McBride Doubles Down at Champion Speedway
By Jason Bonsignore
Photos by Scott Herb and Ray Schwieger
May 14th, 2022
Champion Speedway’s 48th season kicked off Saturday, May 14th, with the Patrick Ahlund Spring Classic under unusually hot May temperatures! The race track had nice moisture though and fans were treated to some great speedway racing and the live music of Devon Lawton and the Inlaws after the event!
Riders took part in both scratch and handicap racing throughout the night. In the scratch races all competitors start on the same stating line whereas in the handicap portion the faster, more experienced riders start further back in 10 yard increments!
Racers making it down to the two scratch semifinals were Len McBride, Adam Mittl, Caleb Stewart, Andy Kourafas, Spencer Portararo, Dave Oakden, Dalton Oakden, Mike Cortese, Alex Heath and Trenton Lane. They would need to get 1st or 2nd place to transfer to the Main while 3rd and 4th would go to the last chance. Portararo and Dalton Oakden would transfer from semi one with McBride and Stewart from semi number two. Dave Oakden and Adam Mittl had a nice battle in the last chance with Oakden coming out on top for the final position in the scratch main.
On the first try at the Main, McBride had used the outside on the first lap to work himself into the lead ahead of Portararo, who then hooked up on lap two and crashed causing a restart and earning a ten-yard penalty. Dave Oakden would nail the start but it was not enough to fend off the current and five-time track champion, McBride, as he rode the wheels off his Justice Bros/Scotts Headers and Mufflers/Tanks Auto/Walter Earth Co/JBR/CK contracting/DC Hauling Jawa and quickly led the race to the first checkered flag of the 2022 season!
For the handicap races the top 3 out of the two semis would make up the six-rider field for the final. Making their way through were McBride, Heath, Portararo, Stewart, Cortese and Dalton Oakden. McBride would work off a 50-yard handicap, along with Portararo and began picking off the lower yardage riders one by one on the first lap using his many years of track craft on both the inside and outside of the track. By lap five he had pulled even with Cortese and Oakden and split them coming off turn two heading into the final lap with a lead he never relinquished which saw him complete a double main event win on the start of what is believed to be 39 years since his rookie year! An incredible accomplishment for the Windsor, NY resident who ranks among the best all time riders from the East Coast!
The next event on the calendar is at Champion’s sister track, Action Park East, on RT 12 in Greene on Saturday, May, 28th, which is part of a two day Championship dedicated to Meggan Hobart, a dear friend and member of the tracks for the last 15 years that lost her battle to cancer in April. The second day, May 29th, takes place at Champion Speedway in the evening and promises to be an awesome show!
Results for 5/14/2022 Champion Speedway
Patrick Ahlund Spring Classic Results
Scratch Main
1. Len McBride
2. Spencer Portoraro
3. Caleb Stewart
4. Dalton Oakden
5. Dave Oakden
***************************
Handicap Main
1. Len McBride
2. Spencer Portoraro
3. Mike Cortese
4. Dalton Oakden
5. Alex Heath
6. Caleb Stewart
D-2 (We had an unfortunate crash involving four riders earlier. nobody was seriously hurt but guys got banged up a bit and bikes got bent and broke, which is why only two places show)
1. Levi Harris
2. Brian McManamon
D-3
1. Zachary Ostrander
2. Marcin Nicpon
3. Scott Vargo
4. Alexis Heath
Jr
1. Cody Pierce
2. Joel Farwell
3. Macoley Sanders
4. Gracie Bailey
5. Jenson Pierce
Trikes
1. Daniel Henninge
2. Paulie Crambo
3. Aaron Vogel
4. Jordan Taft
May 29th
May 29, 2022
Champion Speedway played host to RD 2, the finals, of Meggan Hobart Spring Fling Championship, last Sunday evening. The event paid tribute to the dear friend and staff member of 15 years who lost her battle with cancer several months ago. Round 1 was held the night before at Action Park East in Greene, where one of the all-time greats, Adam “The Missile” Mittl, won the Main event!
The weather was perfect at Champion Speedway on Sunday and the pits were full with 50 riders between Speedway and Trikes. A scratch and handicap format was run for speedway but the Championship was just based on the scratch portion results.
The scratch main ended with controversy. A great four lap battle was had between Mike Buman, who returning after a long layoff from a serious injury, and Spencer Portararo, the former track champion who was having equipment trouble and was on his second borrowed bike of the evening. Buman was leading on the inside while Portararo was making ground on the outside. Heading into the last set of corners Portararo had made a big run around the cushion in turn four and was going past when Buman accidentally bobbled and got wobbly and came across the front of Portararo causing him to run out of track and go down. Buman was credited with the win to the displeasure of the Portararo camp. Mittl would come second place, which coupled with his win from Saturday, gave the 5-time Track Champion, who is sponsored by Scotts Headers and Mufflers/Justice Brothers/TANKS Auto and Arai Helmets, the Meggan Hobart Overall Championship! Dave Oakden of Brockport, NY was 3rd in the main with Portararo being given 4th and Lenny McBride 5th as McBride had fallen on the second lap.
In the handicap feature McBride would get revenge after his fall in the scratch final…the Windsor, NY resident, and also 5-time track champion, was gaining ground from the 50 yard line and passing riders the first couple laps until Owego’s Alex “Hazard” Heath hit the deck bringing out a stoppage. Riders were restarted correctly in single file order of how they were running with Heath placed at the back and the final several laps were run. Trenton Lane from Watkins Glen was riding an excellent race up front and McBride had to work at him patiently until he finally moved him over near the end to go on to his 2nd Handicap Main event win in a row this season and 3rd win total.
Levi “The Hornet” Harris, also from Windsor, would weave through traffic to win the 6 rider Division 2 class, while Polish International star, Marcin Nicpon, claimed victory in the Division 3 wars!
The JR Speedway class has been growing rapidly and the kids have done an excellent job with sponsorship from Powersports X shop in Vestal and Robinson Racing. A superb race ensued for several laps in the final between Cody Pierce and Joel Farwell. They were neck and neck at the line in a decision that was tough to call…Farwell made a nice charge on the outside at the line and they appeared just about tied at the finish line with the scorers and refferee stating Pierce held on by just inches.
The mini trike racing was top notch all weekend with lots of passing and excitement. Tyler Kehs would win Saturday at APE, with Daniel Henninge next but Henninge got the last laugh Sunday by returning the favor and winning with Kehs second.
The next event at Champion is Saturday June 11th and is the Jagger Roberts Memorial in honor of the young local ATV rider who lost his life several years ago racing hare scrambles. The new ATV track at Champion is expected to be complete for it so fans can watch the Quad races prior to the Speedway show. The Quad program starts at 4pm, Speedway at 7.
More information at www.eastcoastspeedway.com
Champion Speedway May 29th results
Mike Buman leading Spencer Portararo in the final at Champion
Champion Speedway May 29th results
Scratch Main
1. Mike Buman
2. Adam Mittl
3. Dave Oakden
4. Spencer Portararo DNF
5. Len McBride DNF
Handicap Main
1. Len McBride
2. Trenton Lane
3. Mike Cortese Jr
4. Dave Oakden
5. Alex Heath
6. Mike Buman DNS
D-2
1. Levi Harris
2. Brian McManamon
3. Alan Bernklau
4. Brian Bailey
5. Jerry Harman JR
6. Dana Marsh DNF
D-3
1. Marcin Nicpon
2. Zach Ostrander
3. Scott Vargo
4. Alexis Heath
5. Tim Wilmarth
6. Chloe Schnurr
JR
1. Cody Pierce
2. Joel Farwell
3. Drew Eldred
4. Dalton Marsh
5. Macoley Saunders
Dirt Bikes
1. Macoley Saunders
2. Jenson Pierce
3. Kabriel Howard
4. Emma Cornell
5. Dakota Pierce
Mini Trikes
1. Dan Henninge
2. Tyler Kehs
3. Justin Pruitt
4. TJ Smith
5. Paulie Crambo
6. Steve Sullivan
7. Nick Kehs
8. Jordan Taft
9. Justin Vogel
Champion Adam Mittl with his wife and son
June 11th
Portararo and Oakden on top at Speedway Joe Cup
By Jason Bonsignore
Photo of Spencer Portararo by Kris Keath
Champion Speedway, Owego, NY June 11
The action was hot at Champion Speedway June 11 even though the weather was nice and cool!
In the scratch racing portion of the program, “Sideways” Spencer Portararo, the former East Coast Champion was the rider to beat looking very fast. In the Main event five-time track Champion, Adam “The Missile” Mittl, of Endicott, who was also looking sharp, jumped out into the lead on his Justice Bros/Tanks Auto/Scotts Headers/Arai powered GM and looked to have the race won for several laps but Portararo set him up on the last lap of turn 1 when he went just a bit wide and made a great move underneath Mittl to take over the last lap and win aboard his Justice Bros/Harman Boyz/Arai/Tanks Auto/Scotts GM machine. Len McBride, the 5-time Champion from Windsor took a solid 3rd. Portararo would get his name on the Speedway Joe Cup, which pays trubite to the late speedway fan, Speedway Joe Hodak of Johnson City, who hardly missed arace for 30 plus years.
Young Dalton Oakden would win his first Handicap Main of his career in the last event of the evening. Coming off a 20 yard handicap Oakden quickly established himself as the leader and showed poise to hang on during the six lap feature, while a couple other young riders, Levi “The Hornet” Harris, of Windsor, and Mike Cortese of New Jersey, did a great job to take 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Harris would win his 3rd D-2 Main as well, despite good pressure from Dana Marsh of Apalachin, who is improving weekly and gained a solid second while the “Red Rooster” Brian McManamon rode solidly for 3rd.
In the D-3 wars, rookie female, Chloe Schnurr, from the Rochester area scored her first Main event victory with a smooth wire to wire ride!
Cody Pierce and Joel Farwell had an exciting see-saw battle in JR Speedway racing with Pierce taking the checkers while MaColey Saunders and Jordan Taft won the Dirt Bike and Trike divisions!
The racing has been great and the facility looks fantastic at Champion Speedway as they celebrate their 48th season this summer! The shows have been ending at 10pm so families can get home at a reasonable time.
Stop out to the next event, June 25th, the Hurricane Hank Bassett Cup Championship at 7pm! More information at www.eastcoastspeedway.com
Speedway Joe Scratch Main
1. Spencer Portararo
2. Adam Mittl
3. Len McBride
4. Dave Oakden
5. Mike Cortese
Handicap Main
1. Dalton Oakden
2. Levi Harris
3. Mike Cortese
4. Adam Mittl
5. Len McBride
6. Caleb Stewart
D-2
1. Levi Harris
2. Dana Marsh
3. Brian McManamon
4. Tim Wilmarth
D-3
1. Chloe Schnurr
2. Zach Ostrander
3. Scott Vargo
4. Alexis Heath
5. Ray Schweiger
6. Anthony Terenzi
JR
1. Cody Pierce
2. Joel Farwell
3. Lilly Cornell
4. Gracie Bailey
5. Macoley Saunders
Dirt Bike
1. Macoley Saunders
2. Lilly Cornell
3. Kabriel Howard
4. Nolan Geiny
Trike
1. Jordan Taft
2. Aaron Vogel
3. Justin Vogel
June 25th
Missile Launch at Hank Bassett Cup
By Jason Bonsignore
Photo of Adam Mittl by Steve Koletar
Champion Speedway June 25th
Since 1998 Champion Speedway has hosted the “Hurricane” Hank Bassett Cup honoring the 4-time track Champion who courageously battled MS for years before passing away just a few years back and it is always an important event for today’s riders. June 25th was the date for this season’s event and the skies were clear and the weather hot!
The first handicap heat of the night was an exciting matchup between former track champions, Spencer Portararo and Casey Donholt. Donholt was coming back from a long layoff, not having raced since early in 2021. They both rode well with Portararo coming out on top.
The semis would provide some great racing! Trenton Lane would do a nice job in the first semi to advance along with Portararo and Donholt to the Main. The current track champion, Len McBride, would come off the 50 yard line in the second semifinal and would put 6 nice laps together to also transfer to the feature along with rookie Levi “The Hornet” Harris and Mike Cortese Jr, two younger riders who are getting better and better each week.
Portararo would pick off the riders ahead of him during the 6 lap Main on his Justice Bros/Harman Boyz/Arai Helmets GM to take the win with Harris holding a good line from low yardage to hang onto 2nd. Cortese rode the inside line for a strong 3rd with McBride moving through to 4th and Lane and Donholt 5th and 6th overall.
The “Red Rooster” Brian McManamon rode his Belog and Sons Produce GM to the checkers in the D-2 feature while “Rayzor” Ray Schweiger from Candor, made a great last corner pass on Rochester’s Chloe Schnurr to win D-3!
The scratch portion of the program was for the Hank Bassett Cup and the majority of the payoff and many expected a battle of the top 4 riders on the card consisting of Portararo, Donholt, McBride and 5-time track Champion Adam “The Missile” Mittl, who missed his handicap heat but had been rounding back into form the past few weeks after missing last year.
Mittl and Donholt were both fast in their semi with Donholt taking the win and both transferring the final. Portararo won the other semi with McBride gaining the second spot in the Main. Cortese would have to come through the hard way with a victory in the last chance qualifier.
Mittl would come from the gate one slot in the Main Event, which in recent years has not been the favored gate as the outside line at Champion has been so strong. Mittl used it to his advantage though as he rocketed off the line into the lead on his Scotts Headers/Justice Brothers/Arai/TANKS AUTO Jawa. He put together 4 perfect full throttle laps to take his 4th Bassett Cup Championship despite the hard-charging efforts of Portararo, who would finish second, ahead of Donholt, McBride and Cortese in that order!
The next event at Champion Speedway will be July 16th at 7pm!
More information can be had at www.eastcoastspeedway.com
Hurricane Hank Bassett Cup Champion Speedway Results:
1. Adam Mittl
2. Spencer Portararo
3. Casey Donholt
4. Len McBride
5. Mike Cortese Jr
Handicap Main
1. Spencer Portararo
2. Levi Harris
3. Mike Cortese JR
4. Len McBride
5. Trenton Lane
6. Casey Donholt
D-2
1. Red Rooster Brian McManamon
2. Dana Marsh
3. Zach Ostrander
4. Tony Terenzi
D-3
1. Ray Schweiger
2. Chloe Schnurr
3. Alexis Heath
4. Adam Mittl JR
5. Scott Vargo
JR
1. Joel Farwell
2. Cody Pierce
3. MaColey Saunders
4. Lilly Cornell
5. Gracie Bailey
6. Jenson Pierce
TRIKES
1. Paulie Crambo
2. Jordan Taft
3. Aaron Vogel
4. Justin Vogel
DIRT BIKES
1. MaColey Saunders
2. Lilly Cornell
3. Dakota Pierce
4. Kabriel Howard
Photo of Adam Mittl by Steve Koletar
July 16th
Donholt back in the winner’s circle at Champion
By Jason Bonsignore
Photo of Casey Donholt by Kris Keath
Champion Speedway, Owego, NY July 16, 2022
Champion Speedway’s July 16th program was the Olympique format and took place in front fo the best crowd of the year so far with a large competitor turnout where riders start the first round of heats on the same starting line and then the order in which they start for the last two rounds is determined by where they place in each heat. If a rider wins a heat he would then start on the 30 yard line the next time out and if they were second place they would come off the 20 yard line, third place would be from the ten and last from the zero. The program makes for some good passing and is entertaining for the fans.
The first race was a great matchup of two of the best from the East Coast…former track champions Spencer Portararo and Casey Donholt. Donholt made a nice gate and would lead from start to finish but not without heavy pressure from Portararo.
Those two riders would end up tied for overall points at the end of the heat racing with 11 each. Current track champion, Len McBride, and 5-time track champ, Adam “The Missile” Mittl were next with 10 points followed by Mike Cortese and Levi “The Hornet” Harris.
The top 8 would be placed in two semifinals with the top two placers in each going to the Main Event. Donholt won the first one with McBride second. Cortese and Dave Oakden would transfer to the last chance event. Mittl led the second semi the whole distance but Portararo was in hot pursuit and eventually fell on the outside of lap three ending his chase and causing him to have to go to the LCQ as well with Dalton Oakden. Harris would gain a second place when Portararo went down.
Mike Cortese took the start in the Last Chance and stuck to the inside like bubble gum. Despite multiple efforts from Portararo he just could not get by on the inside and could not gain enough traction outside to unseat him. Cortese did a fine job to take the last transfer spot to the final.
In the original start of the feature, McBride was checked out and gone on his TANKS AUTO/Justice Bros/Scotts headers/Arai Helemts GM as they came down the back straight with Mittl in a solid second but Donholt and Harris got tangled with Donholt’s leg getting stuck up under Harris’ fender. An original restart was ordered by the ref and McBride again nailed the start and was leading but drifted wide off turn four and opened the door for Donholt to pass up the inside. He took full advantage and rode onto his first win of the season making it five different winners in five weeks of Champion Speedway’s 2022 season!
The next race at Champion is July 30th at 7pm and is the prestigious Omar Lightner Cup Championship which honors the former track worker and Vestal Police Officer who was so very well liked and respected on the scene in the heyday.
Scratch Main
1. Casey Donholt
2. Levi Harris
3. Len McBride
4. Adam Mittl
5. Mike Cortese
Last Chance
1. Mike Cortese
2. Spencer Portararo
3. Dalton Oakden
4. Dave Oakden
D-2 Main
1. Red Rooster Brian McManamon
2. Dana Marsh
3. Mark Bradley
4. Zach Ostrander
D-3 Main
1. Scott Vargo
2. Chloe Schnurr
3. Alexis Heath
4. Dustin Palmer
5. Voytek Dojka
6. Carlson
D-1 JR
1. Cody Pierce
2. Joel Farwell
3. Dalton Marsh
4. Macoley Saunders
D-2 JR
1. Lilly Cornell
2. Kabriel Howard
3. Jenson Pierce
Trike
1. Aaron Vogel
2. Jordan Taft
Dirt Bike
1. Macoley Saunders
2. Kabriel Howard
3. Lilly Cornell
4. Ashton Palmer
5. Jenson Pierce
6. Dakota Pierce
July 30th
Sideways Spencer steals the Omar Lightner Cup!
By Jason Bonsignore
Group photo of Spencer Portararo with the Lightner Family by Scott Hixson, Action Shot of Spencer Portararo by Kris Keath
Champion Speedway July 30, 2022
Since 1998 Champion Speedway has hosted the Omar Lightner Cup in honor of the former Vestal Police Officer and Track worker and enthusiast who was very helpful to so many riders in the early years of the venue. It is an event that the riders always look forward to and produces some great racing! This summers show was no different on July 30th!
Former track champ, Mikey Buman, was back for the first time in several weeks and won his handicap heat but aggravated an ankle injury in the semi and had to pull out of the meeting after. Another former track champion, Spencer Portararo would go on to win his handicap heat race with young up and coming racer, Caleb Stewart, runnnig second. Buman was not the only big name to go out in the semis after taking fifth as Len McBride, the current and five time track champion, had an equipment failure and suffered a DNF. Portararo stayed hot with a win and another 5-time track champion, Adam “The Missile” Mittl, also won his semifinal.
McBride rebounded with a convincing scratch heat win while Portararo continued racking up wins as well. McBride was again out front in the scratch semis when his motor seized and dropped him to last. Jerry “Buefford” Harman would inherit the win and along with Adam Mittl, a transfer to the final. Portararo again won his semi and Mike Cortese would take second to earn a berth in the Main. McBride jumped on a second bike for the last chance and was leading coming out of turn two when the chain came off and caused a tough crash ending his horrible night of mechanical gremlins. Without McBride making the restart, it opened things up for a good battle between Trenton Lane, Alex “Hazard” Heath, Stewart and Harris in which Lane put a nice ride together to claim the last transfer position.
The experienced Mittl would blast off the line first in the Omar Lightner Cup Main event using his Scotts Headers/TANKS AUTO Sales/Justice Bros/Arai Helmets Powered GM to take over a comfortable lead over Portararo. Mittl and Portararo went around for 3 laps in that position but Portararo was determined not give up his perfect night and he made a big move on the outside dirt line on the last lap on his Justice Bros/Scotts Headers/TANKS AUTO/Moonbeam/Harman Boyz GM to overtake Mittl and claim his second Lightner Cup Championship to the applause of the crowd.
To conclude his unbeaten evening, Portararo came out once more in the handicap main off the 50 yard line and weaved his way through lower yardage riders within a few laps to go on and take the final checkered flag! The Hornet Levi Harris was second and Cortese 3rd.
The next event at Champion Speedway is the Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial August 13th which is always another top notch event on the East Coast Speedway calendar!
Omar Lightner Scratch Main Event
1. Spencer Portararo
2. Adam Mittl
3. Mike Cortese
4. Trenton Lane
5. Jerry Harman
Last Chance
1.Trenton Lane
2.Caleb Stewart
3. Alex Heath
4. Levi Harris
5. Len McBride (DNF Crash)
Handicap Main
1. Spencer Portararo
2. Levi Hornet Harris
3. Mike Cortese
4. Alex Heath
5. Adam Mittl DNF
6. Jerry Harman DNF
D-2
1. Red Rooster Brian McManamon
2. Dana Mayhem Marsh
3. Bunk Harris
4. Anthony Terenzi
D-3
1. Chloe Schnurr
2. Rayzor Ray Schweiger
3. Scott Vargo
4. Voytek Dojka
5. Alexis Heath
6. #5
JR D-1
1. Cody Pierce
2. Joel Farwell
3. Macoley Saunders
4. Dalton Marsh
JR D-2
1. Lilly Cornell
2. Kabriel Howard
3. Jenson Pierce
TRIKES
1. The Legend Donnie Archibald
2. Daniel Henninge
3.Aaron Vogel
4. Jordan Taft
5. Justin Vogel
DIRT BIKES
- Macoley Saunders
August 13, 2022
Mittl Takes McBride Memorial at Champion Speedway
By Jason Bonsignore
August 13, 2022
Photo of Adam Mittl by Kris Keath
The Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial is an annual event at Champion Speedway paying tribute to the former track workers who also happen to be the parents of two of the best Eastern Speedway Racers of all-time, Tuff and Lenny McBride! Lenny, the 5-time track champion, is still racing and was leading the points championship util this past weekend, Tuff, a multi-time NYS and track champion, still rides part time and is a big fixture around the track helping in many ways. Kathy McBride did scoring for many years at both Champion and Action Park East while husband Larry did all the videos and local press articles. Great people who were a huge part of the sport here and are fondly remembered by many. The riders look forward to this race each season and this year was no different! Lenny, who won the event in 2019, really wanted a win again for his parents but sadly had to pull out of the meeting after a crash in his second heat.
With Len McBride out the early favorites looked to be another 5-time track champion, Adam “The Missile” Mittl and another former track title holder, “Sideways” Spencer Portararo! Portararo won his handicap heat and semi with Mittl taking second in his two rides.
Portararo would again win his scratch heat over Jesse “Jet” Diem while Mittl took first over Mike Cortese Jr. Portararo would then beat Cortese, followed by Jerry “Buefford” Harman and Diem in the scratch semis and Mittl would also win his semifinal over Levi “Hornet” Harris with Trenton Lane third and Andy “Motoboy” Crawford fourth.
Diem would gain the last transfer to the McBride Scratch Main event by winning the last chance ahead of Harman, Lane and Crawford.
In the McBride Memorial feature, the two heavy hitters…Mittl and Portararo, would come off gates one and two. Mittl powered his TANKS AUTO SALES, JUSTICE BROS, ARAI HELMETS, SCOTTS HEADERS, JOE V’s AUTO GM to a perfect start and took the lead with Portararo in hot pursuit. Portararo tried multiple lines on the outside and inside to try and get past but Mittl rode the perfect line to take home his second main event win and third title of the season! Portararo was second, Cortese third, Diem fourth and Harris fifth.
Portararo would gain his revenge with an excellent come from the back win in the handicap final from the 50 yard line! Harris would hold second and Mittl third also coming all the eay from the 50 yard marker.
The next events on the East Coast schedule are The Danny Moonbeam Fallon NYS Championships with RD 1 at Action Park East Friday Aug 26th and the finals at Champion Speedway Saturday, August 27th. There will also be a live band, CLOSE ENOUGH, immediately after the races Saturday evening and visiting riders from CO are expected as well!
Larry and Kathy McBride Memorial Results:
1. Adam Mittl
2. Spencer Portararo
3. Mike Cortese
4. Jesse Diem
5. Levi Harris
Last Chance
- Jesse Diem
- Jerry Harman
- Trenton Lane
- Andy Crawford
Handicap Main
1. Spencer Portararo
2. Levi Harris
3. Adam Mittl
4. Mike Cortese
5. Trenton Lane
6. Jerry Harman
D-2
1. Brian Red Rooster McManamon
2. Dana Mayhem Marsh
3. Zach Ostrander
4. Chloe Schnurr
5. Anthony Terenzi
D-3
1. Scott Vargo
2. Alexis Heath
3. Marcin Nicpon
4. Austin Carlson
5. Ray Schweiger DNR
JR D-1
1. Joel Farwell
2. Cody Pierce
3. Macoley Saunders
4. Dalton Marsh
JR D-2
1. Kabriel Howard
2. Lilly Cornell
3. Jenson Pierce
4. Gracie Bailey DNF
DIRT BIKES
1. Kabriel Howard
2. Alec Hoffman
3. Lilly Cornell
4. Jenson Pierce
5. Macoley Saunders
TRIKES
1. Aaron Fresh Meat Vogel
2. Dan Used to be the Man Henninge
3. Donnie Washed Up Archibald
4. Jordan Wish Paulie was here so I wasn’t last Taft
** September 3rd and 4th, 2022**
Nicol Nails 3rd US Open Speedway Title
By Jason Bonsignore
Action Photo of Broc Nicol in black and red by Scott Herb, the second photo by Kelly Renee is Adam Mittl leading Mike Cortese, Spencer Portararo and Charlie Venegas
Champion Speedway, Owego NY
September 3rd and 4th, 2022
The Action was hot at the 41st running of the US Open Speedway Championships presented by Lanes Yamaha, Connor Concrete Cutting, Dean and Christine Wight and Tanks Auto Sales at Champion Speedway Labor Day Weekend! A stellar field of some of the top riders in the Country were on hand to compete for the prestigious Title, including two-time Champion and former US National Champ, Broc Nicol, along with former World Team Cup and Best Pairs Champion, Ronnie Correy, and Two-time US National Champion, Charlie Venegas!
Nicol had an early bike issue and a DNF on Saturday in the heat rounds which cost him points while Correy showed some incredible speed after a long layoff, winning his first couple rides. He would go onto have some bad luck dropping a chain and falling once thus having to qualify through to the A Final by winning the last chance event. Venegas and 5-time track Champion, Adam Mittl would finish as the top points scorers heading into the Main event. Nicol gathered things up after his early DNF to go unbeaten and earn is place while up and coming rider, Mike Cortese Jr of Stirling, NJ would also qualify.
Correy was caught back in 4th off the original start of the feature but went around Nicol on the outside of the back straight and looked to be taking over the lead as he pulled up with Mittl in turn four but he over slid and fell bringing out the red flag. He would have to come from the penalty line on a different bike and with a slightly battered left knee from the accident. On the restart it was all Nicol as he used his European experience to out-gate the field and take control for the four laps taking the win with Venegas in hot pursuit, who would grab second. Mittl was third, Cortese fourth and Correy fifth.
Sadly Correy’s knee was in no shape for racing on Sunday and he would miss the program much to the dismay of the fans. Nicol was super solid taking each heat win while Venegas and Mittl would also go unbeaten and stay near the top of the points. Local Favorite, Spencer Portararo, who was plagued with mechanical gremlins Sat, worked his way back up the ladder by scoring consistently Sunday and would join Cortese and the previously mentioned leaders in the 4 round Main Event series finals!
Riders would rotate position for the four features, except for Portararo, who as last points scorer would remain on the outside. The Round Robin Main Events, which the US Open has always traditionally used most years, makes for an incredible show for the spectators as they get to see the best riders go head to head multiple times.
In the first go, Venegas made an awesome start and outride Nicol for the win! Portararo would take 3rd over Mittl with Cortese last.
Final #2 had Venegas hit the tapes while trying to make a flying start and he would have to come from the ten yard penalty line. Nicol made a great start and would lead all four laps but Mittl also rode a super race for second place over Portararo, while Venegas made up ground to pass Cortese.
The third Main was again Nicol out front but Venegas was back to take second while Mittl moved past both Cortese and Portararo for 3rd.
In the final event the top three placing were the same again but Portararo had a scary crash on the last lap while in fourth when his chain broke and he came down hard. He would get credited with last but the win was already in the bag basically on points for Nicol prior to the last race and Nicol was surely a very deserving winner of his 3rd US Open Speedway Championship!!! Venegas would take second overall while Mittl would be the top NY Scorer and capped off a great weekend with a 3rd overall!
Champion Speedway has added a TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP event Saturday, September 24th and will host another 2-day National Event Oct 7-8 weekend at the track followed by the season ending Fall Brawl, Sunday afternoon, Oct 16th!
Championships RD 1 Results:
A Final
1. Broc Nicol
3. Adam Mittl
4. Mike Cortese
D-2
2. Jake Myers
4. Brian McManamon
D-3
1. Scott Vargo
2. Ray Schweiger
3. Alexis Heath
4. Voytek Dojka
5. Marcin Nicpon
Dirt Bikes
1. Lilly Cornell
2. Macoley Saunders
3. Kabriel Howard
4. Dakota Pierce
5. Emma Cornell
Trikes
1. Aaron I am the best forget the rest Vogel
2. Dan How do I lose to Vogel Henninge
3. Jordan Terminator Taft
4. TJ I only come for the big races Smith
5. Donnie Banned from the Quad Track Archibald
6. Paulie This was not how it was supposed to be Crambo
7. Justin How can a Vogel be last Vogel
US Open Championships Finals Results:
Overall
1. Broc Nicol 65 Points
2. Charlie Venegas 54
3. Adam Mittl 46
4. Spencer Portararo 33
5. Mike Cortese 27
6. Jonny Oakden
7. Levi Harris
8. Dave Oakden
9. Dalton Oakden
10. Caleb Stewart
11. Jerry Harman
12. Trenton Lane
13. Ronnie Correy (Did not ride 2nd night)
14. Dana Marsh
15. Dave Pieper
16. Brian McManamon
17. Ken Pieper
18. Alex Heath
A Main 1
1. Venegas
2. Nicol
3. Portararo
4. Mittl
5. Cortese
A Main 2
1. Nicol
2. Mittl
3. Portararo
4. Venegas (Penalty line)
5. Cortese
A Main 3
1. Nicol
2. Venegas
3. Mittl
4. Portararo
5. Cortese
A Main 4
1. Nicol
2. Venegas
3. Mittl
4. Cortese
5. Portararo (DNF)
D-2 Main
1. Dana Marsh
2. Chloe Schnurr
3. Zach Ostrander
4. Brian McManamon
Overall D-2
1. Marsh
2. McManamon
3. Schnurr
D-3 Main
1. Marcin Nicpon
2. Ray Schweiger
3. Adam Mittl JR
4. Alexis Heath
5. Tim Wilmarth
6. Scott Vargo DNF
Overall D-3
1. Schweiger
2. Nicpon
3. Vargo
JR D-1 Main and Overall
1. Cody Pierce
2. Joel Farwell
3. Macoley Saunders
JR D-2 Main and Overall
1. Lilly Cornell
2. Kabriel Howard
3. Jenson Pierce
4. Gracie Bailey
Dirt Bike Main
1. Macoley Saunders
2. Kabriel Howard
3. Dakota Pierce
4. Lilly Cornell
Dirt Bike Overall
1. Saunders
2. Howard
3. Cornell
Trike Main
1. Dan Did you really think I wouldn’t win the Final Henninge
2. Donni The Rebel Archilbald
3. Paulie Back on the podium Crambo
4. Aaron Hope I don’t lose my endorsement deals Vogel
5. Mark Where have you been Waddington
6. Jordan I should have taken them all out Taft
7. Justin I need to start cheating Vogel