I am ready to get back to the website and I hope to be covering the Barrett - Jackson Auto Action at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 7 - 10, 2009. Hopefully, able to get great images and stories just hours after the auction.

Sometimes others say things better than I can. The following was sent to me by “Terry”… These are his words…

For the last couple of days I have hit every open wheel message board I could find. Reading others views. Seeing all sides. And I decided before I posted anything, that I would go through all of the emotions. And with every email, text message and phone call, I went through every emotion a person can have. And I sit here and type this with such a heavy heart. For the last few days I could not find the words. I almost feel like I am sitting here writing a eulogy for a lost loved one.

I have and always will have great memories of Manzanita Speedway. I grew up there. Just like most of you have. I was fortunate to be able to race there like so many of my hero’s had before me. The history is so rich and deep. I can remember my first race there. I can also remember my last as a driver. I remember as a kid growing up how badly I wanted to race there. The first time I made a lap on the half-mile, I got chills down my spine. And with tapes and photo’s I will be able to have that memory with me for the rest of my life.

I sit here and think about all the races I have seen at Manzanita. I think back and replay some of the greatest races in my lifetime. For my generation. How could we forget Ron Shuman, Leland McSpadden and Richard Griffin battling lap after lap. I will never forget Steve Sussex Jr. winning the Midget Western World by a bumper. Jerry Coons Jr. Winning the Western World from the back. Andy Reinbold getting his first win last year at the Hank Arnold. Jeremy Sherman joining the elite 100 plus wins club. Nathan High showing the USAC guys that locals can run up front. Kiley Fellars winning all those races and his Championship. Windy celebrating his 50th year at Manzanita Speedway. How could we forget last years Western… Hockett and Swindell battling until the end. And most certainly the best damn weekly non-wing short track racing this country has to offer. I could not possibly list every race that I keep in my memory. But these are a few events that stand out.

And to think of the drivers that Manzanita Speedway has produced. Man that’s a long impressive list. The drivers that went on to become bigger. And show the rest of the country that Arizona does have the talent. There isn’t a racer in the country that does not know about Manzanita. Training TRACK OF CHAMPIONS!

And who can forget the Manzy Mag? One of the best race track programs across this country. I still remember the funny cartoon drawing in them as a kid.

Thanks to Windy Mcdonald. He has put out books that will forever keep the memory of Manzanita Speedway alive. He put together the best photographic history book racing has seen. And he did it for the love of the sport and Manzanita Speedway. And hopefully Windy can produce a book that left off with his last one. One that will take the rest of the history to the end, April 11th, 2009. And thanks to Windy for some of the greatest nick names. Ricky “The Racer”, “Chargin” Charles, “little Bit” Chad, “the Bullet” Bob Ream Jr.

Thank You to Keith Hall as well. Year after year he gave us a place to race. A place to meet our friends. A place to share the sport we all love so much. Rather you like Keith or not, He kept us all racing.

These are just some of my thoughts. And I thought that I would share them with the rest of you. While it is easy to point fingers and lay blame. I felt that I would share some of the positives I am taking away with me. Thank all of you…. The fans, The Drivers, The Crew members, Corner Workers, Front Office, General Managers, Push Truck Drivers and the Medics for making it as special as it was. Thank you everyone behind the scenes. Thanks for the long hard hours. The blood, sweat and tears we have all shared there. Thank all of you for being part of my family.

01/14/2009 Scottsdale, AZ Barrett-Jackson Auction.

What a great place to be with SUPER weather. Cars, cars, cars, cars, cars, cars… You get the idea… No matter what type of car you like, dream about or ? its here,

Its a long day to try and see all the cars, exhibits, food to and things I haven’t seen yet. To REALLY see the whole event takes a minimum of 2 days (and they say the economy is bad!). I saw a new 09? Corvette, no real miles go for about $25k and a (year?) Z28 IROC Camero go for about $14K?

After all the cars I saw today, One is out there for you!

To see images from today, click here!

Scottsdale, AZ. 01/11/2009

I’m not particularly good at word smithing or what some people call reporting. I’ll try and get some fantastic images from this venue. Where I called home for a few decades are getting socked with rain and snow and this may warm them up as well as some other cold weather places.

This is one off the first cars I saw after getting my credentials for the event. Not all is built, the auction starts Tuesday. The list of cars is here.

To see images from today, click here!

The year that is. I came to Phoenix, AZ. to visit for a couple of months. That was about November 2006. I had taken a month to take images of “Route 66″. Well, the old health thing started to go backwards. 4 back surgeries (last one 12/29/08) , 2 eye surgeries (so far. I’m not finished yet.) and another hospital visit of about 6 days.

The beginning of this year feels good. I’m not fully physically healed yet.

Hopefully, a New Year, a new outlook and a new website will benefit us all!