. Darin Center finished second with Ricky Thornton crossing the finish line in third.
Hatfield came out of the sixth row and used up half of the 20 lapper to get to the front as he finally took the lead from Center, his team mate on the Purcell Motorsports team.
Jason Soyko who started 17th took the checkered flag in fourth just ahead of Terry Belcher, Jr.
Rounding out the top ten were Rick George, Rene Madrid, Jason Black, Anthony Madrid and Bill Kretchmer.
Dirt Modified heats wents to Mark Williams, Hank Logue, Anthony Madrid and Joe Warner. Soyko took the semi in front of Dan Klinder and Kretchmer.
Jeff Greszler chased down points Mini Sprint Car points leader Troy Johnson on the seventh lap and then roared to his fifth win of the year at Manzanita. Ron Pickering took third, former champion Dave Alexander was fourth and Terry Palmer garnered fifth. Behind them were Brandon George, Don Bradley, Duane Adams, Kiley Fellars and Danny Mathus.
George beat Greszler and Dennis Parks in the first heat, Dave Alexander finished ahead of Randy Carder and Pickering in the second heat and Palmer bested Johnson and Bradley in the final heat.
SUMMARY
SPRINT CARS
Main event: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Josh Pelkey 3. Eric Wilkins 4. Ricky Johnson 5. Mike Martin 6. Nathan High 7. Marty Miller 8. Steve Cushman 9. Charles Davis, Jr. 10. Jason Sutphn 11. Terry Belcher, Jr. 12. Rob Davis 13. Fred Bryan 14. Jay Ervine 15. John Keuscher 16. Theo McCarty 17. Travis Cooley 18. Kenny Webster 19. Marc Teason 20. Mickey Meyer
Semi main: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Terry Belcher, Jr. 3. Kenny Webster 4. Jay Ervine 5. Ron Kratz 6. Carrie Smiley 7. Ashley Corey 8. Clint Haulot 9. John Gasaton 10. John Yates
lst heat: 1. Nathan High 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. John Keuscher 4. Travis Cooley 5. Jay Ervine 6. John Yates —DNS, Ben Gregg
2nd heat: 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Mickey Meyer 4.Theo McCarty 5. Ron Kratz 6. Carrie Smiley DNS–Brandon Lane
3rd heat: 1. Josh Pelkey 2. Fred Bryan 3. Rob Davis 4. Marc Teason 5. Ashley Corey 6. Kenny Webster 7. John Gasaton
4th heat: 1. Marty Miller 2. Mike Martin 3. Steve Cushman 4. Jason Sutphen 5. Eric Wilkins 6. Terry Belcher, Jr. 7. Clint Haulot
Trophy dash: 1. Marty Miller 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Charles Davis, Jr. 4. Josh Pelkey 5. Ricky Johnson 6. Nathan High 7. Mike Martin 8. Fred Bryan
IMCA DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Kenny Hatfield 2. Darin Center 3. Ricky Thornton 4. Jason Soyko 5. Terry Belcher, Jr. 6. Rick George 7. Rene Madrid 8. Jason Black 9. Anthony Madrid 10. Bill Kretchmer 11. Joe Warner 12. John Morris 13. Darrel Van Bruggen 14. Hank Logue 15. Ron Poe 16. Buster Kirk 17. Steve Ricehouse 18. Rick Ward 19. Dan klinder 20. Tony Smiley 21. Mark Williams 22. Jay Armstrong 23. Rick Kinney
Semi main: 1. Jason Soyko 2. Dan Klinder 3. Bill Kretchmer 4. Rick George 5. Ron Poe 6. Steve Ricehouse 7. Jay Armstrong 8. Jeff Gibson 9. Wayne Noyes
lst heat: 1. Mark Williams 2. Jason Black 3. Rick Kinney 4. Rick Ward 5. Bill Kretchmer 6. Ron Poe DNS–Robert King, Jr.
2nd heat: 1. Hank Logue 2. Rene Madrid 3. Darin Center 4. Tony Smiley 5. Jeff Gibson 6. Steve Ricehouse 7. Rick George
3rd heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Ricky Thornton 3. Kenny Webster 4. Terry Belcher, Jr. 5. Wayne Noyes DNS–Jim Armstrong
4th heat: 1. Joe Warner 2. Buster Kirk 3. Darrel Van Bruggen 4. John Morris 5. Jason Soyko 6. Jay Armstrong 7. Dan Klinder
MINI SPRINT CARS
Main event: 1. Jeff Greszler 2. Troy Johnson 3. Ron Pickering 4. Dave Alexander 5. Terry Palmer 6. Brandon George 7. Don Bradley 8. Duane Adams 9. Kiley Fellars 10. Danny Mathus 11. Corey Gaulden 12. Rick Alexander 13. Richie McQuillen 14. Brain Clark 15. John Estrada 16. Billy Matson 17. Josh Foster 18. Kevin Wolfe 19. Bill Farrington 20. Dennis Parks 21. David Rohrich 22. Randy Carder 23. George Chapman
lst heat: 1. Brandon George 2. Jeff Greszler 3. Dennis Parks 4. David Rohrich 5. Brian Clark 6. George Chapman 7. Billy Matson 8. Danny Mathus DNS–Billy Paul Bolton
2nd heat: 1. Dave Alexander 2. Randy Carder 3. Ron Pickering 4. Terry Belcher, Jr. 5. Rick Alexander 6. Richie McQuillen 7. Duane Adams 8. Josh Foster
3rd heat: 1. Terry Palmer 2. Troy Johnson 3. Don Bradley 4. Kiley Fellars 5. Kevin Wolfe 6. Bill Farrington 7. John Estrada DNS–Chuck Ainsworth
Trophy Dash: Jeff Greszler
***
Phoenix, AZ (September 22) Ken Seastedt continues to be Manzanita Speedway’s hottest stock car driver as he came out of the fifth row to win his ninth main event of the year Friday night. Seastedt has won seven of the last eleven races but still trails Larry Price in the chase for the championship as he picked up only eight points on the points leader who finished fifth and Seastedt still trails Price by 30 points with only four races remaining.
Clifton Maggard and Pat Horan had career high finishes as they trailed Seastedt to the checkered flag. Harry Nevel notched his 7th to five finish and Price’s fifth place finish was his 22nd in the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Jerry Lee, Terry Mumaugh, Glenn Stumm, Dan Shepherd and Cindy Meredith.
The night’s races added two names to the season’s winner’s list with former champion John Cain, coming back from a hard crash in his last start, besting Art Garcia and Danny Matthews in the Dwarf Car feature and J.C. Vasquez who took his first trip to victory lane with a hard fought win over three time winner Larry Sowacke in the Bomber Stocks.
Cain, a many time champion, became the 74th different winner this year as he shared the third row with Garcia at the start and held off repeated challenges by the two time winner on his way to the checkered flag. Matthews started on the pole and held off Kevin Cain and Sandy Matthews for his best Manzanita finish of the year. Behind the top five were seven time winner Tony Martin, Casey Cain, Rick Setser, Craig Austin and Dennis Wutzke.
Vasquez upset the 23 car field of Bomber Stocks as he shot from the front row and the held off Sowacke who drove from 12th to almost steal another win. Gordon finished just ahead of Andy Reid. No name was availble for the #90 car that finished fifth. The rest of the top ten were Tom Kozak, Stacy Bennett, Jason George, Robert Fletcher and Gary Arms. Vasquez was the 75th different winner this year.
Lyle Askren captured the Circle Truck main event as he bested Harold Ranft and Marcus Sipers.
Behind them were Lyle Askren, Jr., Lonnie Ranft, Alan Worz, Rick Declaeminch, #2, K.J. lloyd and Tommy Slesher.
SUMMARY
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Clifton Maggard 3. Pat Horan 4. Harry Nevel 5. Larry Price 6. Jerry Lee 7. Terry Mumaugh 8. Glenn Stumm 9. Dan Shepherd 10. Cindy Meredith 11. Kent Staley 12. Ed Huttleston 13. Mike Lilly 14. Corky Warner 15. Steve Miller 16. Raul Sainz 17. Jason George 18. Seth Simmons 19. Bart Black
lst heat: 1. Larry Price 2. Jason George 3. Jerry Lee 4. Cindy Meredith 5. Bart Black 6. Ed Huttleson 7. Seth Simmons
2nd heat: 1. Mike Lilly 2. Terry Mumaugh 3. Harry Nevel 4. Clifton Maggard 5. Glenn Stumm 6. Dan Shepherd
3rd heat: 1. Steve Miller 2. Ken Seastedt 3. Corky Warner 4. Raul Sainz 5. Pat Horan 6. John Thomas 7. Kent Staley
Trophy dash: Ken Seastedt
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. J. C. Vasquez 2. Larry Sowacke 3. Donald Gordon 4. Andy Reid 5. #90 6. Tom Kozak 7. Stacy Bennett 8. Jason George 9. Robert Fletcher 10. Gary Arms 11. #71 12. Valinda Elliott 13. David Childers 14. Larry Gordon 15. Paul Mackintire 16. Herb Carpenter 17. Larry Orban 18. Daniel Romero 19. Gary Washburn 20. Mike Leto 21. Chico hernandez 22. Aaron Cramer 23. Scott Attwater
lst heat: 1. Wendell Fletcher 2. Donald Gordon 3. J.C. Vasquez 4. Scott Attwater 5. #90 6. Gary Arms 7. Larry Gordon 8. #71 9. Chico Hernandez
2nd heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Jason George 3. Valinda Elliott 4. Justin Stevens 5. Bill Washburn 6. Frank Valencia 7. Aaron Cramer 8. David Childers 9. Norm Johnson
3rd heat: 1. Daniel Romero 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Herb Carpenter 4. Gary Washburn 5. John Slinghuff 6. Robert Fletcher 7. Paul Mackintire (Chuck Kimbrell and Larry Orban were disqualified)
Trophy dash: Chuck Kimbrell
DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. John Cain 2. Art Garcia 3. Danny Matthews 4. Kevin Cain 5. Sandy Matthews 6. Tony Martin 7. Casey Cain 8. Rick Setser 9. Craig Austin 10. Dennis Wutzke 11. George Rosnick 12. Joe Swonger 13. Paul Lang 14. #11x 15. Wes DeBeaux 16. Paul Ross
lst heat: 1. Tony Martin 2. Casey Cain 3. Art Garcia 4. Wes DeBeaux 5. George Rosnick 6. Craig Austin 7. Paul Lang 8. Joe Swonger 9. #11x
2nd heat: 1. John Cain 2. Rick Setser 3. Kevin Cain 4. Danny Matthews 5. Sandy Matthews 6. Dennis Wutzke 7. Dino Soto 8. Paul Ross
Trophy Dash: Dennis Wutzke
CIRCLE TRUCKS
Main event: 1. Lyle Askren 2. Harold Ranft 3. Marcus Sipers 4. Lyle Askren, Jr. 5. Lonnie Ranft 6. Alan Worz 7. Rick Declaeminch 8. #2 9. K.J. Lloyd 10. Tommy Slesher 11. Aaron Aldeaman 12. D.J. Rupple
lst heat: 1. Lyle Askren, Jr. 2. Harold Ranft 3. Marcus Sipers 4. Lyle Askren 5. Aaron Aldeaman 6. D.J. Rupple 7. #2
2nd heat: 1. K.J. Lloyd 2. Alan Worz 3. Tommy Slesher 4. Lonnie Ranft 5. Nolan Green 6. Rick Declaeminch
***
Phoenix, AZ (September 16)As Richard Griffin found out in the Hall of Fame Vintage Classic Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway, paybacks can really be hell.
After the early leaders in the 30 lap Sprint Car Racing Association had problems it set the stage for a dramatic finish.
Mike Kirby led the first lap but burned a piston in the Brad and Nancy Guerin/State Wide Towing Stinger chassis and retired becoming the first car out of the feature. Cory Kruseman then took over and built over a one second advantage with Troy Rutherford, the night’s fastest qualifier working his was from his sixth starting berth to apply pressure on the leader. Kruseman broke a rear end in the Haran Willis machine on the 17th lap, slammed the fence and got upside down. He emerged uninjured and Rutherford had the lead in his Jack Gardner, Jr. Beach Mfg. Sled chassis.
Meanwhile Jeremy Sherman, after starting on the outside of the 7th row was methodically heading to the front and moved into a challegning position. He got the break he needed when Rutherford headed to the pits on the 26th lap with a blown right rear tire.
That is when things got very interesting and kept the fans on their feet for the remaining four laps. Sherman was in the lead when the cars brought out the green flag for the restart but Griffin put on a hard slide job entering turn one causing Sherman to brake and Griffin had the lead. Sherman who is not adverse to slide jobs himself drove hard trying to overtake Griffin but it appeared that Griffin who had won four of the five races contested on the Manzanita half mile track would continue his hot streak.
A yellow flag for a stalled racer came out with two laps remaining and on the restart Sherman got his revenge as he shot to the inside and forced Griffin out of the groove. The move had the near capacity crowd on its feet. Steve Ostling who started 11th also shot past Griffin who faded to fifth.Ostling came close to stealing the race in the final turn as he was side by side with Sherman as they flashed under the checkered flag. Mike English, up from 12th was third just ahead of Tony Jones who started eighth. Behind Griffin came Rip Williams who survived hard contact with the wall in the opening laps, Charles Davis, Jr., Michael Smith, Bob Ream, Jr. and Lance Grimett.
The win was particularly sweet for Sherman as it came in front of his hometown fans and many great drivers from the past who were special guests for the Hall of Fame race. The list included Jim Stapley who was inducted into the Arizona Motorsports Hall of Fame and former Indy 50 drivers Bill Vukovich, Jr. and Gary Bettenhausen.
Rutherford outqualified the 30 car field as he turned in a 18.994 (94.776 mph) and came out of the back row to win the first heat race over Bobby Graham and Mike English. Brian Venard captured the second heat in front of Charles Davis, Jr. and Hank Winter while Bob Ream, Jr. topped Sherman and Kruseman in the third heat. Griffin came from last to first in the final heat race beating Kirby and Jones.
SUMMARY
Main event: 1. Jeremy Sherman 2. Steve Ostling 3. Mike English 4. Tony Jones 5. Richard Griffin 6. Rip Williams 7. Charles Davis, Jr. 8. Michael Smith 9. Bob Ream, Jr. 10. Lance Gremett 11. Marty Miller 12. Troy Rutherfrod 13. Rick Ziehl 14. Hank Winter 15. Rickie Gaunt 16. Rodney Argo 17. Cory Kruseman 18. Brian Venard 19. Brandon Lane 20. George Gervais 21. Bobby Graham 22. Mike Kirby
Semi main: 1. Rick Ziehl 2. Steve Ostling 3. Rickie Gaunt 4. Lance Grimmet 5. Michael Smith 6. Brandon Lane 7. Ronnie Clark 8. Steve Venard 9. Rick Hinrichsen 10. Kenny Webster 11. Travis Cooley 12. Tony Lima
lst heat: 1. Troy Rutherford 2. Bobby Graham 3. Mike English 4. George Gervais 5. Rickie Gaunt 6. Lance Grimett 7. Travis Cooley 8. John Scott
2nd heat: 1. Brian Venard 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Hank Winter 4. Rip Williams 5. Rick Ziehl 6. Rick Hinrichsen 7. Kenny Webster 8. Tony Lima
3rd heat; 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Jeremy Sherman 3. Cory Kruseman 4. Rodney Argo 5. Steve Ostling 6. Brandon Lane 7. Dan Hillberg
4th heat: 1. Richard Griffin 2. Mike Kirby 3. Tony Jones 4. Marty Miller 5. Steve Venard 6. Michael Smith 7. Ronnie Clark
Passing Masters Trophy Dash: 1. Mike Kirby 2. Cory Kruseman 3. Richard Griffin 4. Rip Williams 5. Rodney Argo 6. Troy Rutherford 7. Hank Winter 8. Tony Jones
Fast time: Troy Rutherford (18.994–94.766 mph)
***
Phoenix, AZ (Sept. 15) A front row starting berth was more advantage than Doug Shadd needed to score his seventh Super Stock Car feature win of the year Friday night at Manzanita Speedway. Shadd's win, coupled with second ranked Ron Funk's dismal night when he exited the race early, gives the defending champion a more than comfortable lead in his quest for another driving title with only four races
remaining on the schedule. Shadd bested three time winner Don Costa and rookie driver Mike Van Winkle in the 20 lap feature. Kenny Gill, who had earlier won his first heat race of the year, was fourth just ahead of Kevin Willer. Rounding out the top ten were Dale Wall, Bob Miller, George Fronsman, Mark Hafemeyer and Tom Michaels.
Fronsman was also a heat race winner and Shadd won the trophy dash.
Ken Seastedt was on his way to another Factory Stock Car win when, with only five laps to go, a stalled car caused problems forcing him to take evasive action. He made contact with second running Larry Price and as they slowed, Ron Poe shot by to score his first win of the year becoming the 73rd different driver to win at Manzy this year. Corky Warner finished a close second with Price and Seastedt recovering to take 3rd and 4th with Clifton Maggard in fifth. Behind them were Jerry Lee, Soctt Buck, Jason George, Kent Staley and Terry Mumaugh.
With Seastedt winning his heat race while Price finished second to Jim Shilt in his heat, the points chase remains virtually the same. Jason George wonthe other heat and Price captured the trophy dash for the 10th time this year.
Larry Sowacke bested the 23 car field in the Bomber Stock Car main event as he scored his third win of the year, his first win since June 2, at the expense of Larry Obran who was making his first start, Daniel Romero, Donald Gordon and Stacy Bennett who garnered her 14th top five finish of the year. The rest of the top ten had John Rogers, Paul Mackentire, Justin Stevens, Andy Reid and Gary Arms.
Ernie Green, Andy Reid and Kimbrell won heat races and Frank Outlaw won the trophy dash.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Don Costa 3. Mike Van Winkle 4. Kenny Gill 5. Kevin Willer 6. Dale Wall 7. Bob Miller 8. George Fronsman 9. Mark Hafemeyer 10. Tom Michaels 11. Joe Sarginger 12. Anthony Madrid 13. Bruce Klauda 14. Jeffrey Price 15. Susie Rupple 16. Jack Dubois 17. Dennis Glover 18. Ron Funk
lst heat: 1. Kenny Gill 2. Mike Van Winkle 3. Joe Sarginger 4. Doug Shadd 5. Bob Miller 6. Kevin Willer 7. Tom Michaels 8. Susie Rupple 9. Dale Wall
2nd heat; 1. George Fronsman 2. Ron Funk 3. Don Costa 4. Dennis Glover 5. Jeffrey Price 6. Anthony Madrid 7. Mark Hafemeyer 8. Jack Dubois 9. Bruce Klauda
Trophy dash: Doug Shadd
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ron Poe 2. Corky Warner 3. Larry Price 4. Ken Seastedt 5. Clifton Maggard 6. Jerry Lee 7. Scott Buck 8. Jason George 9. Kent Staley 10. Terry Mumaugh 11. Seth Simmons 12. Cindy Meredith 13. Glenn Stumm 14. John Thomas 15. Jeremy Goetschous 16. Geoffrey Hatch 17. Mike Lilly 18. John Glynn 19. Jim Schilt 20. Raul Sainz 21. Harry Nevel
1st heat: 1. Jim Schilt 2. Larry Price 3. Corky Warner 4. Jerry Lee 5. Terry Mumaugh 6. Kent Staley 7. Glenn Stumm 8. Harry Nevel
2nd heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Clifton Maggard 3. Seth Simmons 4. Scott Buck 5. Raul Sainz 6. John Thomas 7. Geoffrey Hatch
3rd heat. 1. Jason George 2. Ron Poe 3. Jeremy Goetschous 4. Mike Lilly 5. John Glynn 6. Cindy Meredith 7. Ed Huttleson
Trophy dash: Larry Price
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Larry Sowacke 2. Larry Obran 3. Daniel Romero 4. Donald Gordon 5. Stacy Bennett 6. John Rogers 7. Mike Mackentire 8. Justin Stevens 9. Andy Reid 10. Gary Arms 11. Mike Gibson 12. Ernie Green 13. Wendell Fletcher 14. Frank Outlaw 15. Tom Kozak 16. Gary Washburn 17. David Childeres 18. Larry Gordon 19. Frank Valencia 20. Dave Morrall 21. Chuck Kimbrell 22. Phillip Hales 23. Charlie Simpson
lst heat: 1. Ernie Green 2. Gary Washburn 3. Larry Sowacke 4. Frank Outlaw 5. Paul Mackentire 6. David Childers 7. Charlie Simpson 8. Phillip Hales
2nd heat: 1. Chuck Kimbrell 2. Wendell Fletcher 3. Donald Gordon 4. Larry Orban 5. Tom Kozak 6. Larry Gordon 7. Justin Stevens
3rd heat: 1. Andy Reid 2. Dave Morrall 3. Mike Gibson 4. Daniel Romero 5. Stacy Bennett 6. John Rogers 7. Gary Arms 8. Frank Valencia
Trophy dash: Frank Outlaw
***
Phoenix, AZ (September 9) Ricky Hood continued his dominance of the Sprint Car Owners Association with an awesome display of power and driving that left the 23 car starting field in Saturday night’s feature race at Manzanita Speedway shaking their heads. Hood, who has now won eight of the 14 races contested throughout the southwest, used his 20 plus years of experience to lap all but three drivers and was 5.59 seconds ahead of two time defending champion Marty Wilcox at the checkered flag. Only Wilcox, Jeff Branaman and Jimmy Norman were able to stay with a half mile of the winner.
Wilcox started the 25 lap Interstate Wreck Rebuilders main event beside Hood in the fourth row and chased down early leader Jimmy Norman to put the RPM Engines/Royal Purple Motor Oil sprinted in front on the seventh lap. Hood’s Avenger Chassis/Wesmar Engines car owned by Joe Herrera followed Wilcox past Norman and then the duo went at it for three laps before Hood took advantage of heavy traffic to assume the lead.
Once in front it was strictly no contest as Hood went inside, outside and between cars to methodically pull away.
Except for turning in fourth fast time, partly because he was the first car out for qualifying and the Manzy half got faster as the night went on, Hood was unbeatable. He won the trophy dash and his heat race to tune up for his main event performance.
Steve Martin finished fifth with Jeff Wheeler, Kaylene Verville, Keith Watkins, Perry McMillan and Joey Moriarity rounding out the top ten.
Calvin Landis set fast time in the Keith Bryan sprinter (16:49–109.157 mph) but dropped out of his heat race and then drove Steve Cushman’s back up car in the feature. J.R Patton, the 16 year old driver who entered the night ranked second in points was also in a back up car in the main event. Patton was the night’s second quickest in time trials but failed to last through his heat race. He borrowed Mike Lux’s car but was a DNF in the feature.
In addition to Hood, Steve Martin and Joe Bustillos won heat races. It was Hood’s eighth heat race win while Martin got his first of the year and Bustillos scored a heat win for the second time.
Hood’s trophy dash win was his sixth of the year.
New Mexico’s Robert Marfia, Jr. took the lead from Mike Welker on the sixth lap and finished 1;59 seconds ahead of points leader Steve Sussex, Jr. of Tempe to win his second straight midget car feature on Manzanita’s 1/3rd mile track. Mike Leslie finished third.
Ronnie Clark, driving for Ellis Racing, started on the pole and jumped out front at the drop of the green but led only one lap before spinning off the end of the track. That put Welker, who started fourth, in the lead but Marfia was on his tail and took the lead when Welker slowed with mechanical problems that ended his night. Behind third running Leslie were David Birmingham, Jr. Ricky Johnson, Michael Burkhart, Lonnie Oliver, Trey Turna, Clark and Bugs Norbury.
The night started off with a couple of horrific crashes that threatened to tear down the front straightaway retaining wall. Bryce Hatfield brushed wheels with Mike Tukuve at the green flag in the Midget trophy dash, went high into the fence and did about five end over end flips. He managed to walk away from his mangled car with a wave to the near capacity crowd.
It got worse at the start of the 1st heat race for the sprint cars as Tony Smiley made contact with the wall at the green flag and starting flipping. Bobby Marcum also went end over end while Calvin Landis and Chuck Buckman were also involved. Smiley suffered only bruises and the other drivers were uninjured.
SUMMARY
SPRINT CARS
Main event: 1. Ricky Hood 2. Marty Wilcox 3. Jeff Branaman 4. Jimmy Norman 5. Steve Martin 6. Jeff Wheeler 7. Kaylene Verville 8. Keith Watkins 9. Perry McMillan 10. Joey Moriarity 11. John Harris 12. Steve Stone 13. Steve Dunn 14. Chuck Buckman 15. Dave Culp 16. Joe Bustillos 17. Calvin Landis 18. John Marshall 19. Buddy Earle 20. Steve Cushman 21. Jeff Slinkard 22. Don Sink 23. J.R. Patton
lst heat: 1. Ricky Hood 2. Steve Stone 3. Perry McMillan 4. Keith Watkins 5. Calvin Landis 6. Chuck Buckman 7. Tony Smiley 8. Bobby Marcum
2nd heat: 1. Steve Martin 2. Marty Wilcox 3. Jeff Slinkard 4. Steve Dunn 5. John Harris 6. Steve Cushman 7. Don Sink 8. J.R. Patton
3rd heat: 1. Joe Bustillos 2. Jeff Branaman 3. Joey Moriarity 4. Jimmy Norman 5. Jeff Wheeler
Trophy dash: 1. Ricky Hood 2. Calvin Landis 3. Kayle Verville 4. J.R. Patton
Fast time: Calvin Landis (16:49–109.157 mph)
MIDGET CARS
Main event: 1. Robert Marfia, Jr. 2. Steve Sussex, Jr. 3. Mike Leslie 4. David Birmingham, Jr. 5. Ricky Johnson 6. Michael Burkhart 7. Lonnie Oliver 8. Trey Turner 9. Ronnie Clark 10. Bugs Norbury 11. Mike Welker 12. Scott Jadeke 13. Shane Parker 14. Mike Tukulve
1st heat: 1. Mike Welker 2. Steve Sussex, Jr. 3. David Birmingham, Jr. 4. Bugs Norbury 5. Michael Burkhart 6. Trey Turna 7. Matt Rossi 8. Mike Tukulve
2nd heat; 1. Ronnie Clark 2. Robert Marfia, Jr. 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Mike Leslie 5. Lonnie Oliver 6. Shane Parker 7. Steve Alcott
Trophy dash; 1. Ronnie Clark 2. Scott Jadeke 3. Mike Tukulve 4. Bryce Hatfield
***
Phoenix , (Sept 8th)After 16 top ten finishes including four runner up efforts John Glynn finally made it to the winner's circle as he went wire to wire to win Friday night's Factory Stock Car feature at Manzanita Speedway. Glynn's first career win made him the 71st different winner this year at Manzy and came despite a late charge by Ken Seastedt and Larry Price who have eight wins each.
The heated battle between Price and Seastedt for the driving championship changed very little with Seastedt gaining only two points as they both won their heat races.
While Glynn was cruising out front the points leaders were having to fight their way though the field. Price took the green flag in tenth and Seastedt started 12th.
John Thomas also made a great drive coming from 14th to fourth and Steve Miller slipped from his front row start to finish fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Ron Poe, Cindy Meredith, Jerry Lee, Seth Simmons and Chuck Warner.
Price’s heat race win came over Warner and Stumm while Seastedt beat Mike Lilly and Lee. Harry Nevel beat Glynn and Brian Davis in the other heat race. Price won his ninth trophy dash of the year.
Ricky Thornton used a front row start to score his second win of the year in the International Motor Contest Association Dirt Modified main event beating Mark Williams and Eric Center.
With some of the "big guns" absent while racing in the "Super Nationals" in Iowa, Thornton still had his hands full. He shared the front row with Center and they were side by side and nose to tail until the Dirt Modifieds top rookie, Mark Williams, joined the battle and finally secured the second spot. Shawn Zalenk started fourth and was still there at the checkered flag just ahead of Buster Kirk who came out of the fifth row. Behind the top five were Bill Kretchmer, John Morris, Darrel Van Bruggen, Steve Ricehouse and Ted Tucholski. Kretchmer earned passing honors with his drive from 14th to sixth.
Center beat Joe Warner and Williams in the first heat while Thornton tuned up for his main event win by beating Zalenka and Dave Van Bruggen in the second heat.
Starting dead last in the field did not keep Tom Kozak from becoming Manzanita’s winningest driver as he took advantage of a late race tangle by several cars to score his ninth win of the year in the Bomber Stocks. Larry Sowacke fell short in his bid for a third win and Stacy Bennett, whose fifth win last week also put her at the back of the field, drove her way to third. Daniel Romero finished fourth and Herb Carpenter crossed the line in fifth. Behind them were Ernie Green, Dave Morrall, Andy Reid, Tim Fletcher and Justin Stevens.
The 23 car field was divided into three heat races which were won by Morrall, Wendell Fletcher and Kozak. Randy Paris won his second straight trophy dash.
SUMMARY
IMCA DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Ricky Thornton 2. Mark Williams 3. Eric Center 4. Shawn Zalenka 5. Buster Kirk 6. Bill Kretchmer 7. John Morris 8. Darrel Van Bruggen 9. Steve Ricehouse 10. Ted Tucholski 11. Dave Van Bruggen 12. Joe Warner 13. David Burrows 14. Ron Poe
lst heat: 1. Eric Center 2. Joe Warner 3. Mark Williams 4. Ron Poe 5. Buster Kirk 6. David Burrows 7. John Morris 8. Mike Strobl
2nd heat: 1. Ricky Thornton 2. Shawn Zalenka 3. Dave Van Bruggen 4. Steve Ricehouse 5. Ted Tucholski 6. Darrel Van Bruggen 7. Bill Kretchmer
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. John Glynn 2. Ken Seastedt 3. Larry Price 4. John Thomas 5. Steve Miller 6. Ron Poe 7. Cindy Meredith 8. Jerry Lee 9. Seth Simmons 10. Corky Warner 11. Jeff Rice 12. Tim Worth 13. Jeff Dahl 14. Clifton Maggard 15. Glenn Stumm 16. Brian Davis 17. Terry Mumaugh 18. Jeremy Goetchous 19. Dan Shepherd 20. Scott Buck 21. Mike Lilly 22. Howard Powell
lst heat: 1. Larry Price 2. Corky Warner 3. Glenn Stumm 4. John Glynn 5. Jeremy Goetchous 6. Howard Powell 7. Jeff Dahl 8. Scott Buck
2nd heat: 1. Harry Nevel 2. Ron Poe 3. Brian Davis 4. Steve Miller 5. John Thomas 6. Cindy Meredith 7. Terry Mumaugh 8. Jeff Rice
3rd heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Mike Lilly 3. Jerry Lee 4. Tim Worth 5. Seth Simmons 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Dan Shepherd
Trophy dash: Larry Price
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Larry Sowacke 3. Stacy Bennett 4. Daniel Romero 5. Herb Carpenter 6. Ernie Green 7. Dave Morrall 8. Andy Reid 9. Tim Fletcher 10. Justin Stevens 11. Valinda Elliott 12. Wendell Fletcher 13. John Reynolds 14. Gary Arms 15. Scott DeLong 16. John Rogers 17. Ray Reynolds 18. Randy Allen 19. Phillip Hales
lst heat: 1. Dave Morrall 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Daniel Romero 4. Valinda Elliott 5. Ernie Green 6. Phillip Hales 7. Jerry Jordahl
2nd heat: 1. Wendell Fletcher 2. Justin Stevens 3. John Reynolds 4. Scott DeLong 5. Tim Fletcher 6. Gary Arms 7. Randy Allen 8. Wayne Noise
3rd heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Larry Sowacke 3. Andy Reid 4. John Rogers 5. Donald Gordon 6. Larry Gordon 7. Herb Carpenter
Trophy dash: Randy Paris
***
Phoenix, AZ (September 2) After starting Saturday night’s Super Stock Car feature at Manzanita Speedway in the fourth row, Don Costa methodically worked his way to the front of the field and edged Joe Sarginger for his third win of the season.
Following a yellow flag for a spin by points leader Doug Shadd on the seventh lap, Costa made a low pass on Dale Wall and then held off a ferocious charge by Sarginger to get his first ever win on Manzy’s half mile track. His other two wins came on the 1/3rd mile oval. Sarginger passed George Fronsman in the closing stages of the race to garner his best ever finish while Fronsman crossed the line in third for his 16th top five finish of the year. Bob Colcalsure was a close fourth and Randy Silber took fifth in only his second start of the year.
The points leaders did not fare well and the chase for the championship tightened a little. Shadd was battling Wall for the lead when he lost control of his camaro, spun to the infield and then regained control but not before the yellow was waved. Shadd did not go to the back of the field and was placed at the back of the lead lap at the finish. Ron Funk entered the night some 34 points in arrears but the four time winner could manage only an eighth place finish. With Shadd in 15th, Funk managed to gain ground but Shadd won his heat while Funk was fifth in his heat race. Unoffically, Funk now trails Shadd by about 24 points with four races, all on the short track, left on the schedule.
Shadd’s heat race win was his 9th of the year while Susie Rupple and Sarginger were first time heat race winners. Kenny Gill won the semi main ahead of Jeff Stafford and Tom Michaels.
Behind the top five in the feature were Rupple, Wall, Funk, Kevin Willer and Anthony Madrid.
Sandy Matthews went wire to wire for his second win of the year in the Dwarf Car feature after a late charge by seven time winner Tony Martin fell two car lengths short.
Dino Soto, looking for a second straight win, lost control while battling for the lead on the fourth lap but managed to drive back through the field to finish fifth behind Matthews, Martin, Kevin Cain and Rick Setser. Rounding out the top ten were Art Garcia, Casey Cain, John Cain, Craig Austin and Danny Matthews.
Unheralded Adam Householder became the 70th different Manzanita winner of the year as he held off all challengers to win the Modified Midget feature over past winners Trey Deane and Jeff Henry. After winning his heat race Householder had the pole with Trey Deane lined up on the outside of the front row. Householder beat the winner of the July 22 feature into the first turn and then withstood a rash of yellow flags to cross the line three car lengths out front. Behind the leaders were Jason Rogers, Van Knill, Terry Palmer, Brian Hacker and Justin Fisher.
Joshua Shipley was the top 250 cc driver with his tenth place finish. The rest of the top five in the 250's were Matt Biancani, Thomas Ogle, Brent Yarnal and Ron Copley.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Don Costa 2. Joe Sarginger 3. George Fronsman 4. Bob Colclasure 5. Randy Silber 6. Susie Rupple 7. Dale Wall 8. Ron Funk 9. Kevin Willer 10. Anthony Madrid 11. Chris Hunneycutt 12. Rene Madrid 13. Jeff Price 14. Kenny Gill 15. Doug Shadd 16. Mark Hafemeyer 17. Jeff Stafford 18. Tom Michaels 19. Wade Mitchell 20. Mike Van Winkle
Semi main: 1. Kenny Gill 2. Jeff Stafford 3. Tom Michaels 4. Wade Mitchell 5. Mark Hafemeyer 6. John Romero 7. Steve Bender
lst heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. George Fronsman 3. Bob Colclasure 4. Jeff Price 5. Rene Madrid 6. Kenny Gill 7. Tom Michaels 8. Rick Madrid
2nd heat: 1. Susie Rupple 2. Dale Wall 3. Don Costa 4. Anthony Madrid 5. Ron Funk 6. John Romero 7. Wade Mitchell 8. Mark Hafemeyer
3rd heat: 1. Joe Sarginger 2. Mike Van Winkle 3. Kevin Willer 4. Randy Silber 5. Chris Hunneycutt 6. Jeff Stafford 7. Jack Dubois 8. Steve Bender
Trophy dash: Don Costa
DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. Sandy Matthews 2. Tony Martin 3. Kevin Cain 4. Rick Setser 5. Dino Soto 6. Art Garcia 7. Casey Cain 8. John Cain 9. Craig Austin 10. Danny Matthews 11. Charlie Wood 12. Spencer Rexall 13. Peter lang 14. Paul Ross 15. Tom Graham 16. Wes DeBeaux 17. George Rosnick 18. Dennis Wutzke
lst heat: 1. Dino Soto 2. Kevin Cain 3. Sandy Matthews 4. George Rosnick 5. Dennis Wutzke 6. Charlie Wood 7. Spencer Rexall 8. Rick Kochanowski 9. Wes DeBeaux 10. Larry Stewart
2nd heat: 1. Art Garcia 2. Tony Martin 3. Rick Setser 4. Craig Austin 5. Casey Cain 6. Danny Matthews 7. Paul Ross 8. Peter Lang 9. Tom Graham 10. John Cain
Trophy dash: Dino Soto
MODIFIED MIDGETS
600 cc Main event: 1. Adam Householder 2. Trey Deane 3. Jeff Henry 4. Jason Rogers 5.Van Knill 6. Terry Palmer 7. Brian Hacker 8. Derek McCluskey 9. Justin Fisher 10. Joshua Shipley* 11. Joey Strobel 12. Matt Biancani* 13. Thomas Ogle* 14. Brent Yarnal* 15. Anthony Short 16. Scott Savage 17. Ron Copley* 18. Ron Foss*
250 cc Main event: 1. Joshua Shipley 2. Matt Biancani 3. Thomas Ogle 4. Brent Yarnal 5. Ron Copley 6. Ron Foss
lst heat: 1. Adam Householder 2. Jason Rogers 3. Trey Deane 4. Brian Hacker 5. Scott Savage 6. Derek McCluskey 7. Joshua Shipley* 8. Matt Biancani* 9. Brent Yarnal*
2nd heat: 1. Jeff Henry 2. Joey Strobel 3. Anthony Short 4. Van Knill 5. Justin Fisher 6. Ron Copley* 7. Terry Palmer 8. Thomas Ogle* 9. Ron Foss*
600 cc Trophy dash: Jeff Henry
250 cc Trophy dash: Joshua Shipley
*indicates 250 cc class
***
Phoenix, AZ (September 1) Ken Seastedt roared to his third straight win in Friday night’s Factory Stock Car feature at Manzanita Speedway and made up valuable ground on points leader Larry Price who finished fifth. Price entered the fray only 42 points ahead of Seastedt who has won six of the last nine races and his once commanding lead in the chase for the championship is in jeopardy with seven races remaining in the season.
Jerry Lee finished second in Friday night’s feature and Corky Warner was third ahead of Ron Poe. Behind Price came Jeremy Goetschous, Mike Lilly, Darrel Bednarek, John Glynn and John Thomas.
Seastedt started the 15 lap feature in the second row and drove the low side of the 1/3rd mile track to withstand Lee’s pressure. Lee’s second place finsh was his best of the year and only his third top five effort.
Factory Stock heat race winners were Dan Shepherd (his 12th), Steve Miller, Price (also his 12th) and Ron Poe. Danny Price beat John Glynn and Doug Lehner in the semi main.
Stacy Bennett scored her fifth win of the year in the Bomber Stocks as she edged Richie Vukelich. By reaching the five win plateau Bennett will start the remaining seven races from the rear of the field. Justin Stevens trailed the leaders to the checkered flag just ahead of Tom Kozak and Bob Garland. Rounding out the top ten were Larry Gordon, Daniel Romero, Bill Dutton, Leonard Coon and Gary Arms.
Bennet and Kozak won the Bomber heats and Ron Paris came out on top in the trophy dash.
Harold Ranft had little trouble in taking the Truck race. He came out of the second row to beat Rick Declaeminch, Lyle Askren, Jr., Marcus Sipers and Aaron Aldaeman.
Heats went to Lyle Askren and Declaeminch.
SUMMARY
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Jerry Lee 3. Corky Warner 4. Ron Poe 5.Larry Price 6. Jeremy Goetschous 7. Mike Lilly 8. Darrel Bednarek 9. John Glynn 10. John Thomas 11. Brian Davis 12. Clifton Maggard 13. Steve Miller 14. Doug Lehner 15. Seth Simmons 16. Cindy Meredith 17. Dan Shepherd 18. Danny Price 19. Scott Buck 20. Terry Mumaugh
Semi main: 1. Danny Price 2. John Glynn 3. Doug Lehner 4. Seth Simmons 5. Jeff Stafford 6. Jeff Rice 7. Dominique Goodwin 8. Tim Worth 9. Mary Thompson 10. Ray Reynolds 11. Geoffrey Hatch
1st heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. Scott Buck 3. Darrel Bednarek 4. Terry Mumaugh 5. Doug Lehner 6. #81 7. Tim Worth 8. Harry Nevel
2nd heat: 1. Steve Miller 2. Brian Davis 3. Jeremy Goetschous 4. Jerry Lee 5. Seth Simmons 6. Jeff Stafford 7. Danny Price
3rd heat: 1. Larry Price 2. Cindy Meredith 3. Mike Lilly 4. John Thomas 5. Geoffrey Hatch 6. Mary Thompson 7. John Glynn 8. Bob Taylor
4th heat: 1. Ron Poe 2. Corky Warner 3. Clifton Maggard 4. Ken Seastedt 5. Ray Reynolds 6. Jeff Rice
Trophy dash: Larry Price
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Stacy Bennett 2. Richie Vukelich 3. Justin Stevens 4. Tom Kozak 5. Bob Garland 6. Larry Gordon 7. Daniel Romero 8. Bill Dutton 9. Leonard Coon 10. Gary Arms 11. Larry Washburn 12. Randy Paris 13. Frank Valencia 14. Valinda Elliott 15. Ray Reynolds 16. Wayne Noise
1st heat: 1. Stacy Bennett 2. Ray Reynolds 3. Justin Stevens 4. Herb Carpenter 5. Larry Washburn 6. Valinda Elliott 7. Bill Gosnell 8. Gary Arms 9. Wayne Noise
2nd heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Richie Vukelich 3. Leonard Coon 4. Larry Gordon 5. Tim Fletcher 6. Randy Paris 7. Bill Dutton 8. Bob Garland 9. Frank Valencia 10. Skip Empson
Trophy dash: Randy Paris
CIRCLE TRUCKS
Main event: 1. Harold Ranft 2. Rick Declaeminch 3. Lyle Askren Jr. 4. Marcus Sipers 5. Aaron Aldaeman 6. #2 7. Alan Worz 8. Lyle Askren 9. Nolan Green 10. K.J. Lloyd
lst heat: 1. Lyle Askren 2. Harold Ranft 3. Marcus Sipers 4. Lyle Askren, Jr. 5. Aaron Aldeaman
2nd heat: 1. Rick Declaeminch 2. Nolan Green 3. K.J. Lloyd 4. Alan Worz 5. #2
***
Bob Ream, Jr. scored his 35 career win with the Arizona Sprint Car Association in Manzanita Speedway’s 49th Anniversary races Saturday night but needed a boost from Lady Luck to get his first ever win on Manzy’s half mile track.
While Ream crossed the finish line some 2.58 seconds ahead of Jeremy Sherman, it was Sherman who stole the show. Sherman, a regular with the California based Sprint Car Racing Association, started the third round of the Quality Bumper Company half mile track championships in the 7th row and drove his way to the front on the 11th lap. However, he blew a tire and used a yellow flag due to a harmless spin to make the change and rejoined the field running in 20th. He then drove through the field to close in on Ream but ran out of laps and had to be content with a runner up effort. Eric Wilkins finished third ahead of two time champion Charles Davis, Jr. and points leader Marty Miller. Nathan High, who led a total of 13 laps, was sixth ahead of Terry Belcher, Jr., Jason Sutphen, Mike Martin and Rick Byler.
Wilkins’ third place finish, his 10th top five effort of the year, moved him into second in the ASCA points battle but he is 127 points behind Miller with only four races left on the schedule.
Josh Pelkey, the ‘97 champion dropped to third in points as he had mechanical problems and did not start the feature.
Robert Marfia, Jr. made a trip from New Mexico worthwhile as he set a new 20 lap record in picking up his first win of the year in the Midget Car main event. Marfia chased down early leader Matt Rossi and passed the 15 year old former winner on the 17th lap and knocked 5.62 seconds off the two year old record by averaging 75.776 mph on the 1/3rd mile track. Rossi hung on for second with Mike Leslie third, points leader Steve Sussex, Jr. fourth and two time champion Bob Ellis fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Jeremy Sherman, Ronnie Clark, Mike Welker, David Birmingham, Jr. and Bugs Norbury.
Mike Van Winkle, a rookie with the Super Stocks, drove by Rene Madrid on the second lap and finished one second ahead of the former winner in the 15 lap feature on the half mile track for his first win. Behind them were Don Costa, Anthony Madrid and Joe Sarginger. The rest of the top ten consisted of Susie Rupple, Ron Funk, Bob Colclasure, Jeffrey Price and George Fronsman.
Funk’s 7th place effort allowed him to gain ground on points leader Doug Shadd who failed to finish. Funk entered the night 48 points out of the lead.
Ron Pickering also added his name to the winner’s list with a wire to wire win in the Mini Sprint Car 20 lap feature. Former champion Dave Alexander was second followed by Jeff Henry, Brian Clark and Jason Rogers. Rounding out the top ten were Billy Bolton, Brandon George, Corey Gaulden, Danny Mathus and Rick Alexander.
The three new winners, Marfia, Pickering and Van Winkle brought the number of main event winners this year at Manzy to 69.
SUMMARY
SPRINT CARS (QUALITY BUMPER COMPANY ½ TRACK SERIES)
Main event: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Jeremy Sherman 3. Eric Wilkins 4. Charles Davis, Jr. 5. Marty Miller 6. Nathan High 7. Terry Belcher, Jr. 8. Jason Sutphen 9. Mike Martin 10. Rick Byler 11. Fred Bryan 12. Brandon Lane 13. Marc Teason 14. Steve Cushman 15. Matt Rossi 16. Kenny Webster 17. Jay Ervine 18. Carrie Smiley 19. Davey Bateman 20. Ashley Corey 21. Mike Boat 22. Ricky Johnson
Lap Leaders: Nathan High, 1-10 Jermey Sherman, 11 Nathan High, 12-14 Bob Ream, Jr. 15-25
Semi main: 1. Jeremy Sherman 2. Ashley Corey 3. Rick Byler 4. Brandon Lane 5. Mike Boat 6. Kenny Webster 7. Davey Bateman 8. Steve Cushman 9. Matt Rossi 10. Carrie Smiley 11. Jay Ervine 12. Kaylene Verville 13. Ron Kratz
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Mike Van Winkle 2. Rene Madrid 3. Don Costa 4. Anthony Madrid 5. Joe Sarginger 6. Susie Rupple 7. Ron Funk 8. Rob Colclasure 9. Jeffrey Price 10. George Fronsman 11. Chris Hunneycutt 12. John Romero 13. Kevin Willer 14. Kenny Gill 15. Steve Bender 16. Perry Mallory 17. Mark Hafemeyer 18. Doug Shadd 19. Tom Michael 20. Rick Madrid 21. Frank Soboski 22. Randy Silver 23. Steve Saboski
Lap Leaders: Rene Madrid, 1 Mike Van Winkle 2-15
Trophy dash: Don Costa
MIDGETS
Main event: 1.Robert Marfia, Jr. 2. Matt Rossi 3. Mike Leslie 4. Steve Sussex, Jr. 5. Bob Ellis 6. Jeremy Sherman 7. Ronnie Clark 8. Mike Welker 9. David Birmingham, Jr. 10. Bugs Norbury 11. Shane Parker 12. Lonnie Oliver 13. John Grau 14. Bryce Hatfield 15. Ryan Ruth 16. Rob Clary, Jr.
Lap Leaders: Matt Rossi, 1-16 Robert Marfia, Jr. 17-20 (Time 5:16.72 New Track Record)
MINI SPRINT CARS
Main event: 1. Ron Pickering 2. Dave Alexander 3. Jeff Henry 4. Brian Clark 5. Jason Rogers 6. Billy Bolton 7. Brandon George 8. Corey Gauldin 9. Danny Mathus 10. Rick Alexander 11. John Estrada 12. Terry Palmer 13. Don Bradley 14. Jeff Greszler 15. George Chapman 16. Richie McQuillan 17. Dennis Parks 18. Marc Teason 19. Troy Johnson 20. Kevin Wolfe
Lap Leaders: Ron Pickering, 1-20
Semi main: 1. Jeff Henry 2. Marc Teason 3. Dennis Parks 4. Billy Bolton 5. George Chapman 6. Don Bradley 7. Jason Rogers 8. John Estrada 9. Richie McQuillan 10. Terry Palmer 11. Bill Farrington 12. Randy Carder 13. Josh Foster 14. Chuck Ainsworth 15. Kiley Fellars
Trophy dash: Dave Alexander.
****
Phoenix, AZ (August 19) On a night when he was clearly second best through the first half of the Arizona Sprint Car Association main event at Manzanita Speedway, Bob Ream, Jr. still found a way to win.
Ream had the pole for the 25 lap feature but Eric Wilkins, who share the front row, went side by side with the ‘98 champion through the first turn, beat him off of turn #2 and pulled away in the Jack Rick house car. Wilkins built a six car length advantage before the field was slowed for a spinout on the fifth lap.
Wilkins was again quicker on the restart and steadily built a seemingly comfortable lead. Disaster struck Wilkins when he came up on a massive traffic jam on the 17th lap. At least eight cars were battle two and three abreast for position and "The Whiz Kid" could not find a passing lane. Meanwhile Ream was closing fast. Wilkins made it three wide to get two of the cars a lap down but was again blocked and Ream was again in striking distance. On lap 19 Wilkins tried an outside move and was pushed high on the track by a back runner and Ream immediately put his B & R Automotive to the bottom taking the lead and also putting the slower car between him and Wilkins.
A yellow followed on the 20th circuit and Ream managed to get a little breathing room as he pulled away while Wilkins worked to lap the slower car. Eric finally made the pass and set sail after Ream. He caught "The Bullet" and tried an inside pass which failed.
Rob Davis, who was running fourth, flipped on the 24th lap and Wilkins received one more chance to pull out the win.
On the restart Ream kept to the bottom of the track while Wilkins flew to the top. The duo were side by side through the turns of the final lap but Ream was quicker to the checkered flag by a scant car length. A disappointed Wilkins had to be content with his third straight second place finish, his fifth runner up finish of the year to go with only one win. However, his nine top five finishes this year is highest in the sprints.
"It is a lot better to be running second when you catch that much traffic, " Ream said in the winner’s circle. "The leader has no idea where to go while you can watch what the lapped cars are doing and if they block the leader, you can take advantage. That is what happened tonight." he continued as he accepted his trophy for his 34th ASCA win. Ricky Johnson ran with the leaders all night long and the four time champion claimed third for his fifth top five of the year. Mike Boat made his first ASCA start of the year and brought the Kent Rosevear machine home in fourth, just ahead of two time champion Charles Davis, Jr. who started 10th. Rounding out the top ten were Josh Pelkey, Nathan High, who took passing honors of the night coming all the way from 19th, Marty Miller , Jason Sutphen and Larry Petersen.
The finish tightened the chase for the championship somewhat with only five races left on theASCA schedule. Points leader Marty Miller spun in his heat and had to run the semi, which he won to get into the main event. He finished two spots behind Josh Pelkey and the ‘97 champion trimmed eight points off Miller’s lead and unofficially is now 106 points in arrears. Wilkins gained ground and is now trails Pelkey by 17.
Tony Martin came out of the eighth row to nail down his sixth Desert Dwarf Car feature of the year. Martin worked his way to third on the 8th lap, took second a lap later and then moved past Rick Kochanoski for the lead on lap 10 of the 15 lap event.
Rick Setser nipped Casey Cain at the wire for second, his best finish of the year. Art Garcia took fourth and Kochanoski faded to fifth at the checkered flag. The next five were Craig Austin, Kevin Cain, Danny Matthews, John Cain and Paul Ross.
MANZANITA SPEEDWAY SUMMARY
ARIZONA SPRINT CARS
Main Event: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Eric Wilkins 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Mike Boat 5. Charles Davis, Jr. 6. Josh Pelkey 7. Nathan High 8. Marty Miller 9. Jason Sutphen 10. Larry Petersen 11. Mike Martin 12. Kenny Webster 13. Mickey Meyer 14. Terry Belcher, Jr. 15. Brandon Lane 16. Carrie Smiley 17. Rob Davis 18. Fred Bryan 19. Marc Teason 20. Davey Bateman
Semi main: 1. Marty Miller 2. Brandon Lane 3. Nathan High 4. Mickey Meyer 5. Chuck Buckman 6. Matt Rossi 7. Ashley Corey 8. John Keuscher 9. Steve Cushman 10. Tony Smiley 11. Asa Kesterson
lst heat: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Kenny Webster 4. Jason Sutphen 5. Marty Miller 6. Chuck Buckman 7. Steve Cushman
2nd heat: 1. Rob Davis 2. Terry Belcher, Jr. 3. Charles Davis, Jr. 4. Carrie Smiley 5. Tony Smiley 6. Mickey Meyer 7. Ashley Corey
3rd heat: 1. Fred Bryan 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Marc Teason 4. Davey Bateman 5. John Keuscher 6. Asa Kesterson 7. Nathan High
4th heat:; 1. Mike Martin 2. Larry Petersen 3. Josh Pelkey 4. Mike Boat 5. Matt Rossi 6. Brandon Lane
Trophy dash: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Eric Wilkins 3. Larry Petersen 4. Fred Bryan 5. Ricky Johnson 6. Mike Martin 7. Rob Davis 8. Terry Belcher, Jr.
DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. Tony Martin 2. Rick Setser 3. Casey Cain 4. Art Garcia 5. Rick Kochanowski 6. Craig Austin 7. Kevin Cain 8. Danny Matthews 9. John Cain 10. Paul Ross 11. George Rosnick 12. Brandi Phillips 13. Peter Lang 14. Gerald Pierce 15. Wes DeBeaux 16. Joe Swonger 17. Sandy Matthews 18. Craig Click 19. Storm Phillips 20. Spencer Rexall 21. Dennis Wutzke
lst heat: 1. Tony Martin 2. George Rosnick 3. Storm Phillips 4. Spencer Rexall 5. Wes DeBeaux 6. Peter Lang 7. Robert Phillips
2nd heat: 1. Sandy Matthews 2. John Cain 3. Dennis Wutzke 4. Craig Austin 5. Rick Kochanowski 6. Paul Ross 7. Joe Swonger
3rd heat; 1. Casey Cain 2. Rick Setser 3. Kevin Cain 4. Art Garcia 5. Danny Matthews 6. Craig Click 7. Gerald Pierce
Trophy dash:1. Danny Matthews 2. George rosnick 3. Dennis Wutzke 4. Spencer Rexall
****
Phoenix, AZ (August 18) Jeff Gibson used the top of Manzanita Speedway’s 1/3rd mile track to come out on top in the 20 lap International Motor Contest Association Dirt Modified feature Friday night.
While the rest of the 24 car field was content to take the low groove Gibson found a fast groove high on the track and used it to come out of the ninth row to score his third win of the year.
Two time factory stock car champion Mark Williams, a rookie in the dirt modifieds, finished second with Western Regional points leader Jim Perkins, after starting 10th, crossing the finish line in third. Dan Klinder also proved adept at moving through the pack as he came from 11th to fourth. State points leader Kenny Hatfield took the chekered flag in fifth whith Randy Harrison sixth.
Manzanita points leader Rick Ward saw his string of 12 straight top five finishes come to an end. After starting 20th Ward drove his way to third but a flat tire in the closing laps slowed the former champion and he took the checkered flag in 7th. Rounding out the top ten were Anthony Madrid, Ricky Thornton and Mark Harrison.
Terry Belcher, Jr. bested Darrel Van Bruggen and Gibson in the semi while heats went to Eric Center, Madrid and Mark Harrison.
Ken Seastedt started the 15 lap factory stock feature on the pole and was never headed but had a race long challenge from points leader Larry Price who started in the second row. For Seastedt it was his sixth win of the year, his third in the last five outings. Harry Nevel, up from 8th, was third, Jim Schilt fourth and Dan Shepherd, who started 14th, was fifth. Behind them were Clifton Maggard, Glenn Stumm, Scott Buck, Cindy Meredith and John Glynn.
Heats went to Seastedt and Bob Taylor and Price won the trophy dash.
Charles Thornton stopped Stacy Bennett’s two race win streak in the Bomber stock car feature. Although Thornton officially led every lap Bennett managed to put on a last lap charge that fell just short as Thornton posted his first win of the year. Tom Cormier was third, Justin Stevens fourth and Tom Kozak fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Danny Martin, Rod Carlson, Frank Valencia, Skip Empson and Rick Denson
Denson won the trophy dash with Kozak and Cormier taking the heat races.
SUMMARY
IMCA DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Mark Williams 3. Jim Perkins 4. Dan Klinder 5. Kenny Hatfield 6. Randy Harrison 7. Rick Ward 8. Anthony Madrid 9. Ricky Thornton 10. Mark Harrison 11. Rick Kinney 12. Dennis Heath 13. Jason Soyko 14. Terry Belcher, Jr. 15. Darin Center 16. Darrel Van Bruggen 17. Eric Center 18. Robert King, Jr. 19. Joe Warner 20. Darren Williams 21. Robert Hoagland 22. Bil Kretchmer 23. Rick George 24. Gene Bellville
Semi main: 1. Terry Belcher, Jr. 2. Darrel Van Bruggen 3. Jeff Gibson 4. Rick Ward 5. Darren Williams 6. Darren Williams 7. Rick Kinney 8. Bill Kretchmer 9. Robert Hoagland 10. Hank Logue
1st heat: 1. Eric Center 2. Mark Williams 3. Randy Harrison 4. Jim Perkins 5. Dennis Heath 6. Jason Soyko 7. Rick Ward 8. Robert Hoagland 9. Jeff Gibson
2nd heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Darin Center 3. Dan Klinder 4. Darrel Van Bruggen 5. Gene Bellville 6. Hank Logue 7. Darren Williams 8. Robert King, Jr. 9. Rene Madrid
3rd heat: 1. Mark Harrison 2. Joe Warner 3. Kenny Hatfield 4. Rick George 5. Ricky Thornton 6. Rick Kinney 7. Terry Belcher, Jr. 8. Bill Kretchmer 9. Dan Collingsworth
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Larry Price 3. Harry Nevel 4. Jim Schilt 5. Dan Shepherd 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Glenn Stumm 8. Scott Buck 9. Cindy Meredith 10. John Glynn 11. Bob Taylor 12. Mike Lilly 13. Ray Reynolds 14. Jerry Lee 15. Ed Huttleson 16. Brian Davis 17. Tim Worth
lst heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Larry Price 3. Scott Buck 4. Jim Schilt 5. Jerry Lee 6. Ed Huttleson 7. Ray Reynolds 8. Clifton Maggard 9. John Glynn
2nd heat: 1. Bob Taylor 2. Glenn Stumm 3. Brian Davis 4. Harry Nevel 5. Mike Lilly 6. Cindy Meredith 7. Dan Shepherd 8. Jason George
Trophy dash: Larry Price
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Charles Thornton 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Tom Cormier 4. Justin Stevens 5. Tom Kozak 6. Danny Martin 7. Rod Carlson 8. Frank Valencia 9. Skip Empson 10. Rick Denson 11. Phillip Hales 12. Randy Allen 13. Dave Morrall 14. Scott Attwater 15. Gary Arms
lst heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Charles Thornton 4. Rick Denson 5. Justin Stevens 6. Gary Arms 7. Dave Morrall 8. Cash Dougherty
2nd heat: 1. Tom Cormier 2. Randy Allen 3. Rod Carlson 4. Frank Valencia 5. Skip Empson 7. Danny Martin 8. Phillip Hales
Trophy dash: Rick Denson
*****
Phoenix, AZ (August 11) While not all the pre race favorites made it to victory lane Friday night at Manzanita Speedway, there was only one major upset.
Ken Seastedt scored his fifth win of the year in the Factory Stock Car feature which had been rescheduled after a power outage caused postponement of the race a week earlier, Stacy Bennet made it two in a row in the Bomber Stocks, Harold Ranft got his fourth Circle Truck win and Tony Hinsley had a little luck in becoming a repeat win in the Dwarf Cars.
The upset came in the Mini Sprint Car feature as Gary Marker outdueled Jason Rogers and two time winner Brandon George to become the 62nd different winner at Manzanita this year.
Seastedt came out of the fifth row, took the lead from John Glynn on the seventh lap and then the two drivers went virtually side by side for the remaining eight laps with Seastedt finishing a scant half car length in front. Points leader Larry Price drove from 12th to finish third.
Bennett barely edged eight time winner Tom Kozak in scoring her fourth win of the year in the Bomber Stock race and Ranft nosed out Rick Declaeminch in the Truck race.
Art Garcia lost power with only two laps remaining in the Dwarf Car main event allowing Hinsley to complete a clean sweep as he also won his heat race and the trophy dash.
SUMMARY
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. John Glynn 3. Larry Price 4. Brian Davis 5. Jeremy Geotschous 6. Glenn Stumm 7. Tim Worth 8. Mike Lilly 9. Scott Buck 10. Dan Shepherd 11. Jerry Lee 12. Cindy Meredith 13. Jason George 14. Terry Mumaugh 15. Seth Simmons 16. Ron Fletcher 17. Pat Horan 18. Ron Poe
Lap Leaders: John Glynn, 1-6--Ken Seastedt, 7-15
MINI SPRINTS
Main event: 1. Gary Marker 2. Jason Rogers 3. Brandon George 4. Mark Butler 5. Jeff Henry 6. Terry Palmer 7. Brian Clark 8. Don Bradley 9. Danny Mathus 10. Mark Stroh 11. Dennis Parks 12. Randy Carder 13. Troy Johnson 14. Corey Gaulden 15. Rick Alexander 16. John Estrada 17. Jeff Greszler 18. Derek McCluskey 19. Bill Farrington 20. Richie McQuillan 21. Marc Teason 22. Dave Alexander
Lap Leaders: Gary Marker1-15
lst heat: 1. Jeff Henry 2. Dave Alexander 3. John Estrada 4. Randy Carder 5. Mark Stroh 6. Danny Mathus 7. Corey Gaulden
2nd heat; 1. Derek McCluskey 2. Troy Johnson 3. Rick Alexander 4. Terry Palmer 5. Richie McQuillan 6. Kevin Wolfe
3rd heat: 1. Jeff Greszler 2. Jason Rogers 3. Gary Marker 4. Brandon George 5. Mark Butler 6. Dennis Parks 7. Don Bradley 8. Bill Farrington
Trophy dash: Brandon George
DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. Tony Hinsley 2. Sandy Matthews 3. Tony Martin 4. Casey Cain 5. Rick Setser 6. Ron Neville 7. Kevin Cain 8. Rick Kochanowski 9. George Rosnick 10. Dennis Wutzke 11. Peter Lang 12. Wes DeBaux 13. John Cain 14. Joe Swonger 15. Art Garcia 16. Al Loredo
lst heat: 1. Tony Hinsley 2. Kevin Cain 3. Tony Martin 4. George Rosnick 5. Ron Neville 6. John Cain 7. Spencer Rexall 8. Casey Cain 9. Peter Lang
2nd heat: 1. Art Garcia 2. Sandy Matthews 3. Joe Swonger 4. Dennis Wutzke 5. Wes DeBaux 6. Rick Setser 7. Al Loredo 8. Rick Kochanowski
Trophy dash: Tony Hinsley
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Stacy Bennett 2. Tom Kozak 3. Wendell Fletcher 4. Cecil Schrader 5. Robert Fletcher 6. Butch Washburn 7. Daniel Romero 8. Dave Morrall 9. Tom Cormier 10. Donald Gordon 11. Susie Denis 12. Phillip Hales 13. Ray Reynolds 14. Gary Arms 15. Justin Stevens
Lap Leaders: Justin Stevens, 1-3—Wendell Fletcher, 4----Stacy Bennett, 5-12
lst heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Justin Stevens 3. Robert Fletcher 4. Tom Cormier 5. Cecil Schrader 6. Gary Arms 7. Daniel Romero 8. Phillip Hales
2nd heat: 1. Wendell Fletcher 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Donald Gordon 4. Butch Washburn 5. Dave Woodall 6. Susie Denis 7. Ray Reynolds 8. Skip Empson
Trophy dash: Robert Fletcher
CIRCLE TRUCKS
Main event: 1. Harold Ranft 2. Rick Declaeminch 3. Lyle Askren, Jr. 4. Lyle Askren 5. Alan Worz 6. Lonnie Ranft 7. K. J. Lloyd 8. Tommy Slesher 9. Aaron Aldeaman 10. Marcus Sipers
Lap Leaders: Harold Ranft, 1-12
lst heat: 1. Harold Ranft 2. Lyle Askren, Jr. 3. Lonnie Ranft 4. Alan Worz 5. Tommy Slesser 6. Aaron Aldaeman
2nd heat: 1. Rick Declaeminch 2. Lyle Askren 3. K.J. Lloyd 4. Marcus Sipers 5. Nolan Green
***
Phoenix, AZ (August 12) When Manzanita Speedway’s Super Stock Car points leader Doug Shadd earned the pole position for Saturday night’s Ward Grey Memorial, most fans figured it would most certainly be an easy path to his 7th win of the year. However, Ron Funk refused to concede without a fight.
Funk, who started the 25 lap feature in the third row, worked his way to second by the midpoint of the race and then took advantage of a side by side restart following a caution flag with five laps remaining to shoot past the defending champion. Funk rode the high side of the 1/3rd mile track successfully blocking Shadd’s effort to reclaim the lead and was still in front at the checkered flag for his fourth win of the year. George Fronsman, came out of the fifth row to take third, his 15th top five finish of the season. Mike Van Winkle notched his third top five finish with a fourth place effort while Joe Sarginger crossed the line in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Kevin Willer, Kenny Gill, Jeffrey Price, Don Costa and John Romero.
Jerry Bullis made his first start of the year in the Factory Stock Car portion of the Memorial run to honor the memory of one of Manzanita’s stock car racing pioneers, and made a shambles of the competition. He started on the pole in the feature and was never seriously challenged although Ken Seastedt, who won the Friday night race at Manzy, made a late race charge after starting 9th but fell short in his bid for his sixth win of the year. Points leader Larry Price took third. Jeremy Goetchous made a great drive from 15th to finish fourth, just ahead of Bob Taylor who was also out for the first time. Pat Horan started last in the 20 car starting field and came home in sixth with Jerry Lee, who shared the back row with Horan, taking seventh. Behind them were Matt Mucny, up from 17th, Dan Shepherd and Terry Mumaugh.
John Glynn won the semi main with Muncy in second, Harry Nevel third, Lee fourth and Horan fifth.
In the Factory Stock preliminaries, Bullis beat Cindy Meredith and Mumaugh in the first heat, Scott Buck took care of Tim Worth and Jeff Dahl in the 2nd heat and Larry Price was better than Brian Davis and Seastedt in the third heat. Matt Muncy came out on top in the trophy dash.
Super Stock heats went to Shadd over Costa and Rene Madrid, Van Winkle ahead of Funk and Jeffrey Price and Willer better than Sarginger and Chris Hunneycutt. Funk also annexed the trophy dash, his third of the year.
WARD GREY MEMORIAL SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event. 1. Ron Funk 2. Doug Shadd 3. George Fronsman 4. Mike Van Winkle 5. Joe Sarginger 6. Kevin Willer 7. Kenny Gill 8. Jeffrey Price 9. Don Costa 10. John Romero 11. Dean Woodruff 12. Anthony Madrid 13. Susie Rupple 14. Chris Hunneycutt 15. Perry Mallory 16. Rick Madrid 17. Mark Hafemeyer
1st heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Don Costa 3. Rene Madrid 4. George Fronsman 5. Mark Hafemeyer 6. Perry Mallory 7. Kenny Gill
2nd heat: 1. Mike Van Winkle 2. Ron Funk 3. Jeffrey Price 4. John Romero 5. Dean Woodruff 6. Susie Rupple
3rd heat: 1. Kevin Willer 2. Joe Sarginger 3. Chris Hunneycutt 4. Rick Madrid 5. Tom Michaels 6. Anthony Madrid 7. Mike Tabtinen
Trophy dash: 1. Ron Funk 2. George Fronsman 3. Kenny Gill 4. Doug Shadd
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Jerry Bullis 2. Ken Seastedt 3. Larry Price 4. Jeremy Goetchous 5. Bob Taylor 6. Pat Horan 7. Jerry Lee 8. Matt Muncy 9. Dan Shepherd 10. Terry Mumaugh 11. Clifton Maggard 12. Scott Buck 13. Brian Davis 14. Mike Lilly 15. Harry Nevel 16. Tim Worth 17. John Glynn 18. Jeff Dahl 19. Troy Ruebke 20. Cindy Meredith
Semi main: 1. John Glynn 2. Matt Muncy 3. Harry Nevel 4. Jerry Lee 5. Pat Horan 6. Seth Simmons 7. Ray Reynolds 8. Glenn Stumm 9. Ed Huttleson
lst heat: 1. Jerry Bullis 2. Cindy Meredith 3. Terry Mumaugh 4. Clifton Maggard 5. Mike Lilly 6. Harry Nevel 7. Ed Huttleston
2nd heat: 1. Scott Buck 2. Tim Worth 3. Jeff Dahl 4. Dan Shepherd 5. Troy Ruebke 6. Ray Reynolds 7. John Glynn 8. Jason George
3rd heat: 1. Larry Price 2. Brian Davis 3. Ken Seastedt 4. Bob Taylor 5. Jeremy Goetchous 6. Glenn Stumm 7. Pat Horan 8. Seth Simmons 9. Jerry Lee 10. Matt Muncy
Trophy dash: 1. Matt Muncy 2. Brian Davis 3. Larry Price 4. Tim Worth
***
(Aug 5) Rookie drivers proved their mettle in Saturday night’s Arizona Sprint Car Association 25 lap feature at Manzanita Speedway as, running under less than ideal conditions, they took four of the top ten positions including a win for Terry Belcher, Jr.
Belcher, son of Phoenix’ most prolific stock car driver, mastered the tricky 1/3rd mile dirt track that was made treacherous by a dust storm, high wins and then rain. For the 21 year old former dirt modfiied driver is was his second sprint car win but his first at Manzy.
The cushion was barely three feet wide but Belcher was flawless. He had to be as Eric Wilkins, generally regarded as one of Arizona’s top sprint car drivers, was on his tail for the last 17 laps daring him to make a mistake. Belcher never obliged.
After racing side by side with pole sitter Jay Ervine on the first lap, Belcher put his Navajo/Loriens Racing Engines car in front of the 23 car starting field. He maintained the lead for the first three laps as he rode the cushion. However Nathan High, who started 9th, kept to the bottom and slipped past Belcher to lead the 4th lap but gave it back on the next circuit.
Meanwhile Wilkins was using both grooves to overhaul the leader with his Jack Rich Racing/Westgate Electric sprinter. He caught the youngster but, even though they were side by side numerous times, could never make the pass.
Davey Bateman, another rookie with dirt modified experience, drove his best race of the year and finished a close third after starting 6th. Like Belcher, the 29 year old kept his B&R Automotive/Winzer Nuts & Bolts machine on the high side using the narrow cushion to perfection.
Other rookies in the top ten at the checkered flag were Marc Teason (8th) and Jason Sutphen (10th)
Rob Davis drove out of the sixth row to finish fourth, just ahead of four time champion Ricky Johnson who started 10th. Marty Miller increased his points lead with a sixth place finish and High was seventh. Kenny Webster was ninth.
After a dust storm and high winds dried out the track even before the first green flag, several drivers could not find the right setup and paid for their mistakes resulting in numerous yellow flags and a couple of race halting red flags. Veteran driver Don Sink bumped the wall exiting turn four on the sixth lap of the first heat race and did a couple of end over end flips down the front straightaway. The car suffered extensive damage but the 53 year old driver managed to walk away. Asa Kesterson flipped off the end of turn three on the 10th lap of the feature. He, too, was uninjured.
Fred Bryan scored his first heat race win of the year by beating Ervine and 15 year old rookie Matthew Rossi. Wilkins captured the second heat, his 6th such victory of the year and Belcher annexed the third heat.
Kenny Hatfield put on a driving clinic in winning his fourth International Motor Contest Association Dirt Modified feature. He started 11th in the 24 car 20 lap main event but was involved in a multi car crash on the fifth lap that sent him to the end of the pack. With only 15 laps to get by the field that contained just about every big name driver in the west, Hatfield showed the way using both the top and bottom of the track. He finally chased down Western Regional points leader Jim Perkins and put his Five Star Construction/West Connection car in front with only two laps remaining. He pulled away for a narrow 1.03 second win.
Perkins, who started 10th, finished second ahead of Darin Center who started fifth and led the 14th lap. Rick Ward, the Manzanita IMCA points leader kept his top five record intact as he came from 12th to finish fourth. That marked his 12th straight top five finish in his Spitz Sunflower Seed car. Joe Warner, leader the first 13 laps, crossed the line in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Jeff Gibson, Mark Williams, Robert King, Jr., David Broadlove and Brian Bullis.
Heats went to Darren Williams, Darin Center, Perkins and Gibson.
SUMMARY
ASCA SPRINT CARS
Main event: 1. Terry Belcher, Jr. 2. Eric Wilkins 3. Davey Bateman 4. Rob Davis 5. Ricky Johnson 6. Marty Miller 7. Nathan High 8. Marc Teason 9. Kenny Webster 10. Jason Sutphen 11. Jay Ervine 12. Larry Petersen 13. Mike Martin 14. Josh Pelkey 15. Ashley Corey 16. Carrie Smiley 17. Fred Bryan 18. Ben Gregg 19. Asa Kesterson 20. Matthew Rossi 21. Johnny Gaston 22. Bruce Beeson 23. Mickey Meyer
lst heat: 1. Fred Bryan 2. Jay Ervine 3. Matthew Rossi 4. Ashley Corey 5. Johnny Gaston 6. Asa Kesterson 7. Mickey Meyer 8. Don Sink
2nd heat: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Marty Miller 3. Marc Teason 4. Rob Davis 5. Jason Sutphen 6. Josh Pelkey 7. Carrie Smiley 8. Kenny Webster
3rd heat: 1. Terry Belcher, Jr. 2. Davey Bateman 3. Nathan High 4. Ricky Johnson 5. Larry Petersen 6. Ben Gregg 7. Mike Martin 8. Bruce Beeson
IMCA DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Kenny Hatfield 2. Jim Perkins 3. Darin Center 4. Rick Ward 5. Joe Warner 6. Jeff Gibson 7. Mark Williams 8. Robert King, Jr. 9. David Broadlove 10. Brian Bullis 11. Darrel Van Bruggen 12. Dan Fitzgerald 13. Dave Van Bruggen 14. Randy Harrison 15. John Morris 16. Jason Black 17. Darren Williams 18. Bill Kretchmer 19. Robert Hoagland 20. Jim Hurd 21. Rick Kinney 22. Anthony Madrid 23. Eric Center 24. Ricky Thornton
Semi main: 1. Eric Center 2. Robert Hoagland 3. Anthony Madrid 4. David Broadlove 5. Brian Bullis 6. Darrel Van Bruggen 7. John Morris 8. Jim Hurd 9. Rene Madrid 10. Rick George
lst heat: 1. Darren Williams 2. Rick Ward 3. Dan Fitzgerald 4. Jason Black 5. Anthony Madrid 6. Eric Center 7. Rene Madrid
2nd heat: 1. Darin Center 2. Mark Williams 3. Ricky Thornton 4. Dave Van Bruggen 5. Robert Hoagland 6. Brian Bullis 7. Jim Hurd
3rd heat: 1. Jim Perkins 2. Rick Kinney 3. Randy Harrison 4. Bill Kretchmer 5. Ron Poe 6. Mark Harrison 7. David Broadlove
4th heat: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Kenny Hatfield 3. Joe Warner 4. Robert King, Jr. 5. Rick George 6. John Morris 7. Darrel Van Bruggen
***
Phoenix, AZ (August 4) A power outage in the area of 35th Avenue and West Broadway, caused by an accident involving a car and a power pole, halted action at Manzanita Speedway Friday night but not before Doug Shadd picked up his sixth Super Stock Car feature win of the year and Stacy Bennett parked her Bomber Stock Car in victory lane for the third time this year.
However, Larry Price did not get a shot at his ninth win of the year as the power failure occurred as the Factory Stocks completed the first lap of their main event.
Shadd, the defending Super Stock champion and the current points leader bested last week’s winner Ron Funk and Don Costa as he had already won his heat race and the trophy dash.
Bennett’s win came at the expense of eight time winner Tom Kozak. Charlie Simpson finished third. Simpson led all but the final half lap as both Bennett and Kozak took advantage of traffic to move by. Bennett beat Kozak by about six inches.
The factory stocks completed their heat races, won by Tim Worth, Ron Poe and Price before the action was halted. Their main event was rescheduled for next Friday night.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Ron Funk 3. Don Costa 4. Kevin Willer 5. Kenny Gill 6. Anthony Madrid 7. Dennis Glover 8. Susie Rupple 9. Rene Madrid 10. Mike Van Winkle 11. Dominique Goodwin 12. Mark Hafemeyer 13. Chris Hunneycutt 14. John Romero 15. George Fronsman
lst heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Kenny Gill 3. Rene Madrid 4. Johm Madrid 5. Mike Van Winkle 6. Don Costa 7. Dennis Glover
2nd heat: 1. Ron Funk 2. George Fronsman 3. Kevin Willer 4. Anthony Madrid 5. Susie Rupple 6. Mark Hafemeyer 7. Dominique Goodwin
Trophy dash: 1.Doug Shadd 2. Ron Funk 3. Don Costa 4. Chris Hunneycutt
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Stacy Bennett 2. Tom Kozak 3. Charlie Simpson 4. Wendell Fletcher 5. Gary Arms 6 Stan Wallace. 7. Danny Martin 8. Josh Christensen 9. Phillip Hales 10. Larry Sowacke 11. Jeremiah Stevens 12. Tim Fletcher 13. Sherry King 14. Donald Gordon
lst heat: 1. Jeremiah Stevens 2. Charlie Simpson 3. Tom Kozak 4. Daniel Romero 5. Donald Gordon 6. Tim Fletcher 7. Phillip Hales
2nd heat: 1. Wendell Fletcher 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Larry Sowacke 4. Gary Arms 5. Norm Johnson 6. Sherry King 7. Stan Wallace 8. Danny Martin 9. Josh Christianson
Trophy dash: 1. Gary Arms 2. Daniel Romero 3. Tim Fletcher 4. Charley Simpson
FACTORY STOCKS
1st heat: 1. Tim Worth 2. Matt Muncy 3. Glenn Stumm 4. Pat Horan 5. Ed Huttleston 6. Scott Buck 7. Seth Simmons
2nd heat: 1. Ron Poe 2. Brian Davis 3. Ken Seastedt 4. John Glynn 5. Jerry Lee 6. Jason George 7. Clifton Maggard 8. Bill Bennett
3rd heat: 1. Larry Price 2. Dan Shepherd 3. Mike Lilly 4. Jeremy Goetschous 5. Terry Mumaugh 6. Cindy Meredith 7. Ron Fletcher
Trophy dash: 1. Ron Poe 2. Glenn Stumm 3. Jerry Lee 4. Harry Nevel
**********
Phoenix, AZ (July 29) Matthew Rossi may be hoping that someone from the Arizona Motor Vehicle department was in attendance Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway. If so, after Rossi became one of the youngest drivers to ever win a feature race at Manzy, he may not have to take his driver’s test when he becomes old enough to drive on the streets next Saturday..
While Larry Price backed into his eighth win of the year in the factory stocks, Brandon George took advantage of problems by the leaders to win his second Mini Sprint Car feature and Art Garcia scored his first Manzanita Dwarf Car win, it was the 15 year old rookie Midget Car driver that stole the show.
Rossi started off the evening in impressive fashion as he beat points leader Steve Sussex, Jr. in his heat race and earned the pole position for the 15 lap main event, shot to the lead at the drop of the green and rode the high side of the 1/3rd mile track to a 0.89 second win over Mike Leslie who was trying for his second win of the year. Sussex increase his points lead with a third place finish ahead of Ronnie Clark and David Birmingham, Jr.
Price crossed the finish line behind Hank Logue but was awarded the win when Logue refused to honor a claim on his engine. Glenn Stumm moved to the runner up position with Jerry Lee, Jim Schilt and Dan Shepherd rounding out the top five.
George was running third on the 15th lap in the Mini Sprint feature when leader Jeff Greszler and second running Dave Alexander had problems and headed for the pits. He led the final five laps in winning over Troy Johnson, Ron Pickering, Marc Teason and Gary D. Marker.
Garcia, a second year Dwarf Car driver, led the final 14 laps to beat former champion John Cain, Sandy Matthews, Kevin Cain and Tony Martin.
SUMMARY
MIDGETS
Main event: 1. Matthew Rossi 2. Mike Leslie 3. Steve Sussex, Jr. 4. Ronnie Clark 5. David Birmingham, Jr. 6. Lonnie Oliver 7. Bugs Norbury 8. Rob Clary, Jr. 9. Michael Burkhart 10. Shane Parker
lst heat: 1. Matthew Rossi 2. Steve Sussex, Jr. 3. Ronnie Clark 4. Lonnie Oliver 5. John Grau
2nd heat: 1. Mike Leslie 2. Bugs Norbury 3. David Birmingham, Jr. 4. Shane Parker 5. Michael Burkhart
Trophy dash: 1. Michael Burkhart 2. Bugs Norbury 3. Matthew Rossi 4. Lonnie Oliver
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Larry Price 2. Glenn Stumm 3. Jerry Lee 4. Jim Schilt 5. Dan Shepherd 6. Ken Seastedt 7. John Glynn 8. Scott Buck 9. Jeremy Goetchous 10. Tim Worth 11. Geoffrey Hatch 12. Harry Nevel 13. Ron Poe 14. Clifton Maggard 15. Dominique Goodwin 16. Mike Lilly 17. Mike Sell 18. Seth Simmons (Hank Logue–DQ)
lst heat: 1. Hank Logue 2. Jim Schilt 3. Scott Buck 4. Dominique Goodwin 5. Ken Seastedt 6. Jeremy Goetchous 7. Seth Simmons 8. Terry Mumaugh
2nd heat: 1. Glenn Stumm 2. Jerry Lee 3. Dan Shepherd 4. Mike Lilly 5. Geoffrey Hatch 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Cindy Meredith
3rd heat: 1. Ron Poe 2. Harry Nevel 3. Larry Price 4. Mike Sell 5. Rick Delozier 6. John Glynn 7. Tim Worth
Trophy dash: 1. Jeremy Goetchous 2. Harry Nevel 3. Larry Price 4. Jerry Lee
MINI SPRINTS
Main event: 1. Brandon George 2. Troy Johnson 3. Ron Pickering 4. Marc Teason 5. Gary D. Marker 6. Rick Alexander 7. Mark Stroh 8. Brian Clark 9. Randy Carder 10. John Estrada 11. Terry Palmer 12. Bill Farrington 13. Danny Mathus 14. Billy Matson 15. John Albin 16. Dave Alexander 17. Corey Gaulden 18. Jeff Greszler 19. Mark Butler 20. Rick Greene 21. Dennis Parks 22. George Chapman
lst heat: 1. Rick Greene 2. Brandon George 3. Jeff Greszler 4. Troy Johnson 5. Danny Mathus 6. Gary D. Marker 7. John Estrada
2nd heat; 1. Ron Pickering 2. Dave Alexander 3. Mark Butler 4. Terry Palmer 5. Randy Carder 6. Mark Stroh 7. Bill Farrington 8. Corey Gaulden
3rd heat: 1. Marc Teason 2. Brian Clark 3. Dennis Parks 4. Rick Alexander 5. George Chapman 6. John Albin
Trophy dash: 1. Jeff Greszler 2. Brandon George 3. Rick Greene 4. Troy Johnson
DESERT DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. Art Garcia 2. John Cain 3. Sandy Matthews 4. Kevin Cain 5. Tony Martin 6. Casey Cain 7. Danny Matthews 8. John Hawver 9. Rick Setser 10. Rick Kochanowski 11. Craig Austin 12. Dennis Wutzke 13. Joe Swonger 14. Spencer Rexall 15. George Rosnick 16. Wes Debaux 17. Peter Lang
lst heat: 1. John Cain 2. Kevin Cain 3. Sandy Matthews 4. Craig Austin 5. George Rosnick 6. Art Garcia 7. Peter Lang 8. Spencer Rexall 9. Wes Debaux
2nd heat: 1. Rick Kochanowski 2. Tony Martin 3. Dennis Wutzke 4. Danny Matthews 5. Casey Cain 6. Rick Setser 7. Jim Hawver 8. Joe Swonger
Trophy dash: 1. Craig Austin 2. Dennis Wutzke 3. Danny Matthews 4. George Rosnick
*******
Phoenix, AZ (July 28) Ron Funk and Doug Shadd started Friday night’s 20 lap Super Stock Car feature race at Manzanita Speedway side by side and stayed that way through the first 15 laps. Shadd, the current points leader and defending champion, developed a slight push in his Camaro allowing Funk to pull away in the final five laps and win his third main event of the year. George Fronsman finished third, notching his 16th top five finish.
Ken Seastedt worked the bottom of the wind blown, dry slick 1/3rd mile track to drive from his sixth row starting spot in the Factory Stock Car feature and score his fourth win of the season. Harry Nevel was runner up, his best effort of the year while John Glynn finished third.
Jeff Henry, the defending Modified Midget driving champion, bested Terry Palmer and last week’s winner Trey Deane in thier main event.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCK CARS
Main Event: 1. Ron Funk 2. Doug Shadd 3. George Fronsman 4. Kevin Willer 5. Rene Madrid 6. Jeffrey Price 7. Mike Van Winkle 8. Kenny Gill 9. Susie Rupple 10. John Romero 11. Mark Hafemeyer 12. Dominique Goodwin 13. Chris Hunneycutt 14. Don Costa 15. Rob Miller 16. #36 17. Rick Madrid
lst heat: 1. Ron Funk 2. Don Costa 3. George Fronsman 4. Rob Miller 5. John Romero 6. Dominique Goodwin 7. Susie Rupple 8. Kenny Gill 9. Rene Madrid
2nd heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Chris Hunneycutt 3. Kevin Willer 4. Jeffrey Price 5. Mark Hafemeyer 6. Rick Madrid 7. #36 8. Mike Van Winkle
Trophy dash: Doug Shadd
FACTORY STOCKS
Main Event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Harry Nevel 3. John Glynn 4. Ron Poe 5. Anthony Madrid 6. Larry Price 7. Jim Shilt 8. Dan Shepherd 9. Mike Lilly 10. Terry Mumaugh 11. Seth Simmons 12. #77x 13. Glenn Stumm 14. #9 15. Geremy Getchous 16. Jerry Lee 17. Brian Davis 18. Darrel Bednareck 19. Cindy Meredith 20. Clifton Maggard 21. #49x
1st heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Geremy Getchous 3. Brian Davis 4. Ron Poe 5. #9 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Cindy Meredith
2nd heat: 1. Jerry Lee 2. Jim Schilt 3. Glenn Stumm 4. Ken Seastedt 5. John Glynn 6. Terry Mumaugh 7. Mike Lilly
3rd heat: 1. Harry Nevel 2. Larry Price 3. Dan Shepherd 4. Darrel Bednarek 5. Seth Simmons 6. #49x 7. #77x
Trophy Dash: Ken Seastedt
MODIFIED MIDGETS
Main Event: 1. Jeff Henry 2. Terry Palmer 3. Trey Deane 4. Brian Hacker 5. Jason Rogers 6. Van Knill 7. Anthony Short 8. Mark Stroh 9. Matt Biancani 10. Mark Butler 11. Justin Fisher 12. Joshua Shipley 13. Bill Jones 14. Brent Yarnal 15. Jeff Perry 16. Joey Strobel 17. Ron Copley 18. Derek McCluskey 19. Billy Paul Bolton 20. Thomas Ogle
lst heat: 1. Jeff Henry 2. Trey Deane 3. Mark Butler 4. Mark Stroh 5. Justin Fisher 6. Jeff Perry 7. Matt Biancani 8. Bill Jones 9. #20x 10. Ron Copley
2nd heat; 1. Brian Hacker 2. Terry Palmer 3. Derek McCluskey 4. Jason Rogers 5. Joey Strobel 6. Van Knill 7. Thomas Ogle 8. Billy Paul Bolton 9. Brent Yarnal 10. Joshua Shipley
Trophy Dash: Joshua Shipley
************
Phoenix, AZ (July 22) A rim riding, pushing the cushion drive by Bob Ream, Jr. carried him to a .25 second win and kept Eric Wilkins from scoring a clean sweep in Saturday night’s Arizona Sprint Car Association races at Manzanita Speedway.
Wilkins, who had earlier won both his heat race and the dash for cash, chose to try the bottom of the track early in the race and, after leading the first lap on Manzy’s 1/3rd mile track, found himself running behind Ream, who shared the front row with Wilkins at the drop of the green, and Ricky Johnson by the time the third lap was completed.
Ream and his Ereth Chiropractic Buckley chassis sprinter opened up a 3.16 advantage over Johnson before a yellow bunched the field on the ninth lap. By then Wilkins had moved his Westgate Electric/ Jack Rich Racing machine to the top and shot by Johnson on the restart. When two time champion Charles Davis, Jr. stopped as a result of a broken steering on lap #12, Wilkins was still in pursuit.
That marked the final yellow flag in the 25 lap feature and Wilkins dogged Ream’s every move until lapped traffic shut him off allowing Ream to move 1.35 seconds out front. With five laps to go Ream encountered traffic problems and Wilkins was again on his tail. "The Whiz Kid" had one move left for "The Bullet" as he again went to the bottom in the final turn and was virtually side by side at the checkered flag but Ream garnered his fifth win of the year while Wilkins had to be content with his sixth straight top four finish, his seventh overall.
For Ream, who had lost a barnburner to Davis the last time the ASCA ran at Manzy, the victory was sweet. The 1998 champion is not running the full schedule this year as he switches time between the Manzanita portion of the schedule and also with selected Sprint Car Racing Association events. Saturday night’s event marked only his seventh start of the year while his five wins are two more than the three posted by two time champion Davis, Jr.
Those fans that could tear their eyes away from the Ream-Wilkins battle saw points leader Marty Miller put on a great drive that carried his WJS Development car from eighth to third. Johnson crossed the line in fourth, just ahead of the 1997 champion Josh Pelkey.
Rob Davis earned the 13th starting spot by winning the 12 lap semi main and then drove to sixth at the checkered flag to earn passing honors. Rookie driver Davey Bateman, after scoring his first career heat race win, finished seventh, Terry Belcher, Jr. was eighth, Mike Martin ninth and Fred Bryan took tenth.
The semi got off to a rocky start when Davis made contact with Belcher in the first turn and that triggered a six car pile up with Matt Rossi flipping. Rossi walked away but his car was through for the night. The other five cars, driven by Belcher, Davis, Kenny Webster, Don Sink and Ashley Corey were able to restart.
Davis jumped past Jay Ervine and then held off a hard charging Corey who started seventh and Marc Teason, up from ninth, for the win.
Kevin Cain overhauled Art Garcia on the fifth lap and went on to win his second feature race of the year at Manzanita as he held off four time winner Tony Martin. Cain started in the fourth row with Martin one row further back and the duo were nose to tail in the closing laps. Garcia, who had earlier won the trophy dash, took third ahead of Sandy Matthews and Casey Cain.
The Modified Midgets made their first start of the year at Manzy and Trey Deane came home the big winner as he beat Jeff Henry in the feature and also won the trophy dash. Deane started on the pole and never looked back in beating the defending champion. Terry Palmer crossed the finish line in third, Billy Paul Bolton was fourth and Joey Stobel rounded out the top five.
SUMMARY
ARIZONA SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION
Main event (25 laps) 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Eric Wilkins 3. Marty Miller 4. Ricky Johnson 5. Josh Pelkey 6. Rob Davis 7. Davey Bateman 8. Terry Belcher, Jr. 9. Mike Martin 10. Fred Bryan 11. Marc Teason 12. Ashley Corey 13. Jay Ervine 14. Ben Gregg 15. Kenny Webster 16. Charles Davis, Jr. 17. Nathan High 18. Chuck Buckman 19. Jason Sutphen 20. Don Sink
Semi main (12 laps) 1. Rob Davis 2. Ashley Corey 3. Marc Teason 4. Terry Belcher, Jr. 5. Jay Ervine 6. Kenny Webster 7. Don Sink 8. Ben Gregg 9. Carrie Smiley 10. Steve Cushman 11. Bruce Beason 12. John Yates 13. Matt Rossi
lst heat: (Time: 2:08.81) 1. Ricky Johnson 2. Josh pelkey 3. Jason Sutphen 4. Fred Bryan 5. Terry Belcher, Jr. 6. Steve Cushman 7. Don Sink 8. Ashley Corey 9. Mark Teason
2nd heat: (Time: 2:05.59) 1. Davey Bateman 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Marty Miller 4. Chuck Buckman 5. Rob Davis 6. Kenny Webster 7. Ben Gregg
3rd heat: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Nathan High 4. Mike Martin 5. Jay Ervine 6. Carrie Smiley 7. John Yates 8. Matt Rossi
Trophy dash (6 laps–Time 1:32.56) 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Charles Davis, Jr. 4. Ricky Johnson 5. Josh Pelkey 6. Davey Bateman
MODIFIED MIDGETS
Main event (12 laps) 1. Trey Deane 2. Jeff Henry 3. Terry Palmer 4. Billy Paul Bolton 5. Joey Strobel 6. Mark Butler 7. Derek McCluskey 8. Brian Hacker 9. Joshua Shipley 10. Matt Biancani 11. Bill Jones 12. Thomas Ogle 13. Brent Yarnal 14. Jeff Perry 15. Jason Rogers 16. Ron Copley 17. Justin Fisher 18. Anthony Short
lst heat (Time: 2:13.19) 1. Jeff Henry 2. Terry Palmer 3. Joey Strobel 4. Mark Butler 5. Derek McCluskey 6. Joshua Shipley 7. Thomas Ogle 8. Brent Yarnal
2nd heat: 1. Jason Rogers 2. Trey Deane 3. Anthony Short 4. Billy Paul Bolton 5. Justin Fisher 6. Matt Biancani 7. Ron Copley 8. Bill Jones 9. Jeff Perry 10. Brian Hacker
Trophy dash: 9Time: 1:04.18) 1. Trey Deane 2. Jeff Henry 3. Anthony Short 4. Billy Paul Bolton
DESERT DWARF CARS
Main event (12 laps) 1. Kevin Cain 2. Tony Martin 3. Art Garcia 4. Sandy Matthews 5. Casey Cain 6. Rick Setser 7. George Rosnick 8. Danny Matthews 9. Dennis Wutzke 10. Spencer Rexall 11. Rick Kochanowski 12. Peter Lang 13. Wes DeBaux 14. Craig Austin 15. Jim Hawver 16. John Cain
lst heat: (Time: 2:05.19) 1. Casey Cain 2. Craig Austin 3. Rick Kochanowski 4. Jim Hawver 5. Rick Setser 6. Art Garcia 7. Tony Martin 8. Wes DeBaux 9. John Cain
2nd heat: 1. Kevin Cain 2. George Rosnick 3. Sandy Matthews 4. Danny Matthews 5. Spencer Rexall 6. Dennis Wutzke 7. Peter Lang 8. Tony Hinsley
Trophy dash: (Time-1:22.22) 1. Art Garcia 2. Craig Austin 3. George Rosnick 4. Dennis Wutzke
*****
July 21, 2000 - Kenny Hatfield, Arizonas hottest International Motor Contest Association Dirt Modified driver, became the first three time winnner at Manzanita Speedway Friday night but gained very little ground on the Manzanita points leader Rick Ward who finished second.
Hatfield came flying out of the third row and kept his Purcell Family/Five Star Construction Modified in front of the 22 car field to the checkered flag. Ward made a late race charge after starting one row behind Hatfield and was closing fast with his Spitz Sunflower Seed/Pro Chassis but fell about two seconds short.
Hatfield is the IMCA state points leader and is ranked second in the Western Regional points but Ward has finished all 11 races at Manzanita in the top five and continues to lead at his home track.
Darin Center, ranked second in state points, finished third ahead of Ricky Thornton and Western Regional points leader Jim Perkins.
Jeremiah Stevens scored his third win of the year in the Bomber Stocks beatinng eight time winner Tom Kozak and Stacy Bennet. . Lyle Askren won the Circle Truck feature race and his heat race as well. Taking the main event checkered flag behind Askren were Harold Ranft, Lonnie Ranft and Alan Worz.
SUMMARY
IMCA DIRT MODFIEDS
Main event: 1. Kenny Hatfield 2. Rick Ward 3. Darin Center 4. Ricky Thornton 5. Jim Perkins 6. Jeff Gibson 7. Joe Warner 8. Dan Klinder 9. Dan Fitzgerald 10. Bill Kretchmer 11. Shawn Zalenka 12. #81x 13. Mark Hargar 14. Randy Harrison 15. Darrel Van Bruggen 16. Ted Tulchowski 17. Eric Center 18. Ron Poe 19. #3D 20. Mark Williams 21. Danny Price 22. Rene Madrid
lst heat: 1. Dave Van Bruggen 2. #81x 3. Mark Williams 4. Rick Ward 5. Ron Poe 6. Jim Perkins 7. Bill Kretchmer 8. #3D 9. K.C. Dieckman
2nd heat: 1. Darin Center 2. Shawn Zalenka 3. Kenny Hatfield 4. Ricky Thornton 5. Randy Harrison 6. Ted Tulchowski 7. Darrel Van Bruggen 8. Jason Black
3rd heat: 1. Rene Madrid 2. Joe Warner 3. Eric Center 4. Jeff Gibson 5. Dan Fitzgerald 6. Dan Klinder 7. Mark Hargar 8. Danny Price
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Jeremiah Stevens 2. Tom Kozak 3. Stacy Bennett 4. Daniel Romero 5. Gary Arms 6. Frank Outlaw 7. #3 8. #33 9. Ernie Green 10. #71
Heat race: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Ernie Green 3. Jeremiah Stevens 4. Gray Arms 5. Stacy Bennett 6. #3 7. Frank Outlaw 8. #33 9. John Loomis 10. #71
CIRLCE TRUCKS
Main Event: 1. Lyle Askren 2. Harold Ranft 3. Lonnie Ranft 4. Alan Worz 5. #01 6. Aaron Aldeaman 7. #15 8. Anthony Madrid 9. #2 10. Marcus Sipers 11. Nolan Green
1st heat: 1. Lyle Askren 2. Nolan Green 3. #01 4. Harold Ranft 5. Lonnie Ranft
2nd heat: 1. Marcus Sipers 2. Anthony Madrid 3. Alan Worz 4. #15 5. Aaron Aldeaman 6. #2
****
(note: Tim Worth was disqualified - Each position moves up one place with Rick Madrid winning the main event. Second place to Larry Price . etc..._)
Phoenix, AZ(July 15) Tim Worth erased the memory of a last place finish in the opening round of the RC Cola/7up Summer Stock Car Nationals on Friday night to steal the show in the Saturday night finals at Manzanita Speedway.
While Doug Shadd returned to his winning ways in the Super Stock Car 30 lap feature and Tom Kozak won again in the Bomber main event, it was Worth and his drive from 14th to first in the Factory Stock 25 lapper that had the year’s best stock car crowd on its feet.
Worth started off the weekend with a win in his heat race Friday night but was the first car out of the feature. Saturday night he could do no better than fourth in the semi main and that placed him on the outside of the seventh row for the main event’s green flag. He took the lead from Friday night’s winner, Ken Seastedt, on the 16th lap and then held off Rick Madrid and Larry Price for his second win of the year.
Shadd, who had been shut out of the winner’s circle since May 19th, decimated the Super Stock field as he led all the way and was over 6 seconds ahead of Rene Madrid who earned passing honors by coming from 12th for his best finish of the year. Chris Hunneycutt also had his best effort with a third place finish.
Kozak, who also won the qualifying feature Friday night, grabbed a last lap victory, his 8th of the year, in the 15 lap Bomber race. He barely edged Ernie Green and Stacy Bennett.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Rene Madrid 3. Chris Hunneycutt 4. George Fronsman 5. Anthony Madrid 6. Joe Sarginger 7. Don Costa 8. Tom Michaels 9. Jeffrey Price 10. Dennis Glover 11. Susie Rupple 12. Kevin Willer 13. Mark Hafemeyer 14. Kenton Knight 15. Mike Van Winkle 16. Ron Funk 17. Kenny Gill 18. Mike Ostrum
Semi main: 1. Jeffrey Price 2. Rene Madrid 3. Joe Sarginger 4. Kenny Gill 5. George Fronsman 6. Susie Rupple 7. Mark Hafemeyer 8. Mike Van Winkle
Trophy dash: 1. Ron Funk 2. Chris Hunneycutt 3. Dennis Glover 4. Mike Ostrum
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Tim Worth 2. Rick Madrid 3. Larry Price 4. Chris Hunneycutt 5. Dan Shepherd 6. Jim Schilt 7. Ken Seastedt 8. Geremy Getchous 9. Jerry Lee 10. Mike Lilly 11. John Glynn 12. Seth Simmons 13. Jerry Elliott 14. Brian Davis 15. Ron Poe 16. Harry Nevel 17. Clifton Maggard 18. Glenn Stumm 19. Cindy Meredith 20. Anthony Madrid
Semi main: 1. Larry Price 2. Ron Poe 3. Harry Nevel 4. Tim Worth 5. Anthony Madrid 6. Chris Hunneycutt 7. Jerry Lee 8. Seth Simmons 9. Mike Lilly 10. Tony Wall 11. #61 12. Cindy Meredith 13. Terry Mumaugh 14. Scott Buck 15. Jason George 16. Robert McClelland 17. #9 18. #24 19. Pat Hora 20. Jeff Dahl
Consy: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Seth Simmons 3. Cindy Meredith 4. #9 5. Mike Lilly 6. Scott Buck 7. Robert McClelland 8. #61 9. Jerry Lee 10. Jason George 11. Pat Horan 12. Doug Lehner 13. Geoffery Hatch
Trophy dash: 1. Rick Madrid 2. Glenn Stumm 3. Jim Schilt 4. Clifton Maggard
BOMBERS
Main event: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Ernie Green 3. Stacy Bennett 4. Tom Cormier 5. Justin Stevens 6. Scott DeLong 7. Daniel Romero 8. #3 9. Gary Arms 10. John Loomis 11. Larry Sowacke 12. #40 13. #33 14. Frank Outlaw 15. Gary Washburn 15. Tom Poupa
Heat race: 1. Tom Cormier 2. Stacy Bennett 3. Gary Washburn 4. Frank Outlaw 5. #3 6. John Loomis 7. #40 8. #33 9. Tom Poupa
Phoenix, AZ (July 15) There were no major surprises in the first round of the RC Cola/7up Stock Car Summer Nationals Friday night at Manzanita Speedway as Anthony Madrid, Ken Seastedt and Tom Kozak added to their win totals.
Madrid chased down Doug Shadd then took advantage of lapped traffic to garner his fifth Super Stock Car feature win of the year. Ron Funk continued his hot streak with a third place finish but Shadd maintained a slim points lead in his quest for a second straight driving championship.
Seastedt started on the pole in the Factory Stock Car main event and went virtually unchallenged in making it to victory lane for the third time this year. Brian Davis came out of the fifth row to finish second and Dan Shepherd was third. Points leader Larry Price failed to finish in the top ten (13th) for only the third time in his 19 starts.
Kozak won for the seventh time in the Bomber Stocks a s he easily disposed of former winners Larry Sowacke and Justin Stevens.
RC COLA/7UP SUMMER NATIONALS SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Doug Shadd 3. Ron Funk 4. Kevin Willer 5. Don Costa 6. #25 7. Chris Hunneycutt 8. Tom Michael 9. Kenton Knight 10. Mike Ostrum 11. #98 12. Jeffrey Price 13. Rene Madrid 14. Mike Van Winkle 15. Susie Rupple 16. George Fronsman 17. Rick Madrid 18. Mark Hafemeyer 19. Jeff Stafford
lst heat: 1. Rene Madrid 2. Don Costa 3. Kevin Willer 4. Chris Hunneycutt 5. George Fronsman 6. Mike Ostrum 7. #25 8. Joe Sarginger 10. Ron Funk
2nd heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Mike Van Winkle 3. Antony Madrid 4. Jeffrey Price 5. Jeff Stafford 6. Tom Michael 7. Kenton Knoght 8. Mark Hafemeyer 9. #98 10. Susie Rupple
Trophy dash: 1. Ron Funk 2. Kevin Willer 3. Don Costa 4. Doug Shadd
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Brian Davis 3. Dan Shepherd 4. John Glynn 5. Jerry Elliott 6. Glenn Stumm 7. Clifton Maggard 8. #04 9. Rick Madrid 10. Jim Schilt 11. Raul Sainz 12. Jeff Dahl 13. Larry Price 14. Terry Mumaugh 15. #6 16. Tony Wall 17. #24 18. Fred Boan 19. Harry Nevel 20. Tim Worth
Semi main: 1. Rick Madrid 2. Jerry Elliott 3. Terry Mumaugh 4. Jeff Dahl 5. Cindy Meredith 6. #56 7. Geoffery Hatch 8. Mike Lilly 9. Seth Simmons 10. Rick Delozier 11. Pat Horan 12. #22 13. Todd Hamblen 14. #7
lst heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Larry Price 3. #24 4. Glenn Stumm 5. Mike Lilly 6. Rick Madrid 7. #7
2nd heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. Fred Boan 3. Brian Davis 4. Clifton Maggard 5. Rick Delozier 6. #56 7. #22 8. Cindy Meredith
3rd heat: 1. Tim Worth 2. Harry Nevel 3. #04 4. #6 7. Geoffery Hatch 8. Pat Horan
4th heat: 1. John Glynn 2. Jim Schilt 3. Raul Sainz 4. Tony Wall 5. Todd Hamblen 6. Jerry Elliott 7. Jeff Dahl
Trophy dash: 1. Larry Price 2. Ken Seastedt 3. Terry Mumaugh
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Larry Sowacke 3. Justin Stevens 4. Jerry Jordahl 5. Ernie Green 6. #4 7. #3x 8. Gary Arms 9. Scott DeLong 10. Bob Garland 11. Keith Grow 12. John Loomis 13. Rafael Valenzuella 14. Tom Poupa 15. #40 16. Gary Washburn 17. Stacy Bennett 18. Frank Outlaw 19. Chico Hernandez 20. Daniel Romero
lst heat: 1. Keith Grow 2. Justin Stevens 3. Gary Arms 4. Bob Garland 5. Chico Hernandez 6. Frank Outlaw 7. Bill Gosnell
2nd heat: 1. Jerry Jordahl 2. Tom Kozak 3. #4 4. John Loomis 5. #40 6. Scott DeLong 7. Daniel Romero 8. Rafael Valenzuella
3rd heat: 1. Stacy Bennett 2. Larry Sowacke 3. Ernie Green 4. 3x 5. Bill Dutton 6. Tom Poupa 7. Gary Washburn
****
July 9, 2000
Factory Stock Main IMCA Main
1st 00 1st 33
2nd 8 nbsp; 2nd 9
3rd 80 3rd 4
4th 26 4th 87
5th 76 5th 30k
6th 87 6th 2
7th 50 7th 21
8th 51 8th 28
9th 99 9th 6
10th 77 10th 64
11th 91 11th 11w
12th 10 12th 7k
13th 54 13th 24
14th 04 14th 5s
15th 24 15th 57
16th 79 16th 85
17th 36 17th 0
18th 3 18th 01x
19th 38 19th 65d
20th 34 20th 7az
21st 40 21st 42
22nd 6 22nd 19
23rd 51k
24th 01
By Windy McDonald
Phoenix, AZ (July 4) Fred Boan, Bobby Meredith and Brian Nicholson celebrated more that just the nation's 226th birthday Tuesday night as Manzanita Speedway put the wraps on its holiday championship series. Boan and Meredith can remember it as the date of their first career wins while Nicholson can celebrate the fact that his second win in the bomber stock car division came at the expense of six time winner Tom Kozak.
Boan, with only one top five finish in his resume, beat Ken Seastedt, the second ranked Factory Stock Car driver to become the 50th different winner at Manzanita this year.
Meredith's win came in the Circle Truck division as he crossed the finish line in front of Randy Boring.
SUMMARY
FACTORY STOCK CARS
Main event: 1. Fred Boan 2. Ken Seastedt 3. Geremy Getchous 4. Clifton Maggard 5. Anthony Madrid 6. Scott Buck 7. Larry Price 8. Doug Lehner 9. Mark Williams 10. Jerry Lee 11. Cindy Meredith 12. Harry Nevel 13. Dan Shepherd 14. Mike Lilly 15. Jim Schilt 16. Steve Miller 17. Tim Worth 18. Terry Mumaugh 19. #40x 20. Brain Davis
Semi main; 1. Larry Price 2. Doug Lehner 3. Jerry Lee 4. Tim Worth 5. Susie Rupple 6. Raul Sainz 7. Seth Simmons 8. Todd Hamblen 9. Jeff Dahl 10. Jim Cook 11. John Glynn 12. #96x 13. Mary Thompson 14. Tonyu Ruebke 15. #05 16. #00x
lst heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Steve Miller 3. Cindy Meredith 4. Geremy Getchous 5. Jeff Dahl 6. #05 7. John Glynn
2nd heat: 1. Scott Buck 2. Brian Davis 3. Mike Lilly 4. Terry Mumaugh 5. Susie Rupple 6. Jerry Lee 7. Todd Hamblen 8. Seth Simmons
3rd heat: 1. Mark Williams 2. Anthony Madrid 3. Clifton Maggard 4. #40x 5. #00x 6. Troy Ruebke 7. #96x 8. Jim Cook
4th heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. Harry Nevel 3. Jim Schilt 4. Fred Boan 5. Doug Lehner 6. Larry Price 7. Mary Thompson 8. Raul Sainz
Trophy dash: 1.Dan Shepherd 2, John Glynn 3. Ken Seastedt 4. Steve Miller
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Brian Nicholson 2. Tom Kozak 3. Jerimiah Stevens 4. Tom Cormier 5. Richie Vukevich 6. Tim Fletcher 7. Wendell Fletcher 8. Norm Johnson 9. John Loomis 10. Rafael Valenzuella 11. #65x 12. Chico Hernandez 13. Scott DeLong 14. Daniel Romero 15. Rick Denson
1st heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Brian Nicholson 3. Rick Denson 4. Tim Fletcher 5. Wendell Fletcher 6. Richie Vukevich 7. Chico Hernandez
2nd heat: 1. Tom Cormier 2. Daniel Romero 3. Rafael Valenzuella 4. John Loomis 5. Jerimiah Stevens 6. Scott DeLong 7. #65x
CIRCLE TRUCKS
Main event: 1. Bobby Meredith 2. Randy Boring 3. Lyle Askren, Jr. 4. Anthony Madrid 5. Rick Devlaeminch 6. Marcus Sipers 7. #7 8. #15 9. Dominique Goodwin
Heat race: 1. Bobby Meredith 2. Randy Boring 3. Anthony Madrid 4. #7 5. Dominique Goodwain 6. Marcus Sipers 7. Rick Devlaeminch 8. #15 9. Lyle Askren, Jr.
***
Phoenix, AZ (July 3) Although the Action Pit Stop Shop Firecracker 50 at Manzanita Speedway was not a complete sellout Monday night, it was definitely standing room only in the 50 lap Arizona Sprint Car Association main event as Charles Davis, Jr and Bob Ream, Jr. kept the crowd on its feet and showed their championship form. The duo, having just returned from the Non Winged World Championship tour, waged a race long battle that featured seven lead changes, lap after lap side by side racing and finally, a .022 second win for Davis, the 1996 & ‘99 ASCA champion.
Ream, the 1998 champion, shot to the lead at the drop of the green with four time champion Ricky Johnson running second and Davis third. An early yellow slowed the pace and the crowd settled in their seats for what appeared to be another win for Ream who had won four of his five starts at Manzy. They did not remain seated long as Davis slipped past Johnson and put the nose of his Joe Morales sprinter on the tail of Ream’s B & R Automotive Buckley chassis.
Following a lap ten restart Davis drove his Arizona Race Mart sponsored sprinter to the outside, made a hard cut to the inside and was the leader on lap #11 Davis, winner of two features on the year, was under constant pressure from Ream and traffic got to him ll laps later and Ream again took control.
"The Bullet’ managed to build a .86 second advantage over Davis, who had broken a valve spring and was hitting on only seven cylinders. "Chargin’ Charlie" got a second wind and used the same move that had earned him the lead earlier to assume the point on lap 37.
The fans were still on their feet as Ream threw everything he had at Davis in an attempt to get back to the front. He was doing wheelies off the turns and finally slipped past Davis on lap 43 but Davis returned the favor four laps later.
The two went side by side the rest of the way with Ream officially leading lap #49 by about two feet. Davis went to the outside in turns one and two and urged his mount to the front. Ream tried an inside pass coming off the final turn but fell just short.
With the local newspaper posing the question ‘what is your favorite type of sprint car racing?" as its weekly motorsports questeion, non winged sprints on the 1/3rd mile track obviously picked up considerable support.
While all eyes were on the Davis/Ream battle there was a tremendous battle being waged for positions 3-5. Johnson had his best effort of the year as he edged Eric Wilkins and Mike Martin for the show position.
Points leader Marty Miller made a great drive from 13th to finish sixth. Like many of the drivers, Miller said the track was just too good and he missed the setup and did not make his move until late in the race. Josh Pelkey, the 1997 champion started tenth and finished seventh ahead of Fred Bryan, Terry Belcher, Jr. and Nathan High, who all finished on the lead lap.
The best crowd of the year got their money’s worth early as Davis bested Ream in the first heat race, rookie Ashley Corey scored his first heat race win by beating Johnson in the second heat and Wilkins beat rookie driver Davey Bateman in the third heat.
Miller, after a dismal fifth place finish in his heat, won the 12 lap semi main as he crossed the line in front of Martin and High.
Ream earned the pole for the Action Pit Stop Shop feature with a narrow win over Johnson, Davis, Wilkins, Corey and Bateman in the trophy dash.
John Yates got upside down in the third heat and Bateman flipped in the dash. Both cars were repaired and both ran the feature.
ACTION PIT STOP SHOP FIRECRACKER 50 SUMMARY
Main event: 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Eric Wilkins 5. Mike Martin 6. Marty Miller 7. Josh Pelkey 8. Fred Bryan 9. Terry Belcher, Jr. 10. Nathan High 11. Chuck Buckman 12. Davey Bateman 13. Marc Teason 14. Rick Byler 15. John Yates 16. Jason Sutphen 17. Jay Ervine 18. Ben Craig 19. Steve Cushman 20. Theo McCarty 21. Matthew Rossi
LAP LEADERS: Ream, 1-10 Davis, 11-22 Ream, 23-36 Davis, 37-42 Ream, 43-46 Davis, 47-48 Ream, 49 Davis, 50
Semi main: 1. Marty Miller 2. Mike Martin 3. Nathan High 4. Rick Byler 5. Marc Teason 6. Chuck Buckman 7. Matthew Rossi 8. Theo McCarty 9. Ben Craig 10. John Yates 11. Mickey Meyer 12. Asa Kesterson 13. James Moffitt
Trophy dash: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Charles Davis, Jr. 4. Eric Wilkins 5. Ashley Corey 6. Davey Bateman
lst heat: 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Bob Ream, Jr. 3. Terry Belcher, Jr. 4. Josh Pelkey 5. Mike Martin 6. Marc Teason 7. Nathan High 8. Mickey Meyer
2nd heat: 1. Ashley Corey 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Jason Sutphen 4. Jay Ervine 5. Marty Miller 6. Matthew Rossi 7. Rick Byler 8. James Moffitt
3rd heat: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Davey Bateman 3. Fred Bryan 4. Steve Cushman 5. Chuck Buckman 6. Asa Kesterson 7. Theo McCarty 8. John Yates
***
Phoenix, AZ (July 1) Ron Funk, Ken Seastedt and Brandon Georg shared the winner's circle following the first round of holiday championship races at Manzanita Speedway Saturday night. Funk scored his second win of the year in the Super Stock Car feature as he edged George Fronsman who picked up his 13th top five finish of the season. Don Costa took the checkered flag in third. Seastedt, too, became a repeat winner as he beat points leader Larry Price and Anthony Madrid in the Factory Stock Car main event. It was Seastedt's first win since March 31st. George’s victory in the Mini Sprint Car feature marked his first top five finish at Manzanita and came at the expense of points leader Troy Johnson, who has yet to win at Manzy, and Ron Pickering.
Manzanita's holiday championship series continues Monday night with the running of the Action Pit Stop Shop "Firecracker 50". The Arizona Sprint Cars will stage a full card of racing on the 1/3rd mile track capped off with a 50 lap feature. A fireworks display is planned for intermission.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ron Funk 2. George Fronsman 3. Don Costa 4. Rene Madrid 5. Jeffrey Price 6. Kenny Gill 7. Susie Rupple 8. Mark Hafemeyer 9. #41x 10. Joe Sarginger 11. #29 12. Mike Van Winkle 13. #25 14. Jeff Stafford 15. Bill Warren 16. Anthony Madrid 17. Mike Ostrom 18. Kevin Willer
1st Heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Jeff Stafford 3. #25 4. #29 5. #41x 6. Mark Hafemeyer 7. Mike Ostrom 8. Joe Sarginger 9. Don Costa
2nd Heat: 1. Rene Madrid 2. Jeffrey Price 3. Ron Funk 4. Kevin Willer 5. Mike Van Winkle 6. Kenny Gill 7. Susie Rupple 8. Bill Warren 9. George Fronsman
Trophy Dash: 1. George Fronsman 2. Ron Funk 3. Rene Madrid 4. Anthony Madrid
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. Larry Price 3. Anthony Madrid 4. Glenn Stumm 5. Steve Miller 6. Clifton Maggard 7. #04 8. Mike Lilly 9. Seth Simmons 10. Cindy Meredith 11. Raul Sainz 12. Tony LaSalvia 13. John Glynn 14. #24 15. Harry Nevel 16. Scott Buck 17. Phil Hertel 18. Terry Mumaugh 19. Tim Worth 20. Dan Shepherd
Semi Main: 1. Clifton Maggard 2. Harry Nevel 3. Mike Lilly 4. Cindy Meredith 5. #04 6. Todd Hamblen 7. Brian Davis 8. Doug Lehner
1st Heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. #24 3. Anthony Madrid 4. Tim Worth 5. Phil Hertel 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Doug Lehner 8. #04 9. Geoffrey Hatch
2nd heat: 1. Raul Sainz 2. Steve Miller 3. Glenn Stumm 4. Tony LaSalvia 5. Terry Mumaugh 6. Todd Hamblen 7. Mike Lilly 8. Brian Davis
3rd Heat: 1. Ken Seastedt 2. John Glynn 3. Larry Price 4. Scott Buck 5. Seth Simmons 6. Harry Nevel 7. Cindy Meredith 8. Jerry Lee
Trophy Dash: 1. John Glynn 2. Tim Worth 3. Anthony Madrid 4. Dan Shepherd
MINI SPRINTS
Main event: 1. Brandon George 2. Troy Johnson 3. Ron Pickering 4. Dave Alexander 5. Don Bradley 6. Bill Matson 7. Corey Gaulden 8. Rick Alexander 9. Brian Clark 10. Gary Marker 11. #30 12. Kiley Fellars 13. Danny Mathus 14. Randy Carder 15. #38 16. George Chapman 17. #21 18. Rick Greene 19. Jeff Greszler
lst Heat: 1. Ron Pickering 2. Jeff Greszler 3. Brandon George 4. #30 5. Brian Clark 6. Don Bradley 7. Gary Marker
2nd Heat: 1. Troy Johnson 2. Bill Matson 3. Rick Alexander 4. Corey Gaulden 5. George Chapman 6. Danny Mathus 7. #21
3rd Heat: 1. Rick Greene 2. Dave Alexander 3. Dennis Parks 4. Kiley Fellars 5. #38 6. Randy Carder 7. Bill Farrington
Trophy Dash: 1. Rick Greene 2. Brandon George 3. Troy Johnson 4. Brian Clark
****
Phoenix, AZ (June 24) Eric Wilkins’ convincing 3.31 second win in the Quality Bumper Company Hank Arnold Memorial Arizona Sprint Car Association main event on Manzanita Speedway’s half mile track Saaturday night and a blistering new eight lap track record in his heat race finally got the monkey off his back.
Wilkins, winner of six main events last year, has had more than his share of tough breaks in the first half of the millennium season and even had a monkey taped to the back of the seat of his Jack Rich Racing house car. He now plans to cremate the monkey before the next race.
Even though he was winless heading into the second round of the Quality Bumper Company half mile track championships Wilkins was tabbed the pre race favorite due to his record on the famed half miler. He entered the event with three Sprint Car Racing Association victories and five winged sprint car feature wins on Manzy’s big track. It did not take him long to give advance warning to the rest of the 25 car field. After points leader Marty Miller had knocked a second off
the eight lap record Wilkins decimated the field with a run that was a full five seconds faster than the previous record.
He lined up in the second row for the start of the 25 lap feature, took second on the fourth lap and then made a great move on Miller to wrest the lead on lap #9. Only a red flag for a flip by Ashley Corey and several yellow flags for stalled cars and spinouts allowed the field to stay close.
Rick Byler drove the Byler’s Mobile Home Service machine to a second place finish while Miller increased his points lead over Josh Pelkey with a third place finish, his 7th top five effort of the year. Pelkey drove from 11th to an impressive fifth place finish behind rookie sensation Terry Belcher, Jr. who came back from a flip in the trophy dash to garner fourth.
Kaylene Verville had a good run in her first outing of the year with the non winged sprints as she brought the Warner Motorsports car home in sixth after winning her heat race. Mike Martin took the checkered flag in 7th ahead of Rob Davis, Ricky Johnson and Jason Sutphen who rounded out the top ten.
Nathan High came out of the third row to edge Theo McCarty and Matt Rossi in the 12 lap semi main.
Wilkins won his second straight Arnold Memorial run in honor of one of Manzanita’s most prolific and popular driver who lost his life in a 1967 sprint car crash.
Wilkins had missed the first leg of the Quality Bumper Company championship series as he was out with a blown engine but proved that the ASCA cars and drivers, even with steel block 360 cubic inch engines and a narrower tire, do not play second fiddle to any division. His record run in the heat race at 88.343 mph was a mere four miles per hour slower than the 410 record of 92.575 mph held by USAC’s Dave Darland.
While Wilkins was driving into the winner’s circle for the first time this year, Steve Sussex, Jr was there for the fourth time after making it two in a row in the Arizona Midget Racing Association feature.
Sussex timed the traffic just right to take the lead from Ricky Johnnon on the ninth lap and then drove the Larry Young owned Big O Tire Ellis chassis to a narrow win in the non stop 20 lap feature on Manzy’s 1/3rd mile track. The win completed a clean sweep for the AMRA poiints leader as he had earlier won both the trophy dash and his heat race.
Johnson crossed the line in second after also winning his heat race. It marked Johnson’s second top five finish since taking over the Bob Ellis midget. Former winner Mike Leslie took third, recent high school grad Ronnie Clark was fourth and David Birmingham, Jr. came from the back of the field to get fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Lonnie Oliver, Mike Tukulva, Dale Daly, John Grau and Bugs Norbury.
The sprint cars, bolstered by Bobby Ream, Charlie Davis and Tony Smiley who more than aptly represented the ASCA in the Non Winged World Championships in the midwest the past two weeks will be back in action in the Action Pit Stop Shop Firecracker 50 on Monday night, July 3rd.
QUALITY BUMPER COMPANY/HANK ARNOLD MEMORIAL SUMMARY
ASCA SPRINT CARS
Main event: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Rick Byler 3. Marty Miller 4. Terry Belcher, Jr. 5. Josh Pelkey 6. Kaylene Verville 7. Mike Martin 8. Rob Davis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Jason Sutphen 11. Chuck Buckman 12. Nathan High 13. Dan Fredenberg 14. Davey Bateman 15. Marc Teason 16. Matt Rossi 17. Theo McCarty 18. Jay Ervine 19. John Yates 20. Fred Bryan 21. Kenny Webster 22. Ashley Corey
Lap leaders: Miller, 1-8 Wilkins, 9-25
Semi main: 1. Nathan High 2. Theo McCarty 3. Matt Rossi 4. Jason Sutphen 5. Marc Teason 6. Davey Bateman 7. Dan Fredenberg 8. Ashley Corey 9. Jay Ervine 10. John Yates 11. Johnny Phillips (Time: 4:16.81, 84.112 mph, track record)
Trophy dash: 1. Marty Miller 2. Rick Byler 3. Kenny Webster 4. Eric Wilkins 5. Kaylene Verville 6. Terry Belcher, Jr.
1st heat: 1. Marty Miller 2. Rick Byler 3. Mike Martin 4. Chuck Buckman 5. Theo McCarty 6. Jay Ervine 7. Johnny Phillips 8. Jason Sutphen 9. Ron Kratz (Time: 2:47.75)
2nd heat: 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Terry Belcher, Jr. 3. Rob Davis 4. Josh Pelkey 5. Matt Rossi 6. Marc Teason 7. Nathan High 8. Mike Burkhart (Time: 2:43.00, 88.343 mph–new record)
3rd heat: 1. Kaylene Verville 2. Kenny Webster 3. Fred Bryan 4. Ricky Johnson 5. Ashley Corey 6. Davey Bateman 7. John Yates 8. Dan Fredenberg
AMRA MIDGETS
Main event: 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Mike Leslie 4. Ronnie Clark 5. David Birmingham, Jr. 6. Lonnie Oliver 7. Mike Tulkava 8. Dale Daly 9. John Grau 10. Bugs Norbury 11. Mike Burkhart 12. Dean Daly 13. Eric Wilkins (Time: 5:42.06)
lst heat: 1. Ricky Johnson 2. Bugs Norbury 3. Ronnie Clark 4. Dean Daly 5. Mike Tulkuva 6. Eric Wilkins (Time: 1:47.16)
2nd heat: 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Mike Burkhart 3. Lonnie Oliver 4. Mike Leslie 5. John Grau (DNS) 6. Dale Daly (DNS) (Time: 1:46.31)
Trophy dash: 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Bugs Norbury 3. Mike Burkhart 4. Ronnie Clark (Time: 1:04.56)
*****
Phoenix, AZ (June 10) Bob Ream, Jr. did not need a broom to sweep aside the competition in Saturday night’s Arizona Sprint Car Association races at Manzanita Speedway, his B & R Automotive Buckley was more than enough to get him wins in his heat race, trophy dash and 25 lap feature.
Ream was beat into the first turn by points leader Marty Miller and the two switched the lead at least twice each lap before Ream, the 1998 champion, finally wrested the lead from Miller on the seventh lap and stayed there until the checkered flag.
Josh Pelkey, the 1997 champion, took second from Miller with his Pavement Marking Extreme chassis on the tenth lap but his low groove efforts were no match for Ream who was pushing the cushion on Manzanita’s well prepared one third mile track. Ream used that groove to manage the traffic and finished almost a full four seconds out front.
Ream, who is running only the ASCA races at Manzy now has four wins in his five starts. After his dominance Saturday night, the rest of the regulars are probably thankful that he is not full time as he was in ‘98 when he scored 13 wins.
Ream was his usual excited self in the winner’s circle. "It was tough out there. I was glad it was Marty that was running the low side. He is a good, clean driver and gave me all the room I needed, that made it fun running side by side," he said in accepting his accolades.
Miller was just as vocal, "We had the WJS Construction car set up to run high but Bobby was up there so we had to switch. I had to finally move up because of the traffic," he explained.
Eric Wilkins started eighth, dropped back at the green flag but then took his Jack Rich housecar to fourth at the checkered flag. Four time champion Ricky Johnson made one of his patented drives through the field as his Weiler Farms Ellis carried him from 13th to 5th. Fred Bryan drove a fast consistent race to finish sixth and rookie driver Ashley Corey who started 11th was as high as fourth before traffic got to him and he finished 7th. Rounding out the top ten were Nathan High, Terry Belcher, Jr and Marc Teason.
The field of 18, lowest of the season for the ASCA due to the numerous crashes the week before and with defending champion Charles Davis, Jr and Tony Smiley heading to the midwest for the Non Winged World Championships, ran two heats. Ream bested Bryan and Miller in his heat while High finished in front of Pelkey and rookie driver Jason Sutphen in the other.
The IMCA dirt modifieds, getting a rare shot at Manzanita’s half mile track, had their biggest field of the year and Jeff Gibson went wire to wire to win the 15 lap, 24 car feature.
Gibson share the front row with Adam Crippen, beat him into the first turn and built as much as a 2.66 second lead before the field closed on him for a lap 10 spin. He still maintained a comfortable 1.37 advantage as he crossed the finish line.
Kenny Hatfield entered the race 11 points behind Rick Ward and gained a little with his second place finish. Hatfield won his heat race, started tenth and took second from Crippen at the midpoint of the feature. Ward started 11th and was fourth at the checkered flag. Ricky Thornton started 8th and finished fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Ted Robinson, Randy Harrison, Gene Bellville, Bill Kratchmer and Mark Williams.
In addition to Hatfield, Darin Center and Gibson won heats. Hatfield came out of the third row to beat Crippen and Chris Cross, Center started fifth and was in front of Ward and Thorton at the line while Gibson easily disposed of Robert King, Jr. and Robinson after starting in the front row.
SUMMARY
ARIZONA SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION
Main event: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Josh Pelkey 3. Marty Miller 4. Eric Wilkins 5. Ricky Johnson 6. Fred Bryan 7. Ashley Corey 8. Nathan High 9. Terry Belcher, Jr. 10. Marc Teason 11. Mike Martin 12. Jason Sutphen 13. Matthew Rossi 14. Davey Bateman 15. Jay Ervine 16. Asa Kesterson 17. Rob Davis 18. Johnny Phillips
Lap leaders: Miller, 1-2--Ream, 3-5--Miller, 6—Ream, 7-25
lst heat: 1. Nathan High 2. Josh Pelkey 3. Jason Sutphen 4. Matthew Rossi 5. Terry Belcher, Jr. 6. Ashley Corey 7. Ricky Johnson 8. Davey Bateman 9. Marc Teason
2nd heat: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Fred Bryan 3. Marty Miller 4. Eric Wilkins 5. Mike Martin 6. Rob Davis 7. Johnny Phillips 8. Jay Ervine 9. Asa Kesterson
Trophy dash: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Fred Bryan 3. Marty Miller 4. Nathan High 5. Josh Pelkey 6. Jason Sutphen
IMCA DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Kenny Hatfield 3. Adam Crippen 4. Rick Ward 5. Ricky Thornton 6. Ted Robinson 7. Randy Harrison 8. Gene Bellville 9. Bill Kratchmer 10. Mark Williams 11. Darrell Van Bruggen 12. Robert King, Jr. 13. Paul Taylor 14. Kerry Campbell 15. Bob Sanders 16. Chris Cross 17. Mike Strobl 18. Bryan Bullis 19. Buster Kirk 20. K.C. Dieckman 21. Ron Poe 22. Darin Center 23. Danny Price 24. Rene Madrid
lst heat: 1. Kenny Hatfield 2. Adam Crippen 3. Chris Cross 4. Bob Sanders 5. Mike Strobl 6. Randy Harrison 7. Bill Kratchmer 8. Gene Bellville 9. K.C. Dieckman
2nd heat: 1. Darin Center 2. Rick Ward 3. Ricky Thornton 4. Kerry Campbell 5. Darrell Van Bruggen 6. Mark Williams 7. Buster Kirk 8. Dave Van Bruggen 9. Danny Price
3rd heat; 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Robert King, Jr. 3. Ted Robinson 4. Paul Taylor 5. Bryan Bullis 6. Hank Logue 7. Mark Harrison 8. Rene Madrid 9. Ron Poe
Phoenix, AZ (June 9)
Anthony Madrid and Jeff Greszler added to their impressive win totals in Friday night's races at Manzanita Speedway while Raul Sainz and Jeremy Madrid took their first trip to the winner's circle.
Madrid closed the gap on points leader Doug Shadd who missed the race due to a blown engine with his fourth feature win of the year in the Super Stock cars. He took the checkered flag in front of Don Costa and George Fronsman. Fronsman’s third place finish marked his 11th top five finish in the 12 races run at Manzanita. Greszler is now five for six in the Mini Sprints on Manzanita’s 1/3rd mile track. He had little trouble in besting Troy Johnson and Bill Matson.
Sainz captured the factory stock car feature and with it notched his first top 10 finish of the year. Dan Shepherd was second and Cindy Meredith's third place finish was her best ever.
Madrid added his name to the list of Bomber Stock Car winners by finishing ahead of Larry Sowacke and Tom Cormier.
SUMMARY
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Don Costa 3. George Fronsman 4. Rene Madrid 5. Kevin Willer 6. Joe Sarginger 7. #6c 8. #36 9. #25 10. Kenny Gill 11. John Romero 12. Dean Woodruff 13. Susie Rupple 14. Bill Warren 15. Mark Hafemeyer 16. Ron Funk 17. Mike Van Winkle
1st heats: 1. Ron Funk 2. Rene Madrid 3. 6c 4. Don Costa 5. Joe Sarginger 6. Mike Van Winkle 7. Susie Rupple 8. #25 9. Dean Woodruff
2nd heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. George Fronsman 3. Kevin Willer 4. Kenny Gill 5. #36 6. Mark Hafemeyer 7. John Romero 8. Bill Warren
Trophy dash: 1. Ron Funk 2. Anthony Madrid 3. Mike Van Winkle 4. John Romero
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Raul Sainz 2. Dan Shepherd 3. Cindy Meredith 4. Harry Nevel 5. John Glynn 6. Larry Price 7. Timothy Worth 8. Terry Mumaugh 9. Jerry Lee 10. Doug Lehner 11. John Romero 12. Tony Wall 13. Mike Golich 14. #10 15. Mike Lilly 16. Mary Thompson 17. Clifton Maggard 18. Brian Davis 19. Glenn Strumm 20. Jeff Dahl 21. Ken Saxe
1st heat: 1. Glenn Strumm 2. Raul Sainz 3. Harry Nevel 4. Darrel Bednarek 5. Mary Thompson 6. Mark Golich 7. Ken Saxe 8. #93
2nd heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. #10g 3. John Glynn 4. Brian Davis 5. Terry Mumaugh 6. Mary Thompson 7. Timothy Worth
3rd heat: 1. Cindy Meredith 2. Jerry Lee 3. Clifton Maggard 4. Doug Lehner 5. Tony Wall 6. Jeff Dahl 7. Larry Price 8. Mike Lilly
Trophy dash: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. Mary Thompson 3. Terry Mumaugh 4. Darrel Bednarek
MINI SPRINTS
Main event: 1. Jeff Greszler 2. Troy Johnson 3. Bill Matson 4. Ron Pickering 5. Mark Butler 6. Rick Greene 7. Brandon George 8. Don Bradley 9. Gary Marker 10. Dave Alexander 11. Kiley Fellars 12. Rick Alexander 13. Randy Carder 14. #30 15. Aaron Hernandez 16. Danny Mathus 17. Dennis Parks 18. Kevin Wolfe 19. Cory Gaulden
1st heat: 1. Rick Alexander 2. Brandon George 3. Randy Cardeer 4. #30 5. Kiley Fellars 6. Gary Marker
2nd heat: 1. Troy Johnson 2. Dennis Parks 3. Mark Butler 4. Don Bradley 5. Corey Gaulden 6. Rick Greene 7. Kevin Wolfe
3rd heat: 1. Jeff Gresler 2. Bill Matson 3. Ron Pickering 4. Dave Alexander 5. Danny Mathus 6. Aaron Hernandez 7. Brian Clark
Trophy dash: 1. Brandon George 2. Corey Gaulden 3. Gary Marker 4. Troy Johnson
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Jeremy Madrid 2. Larry Sowacke 3. Tom Cormier 4. Tom Kozak 5. #72 6. Chuck Thornton 7. Gary Arms 8. Chico Hernandez 9. Butch Washburn 10. Howard Powell 11. Ernie Green 12. Charlie Simpson 13. Stacy Bennett 14. Gary Washburn
1st heat: 1. Larry Sowacke 2. Tom Kozak 3. Charlie Simpson 4. Gary Arms 5. #72 6. Butch Washburn 7. Ray Reynolds 8. Howard Powell
2nd heat: 1. Stacy Bennett
*******
Phoenix, Az (June 3) Finally, in the eighth race of the season for the Arizona Midget Racing Association, there has been a repeat winner. Steve Sussex, Jr. dominated the accident free 20 lap feature race Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway as he easily beat Bugs Norbury whose second place finish marked a career high. Even though the race was never slowed by a yellow flag, eight cars finished on the lead lap.
Sussex, who won the May 6th feature for car owner Larry Young, missed the Memorial Day Championship race due to illness cured all those ills with a run that started with a last to first dash in his heat race and continued with a charge that carried him from eighth to first in less than a lap in the feature.
Former champion Ricky Johnson, subbing for two time champion Bob Ellis, finished third, rookie driver Matthew Rossi took fourth and Mike Burkhart was fifth.
Rossi, who is a rookie with both the midgets and sprint cars, had his best night ever as he won the trophy dash, ran fourth in his heat and then capped it off with his strong run in the main event.
Rick Madrid scored his first win of the year in the super stock cars as he led wire to wire in the 15 lap feature which was contested on Manzanita's half mile track. Ron Funk crossed the line in second, Mike Van Winkle took third, Joe Sarginger was fourth and George Fronsman had his tenth top five finish in twelve starts with a fifth place effort.
Doug Shadd and Anthony Madrid, ranked one-two in the super stock points standings, had rough nights. Shadd crashed in his heat race, repaired the damage to start last in the feature, drove his way to third and then exited with motor problems four laps from the finish. Madrid blew a tire while running third and was relegated to a 12th place finish.
SUMMARY
MIDGET CARS
Main event: 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Bugs Norbury 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Matthew Rossi 5. Mike Burkhart 6. Ronnie Clark 7. Mike Parker 8. David Birmingham, Jr. 9. Bryce Hatfield 10. Dean Daly 11. Lonnie Oliver 12. David Rosales 13. Mike Leslie 14. Dale Daly 15. John Grau
lst heat: 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Mike Burkhart 4. Matthew Rossi 5. David Rosales 6. Ronnie Clark 7. Dean Daly
2nd heat: 1. Bugs Norbury 2. Lonnie Oliver 3. David Birmingham, Jr. 4. Mike Parker 5. Bryce Hatfield 6. Dale Daly
Trophy dash: 1. Matthew Rossi 2. Bugs Norbury 3. Ronnie Clark 4. Mike Leslie
SUPER STOCK CARS
Main event: 1. Rick Madrid 2. Ron Funk 3. Mike Van Winkle 4. Joe Sarginger 5. George Fronsman 6. Lonnie Foss 7. Jim Stafford 8. Jeffrey Price 9. John Romero 10. Bob Colclasure 11. Doug Shadd 12. Anthony Madrid 13. Don Costa 14. Rene Madrid 15. Jack Dubois
1st heat: 1. Rick Madrid 2. Bob Colclasure 3. John romero 4. Joe Sarginger 5. Lonnie Foss 6. Jack Dubois 7. Rene Madrid 8. Doug Shadd
2nd heat: 1. Ron Funk 2. Anthony Madrid 3. Mike Van Winkle 4. Don Cost 5. George Fronsman 6. Jeffrey Price 7. Jim Stafford
Trophy dash: 1. Doug Shadd 2. George Fronsman 3. Don Costa 4. Anthony Madrid
(June 2) Anthony Madrid, one of Manzanita Speedway's top super stock car drivers, made a rare start in the factory stock car division Friday night and proved to be the best in the field as he beat former winners Timothy Worth, Ken Seastedt and Larry Price in the feature race.
In Manzanita's companion races Tony Martin scored his third win of the year in the dwarf cars with a narrow win over Kevin Cain. Larry Sowacke made it two in a row in the bomber stocks and Harold Ranft topped the field in the truck races.
SUMMARY
FACTORY STOCKS
Main event: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. Timothy Worth 3. Ken Seastedt 4. Larry Price 5. Darrel Bednarek 6. Harry Nevel 7. Cindy Merideth 8. Mary Thompson 9. Terry Mumaugh 10. Jeff Dahl 11. Jerry Lee 12. Raul Sainz 13. Brian Davis 14. Dan Shepherd 15. John Glynn 16. Susie Rupple 17. Glenn Strumm 18. Mike Lilly 19. Clifton Maggard 20. Phil Hertel 21. Terry Bridges
lst heat: 1. Mary Thompson 2. Terry Mumaugh 3. Timothy Worth 4. Susie Rupple 5. Terry Bridges 6. Cindy Merideth 7. Raul Sainz
2nd heat: 1. Dan Shepherd 2. Ken Seastedt 3. Glenn Strumm 4. Anthony Madrid 5. Mike Lilly 6. Harry Nevel 7. Jeff Dahl 8. Seth Simmons
3rd heat: 1. Darrel Bednarek 2. Larry Price 3. Brian Davis 4. John Glynn 5. Phil Hertel 6. Clifton Maggard 7. Jerry Lee
Trophy dash: 1. Larry Price 2. Dan Shepherd 3. Ken Seastedt 4. Glenn Strumm
DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. Tony Martin 2. Kevin Cain 3. Danny Matthews 4. Tony Hinsley 5. Craig Austin 6. Sandy Matthews 7. Rick Kochanowski 8. #55 9. George Rosnick 10. Casey Cain 11. Jim Hawver 12. John Cain 13. Peter Lang
1st heat: 1. Sandy Matthews 2. Casey Cain 3. Tony Martin 4. Bob Johnson 5. Danny Matthews 6. Craig Austin 7. Rick Kochanowski 8. Peter Lang
2nd heat: 1. John Cain 2. George Rosnick 3. Jim Hawver 4. Kevin Cain 5. Dennis Wutzke 6. #55 7. Tony Hinsley
Trophy dash: 1. Rick Kochanowski 2. George Rosnick 3. Peter Lang 4. Danny Matthews
BOMBER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Larry Sowacke 2. Chuck Thornton 3. Tom Kozak 4. Gary Arms 5. Rick Denson 6. Larry Gordon 7. #62 8. #20 9. #99 10. #35 11. Justin Stevens 12. #65 13. #14 14. Mike Morrow
lst heat: 1. Chuck Thornton 2. Larry Sowacke 3. #35 4. #62 5. #65 6. #99 7. Larry Gordon
2nd heat: 1. Tom Kozak 2. Justin Stevens 3. Rick Denson 4. Gary Arms 5. Mike Morrow 6. #14k 7. #20
TRUCKS
Main event: 1. Harold Ranft 2. Marcus Shipers 3. Rick Devlaeminch 4. Lyle Askren 5.#24 6. Aaron Aldeaman 7. Lonnie Ranft 8. Lyle Askren, Jr. 9. #01 10. #15
lst heat: 1. Marcus Shipers 2. Lyle Askren, Jr. 3. Lonnie Ranft 4. Rick Devlaeminch 5. #01
2nd heat: 1. Harold Ranft 2. #24 3. #15 4. Aaron Aldeaman 5. Lyle Askren
****
Phoenix, AZ (May 27) A king sized blanket was not needed to measure the three car blanket finish in Saturday night's Sunoco Fuels/Arizona Race Mart 50 lap Arizona Sprint Car Association "Salute to Indy" at Manzanita Speedway more like a twin sized one would have covered the cars driven by Marty Miller, Josh Pelkey and Eric Wilkins as they crossed the finish line.
The trio were three abreast through the final turn and they took the checkered flag virtually the same way.
Miller, the 1999 rookie of the year who scored four feature wins, traded the lead with Pelkey, the 1997 ASCA champion, four times before assuming the lead for good on lap #32. He was never able to build more than a second and a half lead and Pelkey closed dramatically in the final laps with Wilkins, up from eighth also challenging.
Two time champion and current points leader CharlesDavis, Jr. was also in the thick of the battle. After a race long duel with four time champion Ricky Johnson, Davis crossed the line just behind the three leaders. Nathan High, after starting 12th drove past Johnson in the closing laps to take fifth, his best finish of the year. High also pocketed extra cash posted for the hard charger of the race.
Miller was lined up beside pole sitter Johnson when the 20 car field took the green flag and led the first lap. Pelkey, made a low groove, three wheel pass and led laps 2_12 before Miller flew by on the outside. Miller's lead was short lived as Pelkey regained the lead two laps later and stayed in front until Miller again moved by to lead the final 18 laps.
Miller used his second win of the year to move to within four points of Davis' lead in the chase for the Arizona Sprint Car Association driving championship.
Mickey Meyer won the ABC Sand & Rock semi main by beating Mike Martin, Jason Sutphen, Marc Teason and Davey Bateman.
Rick Byler beat Peley and Tony Smiley in the Charged Air Services first heat race. Davis set a new ten lap record in winning the Total Seal Piston Rings heat race over Dan Fredenberg and Eric Wilkins. Davis' time of 2:30.53 ((79.718 mph) eclisped the old record of 2:36.59 held by rookie driver Steve Wolff. Miller scored a narrow win over Johnson and Fred Bryan in A & M Nut & Bolt heat race.
Wolff was one of two drivers who got upside down during the evening's races. Wolff brought the main event to a halt after only one lap had been completed with a bone jarring, end over end crash but managed to walk away uninjured. Earlier Kent Rosevear did a wild series of end over ends in the semi main.He, too, was uninjured.
The two car team of Fred Bryan and Marc Teason received the Blinds Mart award for best appearing car, Jason Sutphen pocketed the cash from Lorien's Racing engines as the top rookie finisher (10), Wolff got the Smiley Crane Service/Jack Rich Racing/Terry High award for hard luck and Pekley picked up an extra $100 from Manzanita Speedway/Smiley Crane Service/Sunoco and Arizona Race Mart for leading at the half way point.
Mike Leslie scored his first win of the year in the midget car main event as he bested eight time Austrialian champion Michael Figliomeni. They were chased to the finish line by David Birmingham, Jr., Ronnie Clark and Mike Welker.
Leslie became the sixth different winner in as many races and scored a clean sweep as he won the dash and his heat race. His heat race win came at the expense of Figliomeni and Ricky Johnson.
Ronnie Clark beat Mike Welker and Lonnie Oliver in the second heat.
SUMMARY
SUNOCO FUELS/ARIZONA RACE MART "SALUTE TO INDY"
SPRINT CARS
Main event: (50 laps) 1. Marty Miller 2. Josh Pelkey 3. Eric Wilkins 4. Charles Davis, Jr. 5. Nathan High 6. Ricky Johnson 7. Tony Smiley 8. Fred Bryan 9. Mike Martin 10. Jason Sutphen 11. Ashley Corey 12. Davey Bateman 13. Carrie Smiley 14. Jay Ervine 15. Marc Teason 16. Matthew Rossi 17. Dan Fredenberg 18. Rick Byler 19. Mickey Meyer 20. Steve Wolff
Semi main (12 laps) 1. Mickey Meyer 2. Mike Martin 3. Jason Sutphen 4. Marc Teason 5. Davey Bateman 6. Carrie Smiley 7. Ashley Corey 8. Jay Ervine 9. Terry Belcher, Jr. 10. Johnny Phillips 11. Kent Rosevear 12. Asa Kesterson
Heat races (10 laps)
First___ 1. Rick Byler 2. Josh Pelkey 3. Tony Smiley 4. Steve Wolff 5. Jason Sutphen 6. Mike Martin 7. Johnny Phillips 8. Bob Ream, Jr. 9. L.C. Kesterson (no time)
Second—1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Dan Fredenberg 3. Eric Wilkins 4. Matthew Rossi 5. Mickey Meyer 6. Carrie Smiley 7. Asa Kesterson 8. Ashley Corey 9. Jay Ervine (2:30.53, new track record)
Third–1. Marty Miller 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Fred Bryan 4. Nathan High 5. Kent Rosevear 6. Marc Teason 7. Davey Bateman 8. Terry Belcher, Jr (2:34.16)
Trophy dash (6 laps): 1.Ricky Johnson 2. Marty Miller 3. Josh Pelkey 4. Charles Davis, Jr. 5. Rick Byler 6. Dan Fredenberg (1:31.87)
MIDGET CARS
Main event (20 laps) 1. Mike Leslie 2. Michael Figliomeni 3. David Birmingham, Jr. 4. Ronnie Clark 5. Mike Welker 6. Michael Burkhart 7. Lonnie Oliver 8. Eric Young 9. Ricky Johnson 10. John Grau 11. Matthew Rossi 12. David Rosales 13. Dean Daly 14. Mike Jacovy
Heats (8 laps)
First–1. Mike Leslie 2. Michael Figlionmeni 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Michael Burkhart 5. Eric Young 6. Dean Daly 7. David Rosales2:08.54)
Second–1. Ronnie Clark 2. Mike Welker 3. Lonnie Oliver 4. John Grau 5. Bugs Norbury 6. David Birmingham, Jr. 7. Ryan Ruth 8. Mike Jacovy (no time)
Trophy dash (4 laps) 1. Mike Leslie 2. Ronnie Clark 3. Eric Young 4. David Birmingham, Jr. (DNS) (1:02.62)
*****
Phoenix, AZ (May 20) Richard Griffin of Silver City, NM scored his most impressive win ever as he roared to a 7.88 second win over Tony Jones in Saturday night’s Sprint Car Racing Association 30 lap feature race at Manzanita Speedway.
Griffin, who has won the SCRA driving championship the past two years and was runner up in ‘96 and ‘97, made it four wins in five starts on the Manzanita half mile track as he started third, grabbed the lead from Rickie Gaunt of Torrance, CA on the ninth lap and never looked back in building his commanding lead.
Jones, who races out of Corona, CA, was eighth at the green flag but drove his way to second by the 18th lap. However, he was no match for "The Gasman" as he watched Griffin pull away to a six second advantage. Jones blew his left rear tire in the final turn and that allowed Griffin to cross the line with the huge advantage.
Rip Williams of Yorba Linda, CA started on the pole and finished third, his highest finish of the year at Manzanita. Gaunt was locked in a four car battle for fourth and held off the night’s quickest qualifier, Bob Ream, Jr. of Phoenix, Mike Boat of Peoria and Mike Kirby of Lomita, CA..
The race was red flagged twice for hard crashes. Patrick Sallaway of Phoenix flipped on the tenth lap and Hank Winter became involved in a three car tangle and flipped three times on the eleventh circuit. No drivers were injured.
Ream, who has been perfect in three starts with the Arizona Sprint Car Asscociation was hoping to get his first ever top ten finish with the tough SCRA and he was impressive to say the least. He shocked the field as he took his Ereth’s Chiropractic sprinter to a fast lap of 19.31 seconds (93.215 mph) and set his first ever fast time. He then drove from 7th to 3rd in the Super Trapp Mufflers heat race to earn a spot in the J.E. Pistons Passing Masters trophy dash where he earned a third row start by finishing fifth.
Brian Venard of Tustin, CA went wire to wire to win the Super Trapp heat race over Troy Rutherford of Ojai, CA, Ream and Jones. Griffin put on a driving clinic in the Shaver Engines heat as he came from sixth to first and easily bested Arizona champion Charles Davis, Jr. of Chandler, AZ, Williams and Mike English of Norwalk, CA. Mike Kirby was equally impressive as he drove the Brad and Nancy Geurin sprinter out of the third row to win the KSE Racing Products heat race. Trailing him to the checkered flag were Gaunt, Keith Williamson of Pomona, CA and Boat. The Design 500 heat race went to Steve Ostling of Corona, CA who took the measure of Winter, Lance Grimmet of San Marcos, CA and John Scott of Hesperia, CA.
Williams earned the pole for the feature with a win in the J.E. Pistons Passing Masters trophy dash with Gaunt, Griffin, Boat, Ream, Scott, English and Jones trailing.
Jeremy Sherman of Phoenix, who had a win and two second place finishes in his last three starts at Manzanita, went wire to wire to win the 12 lap semi main over second generation driver Casey Shuman of Tempe, AZ, J Hicks of Torrance, CA, Sallaway, Rob Davis of Chandler, AZ, and Kaylene Verville, also of Chandler who all transferred to the feature. Davis, who flipped in the fourth heat was an unexpected participant in the semi but managed to get into the field and then finished 13th in the feature.
SUMMARY
Main event (30 laps) 1. Richard Griffin 2. Tony Jones 3. Rip Williams 4. Rickie Gaunt 5. Bob Ream, Jr. 6. Mike Boat 7. Mike Kirby 8. Steve Ostling 9. Mike English 10. John Scott 11. Casey Shuman 12. Troy Rutherford 13. Rob Davis 14. Lance Grimet 15, Charles Davis, Jr. 16. J Hicks 17. Kaylene Verville 18. Keith Williamson 19. Brian Venard 20. Hank Winter 21. Jeremy Sherman 22. Patrick Sallaway
(Lap leaders–Gaunt, 1-8 Griffin, 9-30)
Semi main (12 laps) 1. Jeremy Sherman 2. Casey Shuman 3. J Hicks 4. Patrick Sallaway 5. Rob Davis 6. Kaylene Verville 7. Rick Hinrichsen 8. Steve Cushman 9. Brandon Lane 10. Dave Culp
Passing Masters Dash (6 laps) 1. Rip Williams 2. Rickie Gaunt 3. Richard Griffin 4. Mike Boat 5. Bob Ream, Jr. 6. John Scott 7. Mike English 8. Tony Jones
lst heat (10 laps) 1.Brian Venard 2. Troy Rutherford 3. Bob Ream, Jr. 4. Tony Jones 5. J Hicks 6. Jeremy Sherman 7. Patrick Sallaway 8. Bobby Graham
2nd heat (10 laps) 1. Richard Griffin 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Rip Williams 4. Mike English 5. Kaylene Verville 6. Rodney Argo 7. Kenneth Webster
3rd heat (10 laps) 1. Mike Kirby 2. Rickie Gaunt 3. Keith Williamson 4. Mike Boat 5. Rick Hinrichsen 6. Steve Cushman 7. Brandon Lane
4th heat (10 laps) 1. Steve Ostling 2. Hank Winter 3. Lance Gremett 4. John Scott 5. Dave Culp 6. Casey Shuman 7. Rob Davis
******
Phoenix, AZ(May 13) Drivers are fond of saying that they would rather be lucky than good; however when you are both it almost always pays off with a trip to the winner’s circle which was the case for Bob Ream, Jr. in the Grainger Industrial Supply 25 lap sprint car feature race Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway.
Ream kept his record perfect as he won his third Arizona Sprint Car Association feature race in as many starts but it took some doing. The 1998 champion started eighth, wrested the lead from Dan Fredenberg on the ninth lap and then held off the ‘99 champion Charles Davis, Jr. until traffic forced him off the end of the one third mile track on the 14th lap.
Davis, who had started sixth, jumped to a three second advantage before "The Bullet" could recover. Ream drove like a man possessed as he set sail after Davis. He was closing fast when fate dealt Davis a bad hand. He started losing air from the right rear of the Joe Morales non winged sprinter with about five laps remaining and Ream made a low side pass on lap #24. He made the drive to victory lane for the 31st time in ASCA competition with Davis, remarkably, able to increase his points lead with a second place finish dispite the flat tire.
Ream’s fans felt that their favorite driver would have won regardless of Davis’ misfortune. However, "Charging Charlie’s" supporters were just as adamant in insisting that their driver would have been able to win his third of the year. Anyway, the question was moot.
Tony Smiley, Davis’ brother-in-law, finished a strong third while the 1997 champion Josh Pelkey turned in the best passing job as he drove from 14th to finish fourth. Fredenberg, who started on the pole by virtue of his trophy dash win, finished fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Eric Wilkins, Ricky Johnson, Marty Miller, Rob Davis and Nathan High.
With four rookies in the 20 car starting field and scary three abreast racing, the sprinters outdid themselves with an accident free feature. Fourteen cars finished on the lead lap.
Rob Davis came out of the sixth row to snare a final lap victory in the 12 lap semi main. Pelkey led the first 11 laps but Davis raced by in the final turn to get the win. High finished third.
The 27 car was divided into three 10 lap heat races which were won by Fredenberg, rookie driver Steve Wolff and Jimmy Owens who set a ten lap record by averaging 79.05 mph on the one third mile track.
Jeff Gibson, a former Arizona NASCAR Grand American Modified champion, proved to be as good on the Manzanita half mile dirt as he has been on pavement as he went wire to wire for his first IMCA dirt modified win. Gibson became the sixth winner in as many races as he easily beat Bob Sanders, Joe Warner, Rick Ward and Ricky Thornton in the 15 lap feature. Behind them were Bill Kratchmer, Robert King, Karl Tipton, Ron Poe and Paul Taylor.
After a great drive from last (10th) to first in his heat race, Kenny Hatfield figured to be Gibson’s main competition but mechanical woes kept him out of the race when the green flag dropped. He finally joined the field but not until five laps had been completed.
Hatfield’s drive through the pack in the second heat race ended with a final turn pass on Bob Sanders that got him the win. Gibson had earlier won the first heat over Darin Center and Rick Ward who entered the night’s races tied with Hatfield for the points lead.
GRAINGER INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CHAMPIONSHIPS SUMMARY
ARIZONA SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION
Main event: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Tony Smiley 4. Josh Pelkey 5. Dan Fredenberg
6. Eric Wilkins 7. Ricky Johnson 8. Marty Miller 9. Rob Davis 10. Nathan High 11. Micky Meyer 12. Steve Wolff 13. Jimmy Owen 14. Fred Bryan 15. Terry Belcher, Jr. 16. Marc Teason 17. Carrie Smiley 18. Matthew Rossi 19. John Kuescher 20. Brandon Lane (Time: 7:00.90)
Semi main: 1. Rob Davis 2. Josh Pelkey 3. Nathan High 4. Brandon Lane 5. Marc Teason 6. Matthew Rossi 7. John Kuescher 8. Carrie Smiley 9. Jason Sutphen 10. Theo McCarty 11. Jay Ervine 12. Mike Martin 13. Davey Bateman 14. Michael Sampson 15. Ashley Corey
lst heat: 1. Dan Fredenberg 2. Fred Bryan 3. Terry Belcher, Jr. 4. Eric Wilkins 5. Marc Teason 6. Brandon Lane 7. John Kuescher 8. Jason Sutphen 9. Michael Sampson (Time: 2:38.12)
2nd heat: 1. Steve Wolff 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Bob Ream, Jr. 4. Marty Miller 5. Josh Pelkey 6. Theo McCarty 7. Matthew Rossi 8. Mike Martin 9. Jay Ervine (Time: 2:36.59)
3rd heat: 1. Jimmy Owens 2. Tony Smiley 3. Mickey Meyer 4. Ricky Johnson 5. Nathan High 6. Davey Bateman 7. Carrie Smiley 8. Ashley Corey 9. Rob Davis (Time: 2:31.84, New 10 lap record)
Trophy dash: 1. Dan Fredenberg 2. Steve Wolff 3. Tony Smiley 4. Fred Bryan 5. Jimmy Owens 6. Charles Davis, Jr. (Time: 1:31.00)
INTERNATIONAL MOTOR CONTEST ASSOCIATION DIRT MODIFIEDS
Main event: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Bob Sanders 3. Joe Warner 4. Rick Ward 5. Ricky Thornton 6. Bill Kretchmer 7. Robert King 8. Karl Tipton 9. Ron Poe 10. Paul Taylor 11. Mark Harger 12. Darin Center 13. Chris Cross 14. Kenny Hatfield 15. Darrell Van Bruggen 16. Randy Harrison 17. Mark Williams
1st heat: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Darin Center 3. Rick Ward 4. Joe Warner 5. Ricky Thornton 6. Adam Crippen 7. Chris Cross 8. Darrell Van Bruggen 9. Bill Kretchmer 10. Mark Williams
2nd heat: 1. Kenny Hatfield 2. Bob Sanders 3. Karl Tipton 4. Ron Poe 5. Robert King 6. Randy Harrison 7. Mark Hargar 8. Robbie Gabbard 9. Paul Taylor 10. Rene Madrid
******
Phoenix, AZ (May 6) You could say it was a "groovy" night at Manzanita Speedway as the 76 drivers in four divisions, used every groove on Manzy's one third mile track to try to gain advantage.
Steve Sussex, Jr. used both the low groove and the high side of the track to bring the Larry Young midget from its eighth starting berth to lead the final four laps and score his first main event win of the year.
Mike Parker Shot out front at the drop of flagman Pete Steel's green flag and led the first six laps before yielding to David Birmingham, Jr. who started sixth. Birmingham stayed on the low side of the wind blown track while Sussex was pushing the narrow cushion. The high groove was quicker through turns one and two but the low side worked better at the other end. There were numerous lead changes on the back straightaway until Sussex finally took command. Mike Leslie started and finished third, Bob Ellis was fourth and Ronnie Clark, making his first start of the year drove from 17th to fifth. Rounding out the top ten were David Rosales, Parker, Bryce Hatfield, Lonnie Oliver and John Grau.
The super stock feature was more of the same as George Fronsman beat Ron Funk into the first turn and then went side by side with Doug Shadd for the first half of the 20 lap feature. Fronsman used the high groove and held off Shadd for five laps. Then he led each of the next six laps on the back stretch only to see Shadd pass him back in turn four. Shadd officially lead the final 14 laps for his third win of the year.
Fronsman brought his car home in second and Kevin Willer managed a late lap pass on Anthony Madrid to finish third. Behind them were Don Costa, Jeffrey Price, Jerry Fincher, Bill King, Kenny Gill and Steve Bender.
Tony Martin made it two in a row in the Desert Dwarf Cars as he took the lead when Casey Cain suffered mechanical problems with two laps remaining in the 15 lap feature. Martin started eighth and methodically worked his way to the front to finish ahead of Art Garcia and Rick Setser. Behind them were Danny Matthews, Rick Kochanowski, George Rosenick, John Cain, Craig Austin, Charles Matthews and Bob Suor.
Jeff Greszler overtook Troy Johnson at the midpoint of the mini sprint car feature and then held off hard charging Killey Fellars for the win. Ron Pickering took the checkered flag in third, Johnson was fourth and former champion Dave Alexander was fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Kevin Wolfe, Randy Carder, Corey Gaulden, Bill Matson and Rick Alexander.
SUMMARY
MIDGETS
Main event: 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. David Birmingham, Jr. 3. Mike Leslie 4. Bob Ellis 5. Ronnie Clark 6. David Rosales 7. Mike Parker 8. Bryce Hatfield 9. Lonnie Oliver 10. John Grau 11. Trey Turner 12. Bugs Norbury 13. Matthew Rossi 14. Pat Gintonio 15. Dean Daly 16. Mike Welker 17. Michael Burkhart
lst heat; 1.Mike Welker 2. Bob Ellis 3. Steve Sussex, Jr.4. Mike Leslie 5. Michael Burkhart 6. Trey Turner 7. David Rosales 8. Dean Daly
2nd heat: 1. Bugs Norbury 2. David Birmingham, Jr. 3. Mike Parker 4. Matthew Rossi 5. Lonnie Oliver 6. Bryce Hatfield 7. John Grau
Trophy Dash: 1. Bugs Norbury 2. Matthew Rossi 3. Mike Welker 4. Lonnie Oliver
SUPER STOCKS
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. George Fronsman 3. Kevin Willer 4. Anthony Madrid 5. Don Costa 6. Jeffrey Price 7. Jerry Fincher 8. Bill King 9. Kenny Gill 10. Steve Bender 11. Dale Wall
12. Mike Van Winkle 13. Doug Baccus 14. Jack Dubois 15. Mark Hafemeyer 16. Ron Funk 17. Joe Sarginger
1st heat: 1. Ron Funk 2. Anthony Madrid 3. Dale Wall 4. Kevin Willer 5. Joe Sarginger 6. Bill King 7. Kenny Gill 8. Doug Baccus 9. Mike Van Winkle
2nd heat: 1. George Fronsman 2. Doug Shadd 3. Don Costa 4. Steve Bender 5. Jerry Fincher 6. Jeffrey Price 7. Jack Dubois
Trophy dash: 1. Doug Shadd 2. George Fronsman 3. Joe Sarginger 4. Don Costa
DWARF CARS
Main event: 1. Tony Martin 2. Art Garcia 3. Rick Setser 4. Troy Johnson 5. Rick Kochanowski 6. George Rosnick 7. John Cain 8. Craig Austin 9. Charles Matthews 10. Bob Sour 11. Jason Wallace 12. Peter Lang 13. Jim Hawver 14. Jeff Clearwater 15. Casey Cain 16. Matt Tipton 17. Chris Cathcart 18. Dennis Wutzke 19. Tony Hinsley 20. Bob Johnson 21. Spencer Rexall 22. Ed Martin
1st heat: 1. Casey Cain 2. John Cain 3. Ed Martin 4. Rick Kochanowski 5. George Rosnick 6. Craig Austin 7. Spencer Rexall
2nd heat: 1. Bob Johnson 2. Danny Matthews 3. Jeff Clearwater 4. Jason Wallace 5. Peter Lang 6. Charles Matthews 7. Kevin Cain 8. Joe Swonger
3rd heat: 1. Bob Sour 2. Tony Martin 3. Art Garcia 4. Rick Setser 5. Jim Hawver 6. Tony Hinsley 7. Dennis Wutzke
Trophy dash: 1. Charles Matthews 2. Craig Austin 3. Art Garcia 4. George Rosnick
MINI SPRINTS
Main event: 1. Jeff Greszler 2. Killey Fellars 3. Ron Pickering 4. Troy Johnson 5. Dave Alexander 6. Kevin Wolfe 7. Randy Carder 8. Corey Gaulden 9. Bill Matson 10. Rick Alexander 11. Josh Foster 12. Danny Mathus 13. Bill Farrington 14. Ronnie Cola 15. Brian Clark 16. Brandon George
1st heat: 1. Brandon George 2. Jeff Greszler 3. Killey Fellars 4. Troy Johnson 5. Bill Matson 6. Brian Clark 7. Danny Mathus 8. Bill Farrington 9. Ronnie Cola
2nd heat: 1. Ron Pickering 2. Dave Alexander 3. Kevin Wolfe 4. Corey Gaulden 5. Rick Alexander 6. Randy Carder 7. Josh Foster 8. Dennis Parks
Trophy dash: 1. Dave Alexander 2. Jeff Greszler 3. Dennis Parks 4. Troy Johnson
********
Phoenix, AZ (April 29) As Yogi Berra once said, it was deja vu all over again as Richard Griffin and Jeremy Sherman hooked up in a race long duel that ended with Griffin edging out a 1.13 second advantage for his third win in four tries this year at Manzanita Speedway.
The one two finish by Griffin and Sherman was the same as the last visit by the Sprint Car Racing Association on March 18th but this one was closer and provided more lead changes.
Hank Winter, the 1999 SCRA rookie of the year beat Griffin into the first turn and led his first lap ever in a SCRA main event. Griffin then took over until Sherman took advantage of traffic on the 12th lap to put the Bill & Lida Lloyd Ellis Race Car sprinter to the front. Winter also moved by Griffin but gave up the second spot to the defending champion a couple of laps later when Griffin put on an infamous ‘Manzanita slide job" and set sail after Sherman.
By driving deep into turn #3 on lap 21 Griffin put the Ron Chaffin sprinter back out front and then held off a late charge by Sherman to increase his points lead in his quest for a third straight driving title.
Sherman mananged to get inside Griffin on the last lap but fell short in his try for his second win of the year.
Winter had his best career finish as he brought the Truck Works special home in third ahead of two time California sprint car champion Brad Noffsinger who just managed to edge Steve Ostling.
With all eyes on the battle for the lead an impressive drive by Tony Jones was missed by many in attendance. After mechanical problems kept Jones from getting in a qualifying run he tagged the 12 lap semi main and worked his way to a transfer spot for the 30 lap feature. After starting last in the 22 car field, Jones, who was ranked fifth in points heading into the Manzanita speedfest, threaded his way through the pack to finish 7th, just behind Troy Rutherford.
Charles Davis, Jr., the two time Arizona sprint car champion, flipped on lap 24 and was the only driver to fail to finish the feature. Davis was uninjured in the crash.
Winter earned his first ever pole position with a win in the J.E. Pistons Passing Masters trophy dash and Griffin used a last lap pass to get the other front row position.
Rickie Gaunt who was seeking a third straight SCRA feature win won the 12 lap semi main ahead of Verne Sweeney, Marc Hart, Rodney Argo and Brandon Lane.
Heat races were won by Cory Kruseman, Patrick Sallaway, Rick Ziehl and Mike English.
Tony Martin went wire to wire for his first career win with the Desert Dwarf Cars. Martin led all fifteen laps to edge Kevin Cain, Art Garcia, Rodney Sprugasi and Dennis Wutzke.
John Cain won the first heat race and Martin topped the field in the second heat.
.
SUMMARY
SCRA SPRINT CARS
Main event (30 laps) 1. Richard Griffin 2. Jeremy Sherman 3. Hank Winter 4. Brad Noffsinger 5. Steve Ostling 6. Troy Rutherford 7. Tony Jones 8. Rickie Gaunt 9. John Scott 10. Marc Hart 11. Verne Sweeney 12. Rip Williams 13. Jordan Hermansader 14. Rick Ziehl 15. Brandon Lane 16. Casey Shsuman 17. Mike English 18. Patrick Sallaway 19. Cory Kruseman 20. Rodney Argo 21. Mike Boat 22. Charles Davis, Jr.
Semi main (12 laps) 1. Rickie Gaunt 2. Verne Sweeney 3. Marc Hart 4. Rodney Argo 5. Brandon Lane 6. Tony Jones 7. Rob Davis 8. Fred Bryan 9. Rick Hinrichsen 10. Brian Venard 11. Lance Gremett 12. Kenneth Webster 13. Ricky Johnson 14. Steve Stone
Heat races (10 laps)
lst: 1. Cory Kruseman 2. Rip Williams 3. Steve Ostling 4. Richard Griffin 5. Rob Davis 6. Marc Hart 7. Brian Venard 8. Lance Grimett
2nd: 1. Patrick Sallaway 2. Hank Winter 3. Brad Noffsinger 4. Casey Shuman 5. Verne Sweeney 6. Rodney Argo 7. George Gervais 8. Ricky Johnson
3rd: 1. Rick Ziehl 2. Charlie Davis, Jr. 3. John Scott 4. Troy Rutherford 5. Rick Hinrichsen 6. Kenneth Webster 7. Brandon Lane
4th: 1. Mike English 2. Mike Boat 3. Jordan Hermansader 4. Jeremy Sherman 5. Fred Bryan 6. Rickie Gaunt 7. Steve Stone
Passing Masters trophy dash (6 laps) 1. Hank Winter 2. Richard Griffin 3. Troy Rutherford 4. Jeremy Sherman 5. John Scott 6. Mike Boat 7. Brad Noffsinger 8. Steve Ostling
DWARF CARS
Main event (15 laps) 1. Tony Martin 2. Kevin Cain 3. Art Garcia 4. Rodney Sprugasi 5. Dennis Wutzke 6. Rick Setser 7. George Rosnick 8. Joe Swonger 9. Ed Martin 10. Jim Hawver 11. Tony Hinsley 12. John Cain 13. Charles Matthews 14. Rick Kochanowski 15. Chris Cathcart 16. Danny Mathews 17. Peter Lang 18. Bob Johnson
lst heat (8 laps) 1. John Cain 2. Art Garcia 3. George Rosnick 4. Chris Cathcart 5. Tony Hinsley 6. Rodney Sprugasi 7. Rick Kochanowski 8. Kevin Cain 9. Peter Lang
2nd heat (8 laps) 1. Tony Martin 2. Charlie Matthews 3. Dennis Wutzke 4. Danny Matthews 5. Rick Setser 6. Joe Swonger 7. Ed Martin 8. Bob Johnson 9. Jim Hawver
******
Phoenix, AZ (April 22) Bob Ream, Jr. called his 30th career win at Manzanita Speedway the most fun he has ever had in a race and those in attendance Saturday night were unanimous in agreeing that it ranked as one of the best to watch.
Ream started ninth in the 20 car field that included seven other drivers with a combined sixteen driving championships and used every line on Manzy’s one third mile track to get to the front at the midpoint of the 25 lap feature.
"With no yellow flags to help and with the guys in front going side by side we were sometimes three abreast out there," the exuberant Ream said. "My car was working both high and low but when I saw that Marty (Miller, the leader of laps 8-12) was keeping it low I knew that I could go faster on the outside of the track,’ he explained.
Miller, the 1999 rookie of the year with four main event wins, wrested the lead from Tony Smiley and managed to build a three car length lead while Smiley, Dan Fredenberg, Mike Martin and Ream were fighting for positions behind him. Once into second, Ream steadily closed the gap and after running side by side with Miller for two laps he took command and finished four seconds ahead of the field.
Miller hung on for second, Rob Davis made a late race charge from his 12th starting spot to claim third, Smiley was fourth and Fredenberg took fifth. Martin, a former super stock car champion finished sixth, USAC midget ace Jerry Coons, Jr. was seventh, Josh Pelkey the 1997 sprint car champion crossed the line in eighth, Fred Bryan got ninth and two time champion Charles Davis, Jr. was tenth.
The semi main had some big name drivers fighting for transfer spots with Pelkey beating four time champion Ricky Johnson, Nathan High, Fred Bryan and Eric Wilkins.
Miller beat Coons and Ream in the first heat race, Gregg Sitko got his first ever win by beating Martin and Matthew Rossi in the second heat and Smiley was better than Fredenberg and Terry Belcher, Jr. in the third heat. Fredenberg earned the pole for the feature by winning the trophy dash.
Darren Williams went wire to wire to win the 15 lap International Motor Contest Association dirt modified feature on Manzanita’s half mile track. If his car was equipped with a rear view mirror he would have seen some of the tightest racing of the year behind him.Kerry Campbell quickly moved from fifth to second and then it was a five car battle to settle the runner up spot. Campbell hung on but Kenny Hatfield, after starting 11th, was a very close third. Just behind Hatfield were Darin Center and Rick Ward. Rounding out the top ten were Paul Taylor, Ricky Thornton, Buster Kirk, Bill Kretchmer and John Gannis.
Taylor finished ahead of Center and Bob Sanders in the night’s first heat, Ward beat Ron Poe and Thornton in the second heat and Jeff Gibson bested Campbell and Hatfield in the third heat.
SUMMARY
ARIZONA SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION
1st heat: 1. Marty Miller 2. Jerry Coons, Jr. 3. Bob Ream, Jr. 4. Charles Davis, Jr. 5. Nathan High 6. Ricky Johnson 7. Eric Wilkins 8. Asa Kesterson (Time: 2:05.93)
2nd heat: 1. Gregg Sitko 2. Mike Martin 3. Matthew Rossi 4. Tom Lee 5. Brandon Lane 6. Jason Sutphen 7. Steve Wolff 8. Michael Sampson (No time, yellow flag)
3rd heat: 1. Tony Smiley 2. Dan Fredenberg 3. Terry Belcher, Jr. 4. Rob Davis, 5. Josh Pelkey 6.
Fred Bryan 7. Marc Teason 8. Bruce Beason (Time: 2:04.59)
Trophy dash: 1. Dan Fredenberg 2. Tony Smiley 3. Marty Miller 4. Mike Martin 5. Jerry Coons, Jr. 6. Gregg Sitko (Time: 1:32.12)
Semi main: 1. Josh Pelkey 2. Ricky Johnson 3. Nathan High 4. Fred Bryan 5. Eric Wilkins 6. Jason Sutphen 7. Steve Wolff 8. Asa Kesterson 9. Marc Teason 10. Michael Sampson
Main event (25 laps): 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Marty Miller 3. Rob Davis 4. Tony Smiley 5. Dan Fredenberg 6. Mike Martin 7. Jerry Coons, Jr. 8. Josh Pelkey 9. Fred Bryan 10. Charles Davis, Jr. 11. Nathan High 12. Eric Wilkins 13. Ricky Johnson 14. Jason Sutphen 15. Terry Belcher, Jr. 16. Steve Wolff 17. Matthew Rossi 18. Gregg Sitko 19. Asa Kesterson 20. Tom Lee
Lap leaders: Tony Smiley, 1-7--Marty Miller, 8-12–Bob Ream, Jr., 13-25
INTERNATIONAL MOTOR CONTEST ASSOCIATION DIRT MODIFIEDS
1st heat: 1. Paul Taylor 2. Darin Center 3. Bob Sanders 4. Darren Williams 5. Hank Logue 6. Bill Kretchmer 7. John Gannis (Time: 2:40.72)
2nd heat: 1. Rick Ward 2. Ron Poe 3. Ricky Thornton 4. Karl Tipton 5. Rene Madrid 6. Darrell Van Bruggen (Time: 2:37.90)
3rd heat: 1. Jeff Gibson 2. Kerry Campbell 3. Kenny Hatfield 4. Randy Harrison 5. Buster Kirk 6. Jim Hurd 7. Randy Gabbard (No time, yellow flag)
Main event (15 laps) 1. Darren Williams 2. Kerry Campbell 3. Kenny Hatfield 4. Darin Center 5. Rick Ward 6. Paul Taylor 7. Ricky Thornton 8. Buster Kirk 9. Bill Kretchmer 10. John Gannis 11. Darrell Van Bruggen 12. Jeff Gibson 13. Ron Poe 14. Jim Hurd 15. Bob Sanders 16. Randy Harrison 17. Rene Madrid 18. Dave Van Bruggen 19. Hank Logue 20. Karl Tipton.
Lap leaders: Darren Williams, 1-15
*******
Phoenix, AZ (April 15)You needed a keen eye to determine the winners in two of the three feature races run at Manzanita Speedway Saturday night as the both the midget main event and the dwarf car feature ended in virtual dead heats.
Two time champion Bob Ellis grabbed the lead from a slowing Mike Parker on the 18th lap and then held off a hard charging Steve Sussex, Jr. to win the midget race by less than three feet. Earlier, Sandy Matthews edged into the lead at the checkered flag and scored his first ever win by about two inches over race long leader John Cain.
There was no suspense in the Super Stock Car feature as Doug Shadd, moved to the front at the drop of the green and crossed the finish line 1.94 seconds ahead of Ron Funk
Mike Welker beat Parker into the first turn in the Midget feature and looked unbeatable until his car gave up on the fifth lap. Parker, looking for his first ever win, took over and kept the Pennzoil machine in front until he started slowing in the late stages.
Ellis gave chase to Parker until he relinquished the runnerup spot to Bobby Seals on the 13th lap. Seals, up from his 12th starting spot, tried an outside pass for the lead but ran over the right rear of Parker’s car and Ellis took advantage to reclaim second. Seals tried to get it back but touched Ellis in trying to make the pass and spun off the end of the track bring out the yellow flag with only two laps remaining.
Ellis shot past Parker on the restart and Sussex, up from ninth almost stole the race at the checkered flag.
David Birmingham, Jr crossed the line in third ahead of Mike Leslie and Robert Marfia, Jr. Parker faded to sixth.
Welker beat Marfia and Matthew Rossi in the first heat while Ellis bested Parker and Leslie in the second heat. Sussex won the trophy dash.
Former champion John Cain shot from third to first at the green flag and kept his 33 Willys Coupe copy in front until he slipped wide in the final turn and Matthews won a drag race to the finish line. Pole sitter Tony Martin finished third, Art Garcia fourth and Casey Cain took fifth.
John Cain beat Casey Cain and Rick Setser in the first heat and Rodney Sprugasci was better than Martin and Matthews in the second heat. Setser caputred the dash.
Shadd had the pole for the second straight Super Stock Car race on the half mile track and that was more than enough advantage as he maintained a comfortable lead throughout the 15 lapper. The battle behind him was something else, however. George Fronsman, Funk, Anthony Madrid and David Glover had their own private war going for runnerup honors. Funk rode the outside groove to edge Madrid for second while Glover, up from seventh, took fourth with Fronsman fifth.
Rick Madird barely edged Shadd and Glover in the first heat, Anthony Madrid beat Fronsman and Joe Sarginer in the second heat and rookie driver Jeff Stafford kept Funk and Mike Van Winkle behind him to win the third heat. Shadd also won the trophy dash.
SUMMARY
ARIZONA MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION
lst heat: 1. Mike Welker 2. Robert Marfia, Jr. 3. Matt Rossi 4. Bugs Norbury 5. Lonnie Oliver 6. Steve Sussex, Jr. (Time: 1:33.57)
2nd heat: 1. Bob Ellis 2. Mike Parker 3. Mike Leslie 4. David Birmingham, Jr. 5. Bobby Seals 6. Dean Daly (Time: 1:33.31)
Trophy dash; 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Matt Rossi 3. Lonnie Oliver 4. Mike Leslie
Main event: 1. Bob Ellis 2. Steve Sussex, Jr. 3. David Birmingham, Jr. 4. Mike Leslie 5. Robert Marfia, Jr. 6. Mike Parker 7. Matt Rossi 8. Lonnie Oliver 9. Bobby Seals 10. Bugs Norbury 11. Mike Welker
Lap Leaders: Welker, 1-4 Parker, 5-18 Ellis, 19-20
DESERT DWARF CARS
lst heat: 1. John Cain 2. Casey Cain 3. Rick Setser 4. Art Garcia 5. Tony Hinsley 6. George Rosnick 7. Craig Austin 8. Peter Lang 9. Chris Cathcart 10. Creed Wheaton (Time: 2:01.90)
2nd heat: 1. Rodney Sprugasci 2. Tony Martin 3. Sandy Matthews 4. Al Laredo 5. Dennis Wutzke 6. Danny Matthews 7. Jason Wallace 8. Joe Swonger 9. Kevin Cain 10. Ed Martin (Time 2:03.37)
Trophy dash: 1. Rick Setser 2. Ed Martin 3. Al Loredo 4. Rodney Sprugasci (Time: 1:26.50)
Main event: 1. Sandy Matthews 2. John Cain 3. Tony Martin 4. Art Garcia 5. Casey Cain 6. Tony Hinsley 7. Rodney Sprugasci 8. Rick Setser 9. Danny Matthews 10. Ed Martin 11. Dennis Wutzke 12. George Rosnick 13. Peter Lang 14. Chris Cathcart 15. Joe Swonger 16. Creed Wheaton 17. Al Loredo 18. Craig Austin 19. Jason Wallace
Lap Leaders; John Cain, 1-14 Matthews, 15
STOCK CAR RACING ASSOCIATION SUPER STOCKS (½ MILE TRACK)
1st heat: 1. Rick Madrid 2. Doug Shadd 3. David Glover 4. Bob Colclasure 5. Don Costa 6. Doug Baccus 7. Susie Rupple 8. Mark Hafemeyer 9. Les Knox (Time: 2:41.69)
2nd heat: 1. Anthony Madrid 2. George Fronsman 3. Joe Sarginger 4. Jeffrey Price 5. Dale Wall 6. David White 7. Jack Dubois (Time: 2:33.75)
3rd heat: 1. Jeff Stafford 2. Ron Funk 3. Mike Van Winkle 4. Emery Dodd 5. Dean Woodruff (DNS Kevin Willer and Mike Ostrum) (Time: 2:37.34)
Trophy dash: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Jeffrey Price 3. Ron Funk 4. Anthony Madrid (Time: 1:18.22)
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Ron Funk 3. Anthony Madrid 4. David Glover 5. George Fronsman 6. Jeffrey Price 7. Mike Van Winkle 8. Joe Sarginger 9. Doug Baccus 10. Dean Woodruff 11. Susie Rupple 12. Heath Dry 13. David White 14. Mark Hafemeyer 15. Don Costa 16. Dale Wall 17. Rick Madrid 18. Jeff Stafford 19. Emery Dodd 20. Bob Colclasure 21. Jack Dubois
Lap leaders: Shadd, 1-15
****
Phoenix, AZ (April 8) Jeff Slinkard made only one error in the 25 lap Interstate Wreck Rebuilders main event Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway but that mistake gave two time Empire Cup champion Calvin Landis the win in the season opener for the Sprint Car Owners Association and their return to Manzy.
Slinkard’s winged sprinter was a rocket on Manzanita’s one third mile oval as he dominated the first 17 laps. He shot past Steve Cushman at the drop of the green and withstood a race halting six car pileup on the first lap and numerous yellow flags to pull away from the field. However, Slinkard pushed high in trying to lap a slower car on the 18th lap, did a 360 degree spin and watched as the field, headed by Landis, roared past. Slinkard’s one mistake cost him ten positions as he was scored 11th at the checkered flag.
Landis lined up in the third row for the first green flag and managed to avoid the massive pile up that saw Bob Ream, Jr flip and also sidelined Jeff Wheeler, Rick Sipes and Jeff Branaman. For the first ten laps Landis was mired in the fifth spot but finally moved past Cushman, Mike Boat and Bobby Marcum to get into contention. He was running about three seconds behind Slinkard when disaster struck the leader. Landis managed to pull away from the field with his Corporate Air Mechanical Service/Landis Motorsport machine and held a 2.5 second advantage over Marcum at the checkered flag. Ricky Hood drove his way from 13th to finish third while Jeremy Sherman, after being involved in the first lap crash, made a late charge that netted him a fourth place paycheck. Mike Boat, making his first winged start in years, finished fifth.
Jimmy Norman beat Jeff Branaman in the 12 lap semi main and, after starting 17th, moved to seventh before tangling with Kaylene Verville and eventually finished ninth.
Empire Cup drivers turned out in full force for their first race at Manzanita since the 1996 season with 28 cars jamming into the pits.
John Harris became the first winner of SCOA’s 2000 season as he beat Boat and J.R. Patton in the first heat race. Verville edged Marcum and Sherman in the second heat, Landis finished ahead of Cushman and Keith Watkins in the third heat and Ream held off Slinkard and Wheeler in the fourth heat. Landis made it a clean sweep with a win in the Sanders Engineering trophy dash.
Doug Shadd, the 1999 Stock Car Racing Association super stock car champion found the half mile track to his liking as he swept the field winning his heat, the dash and the 15 lap feature.
Shadd started the feature in the second row and slipped past Anthony Madrid on the fourth lap then cruised to a 2.9 second win. While the leader was never seriously challenged, the battle for second was furious with Anthony Madrid holding off Rick Madrid, Ron Funk and George Fronsman.
Shadd came out of the third row to win his heat race. He finished ahead of Funk and Rick Madrid. Jeffrey Price was best in the second heat with a narrow win over Anthony Madrid and Fronsman.
SUMMARY
EMPIRE CUP SPRINT CARS (1/3 MILE TRACK)
lst heat: 1. John Harris 2. Mike Boat 3. J.R. Patton 4. Ricky Hood 5. Rick Sipes, 6. Jim Aragon (Time: 1:53.87)
2nd heat: 1. Kaylene Verville 2. Bobby Marcum 3. Jeremy Sherman 4. Steve Martin 5. Jeff Branaman 6. Buddy Ray Earle (Time: 1:45.47)
3rd heat: 1. Calvin Landis 2. Steve Cushman 3. Keith Watkins 4. Tom Saenz 5.Jimmy Norman 6. Patrick Sallaway 7. Dave Culp (No time, yellow flag)
4th heat: 1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Jeff Slinkard 3. Jeff Wheeler 4. Tim Vesley 5. Don Sink 6. Zachary Salamone 7. Steve Stone (Time: 1:51.43)
Semi main: 1. Jimmy Norman 2. Jeff Branaman 3. Rick Sipes 4. Don Sink 5. Jim Aragon 6. Zachary Salamone 7. Steve Stone 8. Buddy Ray Earle
Main event: 1. Calvin Landis 2. Bobby Marcum 3. Ricky Hood 4. Jeremy Sherman 5. Mike Boat 6. J.R. Patton 7. Steve Martin 8. Steve Cushman 9. Jimmy Norman 10. Kaylene Verville 11. Jeff Slinkard 12. John Harris 13. Buddy Ray Earle 14. Tim Vesley 15. Jim Aragon 16. Keith Watkins 17. Tom Saenz 18. Steve Stone 19. Don Sink 20. Zachary Salamone 21. Bob Ream, Jr. 22. Jeff Wheeler 23. Jeff Branaman 24. Rick Sipes
STOCK CAR RACING ASSOCIATION SUPER STOCKS (½ MILE TRACK)
1st heat: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Ron Funk 3. Rick Madrid 4. Rene Madrid 5. Don costa 6. Jerry Fincher 7. Kevin Willer 8. David Glover 9. Susie Rupple 10. Mike Van Winkle (Time: 2:31.50)
2nd heat: 1. Jeffrey Price 2. Anthony Madrid 3. George Fronsman 4. Bob Colclasure 5. Joe Sarginer 6. Doug Baccus 7. Mark Hafemeyer 8. Jack Dubois (No time)
Main event: 1. Doug Shadd 2. Anthony Madrid 3. Rick Madrid 4. Ron Funk 5. George Fronsman 6. Bob Colclasure 7. David Glover 8. Don Costa 9. Jeffrey Price 10. Joe Sarginer 11. Kevin Willer 12. Susie Rupple 13. Doug Baccus 14. Mike Van Winkle 15. Heath Dry 16. Jerry Fincher 17. Rene Madrid 18. Mark Hafemeyer 19. Jack Dubois
April 1, 2000
By Windy McDonald
Phoenix, AZ (April 1) Two time Arizona Sprint Car Association champion Charles Davis, Jr. added another jewel to his impressive resume as he won the first round of the Quality Bumper Company half mile track championships Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway.
Fresh from what many described as one of the best sprint car races of all time last week on Manzy’s one third mile track, fans were equally vocal in their praise of the first ever ASCA race on Manzanita Speedway’s famed half mile track , Saturday night. . After nine years of running on Manzanita’s one third mile oval and Arizona’s other short tracks, the drivers never missed a lick in switching to the big oval as Davis barely edged last year’s top rookie, Marty Miller, by a car length with four other drivers less that four seconds behind the winner.
While the raced marked the first time many of the drivers had ever raced on a half mile track, the entire field handled the higher speeds well as 15 cars finished the feature race and all of them were still on the lead lap. Rob Davis was involved in the night’s only serious accident as he flipped on the fourth lap but managed to walk away.
Even though Davis went led all the way after getting by pole sitter Rick Byler on the first lap, the win was not an easy one. Dan Fredenberg led briefly on the back straightaway in the closing laps and then Miller found a fast groove on the top of the track and almost pulled of the win. After finishing just .28 seconds behind the two time champion Marty, although happy with his first effort on the big track, moaned, " five more laps, just five more laps and I think I would have had him". Maybe, but Davis was not to be denied. He had the fastest heat race of the night averaging 85.429 mph, and utilized both the high side and low groove on the track to garner his first win of the year.
"Winning the first race ever on the half mile track is something special," said Davis in his winner’s circle interview. Davis, who had planned to compete with the California based SCRA sprinters this year before crashing earlier in the season forcing him to his backup car, further entrenched himself as one of the series premier drivers with his Saturday night effort.
Mike Martin slipped past Fredenberg on the final lap to take away the third spot. It marked Martin’s highest finish ever in the sprint cars. Fredenberg hung on for fourth just ahead of Tony Smiley and Byler.
In additon to Davis Byler and Martin won heat races and Byler beat Davis in the Quality Bumper/Buckley Racing Products trophy dash.
Derek Herron of Bakersfield, California made his first visit to Manzanita a successful one as he captured the Arizona Midget Racing Association feature. Although the rains that hit the valley Friday evening and Saturday morning cost the midgets about seven expected out of state entries, Herron still took on some of the best as he beat former champion Eric Wilkins, Steve Sussex, Jr., Mike Leslie and David Birmingham, Jr.
SUMMARY:
ARIZONA SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION (½ MILE TRACK)
lst heat: (time: 2:49.31) 1. Rick Byler 2. Marty Miller 3. Tony Smiley 4. Chuck Buckman 5. Terry Belcher, Jr. 6. Fred Bryan 7. Creed Wheaton
2nd heat: (time: 2:50.19) 1. Mike Martin 2. Nathan High 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Brandon Lane 5. Matt Rossi 6. Jason Sutphen
3rd heat: (time: 2:48.59) 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Dan Fredenberg 3. Rob Davis 4. Tom Lee 5. Asley Corey 6. John Kuescher
Trophy dash: (time: 2:08.85) 1. Rick Byler 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Marty Miller 4. Dan Fredenberg 5. Nathan High 6. Mike Martin
Main event: 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Marty Miller 3. Mike Martin 4. Dan Fredenberg 5. Tony Smiley. 6. Rick Byler 7. Ricky Johnson 8. Chuck Buckman 9. Terry Belcher, Jr. 10. Fred Bryan 11. Matt Rossi 12. Ashley Corey 13. Jason Sutphen 14. Tom Lee 15. John Kuescher 16. Brandon Lane 17. Rob Davis 18. Nathan High 19. Creed Wheaton
ARIZONA MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION
1st heat: (no time) 1. Steve Sussex, Jr. 2. Bugs Norbury 3. Matt Rossi 4. Dean Daly 5. David Birmingham, Jr.
2nd heat: 9time: (1:47.28) 1. Eric Wilkins 2. Derek Herron 3. Mike Leslie 4. Lonnie Oliver 5. Michael Burkhart
Main event: 1. Derek Herron 2. Eric Wilkins 3. Steve Sussex, Jr. 4. Mike Leslie 5. David Birmingham, Jr. 6. Lonnie Oliver 7. Matt Rossi 8. Dean Daly 9. Bugs Norbury
Friday, March 23, 2000
SUPER STOCKS
Main Event : Don Costa 9, Kevin Willer 32, George Fronzman 41
Trophy Dash: Doug Shadd Heat 1: Doug Shadd 14 Heat 2: Ron Funk 74
FACTORY STOCKS
Main Event: Larry Price 00, Glen Strumm 51, Ron Poe 69
Dash: Larry Price Heat 1: Suzie Reynolds, Heat 2: Glen Strumm, Heat 3: Brian Davis, Heat 4: Larry Price Semi Main: Dan Shepherd
BOMBERS
Main Event: Tom Kozak 61, Tom Poupa 49, Larry Conclin 21
Heat 1 Justin Stevens Heat 2: Tom Kozak
MODIFIED TRUCKS
Main Event: Bobby Merideth, Tom Chappa, Ed Miller
SCRA Race Results - March 18, 2000
courtesy of Robert Mason
| Car | Driver | Location | Owner | Time | |
| 1 | 96 | Rickie Gaunt | Torrance, CA | Gardner Jr. | 18.994 |
| 2 | 50 | Richard Griffin | Silver City, NM | Ron Chaffin | 19.088 |
| 3 | J.J. Yeley | Phoenix, AZ | 19.108 | ||
| 4 | 41 | Jeremy Sherman | Phoenix, AZ | Lloyd | 19.230 |
| 5 | 6 | Brad Noffsinger | Concord, NC | Gardner Jr. | 19.285 |
| 6 | 92 | Rusty McClure | Ashland, OH | Sertich | 19.317 |
| 7 | 93 | Troy Rutherford | Ojai, CA | Gardner Jr. | 19.318 |
| 8 | 33 | Hank Winter | Tucson, AZ | Winter | 19.323 |
| 9 | 83 | John Scott | Hesperia, CA | Scott Motorsports | 19.326 |
| 10 | 22 | Rick Hinrichsen | Lakeside, CA | Lake Motorsports | 19.401 |
| 11 | 3 | Rip Williams | Yorba Linda, CA | Jory | 19.412 |
| 12 | 48 | Tony Jones | Corona, CA | Cowherd | 19.437 |
| 13 | 99 | Adam Mitchell | Escondido, CA | Mitchell | 19.456 |
| 14 | 87 | Bob Ream Jr. | Glendale, AZ | Brat Racing | 19.458 |
| 15 | 45 | Cory Kruseman | Ventura, CA | Willis | 19.470 |
| 16 | 34 | Danny Sheridan | Santa Maria, CA | Lloyd | 19.479 |
| 17 | 7 | Jerry Coons Jr. | Tucson, AZ | CED Motorsports | 19.479 |
| 18 | 15 | Marc Hart | Ventura, CA | Hart | 19.517 |
| 19 | 10 | Mike English | Norwalk, CA | Priestley | 19.552 |
| 20 | 19 | Rodney Argo | Hawthorne, CA | Argo | 19.582 |
| 21 | 12 | Steve Ostling | Corona, CA | Pratt | 19.594 |
| 22 | 5 | Mike Kirby | Lomita, CA | Geurin | 19.595 |
| 23 | 74 | Mike Boat | Peoria, AZ | Boat | 19.675 |
| 24 | 95 | Keith Williamson | Pomona, CA | Williamson | 19.741 |
| 25 | 56 | Ed Patterson III | Oakview, CA | Patterson Jr. | 19.790 |
| 26 | 89 | J. Hicks | Torrance, CA | Alexander | 19.795 |
| 27 | 71 | Jay Drake | Canyon Country, CA | Ricehouse | 19.821 |
| 28 | 77 | Jordan Hermansader | Long Beach, CA | Acosta | 19.873 |
| 29 | Patrick Sallaway | 20.034 | |||
| 30 | 2 | Casey Shuman | Tempe, AZ | Lake Motorsports | 20.168 |
| 31 | 26 | Matt Felio | Alpine, CA | Felio | 20.177 |
| 32 | 8 | Austin Kreider | Arcadia, CA | Kreider | 20.187 |
| 33 | 85 | Lance Gremett | San Marcos, CA | Gremett | 20.345 |
| 34 | Rickey Johnson | 20.525 | |||
| 35 | 99a | Kenneth Webster | Phoenix, AZ | Webster | 20.526 |
| 36 | 14 | Loren Banks | Indianapolis, IN | B.J. Racing | 20.896 |
| 37 | Randy Bleicher | 20.934 | |||
| 38 | Steve Stone | NT |
Supertrapp Mufflers Heat 1
| 1 | Ed Patterson III |
| 2 | Steve Ostling |
| 3 | John Scott |
| 4 | Brad Noffsinger |
| 5 | Rickie Gaunt |
| 6 | Patrick Sallaway |
| 7 | Adam Mitchell |
| 8 | Lance Gremett |
| 9 | Randy Bleicher |
| 10 | Jerry Coons Jr. |
Shaver Engines Heat 2
| 1 | Mike Kirby |
| 2 | Richard Griffin |
| 3 | J. Hicks |
| 4 | Bob Ream Jr. |
| 5 | Casey Shuman |
| 6 | Marc Hart |
| 7 | Rick Hinrichsen |
| 8 | Ricky Johnson |
| 9 | Rusty McClure |
KSE Products Heat 3
| 1 | Jay Drake |
| 2 | Mike Boat |
| 3 | J.J. Yeley |
| 4 | Troy Rutherford |
| 5 | Cory Kruseman |
| 6 | Rip Williams |
| 7 | Mike English |
| 8 | Matt Felio |
| 9 | Kenneth Webster |
Design 500 Heat 4
| 1 | Jordan Hermansader |
| 2 | Jeremy Sherman |
| 3 | Rodney Argo |
| 4 | Tony Jones |
| 5 | Hank Winter |
| 6 | Danny Sheridan |
| 7 | Loren Banks |
| 8 | Austin Kreider |
| 9 | Keith Williamson |
JE Pistons Passing Master's Dash
| 1 | Troy Rutherford |
| 2 | Richard Griffin |
| 3 | J.J. Yeley |
| 4 | John Scott |
| 5 | Jeremy Sherman |
| 6 | Tony Jones |
| 7 | Brad Noffsinger |
| 8 | Bob Ream Jr. |
B Main
| 1 | Rip Williams |
| 2 | Mike English |
| 3 | Cory Kruseman |
| 4 | Danny Sheridan |
| 5 | Jerry Coons Jr. |
| 6 | Marc Hart |
| 7 | Hank Winter |
| 8 | Adam Mitchell |
| 9 | Casey Shuman |
| 10 | Lance Gremett |
| 11 | Matt Felio |
| 12 | Loren Banks |
| 13 | Kenneth Webster |
| 14 | Randy Bleicher |
| 15 | Rickey Johnson |
| 16 | Rick Hinrichsen |
| 17 | Rickie Gaunt |
A Main
| 1 | Richard Griffin |
| 2 | Jeremy Sherman |
| 3 | Brad Noffsinger |
| 4 | J.J. Yeley |
| 5 | Tony Jones |
| 6 | Mike Kirby |
| 7 | Rip Williams |
| 8 | John Scott |
| 9 | Mike English |
| 10 | Cory Kruseman |
| 11 | Mike Boat |
| 12 | Troy Rutherford |
| 13 | Jordan Hermansader |
| 14 | Jerry Coons Jr |
| 15 | Steve Ostling |
| 16 | Rodney Argo |
| 17 | Bob Ream Jr. |
| 18 | Ed Patterson III |
| 19 | J. Hicks |
| 20 | Danny Sheridan |
| 21 | Marc Hart |
| 22 | Jay Drake |
Laps Led: Troy Rutherford 1, Richard Griffin 2-30
***********************
previous races follow:
By Windy McDonald
Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 26) Former stock car champion Larry Price survived a one lap penalty to win Saturday night’s 150 lap bomber stock car enduro race at Manzanita Speedway.
Price made a quick trip to the pits at the midpoint of the race while the race was stopped to allow the cars to switch directions. He failed to tag the field and that resulted in the penalty. With the cars making right hand turns for the final 75 laps Price was able to gain two laps on the field and took home the first place $1000 check with his one lap win over Chris Odum who paced the 52 car field for 101 laps. Rounding out the top five were Bryon Watkins, Dominique Askren and David Pendergast.
The enduro, one of two scheduled for Manzanita’s 50th season, more than lived up to the Motorized Madness tag given to it. Numerous multi car crashes, with most of the cars able to withstand the damage and continue on their way, three and four abreast racing and encounters with the Manzanita wall combined to leave spectators and drivers alike happy with the show.
One of the drivers who did not make the top ten put on quite a show. Chuck Vallone tried to chase down Chris Odum and was cutting into Odum’s lead when a car blew an engine and covered the track with heavy smoke. Vallone drove off the end of the track and hit the tire embankment the protects a light pole on the half mile track. He backed away, bringing about five tires with him which he deposited on the track leaving them as part of an obstacle course for the last part of the race.
A blown engine cost Dave Cook a good finish and Scott Passmore of Channel 3 exited early with motor problems.
Michael Gibson had the crowd roaring early in the race as he spun, drove down the front straightaway backwards and then did a reverse spin to get going in the right direction. Gibson was then hit, spun again and backed into his pits. Gibson was running third behind early lead Danny Padilla and Chuck Thornton at the time.
SUMMARY
1. Larry Price 2. Chris Odum 3. Bryon Watkins 4. Dominique Askren 5. David Pendergast 6. Bob Grommell 7. Ernie Greene 8. John Morris 9. Aaron Cramer 10. Virgil Watkins 11. Mike Lilly 12. Larry Conklin 13. Rich (Paradice) 14. Kelly King 15. Dave Cook 16. Jim Watkins 17. Keith Grow 18. Chuck Vallone 19. Chuck Thornton 20. Joshua George 21. Speedy Madrid 22. Josh Christensen 23. Sam Peroni 24. Doug Hanchett 25. Chris Parr 26. Frank Outlaw 27. Sherry King 28. Tracy Wickett 29. Chris Christensen 30. Brad Hallin 31. Bill King 32. Jason George 33. Bert Birmingham 34. Alan Worz 35. Tony Morris 36. Larry Gordon 37. Anthony Madrid 38. Dawn Klem 39. Billy Van Meter 40. Ben Sheppard 41. Chris Del Duca 42. Steven Carter 43. Danny Padilla 44. Tom Poupa 45. Michael Gibson 46. Scott Passmore 47. Randy Allen 48. Brian Duda 49. Scott Van dusen 50. Jack Vanosdel 51. Carlos Vasques 52. Keith Noyes
******************************************
Phoenix,
AZ (February 5)
Hometown sprint car driver Jeremy Sherman outran most of the field and outlasted
his chief competition as he won Saturday night's Inaugural Championship feature
race at Manzanita Speedway.
Sherman needed a little luck and everything fell in place for Sherman whose
only other sprint car win with the California based non winged sprint car
group came in his 1996 rookie season. He got one big break when most of the
quickest qualifiers failed to transfer to the 40 lap feature through the
running of the four heat races. Even though he was only 20th fastest in the
40 car field during the time trials, he as still among the eight fastest to
transfer and that gave him a spot in the J.E. Pistons Passing Masters trophy
dash where he finished fifth and started the long grind from the third row.
He jumped quickly to fourth, then to third and watched as Troy Cline led the
first nine laps before retiring with suspension problems. That gave the lead
to fellow Phoenician J.J. Yeley with Sherman resting on his rear bumper. With
Yeley taking the high side of the half mile track, Sherman ran the low groove
and the duo were side by side for most on the next five laps when Sherman
finally urged his Bill and Lida Lloyd owned sprinter to the front.
Sherman kept it on the bottom of the track and Yeley worked the outside and
reclaimed the lead three laps later.
Richard Griffin, who won the preliminary feature Friday night, was on the
move from his fourth row starting berth and slipped past Sherman to claim
second on lap 33. Meanwhile, Yeley was going full bore and had built a 2.62
second edge over Griffin when he apparently blew a tire, slammed the wall and
flipped on the 34th lap.
Tires had been a problem throughout the evening and with only six laps
remaining the field headed to the work area during the red flag for Yeley's
crash. They all took on new right rear tires and headed back out on the track
with Griffin pacing the field. However Griffin unexpected darted back to the
pits for a new left rear tire and Sherman found himself out front.
The final laps were anti climatic as Sherman got his first SCRA win at Manzy
and scored the first ever SCRA win for his car owners.
There was still a hectic battle for second as Mike English, up from 14th had
his hands full with Brad Noffsinger who started last in the 22 car field.
Noffsinger made one last effort to get by English but bounced off the wall
heading to the white flag. His car was not damaged and he earned the "hard
charger" award with a hard earned third place finish.
USAC sprint car champion Dave Darland took fourth after starting 18th and
Rodney Argo drove from seventh to fifth at the checkered flag.
Heat races went to Mike Boat, Darland, Bob Ream, Jr and Jay Drake and
Griffin, who blew a tire in his heat race, won the semi main. Rip Williams
captured the trophy dash and Rickie Gaunt was the night's fastest qualifier.
SUMMARY
HEAT RACES (10 LAPS)
1st:
1. Mike Boat 2. Brad Noffsinger 3. Jeremy Sherman 4. Troy Cline 5.
Rickie Gaunt 6. Bill Rose 7. Mike Monahan 8. John Franklin 9. Charlie Davis,
Jr. 10. Richard Griffin
2nd:
1. Dave Darland 2. Cal Smith 3. Tony Jones 4. J.J. Yeley 5. Marc Hart 6.
John Scott 7. Danny Sheridan 8. Steve Cushman 9. Casey Shuman 10. Tom Downing
3rd:
1. Bob Ream, Jr. 2. Rip Williams 3. Verne Sweeney 4. Rodney Argo 5.
Larry Brown 6. Loren Banks 7. Derek Davidson 8. Troy Rutherford 9. Cory
Kruseman
4th:
1. Jay Drake 2. Steve Ostling 3. Mike Kirby 4. Rusty McClure 5. J Hicks
6. Hank winter 7. Keith Williamson 8. Rick Hinrichsen 9. Mike English
Trophy dash (6 laps) 1. Williams 2. Cline 3. Kirby 4. Yeley 5. Sherman 6.
Jones 7. Argo 8. McClure
Semi main (12 laps)
1. Griffin 2. Gaunt 3. Kruseman 4. Hart 5. English 6.
Rose 7. Winter 8. Sheridan 9. Scott 10. Davidson 11. Brown 12. Rutherford 13.
Williamson 14. Hicks 15. Downing 16. Monahan 17. Banks 18. Franklin 19.
Hinrichsen 20. Cushman
Main event (40 laps)
1. Sherman 2. English 3. Noffsinger 4. Darland 5. Argo
6. Drake 7. Griffin 8. Sweeney 9. Winter 10. Boat 11. Ostling 12. Yeley 13.
Williams 14. Ream, Jr. 15. Kruseman 16. Gaunt 17. Jones 18. Rose 19. Kirby
20. Clline 21. Hart 22. Smith
Lap Leaders: Cline, 1-8--Yeley, 9-14–Sherman, 15-16–Yeley, 17-34–Sherman,
35-40
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