Published: April 14, 2009 11:22 pm      

BOWMAN: Manzanita runs its final race

Local tracks offer entertainment, and boost to economy

As is the case every Sunday night when the Kokomo Speedway sits idle, I find myself perched in my comfortable La-Z-Boy chair in my “man cave” as they are called now, watching Wind Tunnel with Dave DeSpain.

This weekend the talk centered around the closing of the famed Manzanita (Ariz.) Speedway, effective Sunday night when the checkered flag fell on the final race of the evening.

Track historian and announcer Windy McDonald recounted many stories of the great races and drivers who have competed at the famous Arizona racing facility over the years. In listening to him tell his stories, it was akin to hearing most of the old-timers who have been around the Kokomo Speedway for so many years.

Surprisingly, McDonald seemed rather matter of fact when discussing the closing of the facility. He was preparing to call his final race at the track later in the evening, but it would seem that the magnitude of emotion that was soon to hit him hadn’t quite sunk in just yet.

Myself, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to know that in a few short hours I would be going to the Kokomo Speedway as I have every weekend for so many years, knowing that it would be the last time.

As for tracks across the country that match the tradition of Manzanita, Kokomo, Winchester, Eldora, Williams Grove and Knoxville quickly come to mind. I’m sure there are others, but all of the tracks mentioned are entrenched with racing history going back 50-plus years.

On a positive side, there has been speculation that there could well be a new Manzanita Speedway in the future. Rumor has it that the current owners of the facility are looking into rebuilding a new Manzanita Speedway at another location as the primary reason for the track’s closure has been complaints from neighbors in the area of the track.

McDonald stated that there had been talk of possibly obtaining some land from a nearby Indian Reservation and building a new facility. However, he noted, that to build a facility that would come close to equaling the current Manzanita in terms of appearance, as well as making it as first-class as the current facility is, would take some time. McDonald noted that the soonest possible time frame would probably be in 2010 if at all.

So, in a nutshell, the moral of all of this is to support the local tracks, cherish every night you have the opportunity to go out and watch the races and hope that new neighbors in the area don’t try to cause a stink and make it a priority to try to shut down any more tracks.

I recall a time a couple years back when an old friend of mine moved into a newer neighborhood close to the Kokomo track. When I asked him how he liked his new house, he said it was great except for Sunday nights. That the noise of the track bothered him.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Then I reminded him that his neighborhood had only been around for less than a dozen years while the old race track had been there for over 50. My pet peeve is the hear folks complain about the “noise” that comes from the track each week.

That “noise” that they refer to brings probably 1,000 plus people into our community every race night. Both before and after the races driving to and from the track one can see that those out-of-town folks are eating at our restaurants, staying at our hotels, buying gas at our gas stations and essentially providing our economy quite a boost five months out of the year.

So, before the naysayers start throwing stones about the “noise”, think first what a boost race night does for many of our local businesses.

Hagen recovering after crash

Darren Hagen, who had already picked up four feature wins in USAC competition heading into Saturday’s event at the Eldora Speedway, was badly injured an a crash Saturday night at Eldora.

Following a restart in the fourth heat race, Hagen got crossed up and flipped wildly in turn three. He was airlifted to the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and it was later reported that he had suffered some broken ribs and a punctured lung and was expected to be out of action until cleared by doctors to return to the cockpit.

Those wanting to see the damage can visit www.pitpassphotos.com, then link to the 2009 photos.

Coons avoids crashes to claim win

With seven flips interrupting the action, Jerry Coons Jr. steered clear of the carnage and held off Dave Darland to win the Coca-Cola Spring Classic/Don Branson and Jud Larson Memorial Saturday night at the Eldora Speedway.

Aside from Hagen’s tumble, Brett Burdette (twice), Damion Gardner, Cole Whitt, Trey Robb and Brad Sweet all found themselves upside down in what seemed to be a wild night of USAC National Sprint Car Series action.

Coons led the opening lap only to have two-time series champion Levi Jones snare the lead until Sweet took the point on the 14th lap. Sweet the flipped with just six laps remaining, collecting Robb and handing the lead over to Coons.

Jesse Hockett fought from the back of the pack to finish third while Jones slipped to fourth. Brady Short made a last-lap pass of Robert Ballou to round out the top five. Ballou, Bud Kaeding, Chris Windom, Bryan Clauson and Nic Faas completed the top-10.

The series returns to action Friday night at the Gas City I-69 Speedway with Darland leading the points chase by 16 over Hockett (242-226). Coons is third with 195 markers while Whitt sits in fourth with 194.

Last season in this event, Kokomo’s Shane Cottle picked up the win while Whitt garnered a win there in USAC competition as well, claiming the checkers during Indiana Sprint Week.

Mini Sprint tracks ready to roll

The Miami County Speedway will play host to a Test and Tune Day Saturday at the track, weather permitting. The Test and Tune Session at the U.S. 24 Speedway in Logansport was rained out but the season should kick off there this weekend as well, weather permitting. For more information on the tracks, visit www.miamicountyspeedway.com and www.us24speedway.com.

Special thanks

I would like to thank Alan Brown for his continued updates from the Eldora event on Saturday night as I was unable to attend. Brown kept me updated on the condition of Hagen, who cut his teeth at the local oval four seasons ago and is arguably one of the most well-liked drivers in the series. It's tough wanting to be at the track, but other commitments prevented me from doing so, so Brown's updates made the anxiety of being away a bit easier to deal with.

Brett Bowman covers auto racing for the Tribune. He can be reached by e-mail at brettbowman29@aol.com or through the sports department.