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Late Model/Dirt Modified Western World At Manzanita This Weekend
by Windy McDonald
The Sprint Car Western World Championships last weekend raised the bar high, not only in attendance but in one of the most competitive races to date. The Dirt Car Late Model Stocks will be running in a Western World Championship this weekend for the first time since 1991. Terry Belcher, now the winningest driver ever at Manzanita Speedway with 192 wins, took that win and the Late Models switched to Nationals the following year. That ended in 1993 when the Late Models and Dirt Modifieds teamed up for the first time.
Belcher has been selected to be Grand Marshall for the November 15-16 races and will be honored by all those who have
Due in part to the success of the Western World Sprint Car Championships Manzanita decided to give the late models their own Western in 1976. Chuck Becker of San Bernardino, CA took the initial race with a standing room only crowd cheering his race with George Brazil of Albuquerque in pursuit. Brazill won the next two Westerns and a Arizona driver, Marion Smiley won the next two.
The race, which was run in March or April continued its success other tracks began to move their starting dates up and the car count dropped.
The Southwest Dirt Car Late Modes ran two races at Manzy during the regular season and the crowd was good for each race enforcing Mananita’s desire for the Western to return. So far, according to early entries, the Western should be a hit with fans who like speed and competitive racing. While most entries will be on race day the early list is impressive.
For openers the is 51 year old Billy Moyer who has been dominant in the sport for a number of years. The five time champion in the Southwest Dirt car Late Models, Lonnie Parker, Jr. will be hard pressed to win his biggest race ever but it would be no major upset if he pulled off the win. In addition to Moyer he will be facing Chris Shannon the Western Allstars champion, 2nd ranked Bobby Hogge and third place A.J. Kirkpatrick. Other competitors from the Western Allstars that may be on hand include Ron Bartels, Nick Bartels, Zack Forster, Steve Drake, and Chet Buckley
He will also have to contend with a driver who will be driving a late model for only the second time, Anthony Madrid, who has won championships in four divisions, drove the car usually handled by Mark Fowler, to a 6 1/2 second advantage in the June 9 race on Manzy’s half mile track. Anthony will also be one of the favorites in the Barnett Harley Davidson Dirt Modified Nationals. He won his third modified championship this year and won feature races in four different divisions.
Former California Racing Association champion Mike Kirby pushed Parker to a win the last time the late models visited Manzy and is expected to take on the tough field this weekend.
The local forces should be at full strength as most of the top ten have indicated an interest. That includes Mark Fowler, a former dirt modified champion, Mike Tahtinen, Brad Williams, Tommy Hussak, III, Jerry Fincher, Joey Moriarity, Randy Carder and Wes Hall.
Terry Phillips whose father won the Western four times could also be in Phoenix this weekend where he has won in the past during the Early Thaw races.
The Barnett Dirt Modifieds are expecting to attract at least 50 cars as they battle for a first place payoff of $5,000. Bumper Jones who races out of New Mexico won the Barnett Tour Series earlier this year and is also a past winner of the Nationals. His father Royal has posted several wins and could join his son in the races.
R.C. Whitwell of Tucson will lead a strong field from his home track into the fray while Madrid will be joined by former champions Jason Noll and Ricky Thornton, Jr. among others.
There will be a practice session Thursday night and those wishing to get an idea of who is quick will be admitted into the grandstands at no cost.
Gates open at 5:00 P.M. Friday and 4:00 on Saturday. Competitive racing will begins at 7:00 each night.
Tickets are on sale at the Manzanita Speedway ticket office, 35th Avenue and West Broadway. For further information call the track at 602-276-7575.
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