Manmiller teams with Zubi’s Racing – By: Cody Manmiller

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Manmiller teams with Zubi’s Racing  – By: Cody Manmiller

Since the 1999 season, three drivers have captured the Grandview Speedway Modified Championship. David Zubikowski and Doug Manmiller want that to change.

Zubi’s Racing announced yesterday, via its Facebook page, that the team will stay at the Grandview Speedway on Saturday nights, but this time with track-standout Doug Manmiller behind the wheel.

“I wasn’t originally going to go back without Jeff (Strunk),” Zubikowski said. “When he made other plans, it didn’t make sense for me to drive two and a half hours to not have a shot at the championship, and I figured the other three (Manmiller, Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard) all had their plans figured out.”

“As of the banquet, even this (Wednesday) morning, I was planning on running my own stuff again,” Manmiller noted. “He (Zubikowski) and I talked a little at the banquet, and he mentioned that he was not sure of his plans, but still interested in returning to Grandview with the right driver.”

Both sides swam last season in relatively new waters. Zubikowski’s team spent its Saturday nights as a Grandview regular for the first time, while Manmiller flipped the bill for his Saturday night ride as the owner and driver of the GMI First Inc.-sponsored No. 00.

An agreement was finalized early Wednesday morning.

“I was always impressed with Doug on the track, and liked every conversation I had with him throughout the season. I’m looking for fun, good people that are still really competitive,” said Zubikowski, who explained that he and Strunk are on good terms.

Manmiller had the same thoughts.

“I was excited to hear from him this morning, and I’m really looking forward to next season to see what we can do together,” Manmiller said. “From seeing him around at the track, he’s been an awesome guy to talk to.”
As a result of the new partnership, Manmiller will switch to a HigFab Chassis from a Bicknell for the 2016 season at the 1/3 mile, high-banked clay oval.

“The switch will be a change, definitely,” explained Manmiller. “I’ve been with Bicknell for four or five years now and had good success. But, I’ve known Jerry (Higbie) for a very long time and have seen what he’s done the last couple years and am excited to work with him too.”

Zubikowski’s relationship with Higbie helped: “Jerry wanted a good car down at Grandview to really compete for the championship.”

The plans are, at the moment, to just compete at Grandview on Saturday nights.
Zubikowski, with Manmiller, who is still chasing the elusive Grandview title, and has been the closest to breaking through, doesn’t mind the new role.

“I really want to beat the top three, and I like being an underdog,” Zubikowski said. “I received a lot of calls from people, but I knew we needed one of the top four in order to win this thing.”

Manmiller also has made tentative plans with Jason Miller for select shows across the northeast next season.

Images Courtesy: Simplicity Designs

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