The Missile fires back at Champion Opener!

The 45th Anniversary season at Champion Speedway got off to a great start. A full Division One Speedway program and 67 ATV entries were on hand.

In the Speedway heats, current track Champion, Casey Donholt of Port Crane, went undefeated and the “Dark Horse,” Jeremy Parsons of Newark Valley, only dropped one point. 

Four-time track Champion Len McBride, of Windsor, was third in points with a win and two seconds, followed by five-time track Champion, Adam “Missile” Mittl and “Flyin” Brian Hollenbeck of Owego, with six points each. Those top five would automatically earn berths in the Patrick Ahlund Spring Championship Final, which honors the former Swedish rider, who had moved to Canada and used to race at Champion before tragically losing his life in an auto accident back in Sweden.

In the final, Parsons made a strong start and seemed to have the race in command. Mittl made a charge up the outside and Parsons fenced him causing Mittl to bounce of the wall and McBride, who was in third, had to slow dramatically to avoid collecting him. At this stage Hollenbeck went to third with McBride fourth and Donholt fifth. 

Parsons held down the lead on lap 3, but caught traction and wheelied to the wall in turn four allowing Mittl by and going to 3rd. Mittl would then carry his Moonbeam / Tanks Auto / Justice Brothers / Joe V’s / Oury Grip / Scott’s Headers / Cobra sponsored GM to his 4th Ahlund Spring Classic Title! 

Hollenbeck, making a return after a year off, would take a solid second and a drag ensued to the finish for third between Parsons and Donholt. It appeared to be a dead draw after seeing the video replay. Track officials ruled a tie and will award equal track points. Fifth would be McBride who lost distance while avoiding mishaps.

Chaz Meiman from Ohio, a rookie to Champion, settled in nicely after his heats to take the Second Division Main. Ray “Rayzor” Schweiger of Candor went undefeated on his Moonbeam sponsored GM to take the win in Third Division. Promising youngster, Caleb Stewart of Apalachin, went home with the JR Speedway checkered.

A very large contingent of ATV’s / Trikes and youth dirt bikes took part in the first program at 4 p.m. It was a beautiful day and the track was on point. Five different quad classes plus a Trike Class and dirt bike class took to the smooth track for practice at 4 and a dedication to young Jagger Roberts, of Sayre, who lost his life in an ATV accident two weeks ago at a Hare Scramble, was made before the National Anthem.  

As the night went on the riders fought for the perfect lap. The Pro Quad Main went to Shane Smith who nailed a perfect start! Second was Brad Harrington, third Toby Relyea, and fourth Tyler Kehs. Smith also won the Sportsman class. 

Jimmer Ulrich was the Quad AM winner. Steve Nagy won the Trike Final.

The next race, The Summer Season Kickoff, is scheduled for June 8.

Patrick Ahlund Championship – Adam Mittl, Brian Hollenbeck, Jeremy Parsons / Casey Donholt (Tied), Len McBride.

B Final – Spencer Portararo, Dan Oakden, Alex Heath, Mike Cortese Jr., Mike Robinson, and Jonny Oakden.

C Final – Jerry Harman, Dave Oakden, Jeff Garlinghouse, Russ Cornell, and Dalton Oakden.

Second Division – Chaz Meiman, Jonny Oakden, Mason Higley, and Dalton Oakden.

Third Division – Ray Schweiger, Pat Farrell, and Alexis Heath.

Junior – Caleb Stewart, Levi Harris, and Joel Farwell.