by Windy McDonald

Manzanita Speedway’s weekend starts with the Barnett Racing Series dirt modifieds, sport modifieds and bombers Friday night and then the American Sprint Car Series, Arizona mini sprints and Arizona Midget Racing Association take to the one third mile track Saturday

With the season not yet a third finished there have already been 34 different drivers that have parked in Manzy’s winner circle this year. There are 25 drivers who have only a single win and three drivers: Kiley Fellers, Matt Martinez and Jeremy Sherman atop the winner’s list with three wins each.

The Barnett Dirt Modifieds have raced four times and four different drivers have taken the wins. Points leader and two time champion Anthony Madrid, Jay Foster, Bumper Jones and R.C. Whitwell have wins but Jones and Whitwell scored their wins in the Barnett Dirt Modified tour races. The points standings could have a new name atop the list as Madrid holds a practically non existent one point lead over Foster with Tony Steele only five points behind the leader.

The mod lites have an equally close chase with Clayton Echols holding a one point lead over his team mate Robert King, Jr. Nick Bruce is a two time winner and Andy Eatwell and Robert King, Jr. have scored single wins. The sport modifieds have run only one race this year and the win went to veteran driver Chris Rhein.

Charles Davis, Jr. gained four points on Jeremy Sherman last week when he finished second behind R.J. Johnson while Sherman ran fourth. The ASCS races have produced four different winners through the first six outings this year. Johnson vaulted to fourth in the standings with his win last week and Nathan High, ranked third in points will likely drive the Robbie Allen car to victory lane before the season is over and it would be no major upset if he does so Saturday night.

Fellers has not only won the first three mini sprint races, he has done so in a dominant manner as he takes the lead early and then pulls away from the field.

Johnson is the current points leader in the AMRA midgets and will be trying for a double this weekend as he has now proved that he belongs on the pre-race favorites list.

Manzanita Speedway has a lofty goal as they seek to help the children at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital make it through their stay. The track is urging all fans who attend the May 2 & 3 races and/or the May 9-10 programs to bring a gently used or new stuffed animal. The stuffed animals will be given to the Children’s Hospital. The hospital uses these stuffed animals to help calm the children when they are in for treatments, surgeries, etc. The drive started last weekend and was enthusiastically embraced with toys and cash.

The May 3 race will be in memory of Kole Caskey, a youngster who passed away shortly before his second birthday. His family was deeply involved in racing. On this night there will be an autograph session with several of the top drivers where the Caskey family will hand out over 400 checkered flags to the fans. Manzy will be holding a 50/50 raffle as well as silent and live auctions. The auction items include items from NASCAR drivers and include a racing jacket donated by two time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. All the proceeds will go to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Kole’s memory. Manzanita is asking all racing teams and the community to come together and "Bear It".