by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

FREEHOLD, NJ – – Freehold’s own Cat Manzi was recognized for a pair of recent career milestones in a presentation at Freehold Raceway on Wednesday afternoon.

Manzi, Freehold’s perennial driving champion, won the first race aboard Shiver and was congratulated in the winners’circle by the raceway’s general manager, Don Codey, and other members of track management. The 54-year-old reinsman was recognized for becoming North America’s third driver in history to reach the 11,000 career win plateau, posting that win when he guided Classical Man to victory on April 28 at the Meadowlands.

Manzi, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2002, was also recognized for his 11,028th career victory, which moved him past Walter Case into second place on the alltime win list for North American drivers. Manzi passed Case when he tallied with The Intimidator at The Meadowlands on Saturday night.

When asked how it felt to move into second place on the alltime driver standings, Manzi said, “Well, I’m proud of it. I think it’s a great thing that it happened to me. I just think that it’s nice to have had that many chances.”

Although he is having the best year of his career in his mid-50’s, the unassuming driving champion said that he never thinks about age. “I just go along with no plan, and I really don’t think much about things like that,” Manzi said.

Manzi currently is the leading driver in North America with a total of 314 wins this year. He holds an insurmountable lead at the current Freehold meeting, which concludes on May 28, in quest of his 17th driving title.