McBride wins his parents Memorial Race; Windsor resident back in the winner’s circle

McBride wins his parents Memorial Race; Windsor resident back in the winner's circlePictured, from left, is speedway champion Tuff McBride, 4-time track champ and winner Len McBride, and track Promoter Jason Bonsignore. Provided photo.

The Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial is held each season at Champion Speedway. Larry was the track videographer at Champion Speedway and Action Park East for years and also wrote all the race reports for the local papers. Kathy was a dedicated scorer at both facilities. They were not only important helpers at the races but their sons, Tuff and Lenny of Windsor, N.Y., are two of the best riders the East Coast ever produced! 

Tuff was the most successful Eastern rider to take part in the very tough California Speedway circuit in it’s heyday in the mid to late 80’s, racing five nights a week at one point. Lenny is a 4-time track Champion at Champion Speedway and also a former Canadian National Champ! Both are still currently racing, although Tuff is out presently with an injured hand. Both have won the Handicap portion of their parent’s event in the past but have narrowly missed the scratch championship in recent years. Lenny, who made his most recent comeback three years ago after an eight-year layoff, has been very strong this season and has been peaking at the right time heading into this event.

McBride wins his parents Memorial Race; Windsor resident back in the winner's circle
Action Photo of Len McBride by Brian Walsh.

It was decided prior to the start that the winner of Second Division on the night would be named on the plaque as the handicap champ, which has been done in some years, and Division One would be all scratch. Three heat rounds and finals would take place.

At the conclusion of the heats it was McBride and Casey Donholt with perfect scores followed by Adam “The Missile” Mittl, who had only dropped one point, and Spencer Portararo, who had dropped two. They would automatically go to the Main Event.

The next four riders – Brian Hollenbeck, Jeremy Parsons, Jonny Oakden, Dave Oakden, and Mason Higley would be seeded to the B Final or last Chance. Parsons made the start and led for several laps until hitting a hole in the track and going wide, which opened the door for a Hollenbeck win! He would be the final rider in the Main.

McBride won the coin toss for first gate choice in the final and chose gate 4. Donholt would then choose number 5. Mittl took 3 and Portararo 1 with Hollenebeck left with 2. 

McBride made the perfect start on his Moonbeam / Justice Bros / Arai / Oury / Cobras / Scotts Headers /Tanks Auto GM powered rocket and ran the dirt line into the corner. He rode a flawless race as he distanced the lead and fittingly took home the McBride Memorial Championship. Mittl, the 5-time track champ was a solid second with the young gun Portararo third, Hollenbeck fourth and Donholt fifth.

Young Mason Higley was the Second Division Title taker, Dale Robinson won Third Division and completing the night for Windsor, N.Y. residents were Levi “The Hornet” Harris taking first in the JR Speedway class and Dylan “Little Outlaw” Hawk winning his Third Pro Quad Main in a row.

The next events on the East Coast Calendar are Friday, Aug. 16 at Action Park East, The Speedway Joe Cup, and Saturday, Aug. 17, The Hank Bassett USSGP RD 3 at Champion Speedway. 

The following are the results from the Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial: Lenny McBride, Adam Mittl, Spencer Portararo, Brian Hollenbeck, Casey Donholt.                                

B Final: Brian Hollenbeck, Jeremy Parsons, Jonny Oakden, Dave Oalden, Mason Higley.

D-2: Mason Higley, Mike Cortese, Levon Herundees, Ray Schweiger.

D-3: Dale Robinson, Ray Schweiger, Dillon Fiske, Alexis Heath, Jamal Kelly.

Juniors: Levi Harris, Joel Farwell, Brianna Hursh.

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