- Manzanita Speedway
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Frontstretch in 2008
The Manzanita Speedway was a dirt track racing facility located in the suburban southwestern part of Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The facility had a 1/3 mile and 1/2 mile tracks. The track held USAC events up through the 2009 Sprint Car season opener. The track was sold to a rigging company and the final race was held on April 11, 2009.[1]
Contents
History
Originally a dog-racing track known as Manzanita Park, it was converted into a 1/4 mile jalopy race track during the summer of 1951. The first race was held August 25, 1951 in front of 3,923 fans. In 1954, Manzanita added a 1/2 mile track and christened it with a 25-hour marathon race.
In 1965, Keith Hall purchased the facility and renamed it Manzanita Speedway. In 1968, he founded the Western States Championships (now the Western World Championships) at the track, offering an at-the-time generous $10,000 purse. This race became part of the triple crown of sprint car racing.
Hall sold the track in 1984, but soon repossessed it when the new owners defaulted on the loan. In 2004, Joe and Millie Kimbro took over ownership of the facility.
In 2007, the Kimbros sold the track to the Martin family, well known in the sprint car ranks. The ownership change became effective August 15, 2007.
Closure
In 2009 the Martins sold the track to Southwest Rigging and the company is set to level the site after closing the doors on April 12, 2009. The final event was the Donnie Davis Memorial.[1]
The American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) Regional Tours had to rearrange their schedules for the 2009 season. The Discount Tire Company ASCS Canyon Region had to reschedule some of their 17 events at other speedways. Events were split between Hollywood Hills Speedway in San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico and USA Raceway in Tucson. The series had competed at the track for over 50 years. [2]
Races
The track hosted over 500 racers each year during 75 to 80 nights of racing. The track featureed USAC/CRA sprint cars to bombers.[3]
The track occasionally hosted World of Outlaws events.
Notable track alumni
References
- ^ a b "Manzanita Speedway sold, last race next month". KTVK. March 13, 2009. http://www.azfamily.com/sports/news/stories/phoenix-sports-news-031309-manzanita-speedway-sold.302e377e.html. Retrieved 2009-03-14.[dead link]
- ^ "Canyon/Southwest schedules revised, Manzanita closing". Motorsport.com. March 13, 2009. http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=320827&FS=. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ Track description at scrafan.com
- ^ Track description at www.hammerdownusa.com
External links
Coordinates: 33°24′15″N 112°07′55″W / 33.4041372°N 112.1318239°W
Categories:- Defunct motorsport venues in the United States
- Sports venues in Phoenix, Arizona
- Motorsport venues in Arizona
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