As has become the custom, it will be Jeremy Sherman against the field when the American Sprint Car Series returns to Manzanita Speedway's half mile track Saturday night. Sherman has been more than just dominant the past three seasons as he has scored 36 wins in the past three seasons and has won 11 of the last 18 races run on the half mile track. However he will be facing another tough field and has to wonder if he can beat Charles Davis, Jr. Davis has won the last three half mile track races he has entered and figures to have the Rex Foster car primed to keep his streak alive.
Sherman won the only half mile show run this year breaking a four race winless streak on the track that he has practically owned. Matthew Rossi scored his only win on the big track July 15 of last year breaking a five race winning streak for Sherman on the half mile.
Chris Bonneau has also won on the big track as has the 1998 champion Bob Ream, Jr. Throw in the speed that 15 year old Chad Boat showed in the last outing when he appeared to have the fastest car on the track and Sherman will have to have a very strong run with the Fred Bryan sprinter.
Davis is coming off a win against the USAC/CRA drivers last month as well as a second place run on the short track in the season opener.
The ASCS fielded 30 cars for the last race which was on the big track and expects at least that many for Saturday night's event.
In addition to the aforementioned drivers Mike Leslie, Mike Colegrove, Josh Pelkey, Shon Deskins and super rookie Jeremy Reagles figure to be near the front. Reagles is off to one of the fastest rookie starts in history. He finished fifth his first time on the short track and handled the half mile track well and finished eighth.
Sherman had to work hard to get by Leslie last time out and it would not be considered a big upset if Mike parked in the winner's circle this time out.
Deskins is off to his best start ever and is tied with Pelkey and Reagles for fourth in points. He had a strong third place run the last time out, his best ever finish on the half mile track.
The Midgets wil be making their second start of the year and the Burkhart cars are listed as favorites. Nathan High is concentrating on the midgets this year and carries the favorite's role into Saturday night's races which will be run, as usual, on the one third mile track.
Those drivers in the FTS dirt modifieds, mini sprints and mod lites who are not superstiious will be on hand for the Friday the 13th races. It is certain that two time champion Anthony Madrid will not worry about the date. His luck has been about as bad as it can get as he has lost the last two races as Terry Belcher and Jay Foster made last lap passed to take away what appeared to be certain wins. Terry Belcher, Jr. and his brother-in-law Robert King, Jr. hopes that Friday the thirteenth can mean good luck for them as neither has finished a main event this year.
Brandon George and Brandon Shelton have won the first two mini sprint car races this year but each of them will have to have a good night to beat the aptly named Austin Quick who has lived up to his name. He blew a tire while leading the first feature and Shelton took the win. He was as quick as George last week but started sixth and George was in the front row. Should he get up front at the start he will be hard to catch.
The mod lites will be making their second appearance of the 2007 season at Manzanita. Troy Korkosz, the 1991 dwarf car champion won the opener but was under constant pressure from Nick Bruce. Thirteen mod lites were on hand for the opener and expect at least that number again.
Race time each night is set for 7:30.
ASCS CURRENT POINTS
1. Jeremy Sherman 300, 2. Mike Leslie 280, 3. Mike Colegrove 278, 4. (tie) Josh Pelkey, Shon Deskins and Jeremy Reagles 275, 7. R.J. Johnson 270. 8. Mike Martin 264, 9. Bob Ream, Jr. 252, 10. Seainn Hendricsen 250
