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June's Southwest Report
by June Lowitz

Manzanita Speedway-ASCA Sprints

May 17, 2005... I wasn't sure how I was going to like Saturday night at Manzy w/out Jeremy Sherman racing in the Fred Bryan owned, F & E Development, Dream Office Solutions, Impact # 77.  I was pretty upset over what I read in the newspaper and what I had heard and read on different message boards.  What I thought was going to be a boring rough night turned out to be one of the best night's of racing I've seen in a long time.
 
I walked into the stands and sat down and was told by Trophy Dash sponsor Bill Shaver that Fred Bryan had his car at the track.  I was shocked at that, then I was informed that Jeremy was suspended and not Fred or the car.  Fred chose to run the car with none other than "The Bullet" Bob Ream, Jr., the driver.  I didn't know what to think, but figured that there would be more controversy as the night went on.
 
All of the talk in the grandstands was of Jeremy's suspension and how upset the fans were.  There was a rumor floating around that people were so upset over what they read, that they emailed the track telling them why they weren't going to be at the track on 5/14/05.  Those that chose to stay away missed a great race.  I'm a Jeremy fan, don't get me wrong.  However, I'm still going to support the very same racing association that suspended him.  People are human and can make mistakes.  In my opinion, this was a mistake made by the board.
 
OK, so the night started out with a lot of controversy.  Bullet was in Jeremy's car, which I thought was way cool.  The track seemed good and wet but it was warm out so I wondered how it would hold up with both sprints and midgets running.  I was glad to see Jeremy racing in the midget division.  All of my other favorites were racing, Bullet, Jeff Henry, Bruce St. James, Bernie Smith just to name a few.  I knew Jeremy would be missed but that there would still be some great racing ahead.
 
The Trophy Dash was the first race on the cards and it was a barn burner.  The Bullet, Bob Ream, Jr., lived up to his name and shot around the track to win the race.  It was really nice to see Bob in victory lane and to give a shout out to Jeremy.  Bob, being the gentleman that he is made sure that the fans knew he was only in the car for this race and that Jeremy called him and asked him to drive the car.  Finishing second to Bullet was Josh Pelkey, Bernie Smith and Andy Reinbold. 
 
The first heat race pushed off with Pelkey crossing the finish line in first.  Jay Ervine, driving the beautiful red and white #21 owned by Jimm Tuttle and sponsored by The JR Tuttle Design and Construction Company, Pennzoil, MAC Tools, Sport Imports of Tucson, Performance Engines and Jay Ervine's wallet finished 2nd with Bobby Boone driving the #61 car finishing third.  The final transfer to the main event went to rookie driver #48 Thomas Ogle. 
 
The second heat race went to Jimmy Drinan in the #91AZ car.  Jimmy was followed by Calif. driver Larry Lloyd, Bruce St. James and another rookie Michael Mundy.  The Radio Flyer, Bruce St. James looked very impressive in the heat race after starting fifth and moving up to third making the transfer into the main event.  Bruce, who drives his own #7K Stealth sprint car, was a man on a mission.  He looked very smooth and comfortable in the heat race.  Watch for Bruce as he seems to get better each week.  Don't forget to catch him on his daily radio show, KTAR 620 am radio from 1:00pm - 4:00pm or go to www.ktar620.com and download the software to listen to him if you aren't in the Phoenix area.  It seems like Bruce and his crew chief Whitey Owens seem to be getting it together. 
 
Brian Hacker in the #31 car won heat three with the BernDog, Bernie Smith driving the #14 Favorite Systems Trucking and Total Package sponsored car in second place.  Here's another driver who really is coming on strong.  Bernie's another driver who is on a mission and he sure looked it Saturday night.  Following Brian and Bernie to the main event were Andy Reinbold and Mike Leslie.
 
The fourth heat race came out and none other than the Bullet won the race.  Ream was another driver who seemed on rails this night.  In second place was Jeff Henry in the #12 Robbie Allen owned, ABC Body Shop, Arizona Towman, Maxima Oils, B. Wasson, Larry's Artwork & Details and Lightning Wheels sponsored car.  Transferring to the main were Matt Rossi and Michael Bryan.
 
Racing their way from the semi main into the nights main event were Chris Edwards, Chris McArthur, Yuma's Mike Martin and Chuck Buckman.  The semi was a good race as Edwards and McArthur swapped the lead a couple of times before McArthur took the win. 
 
OK, main event time.  Time to rock and roll.  The main event pushed off instead of lining up on the front straight due to time constraints I'm sure.  Not sure who to really watch this night, I had my eyes on Jeff Henry.  I just had a hunch that tonight might be his night.  I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want a bunch of egg on my face if I was wrong, but it just felt like it was time.  I was so happy when I saw Jeff take the lead and never look back.  When Jeff crossed the finish line to take the win, I can honestly say I was extremely happy for him.  Following Jeff was a hard charging Mike Leslie with Bernie Smith finishing third edging out Bob Ream, Jr., for the position.
 
Jeff, being the gentleman and good sport that he is said that he wished he would have been racing Jeremy, but it felt good to know that the car was there with Ream behind the wheel.  Jeff emailed me and asked me to please mention that he dedicates the win and race to a very close friend Judy Mudersbach.  Judy was a good friend to Jeff who passed away from her battle with cancer on Easter Sunday.  Judy was a special person not only to Jeff but to his family as well and she is sincerely missed by the Henry's.  It looks like the ABC Motorsports team finally has lady luck on their side.  My sincerest congratulations go out to the entire team on a great win. 
 
I didn't get a chance to go down and congratulate my buddy, the Bern Dog, Bernie Smith on a great race.  I told ya buddy, you are on your way now.  I was so happy to watch how well you finished.  Bernie really looked great in the main and seemed to hold his own and fight for his spot.  What a difference a year makes!!!  Great job Bernie.  Keep up the good work.  The winners circle is just around the corner from you.
 
The pits seemed to be filled with people who had mixed emotions about the night.  All in all I think it was a good race, even though we all missed Jeremy.  I still don't agree with the boards decision, but seeing how they made it and enforced it, it's something we all now have to live with.  I guess it just upsets me to think that a good driver like Jeremy gets penalized for something that a lot of others should be penalized for.  I sincerely hope that the board comes down as hard on other drivers as they did Jeremy.  I think if they do it to one driver they need to do it to everyone that drives rough.  The question is, who is going to make the call?  Will it take another protest by a car owner to have something happen or will the board take the bull by the horns and take action?  The answer my friends is just to wait and see.  Please know that this is my opinion, and not anyone else's.  I'm not easily swayed by others and normally I don't comment over controversies such as this.  This time it just got to me as I felt that the punishment didn't fit.  Maybe I'm wrong, and if I am, I'll be the first one to admit it.  As they say, there's always the next race.  I'm sure Jeremy will be on a terror as he always is.
 
Be sure to look for Bruce St. James and Bob Ream, Jr., with USAC/CRA when they come to town for their last visit on May 21 until September.  It will be good to see the 410's running with Damion Gardner, Cory Kruseman, Mike Kirby and my own personal favorite and pal, Super Rickie Gaunt.  Don't forget about Charlie Davis, Jr. and RJ Johnson, our hometown boys who run with USAC/CRA.  Be sure to come early as when USAC/CRA comes to town the stands fill up fast. 
 
I'll see you at Manzy on 5/21/05 from my favorite spot, turn 1. Make sure you stop by and say hi or email me if you want.  I try to answer all emails.  ASCAJune@aol.com.
 
Congratulations again to Jeff Henry and Robbie Allen on their win.  Special thanks to Robbie Allen for adding my column on his website, www.abcmotorsports.com.  Be sure to check out the website if you haven't already. 
 
Until next week.. stay safe and have fun.

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