5 minute read
Legends & Heroes Night @ Industry
July 27, 2024
Industry Hills Speedway City of Industry CA www.industryhills speedway.com
HOWIE ZECHNER
PHOTOS BY KENNY LONNGREN
https://kennylonngren. smugmug.com
A favorite Industry racing event? Much like your kids or motorcycle it’s hard to pick one but for sure Legends and Heroes night is right there on the top. Has to cause it’s the one night a year yesterday’s stars get top billing. Rightfully so as promoter Kelly Inman treats them like the Superstars they are.
It starts with the race program. Eight color pages that contain a picture of most. Real heroes like Barry Briggs, Billy Gray, Billy Meister, Bobby Schwartz, Bobby Tocco, Doug Nicol, Dubb Ferrell, Ernie Aragon, Ricky Miller, Tommy Burba, Mike Maely, Gene Gene the Dancin Machine, Rob Morrison, Pam Bennett, Jan Ballard, John Foster, Ryan Evans, Randy Blevins, Shawn McConnell, Steve Lucero, Danny Thompson, Terry Clanton, Sonny Nutter, Pete Pistone, Greg Haserot and others who will of course RAZ me for forgetting to post their names.
All mentioned were seated behind a row of 10 tables with checkered flag coverings. Well laid out with a stand up name plaque each spectator could see, they talked, touched and got an autograph or picture of their favorite although it seemed to me that all got equal love.
Then there are those special displays like the Mike Lupo pop-up that contained both the original prototype and 2nd generation Ken Maely Speedway bikes. And whoa what about that outrageous machine 2007 Hillclimb World Champion Robie Peterson showcased.
Have to mention the 8x10 full color Legends and Heroes plaque all who participated received. Nice, a keepsake I plan on displaying just as I’m sure the others will.
Ok, let's talk racing. A full program of 37 separate events that included Speedway, Division 1, 2 and 3 along with Mini 150cc, Pee Wee and of course those insane 1000cc Sidecars.
Describing a speedway race is a near impossible task. Writing so and so got the gate or took the lead hardly does justice to a sport where riders race side by side in a small dirt oval on lightweight high horsepower machines that have no brakes. No, it seems to me that if you want to see lightning strike or experience the rain you have to come to the storm.
Of course not literally as the Thunderdome is a covered arena so no matter what mother nature supplies you're safe and dry. Fact is without a single bad seat no matter where you sit the action is in front of you.
Our announcer Terry Ike Clanton is one of the best. A former Speedway racer he was trained by the late, great Bruce Flanders. Knowing the racers and action he’s likeable, delivers and is very popular.
Then there’s the food, and drink. And money. Industry Racing is proud that it can deliver a full night of entertainment at a more than reasonable price. Here’s their Facebook link, look for yourself. https://www. facebook.com/IndustryRacing
Did I mention the rider pit layout? Motorcycle racing is dangerous so course insurance demands we keep spectators out while the racing is going on. Out and away are however two different things. A short four foot fence along the pit side allows the spectator to see and experience all that is happening. Also riders go over to the fence and interact with those on the other side. Picture, autograph, no problem. Of course the best part is that once the final race has been run the pits are open so you can walk right in.
So come and enjoy. It’s fun with a capital F. Hope to see you there. Video from Industry Racing and our sister track Costa Mesa Speedway can be seen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/508073082573528/ Below is the Legends and Heroes 7-27-24 scoring compliments of RC Jones and speedwaybike.com
Thanks for listening, see you where the wheels go round.
Scratch Main Event 1. Max Ruml 2. Slater Lightcap 3. Alex Martin 4. Broc Nicol
Scratch Consolation 1. Shawn McConnell 2. Justin Almon 3. Eddie Castro
Second Division Main Event 1. Luke Whitcomb 2. Eloy Medellin 3. Joe Donaldson 4. Rudy Laurer
Third Division Main Event (restart) 1. Jason Wood 2. Jeff Semmig 3. Avant LeGarde (fell, remounted) 4. Jake Scarborough (fell)
Mini 150 Main Event 1. Ryder Schultz 2. Morgan Myers 3. Brandon Soto 4. Brandon Kemmerly 5. Kayd Fiore
Pee Wee Main Event 1. Camden Morris 2. Ozzy Duran 3. Davie Reece 4. Julian Anagnos 5. Jett Ferré
Sidecar Main Event 1. Emil Ovrid/Edward Ovrid 2. Stuart Glass/Jack Straw 3. Kevin Kale/Jennifer Hernandez 4. Ace Kale/Brent Smith
