Source: Windy MacDonald
Date: 10/23/2007

Manzanita Speedway continues its championship series with the running of the Barnett Harley Davidson Dirt Modfied Nationals this weekend. The modifieds will be running their qualifying races, including a main event on the half mile track Friday night and follow up with the championship finals Saturday night. The new kids on the block, the modlites will also stage their first ever Nationals on the one third mile oval.

Manzanita's all time winningest driver, Terry Belcher, has decided that he does not like retirement and will be driving in the dirt modifieds. Belcher won the first ever Nationals and his son Terry, Jr. and Anthony Madrid are the only other local drivers to win the most prestigious race of the year for the dirt mods.

Belcher's son-in-law, Robert King, Jr. has won the last two modlite races to earn the favorites' role in the smaller cars.

Several out of state drivers have filed early entries for the dirt modified portion of the Nationals. In line for farthest tow is Shawn Nolan of Annadale, MN. West Coast drivers Aaron Mari and Lance Mari, along with Steve Ayler of Bakersfield will be among those challenging the local forces.

Entries are expected from several drivers from New Mexico including former champions Royal Jones and his son Bumper, Scott Logston and Stormy Scott. Curt Barnett heads the expected entries from Texas.

Prominent locals include Jeff Gibson, Jay Foster, Belcher, Jr., Madrid, Chris McCurdy, Tony Steele, John Cox, Chuck Kuehl and the 2007 Manzanita champion Ricky Thornton, Jr.

Tucson's Jeremy Payne and R.C. Whitwell are also expected to be part of the field.

The modlites expect well over 20 cars in their part of the Nationals. King's team mates, Brandon and Clayton Echols have accounted for six of the ten races run for the modlites this year. Brandon has three wins, King two and Clayton Echols one. Troy Korkosz, the 1991 dwarf car champion won the season opener and then repeated on September 14, Terry Belcher won in Brad Hallin's car and Nick Bruce took a win in August.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m. each night with competitive racing at 7:30.

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