U.S. Open National Championships coming to town, AMA U.S. National Champion to take part

OWEGO — One of the most prestigious events in North America for speedway motorcycle racing, The US Open National Championships, is set to come to Champion Speedway in Owego on Sept. 6 and will feature some of the best racers American Speedway has to offer.

This year’s Championship series is slated for two nights of racing. The first round on Sept. 5 is scheduled to be held at Champion’s sister facility, Action Park East in Greene, and will start at 7 p.m. The Championship finals, Sept. 6 at Champion, will kick off at 6 p.m.

Headlining the event will be current AMA U.S. National Champion and four-time and current U.S. Open Champion, Broc Nicol, of Lomita, CA and former U.S. Open Champ and Under 21 National Champion, Austin Novratil, of Huntington Beach, CA, along with up and coming CA star, 20-year-old Justin Almon of Apple Valley, CA.   

Local fans will have a lot to cheer about and the guest stars will have their hands full as the track promotion has a strong program of local riders at the moment. The top local favorites to win the Championship have to be current East Coast Points leader and the rider with the most main event wins this season, Caleb Stewart of Owego, Casey Donholt of Port Crane, also a former Champion, Spencer Portararo of Maine, who is a former East Coast Points Champion, “Fast” Albert Smith of Maine, Five-time track Champion, Adam “The Missile” Mittl of Maine. Teenagers Cody “The Kid” Pierce of Spencer and Levi “Hornet” Harris of Windsor have also made main events this summer and will take part. More riders from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be making up the field.

Owego’s Alex “Hazard” Heath is a favorite to win the D-2 Title. The Spectro Oils East Coast JR program is booming and will feature in the two day championship as well.

Speedway motorcycles have absolutely no brakes, go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in three seconds and slide totally sideways through the turns. They run on methanol and the sport attracts crowds of 20,00 plus for weekly meetings in Europe. There are only several pockets of speedway in the US and New York is recognized as one of the best, second only to California. Champion Speedway is at the end of Rt. 434 in Owego on Old Narrows Road. Support Class racing, Mini Trikes and Juniors will be included both nights. Quad Racing will be taking place as well. Monday could serve as a rain-date. More info can be found by calling (585)-739-9612 or going to www.eastcoastspeedway.com or www.speedwaybikes.com.