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June's Southwest Report
by June Lowitz

Manzanita Speedway - USAC/CRA & ASCA Sprints

April 13, 2005... It's been 3 weeks of non stop action here in the Phoenix area.  Manzanita Speedway has been the place to be for soem great racing action.  We've had USAC/CRA here for the Sokola Classic and 2 great races with the ASCA sprints.  

The USAC/CRA race weekend was great.  Super Rickie Gaunt in the Tony Smiley owned, Smiley Crane Service, Dave Zoriki Motorsports, Extreme Chassis, Advanced Racing Shocks, Ron's Fuel Injection, Heddman Headers, C & R Radiators, DMI Racing Components, WFO Industries, Simpson Race Products sponsored #2, came over and won the 20 lap Main Event on Friday night.  I haven't seen Rickie this happy since he won the Oval Nationals at Perris.  He was all smiles and full of laughs on Friday night.  Saturday night it looked like Rickie was going to sweep both nights of racing, however Mike Kirby had other plans.  Mike Kirby, in the Alexander Trucking, LaVilla Restaurant, SCRAFAN.COM sponsored, Mark Alexander owned #4, using the high line, got around Rickie in lapped traffic and never looked back. It was a great race and enjoyed by many.

The hard luck award could go to a few drivers, but in my eyes it went to Plainfield, Indiana's Bill Rose.  Bill, driving his own #6R car blew up the motor on Friday night.  He was fortunate enough to get a ride in Nadine Keller's #5 for Saturday night but he missed the main.  Another USAC driver that had tough luck was Dave Darland.  Dave was in the same car he won here in January with, #42 Dwight Cheney owned, RC Performance, TCR Chassis, Eric Industries sponsored car.  He had a great showing on Friday night going from 18th starting position to 8th in the 20 lap main.  On Saturday night, the racing demons set in and the motor lost a valve and was gone.  Dave was looking great, leading the B Main when problems set in.  I asked Dave when or if he would be back on the West Coast this year and he said he's scheduled to be out here and driving Dwight's car.  I can't wait to see him back with Dwight Cheney and his crew.  They really seem to complement each other and Dave seems to really be at ease with the car.  Good luck in Indiana to Dave and Bill. 

 
ASCA has provided the fans with some good, exciting racing.  Car counts have been up to about 35 cars for each race.  This association seems to be growing every year and it's getting more and more competitive.
 
3/26/05 was a great night to race. the track seemed to stay great all night.  I invited another co-worker Mike to come out and join the fun.  He did show up, a little late but he made it and seemed to enjoy it.  Welcome to the madness and fun Mike.  Winning the main event on 3/26/05 was Glendale's own "bullet" Bob Ream, Jr. driving the #8 Parker Store, B & R Automotive, Sander Engineering, Adirondack Chimney Sweep, Westside Crane, BRaT Racing car.  After a few shakey starts this season, Bob came on strong and looked like a man on a mission.  Bob huggy poled the race (used the low groove) to win the race and win he did.  It was great to see Bob in the winner's circle again.  The Shermanator, Jeremy Sherman finished in 3rd position after being involved in an altercation early in the race.  Jeremy came from last to 3rd by the end of the race.  Jeremy looked great as well.
 
After the race on 3/26/05, I was finally able to make it into the pits to see everyone.  The first person I ran into was "The Bern Dog" Bernie Smith.  In asking Bernie about his car, which is really one good looking car with great graphics, he was super critical on himself.  Now, this is the same man who a little over 2 yrs ago didn't really seem to be someone I'd cheer for.  Boy, has my opinion about Bernie changed now.  He has done so much improving over the past year that it's hard to believe it's the same guy driving.  Bernie really has gotten smooth and steady and it seems like each race he's getting a little bit better.  Bernie is one of those super fan friendly drivers and always has time for his fans.  If you get a chance go down and say hi to him.  He's one driver to watch for this year.
 
After seeing Bernie, I walked over and ran into Cindy Henry and Chase.  Cindy is the wife to Jeff Henry and Chase is their son.  Poor Devon, their older boy was not feeling well and he didn't get out of Cindy's car and come into the pits.  Cindy introduced me to one of my favorite email pals Susie Pritchett.  It's fun to meet people after emailing for a while and meeting Susie was fun.  We talked for a few mins. but she's a busy lady in the pits, so I walked with Chase and Cindy over to see the #12 Robbie Allen, ABC Motorsports crew.  Jeff had a great starting spot in the main, pole position, but wasn't able to keep it.  Come to find out Jeff had a bad shock on the front end and it wasn't allowing the weight to transfer properly.  Even though they had a tough night, Jeff, Robbie, JD and the crew still had smiles on their faces and kept saying there's always the next race.  I really enjoy being around this team as they are so positive and upbeat, even if they have some tough luck.
 
On Saturday, 4/2/05, the weather was beautiful.  This is the reason I moved to Phoenix.  It was sunny and bright and warm; around 80-85 degrees.  Special thanks from me to my racing buddy Joe for driving me to and from the track as Sandra wasn't able to come this race.  She was busy being "Daddy's girl" as her father was in the hospital for a few days.  The only thing that I was concerned with was if the track would dry out and become super dusty by the main event. 
While watching the guys wheel pack and hot lap I was definately enjoying the nice weather when a familiar face walked up the stairs.  Thinking I was seeing things for awhile, I didn't say anything , but then once I heard this person talk I knew who it was.  None other than Chargin' Charles Davis, Jr. with his wife Gayle.  I asked Charlie why he was here in town instead of Perris not realizing that USAC/CRA has 2 weeks off.  Windy, Manzanita's track announcer,  had already announced that Charlie would be driving in the race on 4/9/05 on the 1/2 mile.  Charlie Davis has a great personality and a terrific sense of humor.  Of course, me being a longtime fan of his teammate Super Rickie Gaunt, I asked Charlie if Rickie would be joining him.  Charlie explained to me that Rickie was taking the family on the Disney Cruise.  Immediately we all started laughing.  I  know Disney won't be the same after Rickie Gaunt being there.  It's such a scary thought.  HA HA HA.  JUST KIDDING RICKIE.  We all had some good laughs and I got to meet my email buddy Gayle Davis.  Gayle is just as nice as her husband and it was a pleasure sitting and talking with them.  Seeing as I keep track of all the races, Gayle and Charlie kept asking me who was in what car and where did they start in the race.  I had a blast and really enjoyed spending time with Gayle and Charlie.  I wish Charlie good luck in Saturday nights race. 
 
The race was a barn burner.  Even though the track dried out, it still had 2 grooves for the cars which made for some great racing and some awesome passes.   The Bullet, Bob Ream, Jr. started 5th in the Main and was leading by the end of lap one.  Fan favorite, the Shermanator, Jeremy Sherman started in 7th and began picking off cars one by one.  Bob had about a straight lead and then got into lapped traffic.  Once Ream was in lapped traffic, Sherman began to close in on him.  Jeremy got around Ream and took it home for the win over Ream.  It is so awesome to watch 2 drivers so in control of their cars.  One thing I noticed was that Jeremy couldn't pull away from Ream the way he has done this year and win by a straight.  Bob was right on his tail at the finish line.  It was a great race to watch.  Congrats to you Jeremy.
On a serious note here, I received some very sad news.  My roommate from Bakersfield, California, Laura Ferris, or Lacey Laura as she was known at the track, passed away.  No one has been able to tell me what happened, but I do know it was from something medical.  Laura raced a hobby stock at Bakersfield Speedway and she was very good.  Laura was a true racer in the sense she would help out anyone who asked, even if it was someone she was racing against in the next race.  Laura wasn't the type to ask for help herself, even when it was just her and me loading or unloading the car onto the trailer on race day.  Laura was a great friend and pal and will be missed by many.  Thanks for the memories Laura.
 
Remember, these racers put on the show for no one other than us, the fans.  Be sure to bring out someone new to the track to experience the great racing that these drivers show us week in and week out.  So far this year I've brought out 3 newbies to the track.  2 out of the 3 say they are fans now and plan on making as many races as their work schedule allows.  Has anyone else met my challenge?  Email me and let me know.  Take care, be safe and see ya at Manzy!!

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