Manzanita Speedway
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The Manzanita Speedway is a dirt track racing facility located in the rural southwestern part of Phoenix, Arizona. The facility currently has 1/3 mile and 1/2 mile tracks.
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[edit] 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 Kimbro's sold the track to the Martin family, well known in the sprint car ranks. The ownership change will be effective August 15th, 2007.
[edit] Races
The track hosts over 500 racers each year during 75 to 80 nights of racing. The track features USAC/CRA sprint cars to bombers. [1]
The track occasionally hosts World of Outlaws events.
[edit] Notable track alumni
- Billy Boat [2]
- Lealand McSpadden
- Ron Shuman
- J. J. Yeley
