Manzanita Speedway race track closing after being sold

It's hard to explain exactly what is going through everyones minds here in the local racing clubs. There is anger,disappoinment,disbelief,etc over what has taken place rencently regarding Manzanita Speedway. Manzanita Speedway is home to a dozen local racing clubs,not to mention the home of many memorial races, and has been the trainging track of champions for over 50 years. Many Nascar greats have spent a lot of their open wheel racing time on the clay at Manzanita Speedway. So you can only imagine our shock and disappointment after learning the the track has been sold and we be torn down after April 11th. We just started our season and had our season opener last weekend at Manzanita only to find out that we will have 2 more races there and will lose 10 races from our schedule due to the sale of the track. WHAT THE FUCK??? were they thinking. There was no mention of the track being up for sale during the off season nor during the discussion and making of this years racing schedule. All the local racing clubs are shocked ,not to mention pissed off to learn that they will basically have no races after April 11th 2009. Yes there are other track here in Arizona,but the fact is the schedues have already been made in the off season and since Manzanita always insists that our club and the non wing sprintcars consider Manzanita our home track and let them schedule the bulk of our races. After losing the 10 races at Manzanita our club will end up having only 9 races this season which will make it impossible to raise a points fund or compete for a points championship. I understand that money talks and when approached with an offer you can't refuse, I guess you take the offer and run. it just makes me sad that there was no consideration given to the racing clubs and the fact that Manzanita is the home of open wheel racing in Arizona and has been for over 50 years. to see that come to an end is a devastating thing overcome both for the racers and for the fans. i guess that another reason I started this blog. Now i have a place I can vent my frustrations and bitch about it. Besides there wasn't any nascar to blog about this weekend anyway.


One of the nation's most famous race tracks is closing its doors in just a few weeks.
Manzanita Speedway at 35th Avenue and Broadway has been sold. The buyer plans on leveling the dirt race track that has been around since 1951.
All of racings' biggest names have raced at the famous track so you would bet that many drivers are upset that the race track is shutting down.
The owners have bought the rights to the Manzanita name and hope they can find a new home for the track.
The track will see its last race on April 11.