One year ago, Arizona’s Manzanita Speedway closes.

Sunday, April 11, 2010 Posted in Arizona, Automotive, Commercial, Motor Sports, NASCAR, Personal, Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Sports, Travel 12 comments

On April 11^th 2009, one year ago today Phoenix, Arizona’s Manzanita Speedway, one of the top 3 dirt tracks in the country was sold and subsequently closed after 58 years of operation. Also known as “Manzy” this track was instrumental in the early careers of Al Unser Jr., JJ Yeley, Billy Boat to include Hall of Fame racers such as Roger McCluskey, Mario Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen and AJ Foyt also raced and won here.

Roe Mounts celebrated victory in what was the first auto race held on 25 August, 1951 after disgruntled drivers from the “South Mountain” track convinced owners Lawrence Meskimens and Rudy Everett to convert their failing Greyhound dog race track into a stock car track. At seasons end they honored the very first champion, Avery Doyle racing in the Jalopies. Later in 1954 they added what became the famous and lightning fast ½ mile. Arizona race drivers, team owners, sponsors and fans were proud of the reputation they built together as being one of the top race tracks in the country and often hosted World of Outlaw (WoO), California Racing Association (CRA), United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioned events. Manzanita offered 18 different divisions at the facilities two tracks.

Mel Marin and his son Bobby took a lot of heat last year for buying the facility and then turning around and selling it. The county has had a stack of complaints against the track for noise and dust by surrounding businesses and homes, what really irks me is that people would choose to move next to a race facility only to file complaints about noise and dust. I don’t know what the final sale was and could care less but I am sure they more than recouped the 1 million they said they invested in the race track before finally giving way to commercial development. Many are still sad, mad and frustrated but life goes on.

I wanted to share these images I took back in 2006, of course at the time it was not known that the track would close 4 years later but I sure regret not taking the time and taking artistic shots of the facility. After hearing an interview that Mark Rebilas gave recently to www.lensflare35.com you can listen to here when he spoke about just that very thing, taking artistic photos of the event, fans and facilities. Lessoned learned…. One improvement I’ll make with my work in the future.

Robert Butterfield - Butterfield Photography - Sierra Vista, Arizona

Posted in Arizona, Automotive, Commercial, Motor Sports, NASCAR, Personal, Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Sports, Travel

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July 24, 2011 - 7:58 pm

Fastvard - As a 6 yr old girl, my dad took me to Manz and I felt in love with cars. I went to the last race as a 62 yr old and miss it all the time. Always in my heart. Elbows up……

March 27, 2011 - 9:16 pm

Gino Phillips - My dad raced at Manzanita in the 1959/60 season. His name was Jim Hawkins. I came accross a scrap book when he passed away. My mother colected all the news clipping while he raced. I have alot of photos of other drivers that raced there. I remember some of their names: Gene Brown, Hank Arnold, Harry Beteal(think that was the way he spelled his name) Lee Worth, Roger McClusty and many more. He also went to Tucson and a few other tracks, one in New Mexico. Sorry to hear that the track was closed, Gino Phillips

December 19, 2010 - 7:59 pm

Bobcat - I still have my ticket stubs from the “slick 50″ world series sprint car events. That was probably one of the best shows I ever attended and I remember being very angry when it moved to Canyon Raceway! (the track was too small) I grew up in NY and was a faithful follower of Lebanon Valley Speedway before moving to Az. I now live in So Ca and follow the CRA at Perris speedway. I will never forget “Manzy” the drivers,the high banks,and the GREAT competition!

November 11, 2010 - 10:13 am

Robert - Thanks for stopping by Jim and leaving a comment, there was something about that track that set itself a part from anywhere else. Windy McDonald, long time track announcer…… shoot his pipes graced the sound system of that track for 50+ years, wrote a couple books loaded with pictures and stories of the track. http://windymcdonald.com/ stop by and take a look

November 11, 2010 - 7:22 am

Jim Mungovan - I was a regular at Manzy during the early 60′s helping a friend on a supermodified.I have been to many track thoughout the country while traveling with a friend that ran a USAC Sprint car.
Manzy was my favorite track and always will be.I loved standing
between the third and fourth turn during non winged Sprint Car shows.All though a little dangerous, I was never able to match that rush.Manzy was and always will be my favorite.

November 3, 2010 - 10:24 am

Robert - @ Scheila… the land the speedway sat on made way for commercial development, it’s gone

November 3, 2010 - 2:28 am

scheila - Is the speed way still there but just closed? what was the addressd?

September 14, 2010 - 11:48 pm

pendleton - My earliest memories of Manzanita are watching ‘jalopy’ races on channel 5 KPHO during the mid-50′s when I was 5 or 6 years old. If not mistaken Pat McMahon was one of the announcers, as well as, of course, Windy McDonald. I went to a lot of races in the 1970′s and always had a great time. Moved away from AZ and returned in 2000. I was able to take my kids there for a lot of races and it was the best of experiences for the family. Moved away again and never saw a another race there.

IMHO in 2000 it seemed the writing was on the wall for Manzy. In a city of 3 million or so it seemed unreal that only 1500 or so loyal fans would be there for one of the city’s best regular events. Manzanita had earned its reputation as one of the nation’s best tracks, but couldn’t convince more than a handful of locals.

When I heard that Manzanita had been closed I mourned for a good friend who had truly been a part of my life.

There is always plenty of blame to go around.

August 25, 2010 - 3:44 am

martyman - OMG I had so many great times there
Im pissed and sick at the same time
really sad

thank you Manzanita Speedway
and thank you for this web page
very nice job

July 13, 2010 - 6:36 am

James - Manzanita Speedway was a nice track, it is sad that it is sold and it seems that it will be closed. I hope not, it is great for sport events.

April 12, 2010 - 1:32 am

JHames Eledge - Yes, it is sad. I remember the days as a youngster sitting in the stands at Manzanita eating dirt and watching the mud fly. It was clean family fun; well you know what I mean. I moved away from AZ many years ago but am still sad to know it’s gone this was a big part of Phoenix in the day.
Rob, thanks for the photos and memories, Jim.

January 20, 2012 - 6:20 pm

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