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| Press Release |
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Manzanita's Salute to Indy--A Tribute
to Wayne Weiler |
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Sometimes we hear or use the phrase "It's not just a race, it's a
happening". That could not be more true than this year's running of the
Salute to Indy---A Tribute to Wayne Weiler. The 50 lap main event is always one
of only two extra lap races on the Arizona Sprint Car Association schedule and
it has been run for a number of years and has always been the Salute to Indy, In
Honor of Wayne Weiler. The race has paid more than other events. This one is
something special.
Wayne passed away unexpectedly last year and his many friends and fans were shocked. Arizona Race Mart has sponsored this event this year and wanted to make this one very special. They spread the word and the response has been overwhelming. The sponsorships came flooding in and this Saturday nights race will indeed be a tribute to Weiler. The purse continues to grow and at the present time is over $17,000. The winner will receive $2000 and every car that starts the 24 car 50 lap main event will receive at least $300. The cars that finish 9-18th in the semi will pocket $200. Any other car that takes a main event will go home with $150. The race will be far and away the richest regular season event ever run by the ASCA. Of course it is also open to any sprinter that meets the ASCA rules. This is the way I think Wayne would have wanted it. He was truly a people person and his relationship with others in the racing fraternity was just an extension of his racing career. Wayne was at the beck and call of any member of the fraternity that needed him and his farm in South Phoenix became a home away from home for many drivers who spent the winter in Phoenix. The race itself is one of the big races of the year and the 2006 edition becomes one of the must see events of the year. This is a time that those who came to know Wayne when he spent hours signing autographs at previous Memorial Day shows, will want to be at this one. Maybe they will even feel his presence when the green flag waves to start the 50 lap feature. R.J. Johnson, a regular with the USAC/CRA sprints has elected to bypass their race at Perris Auto Speedway and instead be part of the tribute. On the track the competition will be intense as a number of drivers hope to get into the winner's circle now that they have seen that Jeremy Sherman can be beat. Sherman has won four races and naturally ranks as the favorite. He may be slowed a little after being fined for the incident involving the #27 car last race. He will know that all eyes will be on him in this race with the more than double purse. Nathan High will be out to prove that his win was not a fluke and Marty Miller, still smarting from the incident that cost him at least a second place finish could soothe the hurt by driving the Bill Sweeney/Tim Wooldrige to victory lane. Several drives are judged capable of winning and that list includes Jeff Henry, Bob Ream, Jr., R.J. Johnson, Josh Pelkey and Chuck Buckman. Ricky Hood, an inductee this year into the Knoxville, Iowa National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, is expected to drive the Steve Cushman sprinter and several out of state drivers may be in the field as well. Manzanita, recognizing the importance of this "happening", has canceled the Friday night program which was scheduled as a super stock and bomber doubleheader so they can spend extra effort in making sure the one third mile track is at its best. The ASCA website, asprintcars.com has a great layout with much more information. This is the current payoff but more money may be added before race time. |
